Running has been my way of keeping fit and healthy for as long as I can remember, before I did it for a sport, I ran around my neighborhood for fun. Some may call me crazy when I say this, but I honestly just enjoy running. However most runners have other reason's and motives for going running on a regular basis. That reason is often to keep a nice body due to outside pressures.
Some may say that these thoughts are unhealthy, and maybe they are, I can't be the judge of that. I know that peer pressure can be a negative thing but what people don't realize is that it can also be positive. The right kind of peer pressure can even be healthy. The key is knowing when peer pressure is healthy, and when it has gone too far.
When all of your friends are running and eating healthy, that often causes pressure on you to get more exercise and eat healthier as well. This is an example of positive peer pressure. If your friends and peers are encouraging you to change your behavior so that you become healthier, that is okay. What is not okay is when your peers encourage you, maybe directly or even indirectly to change something about yourself that could cause damage to your health.
If your friends are trying to lose weight, and they over exercise and eat very little to achieve this, you need to realize that this is unhealthy and that you shouldn't fall into the same pattern. They may make comments about your weight or body type that causes you to want to do the same, that should be a red flag.
I think it is so important that kids realize that their peers can impact them positively as well as negatively. Remember that not all peer pressure is bad, and that it is okay to have friends that encourage you to improve your health. I have friends that pressured me into track and cross country. This is one of the best decisions, and healthiest decisions I have ever made, and it was because of peer pressure. So beware of negative peer pressure and be aware of positive peer pressure.
Word Count: 370
Sunday, April 5, 2015
The True Meaning of Sportsmanship
On Saturday, I witnessed a moment of true class and sportsmanship. Stephanie Jenks, of Linn Mar High School, ran the 3000 meter early Saturday morning along with myself. Every runner in the state of Iowa knows Stephanie Jenks. She is what I like to call a running prodigy, she is a phenomenal runner. On Saturday, she shattered a 3000m record and then, when she was finished running, she cheered on the rest of the runners in that race, including myself. That is class.
Just to put this into perspective, the 3000m race is 7.5 laps, just shy of 2 miles. In my opinion, it is one of the toughest races that any runner can run. Jenks finished over a lap ahead of the second runner, with an amazing time of 9:51. And then, after, she encouraged the other runners. After I finished the race I felt horrible and there was no way that I had the energy or breath to cheer on anyone else.
Jenks' actions show true sportsmanship and she should be a role model to everyone. I don't know many people that would have done what she did. A lot of times when people excel at something, they become cocky and sometimes rude. Not Jenks. She is so kind-hearted and a good sport. I can't say that I would be the same if I was as gifted as she is.
However Jenks isn't the only sportsmanship I witnessed at Saturday's meet. I had been racing a girl, also from Linn Mar, the entire race. We had gone back and forth, sometimes her in front of me, sometimes me in front of her. As we approached the last 200m, she was in front of me, but I was determined to beat her. So I did, in the last 100m I passed her and beat her. As we lined up after the race in the order that we had finished, she congratulated me and complimented my "strong finish". You don't often find people like this at competitions. Nowadays, everyone is all men for themselves, and they get upset when things don't go their way. This girl's compliments made my day and restored my faith in people of the world.
So just remember, the next time you finish a race, tell the person in front of you or behind you "good race" or "good job" and cheer others on. Sports can be crazy and intense, but always remember to be kind to your opponents.
Word Count: 413
Stress Less on Meet Day
It's hard to keep the nerves down on the day of a track meet. When you step up to the line at the time of your race, those few moments right before the gun goes off, are always the most nerve racking. It's easy to freak yourself out, but believe me, that is not going to help you to race better. There are a few strategies that you can do to keep the nerves down on race day.
The first thing that you have to remember is that, at this moment, you can not get into any better shape, you can't be any more prepared. You know where you are at and you know how fast you can run. This always calms me down because it reminds me that everything is out of my control until race time.
Another thing is to keep busy during the day. Dive into your school work and forget about the upcoming meet for awhile. If you aren't thinking about it then you can't stress about it. This is why I always listen to music and either read a book or do homework on the bus ride there, so I think less about what I am about to face when I arrive at where I'm headed.
Talking to a team mate can always be helpful as well. If you are both nervous then it helps you to understand that everyone at the meet is feeling the same way you are. They are all just as nervous as you are. A friend could also help to calm you down. If you are working yourself into a frenzy then they can be there to talk you through it. After all, it is just a high school track meet, and if you don't do well, there is always other ones. Your team will be proud of you no matter how good (or bad) you may do, so there's no need to worry.
If you are stressing out during the race, set a steady breathing pace and stay hooked onto the person in front of you. As my coach likes to say "grab onto a ponytail and go". Work your way up in the group that you are running in. If you aren't running in a group, it is helpful that you have a watch so that you can focus on staying on pace. Always remember that there will be other races, so there is no need to stress. If you don't do well in this race, then it is not the end of the world.
Meet day can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Just stay focused on what you can control rather than what you can't, This is the day that you have trained for. You are ready. Now go get 'em.
Word Count: 467
The first thing that you have to remember is that, at this moment, you can not get into any better shape, you can't be any more prepared. You know where you are at and you know how fast you can run. This always calms me down because it reminds me that everything is out of my control until race time.
Another thing is to keep busy during the day. Dive into your school work and forget about the upcoming meet for awhile. If you aren't thinking about it then you can't stress about it. This is why I always listen to music and either read a book or do homework on the bus ride there, so I think less about what I am about to face when I arrive at where I'm headed.
Talking to a team mate can always be helpful as well. If you are both nervous then it helps you to understand that everyone at the meet is feeling the same way you are. They are all just as nervous as you are. A friend could also help to calm you down. If you are working yourself into a frenzy then they can be there to talk you through it. After all, it is just a high school track meet, and if you don't do well, there is always other ones. Your team will be proud of you no matter how good (or bad) you may do, so there's no need to worry.
If you are stressing out during the race, set a steady breathing pace and stay hooked onto the person in front of you. As my coach likes to say "grab onto a ponytail and go". Work your way up in the group that you are running in. If you aren't running in a group, it is helpful that you have a watch so that you can focus on staying on pace. Always remember that there will be other races, so there is no need to stress. If you don't do well in this race, then it is not the end of the world.
Meet day can be stressful, but it doesn't need to be. Just stay focused on what you can control rather than what you can't, This is the day that you have trained for. You are ready. Now go get 'em.
Word Count: 467
Sunday, March 22, 2015
France Redefining the "Perfect Body"
I think that this bill would be great if it were to be passed. I have always believed that models were much too skinny and unhealthy looking, giving teens around the world unrealistic images that they would compare themselves to. Seeing these women in magazines and on runways, young girls would look at them in awe, wishing to be like them one day, without realizing how unhealthy they actually were. If they are required to have a certain BMI, then their bodies would look much healthier, which I think is very important.
It is important that these models look healthy and realistic, because when they do not, young girls sometimes go to extreme measures to achieve what they believe is the "perfect body". Eating disorders are a huge problem in society today. Up to 24 million men and women of all ages suffer from an eating disorder of some kind in the United States today. That is far too many and it is so sad. Children should be taught from a young age that any body type is beautiful. I am also a strong believer that this concept should also be displayed on the runway.
France's bill is a step in the right direction, but there is so much more that needs to be done. I believe that all shapes and sizes should be displayed on the runway and in fashion magazines, not just those that are 6 foot tall and have a BMI of 18. It is important to teach children (not just girls but also boys) to be comfortable and confident in who they are because all body types are beautiful.
So as thrilled as I am about this new bill that is set to pass, I know that there is so much more that needs to be done. I also hope that if this bill does pass, that it will be enforced as strictly as they say it will. It is important for both children's mental health, but their physical health as well.
Word Count: 396
Track Meet - What to Bring
I don't know where you live, but if you live in an area where the weather can be slightly bipolar, packing for a track meet can be a difficult task. However, there are a few ways that you can pack properly, so that you know you have everything you need for that day/evening.
Obviously you will need your uniform, tennis shoes and spikes, that's the easy stuff. If your track meet is in the afternoon, into the evening, like most of mine are, then the afternoon will probably be warm. In this case, you will need shorts and a t-shirt to go over your uniform while you are not running. However, it will get warmer in the evening and into the night, so you should also pack sweat pants and a sweatshirt as well as under armour to go underneath your uniform just in case.
When I was a freshman, I always struggled with what extras to bring. I always brought things I didn't need and didn't bring things that I wish I had. A few things that I remember clearly are extra underwear, bottoms and socks, icy hot, a roller, pain relievers, food and money. Extra underwear and socks may seem like weird things to pack, but if you over exert yourself there is a chance that you could wet your pants. You probably think that it could never happen to you, but it is always better safe than sorry. Extra socks are great to put on right before a race. After getting your socks sweaty while warming up, it feels great to put on a fresh pair of socks with your spikes right before a race. Icy hot, a roller (for rolling out your muscles), and pain relievers are necessities. Running is a painful sport and these are things that every runner will need. Lastly, money and food. You can never bring enough food to a track meet. Track meets last for hours and you burn off a lot of calories which makes you really hungry. However, make sure you pack healthy foods, like fruit and protein bars and don't eat too soon before your race. As for money, you may need this to purchase a Gatorade or food after you are done racing.
These are just a few of the things needed at track meets. Other things that should be considered is a watch and water bottle. Also, earbuds so that you can listen to music on the bus ride there or before your race to get pumped up. These things have helped me survive track meets so far and I hope it helps you too.
Word Count: 439
Obviously you will need your uniform, tennis shoes and spikes, that's the easy stuff. If your track meet is in the afternoon, into the evening, like most of mine are, then the afternoon will probably be warm. In this case, you will need shorts and a t-shirt to go over your uniform while you are not running. However, it will get warmer in the evening and into the night, so you should also pack sweat pants and a sweatshirt as well as under armour to go underneath your uniform just in case.When I was a freshman, I always struggled with what extras to bring. I always brought things I didn't need and didn't bring things that I wish I had. A few things that I remember clearly are extra underwear, bottoms and socks, icy hot, a roller, pain relievers, food and money. Extra underwear and socks may seem like weird things to pack, but if you over exert yourself there is a chance that you could wet your pants. You probably think that it could never happen to you, but it is always better safe than sorry. Extra socks are great to put on right before a race. After getting your socks sweaty while warming up, it feels great to put on a fresh pair of socks with your spikes right before a race. Icy hot, a roller (for rolling out your muscles), and pain relievers are necessities. Running is a painful sport and these are things that every runner will need. Lastly, money and food. You can never bring enough food to a track meet. Track meets last for hours and you burn off a lot of calories which makes you really hungry. However, make sure you pack healthy foods, like fruit and protein bars and don't eat too soon before your race. As for money, you may need this to purchase a Gatorade or food after you are done racing.
These are just a few of the things needed at track meets. Other things that should be considered is a watch and water bottle. Also, earbuds so that you can listen to music on the bus ride there or before your race to get pumped up. These things have helped me survive track meets so far and I hope it helps you too.
Word Count: 439
Attitude + Motivation = Success
Having a good attitude can go a long way. Yes, I realize that most of us would rather be at home, lying in bed, watching Netflix and eating Oreos rather than training on the track, but running is something that you just can't avoid and you did sign up for a running sport after all. Somebody has got to be the one that gets people moving and pumped for the days practice. If you have to be there, then you may as well have a good attitude about it. Think about why you are there and get excited about it. Maybe it's your passion for running, or maybe it's because your friends are there. Either way, the best way to keep a positive attitude is looking for the positives in the situation rather than the negatives. Having a good attitude at the start of practice makes those 8 miles slightly more bearable.
Another thing that is helpful is motivation. Not just having motivation for practice but for the season. You are tired and drained from the day's events when you stumble into practice, but remember how you set that goal for a 5:30 mile? That's why you are there. That is why you work hard. That is why the effort you put forth is so very important. In order to achieve your goals you need to have motivation to get there. Keeping your goals in mind while you are at practice will keep you moving and working hard. Trust me when I say, all of that hard work pays off in the end.
Positive attitudes and motivation aren't things to just keep in mind for the track season, but it applies to all sports, activities and most things in life. If you are motivated to achieve your goals and keep a positive attitude along the way, then there is nothing keeping you from success. Keep that in mind the next time you are dreading going to practice and throughout the rest of this track season.
Word Count: 407
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Are women better than men at racing?
"Women are 'better' than men at running marathons." Well that's great news. This does not mean that they are faster, this means that they are better at keeping a steady pace. I believe that this is because women tend to underestimate themselves while men over estimate themselves during a race.
Women start out their races slow, because they underestimate how fit they actually are. On the flip side, men start out at a quick pace, believing that they are in better shape than they actually are. There is a term that I learned in my AP Psychology class that comes to mind. Over-confidence. It's pretty straight forward, it is when you believe you can do more than you actually can. In a race, because women start out slower, it is less likely that they will "hit a wall" and feel the need to slow down. Men however, sometime during the race will realize that they are moving too fast and slow down.
It has been studied over the course of 6 years, using millions of people and a wide variety of different races, so I want to believe that the statistics are true, however I am still not so sure. During cross country, I find that in both the women's and men's races, there are some runners that take it too slow at the beginning and some that take it too fast. I never thought that it had to do with gender because I saw a pretty even mix across all of the races. I was always one to start out too slowly and have too much energy at the end, however most of my friends struggled with the opposite problem. Because of that, I really believe that it doesn't matter, men or women, I believe that it depends on the person. However, the studies have been done, so I should trust them.
Overall, it is always important when racing to know your strength. At the start of the race, when the gun goes off, it's okay to try to get out of there fast, but also try to settle into a rhythm. After about 400 meters you should lock in your pace for the race. It is always better to start out slower than what feels comfortable, because later in the race you will be glad that you did. Happy racing!
Word Count: 392
Women start out their races slow, because they underestimate how fit they actually are. On the flip side, men start out at a quick pace, believing that they are in better shape than they actually are. There is a term that I learned in my AP Psychology class that comes to mind. Over-confidence. It's pretty straight forward, it is when you believe you can do more than you actually can. In a race, because women start out slower, it is less likely that they will "hit a wall" and feel the need to slow down. Men however, sometime during the race will realize that they are moving too fast and slow down.
It has been studied over the course of 6 years, using millions of people and a wide variety of different races, so I want to believe that the statistics are true, however I am still not so sure. During cross country, I find that in both the women's and men's races, there are some runners that take it too slow at the beginning and some that take it too fast. I never thought that it had to do with gender because I saw a pretty even mix across all of the races. I was always one to start out too slowly and have too much energy at the end, however most of my friends struggled with the opposite problem. Because of that, I really believe that it doesn't matter, men or women, I believe that it depends on the person. However, the studies have been done, so I should trust them.
Overall, it is always important when racing to know your strength. At the start of the race, when the gun goes off, it's okay to try to get out of there fast, but also try to settle into a rhythm. After about 400 meters you should lock in your pace for the race. It is always better to start out slower than what feels comfortable, because later in the race you will be glad that you did. Happy racing!
Word Count: 392
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