Psychology vs. physiology
55
On Harrison’s 19th birthday I was driving across Colorado’s San Luis Valley on my way to coach a high-school track meet in Alamosa. The afternoon meet was going to run into the evening. My plan was to leave Alamosa afterward and drive to Leadville. Then we’d leave for Harrison’s track meet at Colorado School of Mines in Golden early the next morning.
Leading up to this Harrison had been a little edgy about spending his birthday away from home and family for the first time. I’d also found it strange. We had assured him we’d do something over the weekend.
As I was driving across the vast SLV, following the Custer County track team’s “yellow limousine,” my phone rang. It was Nate, asking if it would be OK for Harrison to have a piece of cake on the day before his meet. Nate had gotten the cafeteria crew to bake a birthday cake. I’m not a fan of Harrison eating a lot of sugar or wheat products before a race but there was no hesitation. I quickly said, sure, that will be fine.
Sometimes psychology overrides physiology.
What I learned later was his teammates had not only arranged for a massive decorated sheet cake but a full-on lunchtime party, a card filled with birthday wishes from dozens of other students, party hats, and even a couple small gifts. In addition he had woken up that morning to his room door decorated.
Harrison was absolutely thrilled by the biggest birthday party he’d ever experienced. Soon I was receiving text photos from the party and he appeared to be beaming with joy. I was blown away by the kindness and thoughtfulness of his college friends.
The high school meet went well into the evening but it was worth it to see my 800-meter runner Brooke get a podium. I was already tired and had a two-hour drive ahead of me to Leadville. I arrived at the college late. The next morning all CMC runners would be running in the morning distance session at the Mines Mini Meet starting at 10:15 a.m. We set the alarm early to get there in time, knowing we’d also be competing with Friday commuters in the metro area.
This time we warmed up by running to the Coors plant then doing a little bit of urban Parkour to get over some railings to access the trail along Clear Creek. The women’s 5K was just before the men’s. Zoe and Abby were running and Harrison and Kenneth waited near the start for his race right after. Mary and her brother Steve were there, as well as Lexi, who was injured, and other spectators.
Abby put in a strong effort in her last race as a CMC Eagle. Meanwhile Zoe had fallen behind and into last place but had a PR going. Suddenly with just a lap and a half to go – 600 meters – she pulled off the track where Darren was standing. There was an intense discussion. I saw a ref turn his back to the situation. Darren didn’t want her to drop and she didn’t want to finish last. After what seemed an eternity but was only a few seconds, Zoe got back on the track, red in the face, and continued on.
When she came back around, with just a half-lap to finish, Darren offered some encouragement but she turned to him and angrily quiet-shouted, “F--- You!” Then she continued on to the finish line, collected her gear and left the stadium. I was momentarily stunned. Wow, college track was a lot different than high school! I quickly filed that away as the men were getting onto the track.
Once again, Harrison went out with the pack. Mary, Lexi and I criss-crossed the field to cheer the guys on. Kenneth was ahead of Harrison for the first few laps. But Harrison soon settled into a pace, caught up and fought off a side-stitch to finish out the season with a PR for the 5K, 18:36, and the best placing for CMC in the meet.
The last track meet of the season was over and the team headed for lunch, but Zoe was AWOL. She apparently called Darren that evening and apologized. They worked it out. Months later she would tell me there was never any disciplinary action for her heat-of-the moment slip-up. I was glad that she didn’t get into trouble over this. She had always been such a great teammate. Over the year in the residence hall she had called Harrison from time to time to help her take her trash out. I knew this was her way of engaging and connecting with him. As time went by I would grow to appreciate her sense of independence and humor, and how she was often in the background supporting Harrison.
Notes from The Blur
Early in the morning of my birthday I found my door decorated with balloons and paper streamers, and it had a note from the Residence Life Team wishing me a happy birthday. I was so surprised and excited to see this. However, this would not be the only surprise that day.
At lunch everything was normal until the chefs walked up to the team table and surprised me with a big cake. Next, they sang happy birthday and even gave me a card. I had a big smile on my face. When I got a closer look at it, I found out that nearly everyone in the dorms signed my card and many had written notes. At first, I was a bit worried about eating the cake since it was the day before a track meet, but was assured it was OK to have a small piece.
After that, we took a team picture and then Nate and I got ready for Psychology class. We decided to take the rest of the cake to class to give to other students.
In Golden the next morning there was no waiting around like the previous meet there. Zoe and Abby were in the women’s 5K. The starting line was on the far side of the track. When the gun went off, the race started well with Abby running ahead of Zoe. With just 1.5 laps left, Zoe got off the track and told Darren that she didn’t want to finish last.
Up until then, she had a PR going and Darren told her to get back on the track and finish the race. Apparently she cursed at Darren the next time around but I didn’t hear it. After that, she finished the race, ran to our tent to get her things, and left with a friend. Because of this, she ended up not watching me run. She later told Darren she was sorry over the phone.
Next up was my race. Ben couldn’t make it because he had a class that day so it was Kenneth and I. This time I didn’t go out too fast at the beginning. I was consistent at the start and fast at the end. I ended up passing Kenneth the last couple of laps before the finish and ran a PR. Lexi ran back and forth cheering me on during the race and then hugged me after I finished.
Next was the women’s 1500 meters. Ana and Anne were in this one. Ana ran that race as a rabbit and only ran the first 800 meters then dropped as planned. Anne did the whole thing and did pretty well. After all events were over, Anne, Abby, and Ana got a picture together at the track to celebrate the last time they would ever run for CMC.
After the meet we went to Bonfire Burritos and I was able to have a second celebration for my birthday. My mom brought cupcakes although it was a day late. This time I didn’t have to worry about what I was eating since it was after the race.
On the way home, my mom and dad talked with me about what went on with Zoe. I was shocked to hear what she had said to Darren. Not only because she was my teammate, but she also was a good friend who would help prepare me for things by giving me advice, like she did at the track meet in Fort Collins.
Nevertheless, this was a successful ending to my track season and first year of running for CMC. I felt like I had accomplished a lot during the cross-country and track season. Now I had only two weeks left of my first year of college.
The Blur Goes to College is a free online book published as a series. Subscribe to receive future chapters delivered by email. If you would like to support our writing, we appreciate upgrades to paid subscriptions.
 |
|