Mackenzie Townsend is a senior at Cuthbertson High School who has had great success in the 200m-500m as well as relays. She has committed to UNC Wilmington to continue her running career, but is certainly missing getting to compete in her final high school season.
---
This was suppose to be my season. You've caused me injuries every year, and finally a healthy season, canceled. I could sit and cry over how I've lost you, how I am nothing without you, but I refuse.
Dear Running,
You're so simple, yet so complex. You're something most people take for granted. Babies are born, they learn to crawl, to walk, then to run. But you mean so much more to me than just putting one foot in front of the other at a fast pace.
So many people ask me how I could love you, how I could want to spend hours of everyday trying to perfect your craft. It's something I was born with; from racing my neighbors up and down the street, to finally trying out for a track team in the 8th grade, to moving to high school to be put in the varsity meets. No one could teach me to love you, or to have a passion for you. It was built within me, but it's the people around me who encourage me to be the best runner I can be.
They say "you'll leave blood, sweat, and tears on the track" but I've left so much more. All of the memories and the lessons you have given me will last an entire lifetime. Nothing else could teach me discipline, patience, and determination in such a way you do. At times you've shown me my worst self, but inevitably you've brought out the best version of me. You cause me my worst pain, but ultimately give me the strength to persevere.
You've taught me to be a better and a stronger person. As I go into my final outdoor track season, not knowing if I'll even get a chance to compete, I'm heartbroken. I've worked endless hours all of my high school career for this season. This was suppose to be my season. You've caused me injuries every year, and finally a healthy season, canceled. I could sit and cry over how I've lost you, how I am nothing without you, but I refuse.
Because of you I am so much stronger than that, I won't have the people you've given me to push me everyday, but because of you I can now do it by myself. Even if I don't get to compete this season, I would never change a thing you've given to me over the last four years, and when I move away and start my next journey with you in college, I'll be ready.
Thank you,
Thank you,
Cuthbertson High School Senior
