When Nimya Hegde decided to take on cross country as a freshman, she didn’t know it would  become one of the most defining challenges of her life. Encouraged by her older brother, who  had been a cross-country runner in high school, Nimya set out to prove something to  herself—though at first, she wasn’t even sure what that something was. “I just wanted to see if I  could do it,” she says, remembering the early days when running a 5K seemed like an impossible feat.

The First Mile of Doubt

From the start, Nimya struggled with doubts. “At first, I really didn’t think I could do it,” she admits. “I remember when I started training over the summer before the season began—I couldn’t even run a mile without stopping. It felt impossible.” But instead of giving up, she made a decision: no matter how difficult it was, she was going to keep trying.

By the time the season officially kicked off, something had shifted. “By then, I could run three miles without stopping,” Nimya says, with a proud but humble smile. “It wasn’t easy, but it was enough to show me I could do it. And that feeling was huge.”

Achieving that first goal—just to run the distance—wasn’t about hitting a particular time or winning a race. It was about proving to herself that she had the willpower to keep going, no matter how hard it got. “Cross country is a lot about endurance,” Nimya reflects. “I wanted to show myself that I could stick with it, even when it was hard. That was the real goal.”

Facing the Mental Hurdles

While Nimya’s physical stamina slowly improved, the toughest challenge soon became her mental game. Cross country, she quickly realized, wasn’t just about running—it was about fighting through the exhaustion and pushing past the voices in her head that said, “I can’t do this.” “I definitely had moments where I wanted to quit,” she says, recalling some of the grueling workouts. “Your lungs burn, your legs feel like they’re going to give out, and your brain is just screaming at you to stop. It’s hard not to listen to that voice.”

But Nimya learned to push through it. “I would tell myself to just focus on the end goal. The PR. The feeling of achievement when it was all over.” She admits it wasn’t always easy to stay motivated, especially during the toughest workouts. But over time, she learned that discomfort didn’t mean failure—it meant progress. “Every tough workout was a step toward becoming a better runner, both physically and mentally. And knowing that made it a little easier to keep going.”

The Setback That Almost Ended It All

Just when things seemed to be going well, Nimya faced a major setback: a calf injury that kept her off the track for two weeks. “It was so frustrating,” she remembers. “I felt like everything I had worked for was slipping away.” Missing two important meets during the season left her feeling down, unsure of how long it would take to recover. “I was worried I might miss the rest of the season, and that thought really scared me,” she says.

During this time, Nimya’s coaches and teammates became her lifeline. “They were incredible,” she says. “Everyone was so supportive, and they helped me stay positive.” With the help of the athletic trainers, she focused on recovery, doing the recommended exercises to speed up healing. But it wasn’t just the physical recovery that made a difference—it was the mental shift. “The

injury was tough, but I learned to see it as just another part of the process. You can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you respond to it.”

Overcoming the Final Hurdles

When Nimya returned to the team, she had to push through the same mental barriers, but this time with more confidence. “It wasn’t easy, but by then, I had a better understanding of how important it is to keep going, even when it feels like you can’t.” The physical pain of running didn’t magically disappear, but her mindset had shifted. She knew that every hard workout was a step closer to achieving her goal.

By the end of the season, Nimya had pushed herself further than she thought possible. She crossed the finish line of her 5K race, setting a new personal record. “Honestly, I can’t describe how it felt,” she says, her face lighting up with pride. “I knew the time might not be fast for some people, but for me, it was a huge achievement. It was about how far I’d come, not just the number on the clock.”

What She Learned

Looking back on her journey, Nimya is amazed at how much she learned—not just about running, but about herself. “I had no idea how strong I really was,” she says. “Before cross country, I didn’t have a lot of confidence in myself. But now I know that if I set my mind to

something, I can do it.” This newfound self-belief, she explains, has become her greatest takeaway.

It wasn’t just about running races or getting faster. It was about overcoming the doubts and fears that had held her back before. “Achieving this goal changed how I approach everything else in my life,” Nimya says. “When I face challenges now, I know that if I’ve already done something as tough as cross country, I can handle pretty much anything.”

A New Perspective

If she could go back and give advice to her younger self, Nimya says it would be simple: “It’s going to be harder than you think, but you’re going to make it through. Stick with it, because in the end, it will make you stronger and more confident than you ever imagined.”

Her journey didn’t just teach her about physical endurance—it gave her the mental toughness to face any challenge head-on. “It’s about pushing yourself and believing in your own abilities,” she says. “Even when it gets tough, you’ve got to keep going. Because in the end, it’s all worth it.”

The Takeaway

Nimya’s story is a reminder that the hardest battles are often the ones we fight within ourselves. She started out unsure and unsure if she could complete the 5K, but by staying consistent, pushing through setbacks, and embracing the support around her, she ended the season with a deep sense of pride—not just in her achievements, but in the person she became along the way.

Her message to others? “Believe in yourself. Keep going even when it feels impossible. When you stick with it, the growth and satisfaction you get on the other side are worth every difficult moment.”

Nimya’s journey shows that no goal is too big if you approach it with determination, resilience, and the belief that you’re capable of more than you think. And sometimes, the hardest race you run is the one that transforms you from the inside out.