I first met Coach Kyle Barnes the summer before I started middle school, when the middle school and high school cross-country teams practiced together. At first, I did not talk to him much, but I immediately noticed his energy and humor. He had a way of making every practice feel alive. Even just watching him, I could tell he cared about each of us as people, not just as athletes.

That fall, after completing summer training, I decided to continue with cross-country. I ran my first season and loved the sport, though I was still learning what I was capable of. The races were tough, and I often felt outpaced by older runners, but I loved pushing myself and seeing small improvements each week. That winter, when joining the swim team did not work out, I joined Shore Track, a club Coach Kyle ran in the off-season. Training there taught me the fundamentals of form, pacing, and mental toughness, but more importantly, it helped me enjoy the process of getting better and take pride in my progress.

In March 2021, I had a scary accident during practice. I was hit by a car, and in that moment, I did not know if I would ever run again. I was scared, frustrated, and unsure of my future as an athlete. Coach Kyle checked in constantly and offered support, but the work of recovery and rebuilding strength was mine. That experience taught me resilience and the importance of pushing past fear. It also showed me how much I could grow when I stayed committed, even in moments that felt impossible.

As I returned to running, I was still figuring out if this was a sport I wanted to pursue long-term. I pushed past fear and competed in my first track season. I missed the first meet to give myself extra recovery time, but when I finally ran my first 800, I felt free again. That was when I realized running was my comfort. By the end of eighth grade, my times were a 12:12 in the 3200, a 5:35 in the 1600, and a 21:22 5K. I was proud, but I knew I had more to give.

High school brought new challenges. I joined a very vocal team and sometimes felt out of place. I was scared of being made fun of and struggled to assert myself. I worked hard but stayed quiet, and that work paid off. I made varsity as a freshman on a strong team, and I knew that when I needed guidance or encouragement, I could turn to Coach Kyle. His support was always there, but the effort, growth, and determination had to come from me.

My sophomore cross country season was especially challenging. My performances fluctuated between workouts and races, and I wondered why I could not hit the same PRs as my teammates. I felt discouraged and frustrated. Some days I did not want to show up to practice, but I learned to focus on small goals instead of overwhelming ones. When I stopped worrying about big outcomes and focused on daily progress, I began to feel more in control. Showing up, even when it was hard, became its own form of success.

During indoor track, I got sick near the end of the season. I was at one of the regular meets at Grand Valley and planned to race the 3200, but before the race, my body started to ache, and everything went downhill. I was also supposed to run the 4×800, but my body hurt so badly I could barely move. I took the baton and ran off the track. I ended up running the 3200 with a 103-degree fever. The fever lasted almost a week, keeping me out of practice. My training level dropped because taking time off affects me a lot. I go from feeling good to awful, like I have never run before. Still, I ran at the indoor state meet. The illness carried over into outdoor track. I constantly felt fatigued, my legs were heavy, and my energy was almost gone. I could not understand why I could have great workouts one day and terrible races the next. I kept pushing through, learning patience with my body and how to rebuild strength after setbacks, but I was not where I wanted to be.

At regionals, the temperature was in the high 80s, and it was my only chance to qualify for state in the 3200. I gave everything I had, but the heat got to me, and I missed the qualifying time by almost 50 seconds. I was crushed. It was my second year missing the qualifier, and by that point, my season was essentially over except for the club race I ran with Shore Club.

That summer, I focused on recovery and cross-training, riding my bike at Riley Trails to stay active without overtaxing my legs. My body responded to the rest, and summer training went better than I expected. I started hitting more good workouts than bad ones, and I returned to racing stronger than before. I ran a 5K in 18:15, 29 seconds faster than my sophomore time, proving that patience and perseverance truly pay off.

My favorite workouts were always the hill repeats at Sunset Bluff. They were grueling, up to 22 reps of 200 meters. Pushing through them taught me what it means to give everything, even when I feel like I cannot. Having Coach Kyle there was encouraging, but the real growth came from my own effort, persistence, and determination. Over time, my trust in him grew. He became someone I could turn to for advice, not just in running but in life. He taught me things I would never have thought to know. Without his guidance, I would not be the person or athlete I am today.

Looking back, running both track and cross country has taught me resilience, patience, and mental strength that I carry beyond the sport. I have learned how to set goals, work toward them, and stay focused when things feel out of reach. These lessons have shaped how I handle challenges in school and life, reminding me that progress takes time and effort. Coach Kyle has guided me along the way, offering support and perspective, but this story is ultimately about me, my struggles, my growth, and the athlete I have become. Each PR, each challenging workout, and each race reflects the work I put in and the lessons I learned. I am proud of how far I have come, and I know that my journey is defined by my own effort and determination.