The Track

Its 7:30AM and I’m sitting in a chair at the local high school track.

Fog surrounds us. 

There’s me, a young collegiate triathlete I’m working with, a young teen, probably only high school age, running sprints on the infield. 

We’re here to do a running test for the collegiate athlete…a first step toward making her a better runner. 

The tall gangly high school kid has changed into football cleats and after a warm-up lap around the track, proceeds to run 100, then 50 yard sprints. 

At first he looks a little awkward, and I think, “I could help him with his form, make him a more efficient sprinter.” But as he runs down the field, the further he goes, the faster he goes.

Speed builds easily.

He is fast and fluid.

In my imagination, I see him veer and catch the pass from the unseen quarterback. 

Its August…early August. But early mornings are cool in the mountains, so its not hot yet. The fog helps keep the soon to be scorching summer sun at bay. 

I sit uncomfortably, wanting to be running – not taking down heart rates and splits and making notes. 

My athlete runs steadily, calling out her heart rate each time she passes. 

The high school kid continues to run – still ragged at the start, but smoothly and effortlessly as he builds speed and hits his stride. 

Why is he out here?

Why are we all out here? 

Basically, because we want to be better...or we want someone else- my runner, the sprinter’s team - to be better. 

Tracks are where we go to test ourselves, to make ourselves better, to make dreams come true.