After a race in cross country goes wrong, Lucille Pazdan reflects on what she learned from the experience.
“Bang!” With the crack of the gun, the race began and we all darted out like a hungry coalition of cheetahs chasing a herd of wildebeest. The cold air caught my muscles off guard, causing me to tense with every stride I took. We narrowed into the eucalyptus grove, the sharp smell filling my lungs. As we reached the final stretch of the steep gravelly hill, I pushed.
The stakes were high, this was my seventh grade cross country championship, and I was so close to winning. With one person in front and another gaining one me, I had a feeling that I still might be able to get first place. I could see the finish line.
I had a flashback to earlier that November morning and remembered feeling uneasy this particular race day. When we climbed onto the bus, all I wanted to do was burrow into my bed and go to sleep. We arrived and within the blink of an eye the race started. I huffed and puffed through the course with everything flashing by, yet still taking way too long until I got to the end. Down the gravely, steep hill I went, my body taking off without my mind. The next thing I knew, I was on the ground with dirt and debris in my mouth. I spat and dusted myself off, while my teammate passed me. My legs throbbing, blood dripping from my knees, I wobbled to the end, with another girl taking my place. I was trying to regain my balance, when I tripped over the race timer. With my clothes soaked, I was the definition of a hot mess.
It’s been over a year since the accident and I still have a fear of running down hills. But, I’ve learned from my mistakes. This memory still comes to me when I think about making mistakes, but I tell myself until you’re broken, you don’t know what you’re made of. It gives you the ability to build yourself all over again, but stronger than ever.
With a Perspective, I’m Lucille Pazdan.
Lucille Pazdan is a middle school student. She lives in the Bay Area and enjoys running, drawing, hiking, baking, and shopping.