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Dear Running,
We have had our ups and downs, especially downs. But I am now thinking about it and all the
downs have taught me valuable lessons.
Lesson Number One: See the positive. When a workout doesn't go my
way, sometimes I have to sit down and evaluate it. It's then I realize that it's just one day, and I got through it and hit my times: that's all that matters. Sometimes I'm too hard on myself and
think I need to go way under the goal times, when I don't. I had a really tough day the other week and I have this
app on my phone called "motivation." I get 5 quotes daily every day and it said, "You're going
to go through tough times, that's life. But I say, 'Nothing Happens to you, it happens for you.' See
the positive in negative events."- Joel Osteen. That quote helped me so much that day and it
reminded me that even if I had a bad day, it might have just been my body telling me to take it
easy. I had some hard training before that day anyways.
Lesson Number Two: Always trust the
process. Over the summer my team and I were having a tough time with training; everyone
was getting hurt left and right but our coaches kept telling us, "we are gonna get on that podium
this year. I know it." Not a single one of us believed it because of what was going on at the time. We still all
worked our butts off to make the best of the season, regardless of our current circumstance. Fast forward to December 7th
2019, and we were announced as the national champions. We all thought we were dreaming and little
did we know that we just had to trust the process.
Lesson Number Three: Run for the team. Right now, it's a difficult time for all the
runners who aren't able to train with their teammates. Even though they have the support of their
teammates, they don't feel it because they aren't right with you like they usually would be. I know, personally, I work best when I am with the ones that support me the most, and not being able to
train with them has been a bit hard, especially mentally.
Last week, I ran with an "old" teammate of mine
(social distancing of course). I say old but she is just a freshman in college, Kelsey Chmiel. I ran with
her and she was very positive and really helped me out. It reminded me of the good days when
we would train together, and we would have some of the best days at practice. It would really motivate me to
finish the run for the team, and train for the team.
I never like training for myself. I like training for the
team and I'll always do it if it helps the team. Just a reminder, not forgetting to have fun while running is
most important. I am sad that the New Balance Nationals Indoors was cancelled. My team worked
very hard to put up a great relay.
I'm gonna end this off saying 2020 Outdoor Track Season may or
may not be happening, but all I can say is everything happens for a reason and god always has a
plan even though it might not seem like it at the moment. We will just have to see what the rest of 2020 has in
store for us.
Sincerely
Ella Kurto
Saratoga Springs Sophomore (left)
