One of my favorite past times is running. And with running, it was evident that I would run track. My first time that I ran track was when I was 12 years old and I was in 6th grade for Little Olympics. While I was participating in Little Olympics, I made the conscious decision to make the goal for myself to make it to the State track meet during my high school years. During the time of attempting to achieve this goal, it was difficult and at some points, I wanted to quit altogether. The reasons that kept me going; however, are also the 11 reasons that I am about to share now and why I miss it so much.

1. My teammates

Literally the butter to my bread, my teammates became a second family to me over the years.

2. My coaches

Even though they yelled at me, (and I occasionally yelled at them,) I'm thankful they pushed me when they did. And also were okay with me if I skipped practice without kicking me off the team.

3. The atmosphere

Just as soon as you step onto the track at 9:00 AM patiently waiting for the meet to begin and warming up, there is an atmosphere at a track meet that can't be beaten.

4. The practices

Where your PRs and (sometimes blood, sweat and definitely the tears happen,) there comes the sense of confidence you'll have when you have to compete at the end of the week.

5. The meets

Each meet is a chance to become better, and have a step closer to getting a nice tan line.

6. Achieving accomplishments

Every runner's dream is to get to State, so when you get there, it makes all the hard work worth it! (Still to this day, I reflect on this!) Hard work does pay off!

7. Being in shape

The best part of daily practices and pushing yourself in the meets is knowing that you are losing weight while eating cake and cookies, because you know eventually you'll lose the weight by running and working out!

8. Bonding with my teammates

There are different personalities that surround a team but bonding over the long practices, the accomplishments, injuries and the hard times, makes being a team that much sweeter!

9. GOING TO STATE!

If you have the chance to go, be all there! It's a sweet moment!

10. The support! (Wow!)

Family and friends, thank you for the support throughout it all!

11. Learning what I was capable of:

My favorite thing was finding out what my body could be capable of, how mentally stable I could be and most of all, just the development as a person that occurs when you're in state like this!

If you were reading this and had flashbacks of moments similar, I'll leave you with this, you're not alone! I miss track every day and I can write about it all day!