During my very first track meet, I was lacing up my spikes and getting ready for my first race of my high school track career, the men’s 400-meter. Going into that season I had decided I would try something out of my comfort zone and so I joined track. As the gun went off to start the race, I could feel my instincts kick in and I immediately felt at home on the track. I ran through the finish line and felt the fatigue in my legs, but it all went away when I went over to my teammates and coaches and got nothing but compliments and words of encouragement.

I never imagined that I would find such a sense of placement and belonging in a sport that I picked up in a week’s notice my final year of high school, but that’s exactly what I found in track. I have never been one to purposely get out of my comfort zone, but after this amazing experience, I fully intend to pursue what makes me uncomfortable to hopefully find my next ‘track’.

My advice to anyone on the fence about trying a new sport, or club or even food is to definitely do it. You never know what you will discover. It may become one of your new favorite things.