Monday, October 7, 2024

Running With The Blind

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems
written by Erik 2011, a school paper

RUNNING WITH THE BLIND

Everyone knows that a runner sometimes faces difficult obstacles. Adrian Broca is a runner may have an obstacle slightly bigger than the average runner- Adrian is legally blind.

                In his senior year in high school, a genetic condition caused him to lose his eyesight. Over time, all he could see a few color contrasts and shadows. For a while, he was very depressed, but that’s when he started walking. After many cuts, scrapes and bruises he learned how to walk around his neighborhood by himself, eventually leading to running, and soon to running marathons.

                Adrian first signed up for a St. George Half Marathon and met Cedar City runners John Hart and Clinton Rhoton there. These two helped Adrian run the race by running beside him, holding a shoelace and guiding him along. They talked to him and said things like, "there's a runner coming to your right, let's go left." He set his personal time during this race.

 In the 2010 St. George Marathon, Adrian ran the race with help John and Clinton and also two others: Brandon LaCagnina and Jon Hermansen. He says this about himself: "I viewed losing my vision as a gift and think it's something that has propelled me to overcome my challenges and not give up no matter what the obstacle that's ahead of me might be.”









Saturday, September 7, 2024

A Champion's Race

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems
written (and drawn) by Erik 2011


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

My Greatest Race

 

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems
written by Erik 2011, a school paper

MY GREATEST RACE

People always seem to remember a ‘first’ in their lifetime, whether it was their first time riding a bike, their first time driving a car, their first day at school, or even their first kiss. Sometimes it’s a vague memory, and sometimes it’s crystal clear. Nonetheless, it is something that you will never forget. One thing that I remember very clearly is the day of my best 400 meter race.

It started out like any other day. I crawled out of bed like a sloth, dragged myself to school, and after a long school day, I headed to the bus for the meet. Throughout the bus ride, I was a little nervous for my race, but not as much as I soon would become. As the bus pulled into the Dixie High parking lot, I remember thinking, Dang! It’s hot! Our team headed to the shade and we all rested up for our races.

            “First call for the Varsity Boys 400 meter…” I faintly heard the announcer declare.  My race is after that, I thought, It’s coming closer! Knots filled my stomach; I felt as nervous as a cat in a cage of dogs! “First call: JV boys, 400 meter!” was what we all heard the announcer say. “Let’s go warm up!” I called to my friend who was also running the same race as I.

            Our warm-up happened speedily! While watching the varsity runners sprint their event, I thought: It’s right after this! I finished warming-up and headed for the starting line.

            After being assigned to our lanes, the official said, “On your marks!” I jumped once to loosen my legs one last time. I positioned my legs on the starting blocks and adjusted my hands. “Get set.” I was ready. I leaned my body. Boom! screamed the gun. I ran! I remember running next to my friend, who was a little ahead of me on the second of four stretches of the 400 meter track. As I round the third stretch, the curve, I passed my friend. I recall feeling very tired, but honestly- would I really stop at this point? No! I pushed and struggled to the finish line, coming in at third place. I felt as accomplished as I ever had before.

            I was very anxious to see my time, but after a LONG while of waiting, my dad went to converse with the officials of the meet. They explained: “We got behind on timing races, so we skipped the time of the JV boys 400!” You’ve got to be kidding me. I was furious! My best race, and there was no official time!

            I left to talk to my coach. He said, “After watching your race, Erik, it looks like you got about a 58 or 57!” (seconds, that is)

            “Yes!” I exclaimed. This time was better than my last race by about 4 seconds (I only ran the 400 meter twice during my freshman year). Even though it wasn’t as fast as the others on the team, it was good enough for me! I tried my best, and it showed in how the race turned out.