Dear Running: You Revealed A Comfort I Never Knew I'd Need


PC: Rojo Presentation

Paige Low is the 2019 UIL 6A shot put and discus champion. She was the top returner in both events for this season until she got injured. She was already going to miss 2020 before Coronavirus happened, but her experience of dealing with and overcoming adversity is a story worth hearing. The University of Oklahoma signee is ready for her next chapter.

It stood as a representation that you can overcome adversity you face in life with the help of sports

Paige Low, Midland Lee senior

Dear running,


Please don't forget the athletes performing outside of the track.


When I was first introduced to track and field, I was a runner. I spent my time after school running laps around the dirt track and high jumping in the weeds. Since I was tall and strong, I was immediately labeled as a "thrower" and sent to throw shot put and discus in hopes of gaining a few extra points for the team. Although everyone is drawn to the excitement of the track, the throwing events stood out to me more than anything because I was able to throw it further than any of the other girls. So, you can imagine my excitement when I got to take home the little blue ribbons week after week. I am a huge competitor; so winning (even though it's not everything) meant a lot to little junior high me. 

By the time I reached my freshman year and was faced with the reality that high school track was not just a side sport to volleyball and basketball, I gave up running and decided to really focus my attention on throwing. I've had my fair share of disappointment and failure over the course of the three years I've been throwing in high school. Crying after meets, during meets, and on the bus home was not uncommon for me, since I didn't know how to express my disappointment in losing and/or underperforming. High school throwing was a whole different world compared to what it was in junior high, where I could effortlessly win meet after meet. I quickly realized that nothing would be handed to me and decided that I wanted to succeed, so I changed my mindset and attacked it every single day, working especially hard in the summer with my super invested coach. The beauty behind throwing is that it's all up to me; I own both the success and failure.

As I reflect on my high school throwing career, I am thankful for this sport because it has built my confidence, helped developed new friendships, presented many opportunities for the future, but most of all it has provided and revealed a comfort that I never knew I would need. Throwing played the largest role in my life when I faced the most difficult form of adversity: loss. I unexpectedly lost one of my best friends at the beginning of junior year, and really struggled to get back on my feet. Since we played basketball and threw together, sports were a direct connection to her life. I turned to throwing and used it as an outlet for my anger, sorrow, and disbelief. No one can tell you exactly how to cope with loss because everyone handles things differently, but throwing physically helped me deal with my pain unlike anything else. You may be thinking..."What? How can throwing a silver ball or discus possibly help ease the pain of a lost loved one?" It may sound strange, but there's something so satisfying about putting all of your energy, strength, and concentration into one simple (yet complex) motion. When I am in the ring, my mind doesn't wander or think of anything else but executing the throw, which was so comforting in such a desperate time in my life. 

I kept throwing and focused so much on it that my throws improved tremendously over the course of one track season. One of the most special moments of my life was winning two state titles in shot put and discus the year that my friend passed. It stood as a representation that you can overcome adversity you face in life with the help of sports, and specifically (in my case) throwing. Before the start of my senior season this year, I tore my ACL and lateral meniscus playing basketball. I was extremely disappointed that I would not be able to compete this year and finish out my senior seasons the way I had planned. However, this minor setback has led me to appreciate the freedom of throwing even more. I am counting down the days when I can find myself back in the ring; but until then, I am thankful that I get to reflect on all of the positive things this challenging yet rewarding sport has led to. It has opened doors for me and I am living out my dream getting to spend the next four years throwing at the University of Oklahoma.

Thank you, running. Through you I was able to uncover one of my true passions that has not only provided all the joys that come with competing in sports, but has also shaped me into who I am today. God has used throwing and all the adversity I've faced to strengthen my faith and trust in His plan. Although throwing is probably the most underrated event in track and field, it is one of the most important parts of my life and it has taught me so much about myself and about life. Throwing represents something much bigger than a competition for me; it also stands for the best pain medication I could have ever received and a sport used to honor one of my greatest friends. 


"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6


With a thankful heart,

Paige Low