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If these halls could talk: My inner athlete

By Sarah Gibson

Sarah Gibson

Most people that meet me would never expect me to be on a sports team. I’m known for being girly and artsy, not athletic.

This year I surprised everyone by trying out for cross-country at Garner Magnet High School. At first, it was really hard because I couldn’t breathe quite right. But I kept fighting for what I wanted and eventually made the team.

My first meet of the season was scarier than I expected. About halfway through the run, I became really dizzy. It really freaked me out. Here I was, running alone in the woods, dizzy and unsure of what was going on. I chose to stop running and just walk. I finally found a coach and told him what was going on. He told me I was done even though I wanted to keep running.

The coach walked me to the finish line via a shortcut. I remember crossing the finish line, crying my eyes out because I couldn’t finish the race. Next thing I knew I had a water bottle in my hand and a freezing-cold, wet washcloth on my neck.

My sister, who is studying to be an athletic trainer at East Carolina University, made me drink three bottles of water before I left. I hadn’t even thought about drinking at all before the meet. I had most definitely paid the price: dehydration. After that day, I tried harder, but breathing still didn’t get any easier for me. It hurt to breathe when I was running.

The cross-country coach told me I should see a doctor about it, so I did. My doctor diagnosed me with exercise-induced asthma. I was so glad when he said I could continue running; I just have to use my inhaler beforehand.

The next Saturday I went jogging for an hour. Almost immediately I noticed an amazing difference. I felt great when I realized I could run and breathe at the same time without feeling any pain.

As if cross-country practice every afternoon weren’t enough, I had something else to add to my busy schedule: On Tuesday, Aug. 25, I headed back to school, this time not as a freshman but as a sophomore. I was ready to start this year off on a good note.

I had my favorite teacher, Angela Woods, to start my day off right in first block. In all my classes, I knew at least one person. I had everything planned out from first block to the end of cross-country practice. But there are always the little surprises in a school day that make it worth it. It could be your best friend showing up in your lunch period or maybe even meeting someone new.

I learned many things last month. I learned to try new things and take risks. I also learned to persevere. Through starting cross-country and new school year, I learned to fight for what I want and to try hard.

I want my readers to go out and try something new. For me, it was trying out for a sports team. For you, it might be a little different. But I want you to try and not give up. Work for it until it’s yours!

Sarah Gibson is a sophomore at Garner Magnet High School.

Related articles:

• If These Halls Could Talk: High school stresses
• If these halls could talk: Show some spirit
• If These Halls Could Talk: March 11

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