How I Handled Mental Health During My Athlete Days

During my time in high school, I did my fair share in athletics, and what can I say? It really affects you mentally.

From going up for that open layup to getting down in an athletic stance for the next down to preparing yourself for the next hurdle, I have gone through many different obstacles in my high school career that have not gone unnoticed. But also, my emotions were sometimes unheard.

Preparing myself mentally was my hardest struggle. The sport that affected my emotional state the most was track. My events in track were the 200 meters, 300-meter hurdles, the 4×100 relay and the 4×400 relay. Let et me tell you, those events affected me physically and mentally.

Running hurdles were all mental challenges that you had to overcome. My first time ever running hurdles was my senior year, I had nothing to lose. I was coming back from a struggle season my junior year, and that year, I had to make up for it, so I decided to do hurdles. My hardest struggle to learn was watching other people that have been hurdling for years just do it better than me. My confidence was down, and although progress was showing, my mental health wasn’t improving. Making sure I wasn’t in my head and we were all on the same point was key to me having an amazing high school experience.

My mental health boosted when I won my first hurdle race ever. I was shocked, I was stunned. It was amazing to me how I just won a race and didn’t fall over a hurdle. All the nerves left my body and it felt amazing to be myself again and not so stressed out that win started my senior year on track.

I ended up running my best year ever and made the greatest memories with my friends and classmates. Senior year, I faced a ton of challenges and struggles at times where my mental health was pushed to the limits but I just kept going.

Running and working out have always been my hobbies. They have helped me with my struggles and goals as a leader. Pursuing and taking your time is what is best for you and your mental heath. Don’t let your voice go unheard though what you are going through should be heard of. Push yourself and find new ways to find things that you love and that you will hold in your heart for your future.

Chris Lachenmaier is a Hutchinson freshman studying journalism. Contact him on Instagram.

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