The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from ...

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

My heart pounded as my sore legs struggled to keep moving. Sweat trickled down my forehead, and the heat seemed to bounce off the ground, creating a mirage of wavering images. Twigs and leaves crunched under my feet as I stumbled over rocks that littered my path. Pumping my arms and legs as fast as I could, I struggled to keep up with my teammates. Only one mile into the run, my burning lungs gasped for air. However, my teammates seemed calm, taking deep, relaxed breaths. While they sped up, my muscles attempted to work harder, but failed to keep the pace. Lagging behind by a couple of hundred meters, my teammates abruptly did a U-turn and charged toward me, their speed creating a cyclone of wind. Although the gust gave me momentary relief from the 104-degree heat, they quickly sprinted ahead of me. Like a wounded animal, I whimpered as I trudged along the path all alone. When I finally returned to the trailhead, I felt nauseous, and I could barely breathe. I grabbed my water bottle and chugged the cool water to cure my raspy throat. Limping to the car, I slammed the door and started to cry. “How was your first practice?” my mom asked. “I-I-I never want to do that again! I hate cross-country!” I sobbed as tears rolled down my face. Even though my first cross-country practice was undeniably awful, it was an exhilarating test of personal strength, and I committed myself to training that season. While the practices were grueling, cross-country made me physically stronger, and running changed my mindset—building my mental endurance. I learned that persistence is the key to success, and I discovered that my greatest competitor is myself. Just as my lungs would begin to burn and my legs would start to go numb in the middle of the race, I would remind myself to push through the pain. If I think I can’t, I won’t. However, if I think I can, I will. Having a positive attitude has changed my outlook on life; I can learn from my failures and strive to become a better version of myself. Qualifying for the State Championship that year showed me that big goals start with small steps. More importantly, my six years of dedication to the cross-country team helped me develop a growth mindset—both on and off the course. Beyond the rugged terrain of Chattanooga’s trailheads, my most challenging obstacle has undeniably been my journey through high school. Unlike a cross-country race with colored flags directing all runners along the same path, high school has been more of a solitary run for me. By choosing to participate in online high school and dual enrollment courses, I had “coaches” guiding me along the way, but my success was ultimately dependent upon my own self-discipline. Just as interval workouts sharpened my racing and pacing skills, I learned time management and study skills early on to succeed in my high school and college courses. Like running, I discovered that it is easy to go from sprinting toward the “finish line” of school projects to sometimes skidding across the muddy course—navigating unforeseen technological issues. Despite my literal and figurative bruises both on the course and in school, I realized that I must always stand up and get back “in the race.” While I sometimes felt alone on a “run,” I knew I had a community cheering me along, both in the woods and in school. Even though my educational journey has been a unique and bumpy course, cross-country has taught me that it is okay to run my own race. As a first-year college applicant with many foundational courses already completed, I feel confident and ready to sprint into higher-level classes. Looking to the future with adaptability and perseverance, I am prepared to take on my next challenge.