Endless Potential
Posted by Ethan Barron on Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Potential, chance, and what if’s. There’s nothing better? Think about it. Don’t we all pause as we’re about to scratch the last spot on our lottery tickets. We pause and think “If this last spot says $5,000 or if this last one is a cherry…”
It’s its own natural high and I won’t lie, I’m addicted to it. Not the lottery tickets that is, but the surge that you feel when you ponder the possibilities of the future. Personally, it’s the infinite possibilities that come at the start of any season. They’re invigorating.
This fall it seems like we have more “what if’s” than I can ever remember. So many athletes who were teetering on the edge of huge breakthrough’s last season are putting together some great summers, the rookies seem engaged and dedicated at an early stage, and the veterans are as hungry as ever.
Maybe it’s because there is an abnormally large group of the team on campus for the summer. I’ll be driving to the grocery store and see them running. On my way to the gym, and they’re running. Having a cup of coffee at True Grounds and they’ll blow by me on a training run. It really gets my mind working. What if? I’m telling you, it’s addicting.
“If if’s and but’s were candy and nuts, then we’d all have a wonderful Christmas.”
I’d never really heard this phrase until recently. To be honest, I don’t even really like it, but maybe it fits my current state of mind. I’ll rework it for the XC coach…
If ‘what if’s’ and potential gave us an extra chance, then we’d all have tickets to the big dance.
Alright, I’m no poet. I don’t claim to be. But you get my drift. Potential and possibility don’t mean much. You still have to go out there and take care of business.
I have a few numbers for you. 115, 108, 94. It’s not my locker combination. There’s 94 days to NESCACs, 108 days to Regionals, and 115 days to Nationals. That’s a long way off. There’s still a lengthy trek ahead.
But you know what? What if’s are fun. And I’m going to sit here, sip on my iced chai and enjoy the fruits of a few good what if’s.
What if LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all signed with the same team…wait a sec…I guess sometimes these what if’s come true.
Long story, short. Dare to dream. The alternative is just too boring to endure.
Filed in DIII NE XC / T & F, General Tufts Thoughts, My Approach to Sport |