Yesterday, April 23, 2013, was our first MS Track meet. Out of 32 athletes on the Middle School Track team, 26 participated in different running races. Everyone who participated did his or her absolute best. In the past we saw only a few stars being discovered at the track competitions; this season we have whole new constellations being born.

It is quite rewarding to observe and to be a part of the process of a Super Nova. Of course that is a long process, with many forces involved: the young athlete, his/her parents, the school administration, the coaching staff and the community. Everyone contributes at different times and through different forces.

I would like to give you my take on the process. Generally, there are two ways people go about it. First, one has talent, finds a field to apply it, gets reward from their success, and with time decides to pursue it or not. Others lose or fail, but that loss motivates them to work hard to prove that they can do better.

I do not know what other schools’ coaches are doing during the track meets besides timing, dealing with their runner’s fear and anxieties, or spurring them on; me, I am star gazing.

Here is the exciting part, the birth of a star. That is the time when an athlete is in the heat of the running race. They are just approaching the finish line. But I know that for them to cross the finish line, they need to cross a line that they have never ever crossed before. Even if they have raced before, it is different every season. That is pushing through the feeling of fatigue, physical discomfort, fear and anxiety. For one to close that gap, it will take all the work one has done during practice, all the genetic talent they possess and then the spark. You see, human evolution has created our physiology to be brutally efficient and the brain is incredibly vigilant to do just that. The brain processes information every split second from the physiological elements of lactic acid build-up, glycogen depletion, oxygen depth, proprioceptors feeding the brain with velocity, to torque, tissue and joint efficiencies angles. The brain is the gatekeeper for our vital resources and the brain cares only about our survival. For us to survive we need resources to grow and live. If the brain recognizes that survival is jeopardized, the brain will reduce the muscle activation through declining energy stores. That split second when an athlete has to either continue the assault or give it up is a magnifying glass or telescope for observing the birth of a future star.

I know where to be for each one of my athletes to support them, but something deep inside them needs to say, “Keep Going!”