Running Brave Reflection

Billy has talent. But was he born a natural elite runner? I choose to believe that he was a disciplined, well able, conscious, intelligent young fellow with strong convictions. Undoubtedly, his winning attitude is the most attributing factor throughout his development as an athlete and as an individual.

Since Billy was a little boy he grew up in a stimulating environment, he knew early on life’s not always fair, he knew he had to work his butt off if he wanted to become the magnificent prodigious man he strived to become. Reality struck him hard through his father’s death; through the discrimination he received by his track coach (Bill) when he said Indians were talented but not disciplined. Billy even received harassment by Dennis Riley (his future roommate) the first day of college in the showers room.

External situations spontaneously stumbled upon his path, but he had the choice to reflect upon those situations and act with respect and intelligence, towards himself and towards others. He decided that he was not going to be a victim; his internal relationships were so well structured he even inverted his external situations from adversity to opportunities. He became so internally strong in his beliefs that he was decided to assist high school every school day even though he had to run a few miles to get there.

Billy became an equilibrated, emotionally well-stabilized individual, thus he reached a high level of morality and sportsmanship. He refused to ridicule his opponents in practices and in official races. He stood up for his beliefs even though there were outside forces stimulating him to act erratically; he stood firm and never disrespected anyone in any way. He most certainly made his family proud, and carried their teaching in his mind and heart; like Billy stated in the movie: <<Frankie taught me how to use the legs, dad taught me how to use the heart.>> And evidently he was a Champion using both.