To Those Who Cannot Know Poem by tom zahrt

To Those Who Cannot Know by Zach Zahrt

To the spectators standing on the turf, to the friends gazing from behind multicolored flags, and to the parents sitting expectantly in the cool silver bleachers, the race upon which you glare is not what it appears.Even to those competitors of quondam, I expect you have long since forgotten the idiosyncratic experience that is the race, and have therefore lost your proper appreciation for the competition.You see the fluid, undulating movement and rippling of muscles, I have no doubt, but the experience is so much more than the physical stress on human anatomy.It is rather, the truly complex competition of mental discipline.To strive and stride in a race, one must inwardly prepare for the trial to come, psychologically endure and exceed the limits of the human body, and finally, introspectively accept the results of your efforts.

Step one: mentally preparing for a race.Naturally when one's abilities come under trial, nerves begin to form.Thoughts of self doubt speed through your head tearing away at your pre- established confidence.Subconsciously, you start to generate excuses for failure.Your eyes may even look to the sky in hopes of a stray lightning bolt.Many a times I've seen even the most talented of competitors fake an injury just to relieve the looming stress that an event such as the race can cause.In order to succeed in the race, however, one must not let these inevitable feelings break their resolve.One must trust in their training and prior experience in order to calm the storm within.Of course the methods for calming oneself vary from person to person, but several common techniques I would recommend include: immersing oneself in music, preparation of muscles (a good idea regardless) , stabilization of breathing, and visualization of success.Until the first click of the timer, the most dangerous opponent is not your competitor, but the mere thought of failure.Without discipline, the race is lost before it has even begun.

Step two: enduring the race.At last, the adversaries hear the dreaded crack of the gun.In the split second between sound and motion a most curious development occurs.All of the worries, the excuses, and the self doubt that had been so taxing… dissipate entirely.A competitor's mind becomes void of all thought.Thought is futile.Only action matters on the Tartan track.This is essential to success, for if you allow yourself to relax for even a split second (the difference between records and mediocrity) , all the demons which haunted you before the race will return and break your spirit.The challenge is now not only to endure the physical strain, but to surpass the limits of human anatomy.In the beginning, there is no trace of fatigue as adrenaline floods the entire body, numbing every sensation.The final stretch is where dreams come to fruition and hearts are broken.As inconceivable as it may sound, I often find myself unaware that I have left my original position at all until long after the cheers and jeers have faded.It's often said among those who know, that the Tartan track is not dominated by endurance of muscle, but endurance of will.

Step three: accepting the results of your effort.Long after the stands have cleared and the lights have faded, the race continues.As if a broken turntable, short bursts of memory constantly loop inside the competitor's mind.Whether the memories are those of bliss or sorrow, they will not dissipate for some time.The only course of action is to accept the results of your race and move on.Dwelling longer on these thoughts can only lead to arrogance or self pity.Neither state of mind will be of benefit, as the Tartan track is as unforgiving as it is just.Be proud of whatever has been accomplished, for there are many who will never be so lucky as to have experienced and endured the race.As soon as you have achieved self satisfaction, prepare for the next endeavour.

To those who cannot know, know this: my words no matter how altered, will never be able to encapsulate the rush and thrill that is the race.Do not assume to appreciate or understand what the competitors standing before you have accomplished.These athletes are unique from all others.Those who succeed will have experienced many competitions with many results, allowing them to master the psychological preparation, endurance, and acceptance necessary.Those who will forever know are a breed of their own, not defined by their churning limbs but by their willingness to do what few else would.