Running Past Adversity

By: Kailea Tracy-Visintainer

I suppose I’ve been running since a child…firstly, running free. It was during this time that others noticed my love and ability for this kind of ‘play’. I was very fortunate to have some early guidance and encouragement when I was 9 years old. My first coach, Scott Burns at the Montessori School, brought the team concept and joy of participation to light for me- he tirelessly cheered us all on! Later, I realized the opportunities to gather and compete came through the organized events and volunteerism of many at the Valley Isle Road Runners (VIRR) Youth Cross Country series. Through the events I have met many great people and athletes! I have steadily competed through this awesome series for 5 years now!!

In 7th grade I was fortunate to complement my Intermediate School cross-country and track seasons with additional coaching and mentoring from Rudy Huber, organizer for the Front Street Mile and VIRR Youth Director. Having Rudy coach me has been exceptional, his belief in me, and solid training, has brought me many personal bests! Besides his dedication to my best interests as a runner, he has given me many memorable experiences and running opportunities outside of Maui. He wholeheartedly escorted a group of us to both the Footlocker Cross Country Championships at Mount San Antonio College (Mt. Sac) in California and to the Region 15 Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships, also in California! These kinds of experiences really helped me realize the greater scope of the running world! Those ‘firsts’ form a base to which I knew I could grow.

My 2006 cross-country season was phenomenal, each race I was proving to myself that I ‘could’, could do things and make times I never knew I could achieve! I saw that I was pushing the field, being brave, setting MY pace. Yet, a first place finish eluded me. Still, I was getting encouragement and positive reinforcement from many noted runners, enthusiasts and even the high school coaches! My confidence continued to grow, and I knew I had time; I was doing great and would enter High School next year in good form!

I wanted to finish my junior high running years with another chance to compete at the Mt. Sac Footlocker Championships, wanting to best my 7th grade time of 13:45 for the 2 mile run, which earned me a 12th Place finish for the 7th grade field, and the last medal! This year I ran a 5:31 mile at the Front St. Mile race, and ran another personal best for the 1.5 mile at 8:48, I knew I was ready. My goal for this year at the Footlocker Championship was to be in the Top 10 and run a sub 12:15. I was going to need support to go and to meet my goals. Luckily, I would get this opportunity from the help of Rudy, VIRR and my mother. I continued to train hard and focus.

It was Wednesday, November 29, 2006 when it all began. I arrived, with my mom, in Los Angeles at about 11 P.m.; the race was that Saturday, Dec. 2nd at 7am. To prepare for the meet I arrived on Wednesday so I could train the course and be fully prepared for the meet that Saturday. The next morning, Thursday, I met with my coach, Rudy, at the course. Rudy recently got a coaching job at UC Irvine, so was already in California. We both walked the course and he had me run different parts of it, so that I could get a feel for it again. This course is hard and technical; it has to be run smart.

That Friday I relaxed, visualized and walked over the course one last time. I felt totally ready for that Saturday. I knew everything that I needed to do from when I woke up to the end of the race. My goal again, was to be in the top ten and go under 12:15 (2miles). I was full confident in my ability to reach these goals! I had trained hard; the race was now only mental. I would need to be ready for the COLD morning, something very different than Maui! Too, there would easily be over 100 girls in my race alone. All I needed to do was believe in myself!

I woke up that Saturday and was right on schedule and psyched! Me, Rudy, and my mom met downstairs of the hotel, we were greeted with a blast of frigid 38-degree air as we left there! I braced myself as we drove over to the venue, still dark out; I warmed up well and went over the course in my head.

Suddenly they called our division up to the starting line, pulling me out of my head. Then, surprisingly, they also called the boy’s start. With that news I was struggling to stay centered, I was then beginning to focus on how that would fit into my race vision. That was a mistake.

We all found our place on the line and having shed my warm up suit, shockingly felt the cold full force. I was afraid to lose my spot and probably compromised my warmth while waiting, not moving enough. BANG, the race began and I was right where I should be, in the top ten coming into the corral area where it was important not to be boxed in, making a strong lead important.

Making my second round, completing the first mile, the crowd condensed on the back curve as the pack pushed forward, my stride was cut short as someone’s foot tangled with mine. Everything came into sharp focus now, seemingly slow motion, as I tried to right myself and avoid my worst fear, falling!

Yet, my fear enveloped me as I staggered once, twice…. then falling HARD! People were rushing by…momentarily I felt terror as I was forced to wait for people to pass before getting to my feet, and starting again. By this time I was pushed back to probably 30th place. I mustered, fighting tears, and finished the race…fighting my way up the steep switchbacks realizing the improbability of making back any ground on this section. My adrenaline was pumping, but I was totally out of my mind set! I finished the race with a disappointing twenty-something place.

Initially I was shattered, heartbroken. It wasn’t supposed to end this way. But it did. I felt I let a lot of people down, my supporters. Yet, this tragic race has taught me a lot. Like, some things are out of our control. Yes, I finished way off of my goal, but did I quit? No. I realize now that things can go wrong with the best-laid plans. Like all the other ‘first’ experiences I have learned from, and like the rest, I will be better prepared to handle things as they arise…never being too certain that things will be as we envision, to be spontaneous and NOT shaken.

Yes, it was a great experience. Would I go again?? YES! Like all my personal bests, it will be a memory I will never forget!!

I would like to thank Rudy Huber, my coach, for helping me become a better runner, the runner I’ am today! He selflessly came to the track every day for my benefit! He would push me so that I would progress, and because he believed in me. He was always right, when I thought I couldn’t, I could. He helped me set goals that I could aim for and would always be there for me to ask any questions I had! But most importantly, he helped me believe in myself! He became a really good friend to me and earned my trust. He has inspired my running! I really appreciate all he has done for me and all the effort he has put in to make me become the best runner I can be! I am happy for his new position, solidifying a dream he spoke of! I will miss him greatly. He will continue to inspire me to reach my dreams too!

I would also like to thank my mom, Kristin ‘Kat’ Tracy, for always supporting me and believing in me. I really appreciate all the times she brought me to the track, or run with me on my longer distances so that I would not give up!

Two other people who have truly inspired me are Brittany Feiteira (Baldwin HS) and Kaahumanu ‘ Caronne’ Rozet (Kamehameha HS), two fellow runners; they are always so supportive and through their demonstration of self discipline, I finally get it!

Lastly, I want to deeply thank the Valley Isle Road Runners Association for their dedication to the youth on Maui! The Youth Cross Country series has given me so much; courage, confidence, team spirit, joy and opportunity!

Mahalo!