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Perseverance and grit in sports
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The pain in my legs, the sweat running down my face, hard breathing while trying to grasp air, people yelling spontaneously at me “GO Maddy GO!” hundreds of spectators all around watching and yelling, breathtaking mountain views in the background, dirt flying up in the air from pounding feet hitting the soft dirt is something I wish I could go back to. Running at USATF Junior Olympic Cross Country Nationals in Albuquerque, New Mexico the year of 2012 is a special day I wish I could go back to. It was December 8th, very hot and muggy in the state of New Mexico, but very cold and snowy back at home in Indiana. With thousands of runners from all over the state warming up, jogging around, stretching and getting ready for their big day, I was
I remember the first time I came to America; I was 10 years old. Everything was exciting! From getting into an airplane, to viewing magnificent, huge buildings from a bird’s eye view in the plane. It was truly memorable. After staying few days at my mother’s house, my father and I wanted to see what Dallas looks like. But because my mother was working the whole day, it wasn’t convenient for her to show us the area except only on Sundays. Finally, we went out to the nearby mall with my mother. My father and I were astonished after looking at a variety of stores. But after looking at different stores, we were finally tired and hungry, so we went into McDonald’s. Not being familiar with fast food restaurants, we were curious to try American
As I boarded the plane to move to the United States, the beginning of September 2005, I couldn’t help but think about all that I left behind; My family, my friends, my school, my clothes, and all of the awesome cultural food. Then again, I looked forward to this new life, a new beginning. I imagined it being like life in the movies, where everything seemed easy and life was just beautiful. After all, I was going to the States; the place where most people only dreamt of. I felt very blessed to have this opportunity because I knew that it wasn’t given to everyone. Coming to America marked my coming of age because I left behind my old life, I started life afresh, and I became a much grateful person.
In the beginning of September 2005, disappointment and excitement revealed on my face when I boarded the plane to move to the United States of America. The feeling of leaving my families, friends, school, clothes, and culture in Cameroon presented a hardship for me on this journey. Of course, I anticipated this new life because it indicated a fresh start. I envisioned it resembling life in movies, where everything appeared to be simple and life was simply excellent. All things considered, I was heading off to the United States, known for the American dream. To me it meant that everyone is given equal opportunity to prosper, achieve a family, and attain a successful job as long as they are hardworking and determined. I felt exceptionally honored and blessed to have this open door since I realized that it was not provided to everybody. Coming to America denoted my transitioning on the grounds that I deserted my previous lifestyle in Cameroon, began a new chapter in my life once again, and finally became a much grateful individual.
Form N-400 is otherwise known as the application for US Naturalization. I have started and stopped filling out form N-400 half a dozen times in the past few years. Most recently, I used the excuse that I couldn’t read all of the dates in my passport. Thus I could not give the relevant dates for when I had left and reentered the country over the necessary time period. The other day I downloaded the form again but now I can’t find my passport.
Growing up in England by the Peak District my Dad would often take us on short walks through the heather to look at the rolling hills; I fondly remember falling into the heather on an autumn day or seeing mounds of snow over the embankments on the sides of the roads. My Mum lived across from a wooded area that sprawled for miles, it started as a slope leading to trees and the small stream that I would walk along in my Wellies, during the winter my brother and I would trek out there for hours of sledding and fun to return to hot chocolate made for us. Since moving to America, I have witnessed nature but never to the raw extent that I did as a child. This past summer I found myself backpacking, the type where you put a third of your body weight
The start of the 2002 track season found me concerned with how I would perform. After a disastrous bout with mononucleosis ended my freshmen track season, the fear of failure weighed heavily on my mind. I set a goal for myself in order to maintain focus and to push myself like nothing else would. My goal for my sophomore track season was to become a state champion in the 100 meter hurdles. I worked hard everyday at practice and went the extra mile, like running every Sunday, to be just that much closer to reaching my goal. The thought of standing highest on the podium in the center of the field, surrounded by hundreds of spectators, overcame my thoughts of complaining every time we had a hard workout. When I closed my eyes, I pictured myself waiting in anticipation as other competitors names were called out, one by one, until finally, the booming voice announced over the loudspeaker, "...and in first place, your 2002 100 meter hurdle champion, from Hotchkiss, Connie Dawson." It was visions like these that drove me to work harder everyday.
As the first meet neared, things were going well. I made it onto the 4x100 team making me the third fastest kid on the team. The other members of the relay were Jason Schmidt, Jeremy Willard and Rodney Schmidt. Jason and Jeremy were both the top dogs and Rodney and I were second from the bottom of the barrel.
Going into the first race we had not expected much since Susan and I had never run this type of race. There were so many crucial things that we had to remember. It wasn't just to get out of the blocks and burn up the track; there was a baton involved, a certain amount of steps to take, and even a certain way to hold the baton.
The sporting event I attended was the 33rd annual Jesse Owens Classic track meet at Jesse Owens stadium on Saturday, April 21, 2018. I choose this event mainly because I ran track in high school and I wanted to view a track meet with the newly found psychological perspective I’ve gained in regards to spectating sport. I attended the second day of the overall two-day track meet. The environment of the event was very nostalgic for me. I could taste the competitiveness in the air, and I loved watching athletes that had trained very hard and were showing the evidence of their hard work.
My heart was pounding as I boarded my flight leaving the Bangkok International Airport. A flight attendant in a grey dress with a red bow draped over her shoulder announced; “Welcome aboard flight AA350 to the United States.” My journey began that day.
My family is originally from Kenya; it is the country located in the East of the African continent that borders the Indian Ocean. Kenya has diversity in its natural beauty with visitors getting the opportunity to visit clean unpolluted beaches, breath taking mountains, beautiful forests, serene lakes, scenic wilderness and even some harsh semi desert areas. I migrated to USA through an opportunity my dad winning green card this day I will never forget. I remember it was January 17 year 2000. When my dad came home earlier than usual, this was odd for him, he used to work in the coffee factory so he would live home in the morning dawn and arrive late in the evening.
Representing Manitoba was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life as well as my proudest achievement to date, as my team won a silver medal in the 4x400 relay. In addition to our medal, my team broke the provincial record for the 4x400 relay. The previous record set on August 14th, 1979 was 3:47.00, and on August 4th, 2017 we ran 3:43.65. There are no words to explain how I felt when my teammates and I were told we broke a 38-year-old record. What I realized in that moment was that all the hard workouts, sacrifices, and teamwork that went into breaking that record were worth it.
I dip my toes in—feels cold. My nerves rise up and spread like fire throughout my body while I watch—while I wait. Stomach hurts. All those butterflies clash and crowd. They come every time that I race—it never fails. There is so much noise—the splash of water, talking, yelling, whistling, cheering.
Then, as the season started up I pushed myself at every practice and ran my heart out every race the coach gave me the opportunity to run in. While some races were full of medals and praise from my peers and coaches, others were full of futile effort and frustration. Even when agonizing setbacks happened, my passion kept me working towards better times. After beating out my competitor for a prized position spot, I ended up accomplishing my goal of making state as a part of our team’s 4x8 relay. Completing my dream of competing on Drake University’s beautiful blue track.
April 28th, 2015 is a day that I will forever remember. The end of track season was approaching as my team and I were headed to Lubbock, Tx to compete in the regional track meet. on our way to compete in the Regional track meet. at Fuller Field which is located in Lubbock, Tx. I got the privilege to go to the meet that day because my 400 time was fast enough to compete on the mile relay. Unfortunately, I was the youngest out of the six girls so I was put as an alternate. The mile relay is a team of