Barren, frostbitten, powder white, frozen
I am a dragon- smoke seeps from my lips
Wishing a fire could warm my stiff limbs
While my thighs power through the drift
Thankfully, she’s just as icy beside me in her fuzzy socks
Coach reminds, “Goal motivated people find a way
Not an excuse.”

Charcoal skies, black ice, sleet, slick
Balancing each step is exhausting
Wobble to the left, skid to the right
My numerous layers cushion my many missteps
Trying to push the pace, she suddenly falls flat as I cackle
Coach jokes, “No one wants to hear about labor pains
They just want to see the baby.”

Windbreakers, freezing mist, colorless, hard ground
Moans and groans arise from those who hibernated all winter
Stinging my eyes, the dry air causes
Refreshing tears to spring to my aid, only to be dried in seconds
Ready for the start of the season, she rivals the boys
Coach emphasizes, “There is nothing wrong with training hard
In a sport that demands it.”

Thawing, sprigs of green, April showers, mud
The starting bang causes a ripple of adrenaline
Left turns only, as my nameless competitors fall behind
Drafting is the key to survival for me
But for her, she is always a wind breaker
Coach exclaims, “If it doesn’t hurt
You’re not running fast enough.”

Leaves aplenty, clear skies, tranquil, breeze
Three days a week my limits are pushed to the max
Constantly trying to break through barriers
It’s a mental game- I cannot afford to lose
She and I never realize how time flies by as we consistently drop it
Coach lectures, “Extra effort is the key to success
And there is no ceiling on effort.”

Longer days, hours of sun, heating up, humid
Victors have been crowded, and I am not royalty
A new season replaces my previous dashed hopes
Pounding out the miles over steaming asphalt
Adorned in red and blue, she is ready to fly away sadly
Coach reassures, “Champions are formed
When no one is looking.”

Death rays, heat exhaustion, panting, lava hot
Tanks and shorts are a necessity to not keel over
Adjusting to the conditions cause many to break down
Including myself who desperately misses her best friend
As she slowly fades from the team’s memory but never mine
Coach observes, “Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion
You must set yourself on fire.”

Sunshine, bipolar season, steamy mornings, chilly evenings
Complex transition from musty trails that wind through the wilderness
To prairie hills- trampled and stabbed by numerous spikes
Regret floods me as awful pain resides in my ankle after a brutal fall
Wireless connections are the only way she comforts my sobs
Coach murmurs, “This sport does not define you
Or your abilities.”

Sweater weather, beautiful, puffy clouds, bliss
This year was mine to win instead I am humbled as lay on the sidelines
Trying to convince myself that I am stronger than an injury that won’t heal
My competitors blow past me since a broken runner is useless
Supposed to replace her times, I fail miserably
Coach comments, “We all experience pain and injury
But you have the wisdom to know the difference.”

Crisp leaves, changing color, clear air, golden
Gradually knitting my ankle back together ‘til its whole once more
Too late for triumph, the season has vanished
Pointless to be bitter, so I’ll sigh sorrow out of my lungs
An hour’s drive seems like eternity to see her again
Coach mentions, “If you focus on the results, you’ll never change
If you focus on change, you’ll get results.”

Frigid wind, thunderstorms, growing darker, bare
My final year is meaningless as chasing the wind
However, I am restored to fulfill my passion
Medals obtain dust and rust while lessons last a lifetime
Visits are an option now; happiness is plastered on her face
Coach states, “You earn the right
To work harder.”

Goosebumps, icicles, frosted ground, chills
Motivation comes from within not a coach or teammate
Injuries couldn’t stop my vigor and mentality
I cannot be defined by something in this world
We might be changing, but our friendship remains
Coach urges, “You are either motivated every time
Or you are not.”

Coach’s wisdom will linger on inside me
Forming, changing, and altering my mindset
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage
To make tough decisions and the compassion
To listen to the needs of others. He does not set out
To be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of
His actions and the integrity of his intent
In the end, leaders are like eagles
They don’t flock, you find them one at a time.”