Saying "I can't" when I haven't even tried something was one of my teenage habits, I was good at a few things so I usually don't see the need to give new things a try. I tried some though and easily got bored especially when I don't find that particular thing interesting. Whatever required pushing myself to a new limit always drained me not just physically but mentally as well. My biology teacher was quick to notice that and she always put me in a tight situation just to make sure that I improve on things.
She was one of those who compulsoried extracurricular activities for me because I usually don't leave my class during that period and even though it looked like she was after my life then, I always prayed for her today. Miss Ada was my biology teacher and happened to be my sports house master, everyone called me her son because my name was never far from her lips.
The school's annual interhouse sport was coming up that year and she was very unlucky with the students selections. The majority of the students she got weren't sports-oriented and it gave her lots of concern. We started practicing every Wednesday and I knew we were just participating in the competition for fun because after five weeks, we couldn't organise a proper marching parade.
I tried my best as expected of me but the students weren't catching up at all, they left me frustrated and sometimes, I could spank them. We shifted attention from that to other events and many of the seniors in the house had to participate in more than two events.
My image
During the practice, Miss Ada added my name to the relay and 400m race since I was a good runner, I threw the shot put ball well and expected my name to be there as well. Everything happened as expected but one thing was different which I didn't like or see myself trying.
I felt terrible seeing my name on the list of people who would practice for the long jump. Every attempt to remove myself failed as it only infuriated the housemaster more.
"George, we don't have enough students and you just have to try or watch the house lose out on everything."
I had to admit that if she had other options, she wouldn't hesitate to replace me. The long jump practice started and none of us was doing it right. Other houses had students who could jump pretty well and I always wished we had one of these good jumpers with us.
We finished a biology class on a particular day and she told me to stay back. The assistant housemaster joined us and we talked about the students who would compete in different events based on their performance during practice. After everything, she told me I would represent the house for the long jump.
I tried talking her out of it and she said, "You don't like to fail so you will figure out how to win something for the house."
She was right about that, I don't like to fail and even if it happens, the only thing that makes me feel good is when I have done my best.
After that day, I started practising every day and there was an improvement with every effort I put into the practice. Other students laughed at me and they wouldn't if they could see what was going on in my mind.
On the Interhouse sports day, a lot of schools honoured our invitation to compete as well and among the invited schools was the school I attended before. They knew me as a good athlete and I wasn't ready to fumble while they were watching.
It all started with the match past and we failed woefully. The other event started and I won one medal in the race and shot put. As the day was approaching its end, I knew that the first and second position was very far from my house grasp but the third position was very open if I could get a gold medal from the long jump.
My heart raced as they called the participants from each house out to the long jump pitch. My legs were shaking and I was sweating profusely.
We were soon lined up and took turns, the first jumper failed to jump on the line and it appeared to me that they were too excited while I lacked confidence. I hit the pitch track and did well with my first jump, the second one wasn't bad while the last one left me stunned as I landed at the end of the long jump pitch.
The cheers from my housemates were different and I knew immediately that I had done the unbelievable. The score was announced and I won. We got the bronze cup and it was worth more than gold because I never saw myself doing what I did on the pitch. The experience left an impression on me never to say I can't when I haven't even tried.