Should I join track team knowing there will be no event I'll be good at?

Question

I'm a junior in high school. I did nothing for the past two years in high school and I figured I should join something. I've been looking to join my school's track and field team for the past couple of months now. However, all of the team members intimidate me. I'm afraid with my terrible mile time of 9:40 and no experience in sports whatsoever I'll be doing nothing but making myself look stupid and holding down the team. I can't run fast. I'm not strong so shot put and javelin may be out of the question. I had no experience in gymnastics so hurdles and high and long jumps might not work for me either.

I'm just afraid that there will be no event for me that I can participate in at all. I actually really want to join but I'm really afraid I'll regret it. The team members just look really hardcore and I don't think there will be anyone with time to help me.

This may sound ridiculous but I actually lost sleep thinking about this. I want to do something noteworthy to look back on but I don't want to make myself look like a loser either.

So if there is anyone out there who had had no experience in sports and yet joined track anyway, please give me something I can relate to in the answers. I'm too embarrassed to ask my friends who are on track because they'll probably look at me like I'm crazy for even considering such a thing. Thanks everyone! :)

Answer 1

No, your definitely NOT crazy. If your nervous, of course your going to not get any sleep. That was me not long ago. For starters, there is ALWAYS going to be people better than you, and that's just something everybody has to see. Not only have these people practiced, they have spent probably all their free time training, running laps, exercising and getting the write confidence to overcome the same fears your going through. Everybody started where you started, provable scared someone was better than them. Secondly, don't be so insecure. Don't think they are better than you and you have no chance. They all have respect for you. They aren't going to tease and laugh thinking this person is really bad, because that just means they have bad sportsmanship, they are immature, and athletics is the only thing going for them. Thirdly, you don't have to be strong to be in shot put and javelin, fit for running, or knowing what to do in jumps. It's called technique. That's whats going to make you better. So over the next couple of weeks, spend some time at the local park, stretching, a couple of laps, and working on your techniques. Javelin is just like throwing a tennis ball. It's all in the flick of the arm. Shot put is all in the strength of your legs and thighs. Running and hurdles are working on pace and action, and jumps are working on spring of the legs and timing. So don't be so insecure, take some training maybe, get one of your friends to help you. All you have to do is believe in yourself, and don't worry about what others think. If your still not catching on, take a look at this website http://www.sportspectator.com/fancentral/track_field.html and if that doesn't help take a look on youtube and look at other people doing the events. Sometimes watching someone else can help too. Good luck.

Answer 2

just went though this like a month and a half ago i cant run like fast at all I'm actually kind of pathetic, so I do the throwing thing shot put, discus, and javelin. its been about a month since it started and even though I not much faster (we do the mile thing to and then sometI'mes two laps at the end) but im getting tan, and losing weight which ain't bad. I would say go for it so what if your not the fastest one at least your out there trying. I was running behind this girl a few days ago and on the back of her shirt it had a great quote "I will do today what you won't. so I can do tomorrow what you can't." Good luck hope this helps

Answer 3

do it. i was in track and kind of average. there were football players who did it to get better at speed. some of them were really slow, but super nice people and we all enjoyed each other a lot. it really never mattered if someone was slow because it's an individual sport. i'll admit, it is a little rough on the ego to come in super late for a distance race. distance really is a rough sport, unappreciated for how difficult it really is. i would suggest doing sprints since the race is over pretty soon if that's a concern for you. wear the short shorts with pride =) just have fun. there's more than sports after high school. everyone is tired of the jocks and gives them little heed after high school.

Answer 4

I say try it out! you don't have to be the best, you just have to be dedicated. and if your track team is anything like mine, you'll have a the serious people then the fun people who are there for friends. You could also ask the coach and see what he recommends. The thing about track is that is only as hard as you want it to be. Who knows, maybe you'll end up being really good at it :)

Answer 5

I didn't really read the long description i just saw the subject but if you practice and get good then you should definitely join but if you know your not going to practice you shouldn't. I am apart of my school basketball team and i know that if you want to be apart of any sport you have to be committed. We are in our third week of practice and i am still sore. If you cant handle that don't join.:)

Answer 6

you might get faster. but you have to realize that a lot of the people that do track take it very seriously and do xc and indoor track. And if you do distance running not to be mean but don't get your hopes up about doing that well training for running takes a lot of commitment and time

Answer 7

You don't just SHOW UP GOOD in track..you have to practice...

Answer 8

Of course you should join. Better to have an "oh well" than a "what if?".

Answer 9

yeahhhh