Clay County boys cross country runner Miguel Gomez is recovering after sustaining an injury Saturday.
Gomez hit a pothole while running downhill to head to a meet. Gomez sprained his ankle in the fall. Gomez said he boils his decision making down to his drive and effort.
“When I get passionate or mad about something, I usually just keep going,” Gomez said. “My mental state, I really don’t listen to my body so whenever that happens, usually I end up getting more injured.”
The injury Gomez endured is not his first. Gomez has broken both of his legs, his wrist, and his thumb, among other injuries. Gomez said most of his injuries occurred outside of preparing for sports. Gomez said he had to limit his daily activities as a result.
“I actually haven’t done many major sports due to being more of a accident prone kid,” Gomez said. “I mean I wouldn’t call myself accident prone right now but when I get into something, I definitely go full throttle.”
Gomez said committing to a sport requires one key component.
“I feel that deciding to do something and giving your body over to something higher than yourself, it comes back to mainly your mental state throughout the process,” Gomez said. “I mean anybody can go through basic training but can you go through the mental tolls of it? And I feel that running and literally pushing your body to its limit each time that you run, understanding that hey, your mind’s telling you to stop but your legs and everything else is able to keep going, definitely conditions you to more of a susceptible role.”
Gomez began his first year of cross country this year. Gomez said he hopes to head to the National Guard and begin the process of taking care of his body.
