Follow senior Aleta Looker of Ellsworth during her senior outdoor track season. She is known for her 800m prowess on the track where she's run the #2 outdoor 800m in Maine history, 2:14.30, she also has the fastest ever 1000m time in Maine history. Indoor she ran the fastest 800m in Maine HS history 2:11.58
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
It's a disguised prize, commonly reserved for distance runners, to lace up some shoes after a slow day at school and break away into the freedom of a steady pace. There's a kind of amity associated with honing in on the inner workings of one's mind over the course of a long run, or just exploring the simple world around. This afternoon I set out on the windy dump road to clear my head. Alike my feet, thoughts seemed to open up and run wild. I wrote these words against the peace of a familiar Ellsworth route.
These first couple weeks of Outdoor practice have been refreshing; great to see new faces, a taste of sunshine, and to dream towards the exciting days ahead. Ellsworth High School Outdoor Track has the pleasure of welcoming a new Assistant Coach to it's team, with a creative perspective on the sport. Shout out to Coach Westphal!
The true meaning of this blog is to share some experiences from one of my favorite athletes; with the hope to help others through similar situations. I'd like to call this an "Ode to Robert." I'm lucky to say that we've been on almost every team together since way back in sixth grade. That's where I'll start. Bert, since middle school you've inspired me! An unfortunate flaw with exercise has always been injury. Things always seems to happen to you :( You get hurt, like the many hours of freshman year spent icing your knees. You get so busy - juggling show choir, jazz choir, pep band, jazz band, symphonic band, performances, clubs, friends, homework, crazy sisters, etc. You even get sick and work harder to make up your training. Despite everything, you still save time for athletics and help me along the way. You're the skinniest being I know. Hearing you do core workouts across the hall over the years has kept me in check to put down the procrastinating and get my act together! Bertly, your laid back attitude is a calm reminder that it's not so bad, when I get dramatically overwhelmed. You've been there to push me through intervals and you have the best cheering in the ugliest of my 2 mile races. Many other high schoolers are involved in activities. The way I see it, the track community is fortunate to have such a variety of potential. Besides, it's even cooler when you succeed with half the practice! And hopefully others overcoming injuries, time management, and other minor setbacks can attack these trails like you do: with an open mind and confident resolve.
Watching Forrest Gump together the other day when I was under the weather inspired this advice to guide you exactly like you've always helped me.
-Coming back from illness is nothing for you. You can handle any task with the Lieutenant Dan type of determination you've always had. You've taught me to relax when I'm sick too, and focus on getting back after it!
-Running is natural to you. It's your thing, like everything else you manage. Running gives you opportunity, like the chance to play some ping pong(: Running can make you feel "not so different in the world" like Forrest finds out. Put on those magic shoes and embrace it!
-Bobby, like Beardsley says in mythology; we're gonna die. But as you've shown me: life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get. Some may be sweet, like the bond between twins. Others may make you sick or sore and take even longer to get back to where you were - but it happens. And you'll make it. You always do! So savor each bite until the box runs out. I love you!
Thanks for reading, and everyone should take the time to re-watch this movie. It's heartwarming with a tinge of sports action - like the Karate Kid!
Anyways, I'll see you at the MDI Relays this weekend!!!
~Aleta Looker
