Thrive Personal Fitness Springfield, MO Personal Trainer Pamela Hernandez is your guide on the journey to health and fitness. Personal training for weight loss in Springfield, MO.

What Makes an Athlete?

by Pamela

I’m not sure when the day came exactly, but there came a time not too long ago that I started calling myself an athlete.

I really never thought that term would apply to me. I never played sports, organized or otherwise. Well, except for a brief flirtation with joining the junior high basketball team. One day of sprints and I changed my mind. That and I’m only 5’3”.  But except for that brief blip, I have never played on a team or competed in anything fitness related.

I do work hard. I push myself, sometimes to do things l never thought possible. Like running a 5k last year.  Running was always a big mental challenge for me, but once I set that goal I prepped and trained just like I was getting ready to compete at the Olympics. I was dedicated to accomplishing that goal.

I think that is what defines an athlete. It’s not about a team or a trophy, although that can be part of it. It’s a dedication and discipline to keep going after something, to keep striving for better while pushing yourself a little harder every day. I think by that definition I actually became an athlete a long time ago.

Do you call yourself an athlete? If not, why?

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Posted on August 16th, 2010