I have been running for about eight years now, so you could say it has been a big part of my life. I am constantly trying to get better and faster. I like to see myself improve, and I like making my coaches and family proud. This track season my goal was to race in the State meet. In order to make it to the State track meet, you must be one of the top three runners at Regionals. This was a hard goal considering you’re racing some of the fastest people in your District and Region. The past two years, I have been less than a second from qualifying for the State meet. Yes, less than one second. This was very disappointing for me, and it has been a heavy weight on my shoulders since freshman year.

“I bet you have a big chip on your shoulders, huh? Being so close to State two years in a row,” Coach Keiser reminded me.

This year, I wanted it to be different. I wanted to qualify, and in order to qualify, I was willing to put in the work and put in the miles, too. I practiced every day, ate healthy (for the most part), and prepared mentally. I was constantly thinking about the race and how I could race “smart.” This preparation took long hours of running at the track, in the heat, during Christmas break, during Easter break, and early Saturday mornings when the rest of my friends were sleeping in. It took dedication, commitment, and patience. At times, I wanted to take the easy way out; at times, I wanted to stop trying so hard. I especially wanted to give up when I was dripping in sweat at the end of each practice, and my legs felt like noodles. It did not help that we were running in 85-degree weather, which basically felt like an oven. But I knew I had to be patient, and if I remained patient, all the work would pay off in the end.

It finally came to the day of my race, and I had been anticipating this day for months.

“You’ve trained hard for this, Ashleigh. You have put in the work, and now you just have to race. All the work is done,” Coach Keiser said to encourage me.

“We are very proud of you, no matter what. Just do your best,” my mom and dad told me.

“You’re going to do great. You’re one of the fastest people I know!” my friend Maddie told me before I left for the Regional meet in Thibodaux.

Although I knew this was not true, it helped hearing I was fast from someone else other than my coaches and family members.

Finally, it came the time of my race. My stomach was filled with butterflies and the smell of nachos from the concession stand made my stomach turn. I heard the cheers from the crowd and the encouraging words from coaches, family members, and other runners. The sight of all the other athletes who worked hard to get to this spot made me even more nervous.

“It’s only two laps. It’s only a half of a mile. I can do this with my eyes closed. I’ve worked hard for this. I can do it. I know I can do it,” I thought to myself, trying to relax.

I stood at the starting line, anxiously waiting for the gun to fire. After what felt like several minutes, the gun finally went off, and all the nerves instantly went away. I realized that now was my chance to redeem myself, and I just did what I do best: I raced. The first lap flew by and starting the second lap, I knew if I wanted to make it to State I would have to pass people. I felt a rush of adrenaline, and I forgot about the pain I was feeling. I forgot about the tightness of my legs and the shortness of my breath. With 300 meters left I picked up the pace, started passing people, and I didn’t look back.

“Run Ashleigh! You got her! Now is your chance! GO!” I heard Coach Keiser yell from the crowd.

It was the last 100 meters of the race and I was racing as hard as I could. All I could focus on was the finish line. I finished, out of breath, head spinning, and I collapsed at the finish line. It was all worth it. I placed second, and I met my goal: qualifying for the State Meet.

“Guess where we’re going?!” Coach asked me.

My head was still spinning and my legs were shaking. Even my arms felt limp. My heart was still beating fast, and I could barely get the words out.

“It’s about time,” I replied.

I understand I did not get first place, and I am okay with that. What matters is that I worked as hard as I could to qualify for State, and I gave it my all. I knew it was going to take time, as well as patience, and I was patient throughout the whole season. Through the ups, the downs, the exhausting practices, the sacrifices, and the stress. I waited. I waited for my time to shine on the track. And after that race, I realized that it was all worth it. I reached my goal: I was going to run in State.