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Writer's pictureBrennen Betts

My Hurdles...Literally and Figuratively

Updated: May 1, 2023

"I may stumble, I may fall, but I will always pull myself up and keep going."

~ Captain Brennen Betts


Running full speed over an intimidating 39-inch tall obstacle with the fear of falling every step are a few reasons why hurdles are the most technical event in track and field. A lot of dedication and hard work is needed to become a good hurdler. I decided to run the hurdles for the first time last track season. As a new event for me, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Through the course of learning this new event, I learned a lot about myself as a person and my resiliency.



I could have just given up after that but I stuck with it and kept going.

I had wanted to run the hurdles in track and field ever since freshman year of high school. As a freshman I was unable to due to Covid cutting the season short, and sophomore year I injured my hamstring and could not run. Finally last year, junior year, I was able to run the hurdles for the first time. At the first hurdle practice, I hopped over it very scared I was going to fall. It felt like trying to ride a unicycle for the first time. Thankfully I did not fall, at least not this time. At a later practice, I ended up slamming into the hurdle and completely shattering it. It was very loud and everyone saw it which made it that much more embarrassing for me. I was completely fine but it was still not something I wanted to do. I could have just given up after that but I stuck with it and kept going.

I was not going to give up on something I love to do.

Falling in a race is even more embarrassing than in practice because there are even more

people there watching you. I remember this specific race where I fell in the middle and heard

everyone go “ohhhh” all at the same time. As you can imagine, that was a very embarrassing moment. I got up and finished the race, but everything in me wanted to just lay on the ground and give up. I saw this as my way of saying I was not going to give up on something I love to do.



All the work I have put in has paid off as I will be running the hurdles at the state meet this year. I am sad that this will be my last year competing because I am going off to college in a few months, but I am very proud of what I have accomplished the past few years. Through that time I have realized how resilient I am and how grateful I am to be given the opportunity to run the hurdles. As I am going off to college, I know I will face adversity and encounter new hurdles. I may stumble, I may fall, but I will always pull myself up and keep going. The only way I will succeed is to overcome adversity, stand up, and keep pushing toward the finish line.


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