Early in my running career, I struggled with a mental block around racing longer distances—anything beyond 10K felt intimidating. I was afraid I'd hit a wall and fail. To overcome this, I started breaking the distance into smaller segments in my mind, focusing on one mile at a time rather than the whole race. I also practiced visualization techniques, imagining myself finishing strong and feeling confident. During a half marathon, I reminded myself constantly to stay present and trust my training. That race was a breakthrough—I finished feeling strong and proud. It taught me that fear often comes from how we frame the challenge mentally. By shifting my focus and building confidence step by step, I was able to push past the mental barrier and reach new goals.
One example that stands out from my time playing softball was when I accidentally hit a line drive straight at the pitcher and it hit her in the nose. It was a scary moment, I felt sick about it, and after that, I developed a mental block. I was so afraid of hurting someone again that I started hesitating with my swing, and my performance really suffered. What helped me overcome that fear was talking with teammates about it. They reminded me that accidents happen and that the pitcher was okay, and more importantly, that I couldn't play with fear in my head. Eventually, I started trusting myself again and playing like I used to. That experience taught me how important it is to face mental blocks head-on and lean on your support system to move forward.
My biggest piece of advice is to prioritize time management. Staying focused on school and athletics is essential, but it's just as important to make space for friends, family, and taking care of yourself. I like to plan out my days so I know when it's time to lock in and when I can step back and recharge. Even small things—like taking a bath or catching up with a friend—can make a big difference. Finding that balance helps me stay motivated and avoid burnout.