Winning  

by J.P. Seewald

 I have a problem. After I tell you about it, you might think it's no big deal, but you'd be wrong. You see, I'm a klutz, a spaz. To put it bluntly, I'm un-coordinated and lousy at sports. I can hear you say, not every kid can be a great athlete. I know that, but it seems like I'm the worst, and believe me, I've tried everything!

My big brother, Jim, he's a natural. Dad's really proud of him. Jim's equally good at all sports. He's always the first guy picked for any team. I'm the last guy. 

In Little League, they stuck me in the outfield where I never caught a ball. When I played basketball, I could swear the basket was moving. The exercise I got playing organized sports was mostly warming the bench. Mom had my eyesight checked and I wear contacts now, but that didn't really help.

All the popular guys like my brother are good athletes. They're the ones everyone likes, admires and wants as a friend. I only have one friend, Gary, and he's as clumsy and unpopular as I am. 

It got to a point where I decided to drop team sports entirely. I was still the same dorky loser. I just figured I wasn't going to advertise it anymore. 

I could see my whole life stretching before me. I would always be a big nothing who nobody liked. I didn't want to discuss my problem with anyone else, not even Gary. He sort of accepted that this was how things were. The trouble was, I didn't. 

One day after school, Gary and I were playing video games when Mom came into the rec room. I had a tingling sensation at the back of my neck and knew she was watching us. 

"Mike, have you done your homework?"

"Gary and I did that first," I told her.

She smiled at me and nodded approvingly. "Good, now why don't you and Gary go outside. It's such a beautiful day. It seems a shame to waste it indoors."

I groaned. "You got chores for me?"

"No, not now. I was thinking of you getting some exercise."

"I'm through with sports," I reminded her.

"Of course, but what about just walking?"

"No one walks in our neighborhood." 

Mom's toast brown eyes were thoughtful. "I'll drive you to the track. Lots of people walking there. I could use the exercise myself."

"I don't know. We're really into this game."

"Guess I'll just stay and watch you play." 

There was nothing left for Gary and me to do but go along with Mom. The two of us guys walked around the track four times without much enthusiasm. Mom did her own thing. She actually kept a better pace than we did which was kind of embarrassing.

I thought that would be the end of it. But the next thing I knew, Mom was making a ritual out of taking us to the track. Soon Gary's mother got into the act; Mom and her began walking and jogging together. They encouraged Gary and me to jog too.

Walking and running weren't so bad. No one was watching or criticizing. I wasn't competing against anyone. I actually began looking forward to it. Eventually, I was doing it on a regular basis. It seemed to make me feel better even if I wasn't winning any trophies like my brother.

Gary hung right in there with me. By the time spring was pushing into summer, we were walking to the track after school on our own and jogging about three miles a day. 

After school on a sunny afternoon when the high school track team was out running, one of the coaches approached Gary and me. "I see you guys here all the time," he said. "When you get to high school, come out for the team."

"We're not jocks," I said.

"That's not what it's about. You'd be competing with yourself, doing your personal best. It's the kind of sport that'll make you feel good. Think about it. You boys have the grit and determination we need."

"Yeah, but is that enough?"

"Self-discipline, self-motivation, that's the key to success in everything that matters. I think you guys have the right stuff."
I knew the guy was giving us a pep talk. Should I consider going out for organized sports again? It could spoil the pleasure for me. I liked running. I didn't want to ruin it by becoming competitive.

"Mike, you think he's right?" Gary asked on the way home. "Maybe we should try out for the track team when we're in high school. The coach seems like a real nice guy." 

"We have plenty of time to think about it, figure out what we really want."

I decided not to tell my mother about what the coach said to Gary and me. I know exactly what she would say. She’s into the rah-rah stuff too. I guess she could be right. I guess there are different ways to be a winner. Maybe it's not always about being the smartest, or the best looking, or the most outstanding athlete. Sure, those things are great. But in the long run, maybe what matters is what you are inside yourself.

I'd like to tell you I suddenly turned into an all-star athlete overnight. But you’d know I was lying. That only happens in the movies. 

Gary and I did decide to sign up for our first 5-K race. It's for charity, a good cause. So win or lose, I guess we'll still come out ahead.