Devin Ingram and family posing after another successful indoor season (Devin Ingram photo)
The indoor season is over! For some that is a weight off of their shoulders. This part of the season has had its ups and downs. Sadly this has been my last high school indoor season for track! As an athlete I only wish to progress, so it will only be fraction of my memory. Unfortunately I have come up short of some of the goals set by myself. For one to look back at what they could have been can drive them to new comings that will surpass previous goals. The season has changed me as an athlete for the better in my opinion.
The biggest thing that has proved to be positive for myself mentally this year has to be the leadership role. I saw the vacancy and took hold of it. Instead of handing the role to others, I took it and ran with it. The position forced me to mature a little as time passed. The role has forced me to stay positive during situations, to be uplifting to the younger athletes falling short of a victory, etc.
As meets came and passed i noticed that my performances in a way flat lined. The times weren’t getting any faster or staying the same, they were getting slower. As time passed I noticed that practices were getting increasingly difficult to run. Long story short I was getting extremely frustrated. To the point of crying, all I could do was walk away until I had stopped. I choose to show no weakness to ones who look up to me.
Illinois Top Times was the last meet to prove myself worthy to myself. I am now running with some of the elites in Illinois. The indoor championship is underway. Nothing but good news is coming forth. I have competed running personal bests in both open events I qualified for. I am restored mentally; not because I had a place on the podium, but because I have progressed. Indoor season has prepared me for what the next segment of the season holds.
Athletes progress well, and teams stay as one. Thank you for your time in reading!