The Final Race

Senior year; Amarillo City Meet; last race of my high school career. All these things and more crossed my mind as I toed the mark for the 880 yard run for the last time. Since I had made the decision not to pursue track at the collegiate level, this was my final opportunity to prove to myself and to my peers that I really could race.

I took several deep breaths and cleared my mind as I waited for the starters gun . . .

But first, let me tell you about my sixth grade year I discovered that I could run, and started my true track career the following year as a 440 yard dash runner at Gruver Junior High School. Athletically talented, but academically challenged I had limited opportunities to shine, so I strove to do well in the 440 and mile relay team, when I wasn't on academic suspension.

And then my eighth grade year I ran the distance races at Travis Junior High School. It was during this time that I met my nemesis, Alan B from Amarillo High. Alan and I were pretty well matched, but he almost always seemed to edge me out at the finish. I was also during this time that I renewed friendships with a couple of Forest Hill Elementary friends, Larry M and Royce C.

My sophomore year at PDHS... track was still the first thing on my mind, and in high school we focused on it year-round. Larry M, Royce C, and I were together again along with Gary H. We were, in my humble estimation, a magic crew. Pretty evenly matched, we worked hard, each trying to out race the others. We were all strong half milers.

About two thirds through the first semester of my sophomore year, the unthinkable. Chicken Pox! Nothing like a childhood disease to take it out of a runner, mentally as well as physically. Even though I was part of a successful two mile relay team, individual success always managed to elude me the rest of my high school career.

Now back to my Senior year; Amarillo City Meet. . .at the sound of the gun I took off, applying my years of training, strategy and experience to this last race. Out hard and strong to be in a good position for my cut to the pole at 110 yards, then settling into a good pace for the next 800 yards in order to be positioned for the final kick to the finish.

Now as I recall, out ahead, Gary H and Larry M were in first and second place. We had the opportunity to make it a sweep for PDHS! If I could only beat old nemesis Alan B, from Amarillo High. He was sitting on my right shoulder. We were neck and neck.

The fight was even right down to the finish. Elation at the final lunge! I had finally beaten my dreaded opponent and my personal demons!

But drats! Wouldn’t you know, the time judge spotting the third place finisher was the Amarillo High coach! Sure, it was a very close race, but he gave the benefit of the doubt to Alan. He had beaten me again.

Thus ended my high school career on a dramatic, but anticlimactic note. It was a dozen years before I did any serious racing again, a 10k road race in Heilbronn, Germany, but that's a different story for another day. 

Still pounding pavement Bethany Freedom Run, Bethany, Oklahoma