For seniors in high school or college, the end of the term or semester can signify a time of elation and relief. Finally making it to the end of school! However, for some student-athletes, this will be their last season as a student-athlete. It is like losing a part of their identity as they move on into the real world. No more practices with their teammates who they might have known since they were young children. No more coaches who were their biggest mentors and believers when times get tough. No more organized schedules around school and sports. How does an athlete accept that their athletic career might change significantly or even be over?
Allow Yourself to Mourn Your Athletic Career
I can vividly remember my final track meet I competed in. I finished dead last in the 3,000m steeplechase. I remember not being too pleased with my time because I tried to write my own training, and my season was not great. At this point, there was nothing I could do to change it. It took a while to realize that my last season of eligibility was used up. Even days after my last race, I had to recognize that I would no longer have a coach to guide me through my workouts, I would no longer have friends that I would see every day on the track, and I would no longer have my weekends being taken over from being at a track meet or recovering the day after one. I say that there will be some adjustments that need to be made. Some will be good, like having my weekends back and not needing to wake up early. Some adjustments will be tough, such as no longer having my social circle around me and keeping me accountable for my training. Accepting does not mean approving, it just means that there are things that are changing, but eventually I will be okay with it.
Look at the Big Picture
During my last season of track and field, I was hoping that I could have a perfect season. I didn’t. I would have been happier if my second to last season was my last one. I got in great shape and eventually got the school record for the steeplechase. Instead, it was similar to my last race in cross country where both of my shoes fell off during my final race. Less than ideal for how I wanted my career to end. However, just because my career ended in a way that I didn’t foresee, it does not mean that my career was a failure. In sports, just like in life, there will be highs, and there will be lows. It is all about looking at your career as a whole. Acknowledge the good times and acknowledge the bad times as well. For your sake, I am hoping that there were many good times that came with being an athlete.
Changing Identities
While my identity as a track athlete was coming to an end, it also meant that it was an opportunity to move on to something else. My family said I should move onto running marathons. I fought it for a long time. I would think, “I am only a track athlete. I will never run a marathon in my life.” I then ran my first half marathon a year after my last season of track and field. A few months later, I would eventually run my first marathon. That would eventually become my identity. It became my new passion. Does everyone have to do something drastic as that? Even though my personal bias would say so, but no you do not. The end of your journey could mean the beginning of something completely new. Trying new sports or activities can help you. Don’t force it, but don’t fight it either. You may surprise yourself with what you will like.
Takeaways
- It may be hard at first to accept that your journey may have come to an end, but being able to accept it can help through troubling times.
- While everyone wants a storybook ending, it might not happen, but that is okay. While the end might not be great, there could still be a lot of great moments in your athletic story.
- Experiment with other sports. There may be a sport that you might not like at first but give it some time and you might surprise yourself. I know I did.
Until next time.
