Race Day and Test Day
Posted by Marsha on January 26, 2010
I ran a 5K this weekend. At first I felt good, but for some reason I tired quickly and cramped. I didn’t understand why. I was ready for this run. This distance is an average run for me. I knew the course and had run many 5Ks before. The weather was perfect, I slept well… there was no apparent reason for me to be struggling. Mind you, I am not a competitive runner, but I run regularly and know the difference between a good run and a bad run. I found myself perplexed… What is going on here? I’ve had better training runs than this race day run.
As I pushed through mile two, another thought popped into my head (I love this kind of diversion when I am running…it temporarily helps me forget my pain). I couldn’t help comparing the similarities between running a race and taking a high stakes test. How many kids out there are preparing to take whatever version of high stakes test their state dictates? How many of them participate in successful “training sessions” with personal trainers (teachers), train in all sorts of conditions (subject areas), and experience various courses (timed tests, short answer, long answer, bubble questions) just so they are prepared for the big day?
I crossed the finish line, caught my breath, and checked my time. As always, I began to think about the next race. Sometimes I come to the conclusion I need to tweak my training. Sometimes I chalk it up to a bad day. Sometimes I jump for joy because I’m satisfied with my run. Either way, I look forward to the next race and, if necessary, redeeming my less than stellar performance. It is at this time that my comparison returns and I can’t help think about the kid who suspects he has performed poorly on a test. Comparison ends. He doesn’t leave the test looking forward to redeeming himself. He isn’t planning his come back. He can’t chalk it up to a bad test day. That was it for him. He awaits his score and is left feeling small as he realizes he will probably have to give up another elective for a remedial reading or math class. I can redeem myself as fast as I can sign up for the next 5K. Kids have to wait another year, and I am not so sure redeeming is the word I would use for what they have to do.
Add A Comment