Track Update: Madison Hays
12/29/2015 10:25:00 AM | Track, Competing With Purpose Blog
Sophomore hurdler Madison Hays will be part of a first-ever Pepperdine indoor track team coming up in early 2016, and then she'll look to build on last year's solid freshman campaign when the outdoor season begins later in February. She took the time to write about how much her faith impacts her running:
Track is not easy. It is not always fun, in fact, sometimes it feels like torture. At the same time, there is nothing more satisfactory than crossing that line and realizing that you ran faster than you ever have. How do we get there? What is it that pushes us along and motivates us to take another step, to run a little faster,to jump a little higher? Well, I for one have a mantra. Every race I repeat the same few words in my head:
I can do all things through He who gives me strength.
When all you have to show for your countless hours and weeks of training is less than a minute, channeling your emotions is essential to a successful performance. I find this sense of peace in the Lord. When my heart is pounding fiercely in my chest, I simply breathe and focus on the one thing that will remain steady. God. Every day, every breath, every opportunity is, ultimately, in His hands. It is our responsibility to use what He has bestowed on us in the best way possible.
I can do all things through He who gives me strength.
Now,saying that God is the reason we succeed is not to discredit the hours of running, lifting, and conditioning we go through, but rather stands as a reminder. A reminder that we cannot do this alone. Even taking God out of this equation, we know it is true. People quit sports because of their teammates or coaches. When you are on the ground, feeling like you cannot get up, cannot continue, you need someone there to pull you up. What is it that pulls you up?Is it a teammate's encouraging words? Your family's expectations? Your coach telling you to do better? Your own self-conscious? Your desire to compete for God? All of these things have at one point been my motivation. However,speaking from my own experience, there is only one of these that will remain steady through it all. Trusting in the Lord.
Whether we like it or not, God has a plan for us. He knows what is going to happen. Why wouldn't you want to trust in the one person who knows the end results? Not only does God know what will happen, but He will never, ever leave your side.Wow. That is powerful. You have a number one fan, cheering you on every step of the way. Our Heavenly Father wants nothing more than to see us succeed. To do this though, we must crave success for the right reasons: honoring our Lord.
I can do all things through He who gives me strength.
Being a student-athlete is hard, but also so fun and rewarding. This is YOUR opportunity.If you are trying to constantly impress or please others, even yourself, you will never feel satisfied. I challenge you to pursue your goals with a new mindset,one focused on something larger than yourself. Next time you step onto the track, court, or field, play for an audience of one. Play for the one who helped get you to this moment. Maybe you will find my mantra becoming you rmotto.
I can do all things through He who gives me strength.
Players Mentioned
