Jose Blanco '23 Recruiting Profile

By definition, running means moving along faster than walking by taking quick steps in 

which each foot is lifted before the next foot touches the ground. For me, running has helped me move along faster from my problems. When one action causes me to overthink, I know I can rely on running to put the next foot on the ground safely just like in my five kilometer races. Running has helped me run from my problems, not literally but emotionally. In that situation, I always go for a run because running is my way of releasing all the stress and emotions that have affected me throughout my high school years. All my worries fade away when I'm at that starting line in a race. I feel free for those 16 minutes of running. While running, I am given this sacred time to reflect and understand why things happen in my life. This sport has better prepared me to overcome any obstacles that come my way.

Standing at the starting line and feeling my blood rushing through my veins is unlike any feeling. When the race starts and through that first mile, it is like it symbolizes everything I went through coming to the United States from Mexico many years ago. It reminds me of my family and I running away from my birthplace for a better life. Crossing the first mile marker, my legs start to feel a little heavy, similar to how I felt leaving my siblings to be safe and have a better life. I felt like a bird trapped in a cage, without a will to call shots. I knew I had a few more miles ahead of me in this journey. 

The second mile is the one that sets the pace for the whole race. This mile is the most important one because if you want to have a good time, you need to stay on pace during that mile. Just like when I came to the U.S., I needed to get used to a new way of living without knowing anyone. Feeling alone was hard because I wanted to give up; the worst thing that one can go through is being separated from their family and not being able to see them for years. Just like in cross country, I set the pace for my life; although it's tough, this mile is critical because this mile is setting the tone and preparing me for the last mile, the most brutal mile yet to come. I knew I wanted to be the first one in my family to graduate from college and needed to set my pace in order to have a better life.

Mile three is the biggest challenge I face when running in a race because my body is feeling sore and wants to give up. However, I push myself to the limit to get a good time and a place. I compare this to the years waiting for my residency. Just like in running and preparing for the race I knew everything would be worth it and have recently received my residency card. At the same time, I recently broke my high school record for running the 5K during our state meet this year. Overall this sport has been the vessel that has helped me through many high school experiences. Even when I felt I wanted to give up, I push, knowing that I have prepared myself well in all aspects and I will reach that finish line. My family was my motivation that kept me going in the race and seeing them after many years was worth all the sacrifices. I know that I am ready to start this next chapter in my life in college ready for my next race.