Hmmmm, running. I used to hate it, but now, I love it. But really, I’m in it to win it.

My name is Ami Yamane. I am a junior at Kalani High School, and I’m currently on the cross-country and track and field teams. I only started running in my freshman year of high school when I joined the track and field team inspired by my brother. I had an awful experience at first because of how out of shape I was (this was right after COVID), and I never wanted to run ever again. Yet, I found myself continuing to run and asking my coach for help (LOL).

While I’ve never won an individual race at a championship meet, it’s still my biggest motivation. Imagining the day that I win is what keeps me motivated to continue running. Knowing I could be the one with the gold medal is enough for me. Standing up on the podium, holding up my medal for my mom’s picture (big cheese, of course), being able to say that I’m a champion — It’s all I want.

I can’t help but think to myself, what if I started running when I was younger? Would I be better? What else about me would be different?

That’s why I work hard now. There’s no point in dwelling on the past and thinking about what I could have done. I can’t go back in time and tell myself to run; I wouldn’t listen anyway. I just have to do what I can now with my best effort.

Whether I’m at practice, school, or at home, you’ll most likely find me doing something related to running (as I’m writing this blog about running in school, LOL). Really, anyone can be a winner as long as they’re willing to put in the work, and I am. I don’t want to give myself excuses, so I do everything and anything to improve. I make sure I eat right, I stretch every night, and I’m always drinking water.

Of course, it doesn’t work like that. Similar to everything else in life, running isn’t a steady improvement all the way through. There are ups and downs, hills and valleys, and let me tell you, it’s rough. I remember when I first started getting in shape, and I saw beginner’s improvement; I was thrilled. At a certain point, the beginner’s improvement ran out because, well, I was no longer a beginner. I wouldn’t say I was a veteran either, though; I had so much more to learn (and I still do!). Teaching myself to be comfortable while being uncomfortable is probably the most difficult lesson I’ve had to learn.

The runner’s high that I get after having a good run, tracking my improvement through PRs, looking back at where I started and seeing how far I’ve come, and learning more about myself — that’s what makes it all worth it.

I’m running on the road to success, and I won’t get off until I get to the end — the day that I win.