First Time I Heard Those Words Said By Someone Else

“You are strong” he said
as I was catching my breath

I remember
Very clearly
When I heard those words
Words I knew were true

Words I say to myself
I recite them in the mirror
When I’m about to cry
And need to hold it together

But this was the first time
Someone else was telling me
As he looked in my eyes
And he meant it when he said it—

We ran the red Kenyan hills
Knees high, push off, long strides
”Power through” he’d shout
Fifty more meters to run

Reached the hilltop, out of breath
Heart pumping out of my chest
Legs weak, I sit down
Gasping

Breathe
”How many more reps left?”
I’m counting
Coach is here and lifts me to my feet

”I can’t breathe”
”Rest, please”
He walks me back down the hill
My heart back to its normal rhythm

We turn around and brace our legs
Because to train for these hills
To train for the hard parts
You have to believe

You are strong.