--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I actually think the last time I stood…" description: "\"I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal around my neck was after an eighth grade cross-country meet. I was gawky and 65 pounds soaking..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/ginger-zee-13214_big_i-actually-think-the-last-time-i-stood-w_2711716.jpg" --- # I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal… ![“I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal around my neck was after an eighth grade cross-country meet. I was gawky and 65 pounds soaking wet, and running 10 miles a day was no big deal.” quote by Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/ginger-zee-13214_big_i-actually-think-the-last-time-i-stood-w_2711716.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/ginger-zee-13214_big_i-actually-think-the-last-time-i-stood-w_2711716.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d9/ginger-zee-13214_big_i-actually-think-the-last-time-i-stood-w_2711716.jpg) > “I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal around my neck was after an eighth grade cross-country meet. I was gawky and 65 pounds soaking wet, and running 10 miles a day was no big deal.” [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recalls a childhood race medal, highlighting youthful resilience despite discomfort, showing that early challenges build confidence. **In simple terms:** Childhood challenges build confidence. Key Takeaway Embrace early challenges. Themes sports resilience growth Mood nostalgic motivational Type personal inspirational When to use this quote - school competitions - training camps - personal narratives Key Concepts psychology of achievement youth sports Questions to Reflect On - How did that experience shape your confidence? - What challenges now motivate you? A Different Perspective Early successes may not predict later achievement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cross Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cross-country/) [Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day/) [Eighth grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth-grade/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I'm really happy that I've got the Champions League medal around my neck and the trophy sat by my side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alphonso-davies/i-m-really-happy-that-i-ve-got-the-champions-league-medal-around-my/) [Alphonso Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alphonso-davies/) > [I wasn't really expecting me to win the gold in this race. To get another medal for myself and for the U.S. was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonnie-blair/i-wasn-t-really-expecting-me-to-win-the-gold-in-this-race-to-get/) [Bonnie Blair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonnie-blair/) > [I have won the race and your the medal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronan/i-have-won-the-race-and-your-the-medal/) Ronan > [To have this gold medal around my neck is an indescribable feeling. I'm the happiest person right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordyn-wieber/to-have-this-gold-medal-around-my-neck-is-an-indescribable-feeling-i/) [Jordyn Wieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordyn-wieber/) > [My first competition outside Kenya was at the 2002 world cross country championships in Dublin, Ireland. I finished fifth in the junior race that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliud-kipchoge/my-first-competition-outside-kenya-was-at-the-2002-world-cross/) [Eliud Kipchoge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliud-kipchoge/) > [I remember the first time I smelled B.O. was at a cross-country meet. But it wasn't unpleasant, in a strange way. That's what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mick-foley/i-remember-the-first-time-i-smelled-b-o-was-at-a-cross-country-meet/) [Mick Foley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mick-foley/) > [Eventing is way too dangerous. People get killed every year doing cross-country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-casiraghi/eventing-is-way-too-dangerous-people-get-killed-every-year-doing/) [Charlotte Casiraghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-casiraghi/) > [I found I could also be good in cross country. I don't think my running style has anything to do with it. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-ndereba/i-found-i-could-also-be-good-in-cross-country-i-don-t-think-my/) [Catherine Ndereba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-ndereba/) > [Cross country skiing is great if you live in a small country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/cross-country-skiing-is-great-if-you-live-in-a-small-country/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I'm a sprinter man. We don't jog; we don't walk. It's full-out. It's big engines. You don't take a car that has 600 horsepower…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donovan-bailey/i-m-a-sprinter-man-we-don-t-jog-we-don-t-walk-it-s-full-out-it-s-big/) [Donovan Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donovan-bailey/) > [I've always wanted to drive cross-country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-kunis/i-ve-always-wanted-to-drive-cross-country/) [Mila Kunis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-kunis/) > [“Cross-country skiing is fine as long as you live in a small country.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/cross-country-skiing-is-fine-as-long-as-you-live-in-a-small-country/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [My fastest time in high school was a 4:29 mile. I think cross-country has something to do with my longevity in my business. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-cooper/my-fastest-time-in-high-school-was-a-4-29-mile-i-think-cross-country/) [Alice Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-cooper/) > [I used to race up all the time and started cross-country from about the age of six.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-lewis/i-used-to-race-up-all-the-time-and-started-cross-country-from-about/) [Denise Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-lewis/) > [I think one of the laughable things about poor old Brexit is that they're so cross - they're furious with everyone. But this isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-soames/i-think-one-of-the-laughable-things-about-poor-old-brexit-is-that/) [Nicholas Soames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-soames/) ## More by Ginger Zee > [Dancing is all about your core.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/dancing-is-all-about-your-core/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I loved watching the base of those thunderstorms, the billowing tops of the cumulonimbus, the lightning that effortlessly lit up the lake and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-loved-watching-the-base-of-those-thunderstorms-the-billowing-tops/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [The eye of the hurricane forms as air rotates up and out of the hurricane and some of the air that's being spun out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/the-eye-of-the-hurricane-forms-as-air-rotates-up-and-out-of-the/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I was, am, and likely forever will be a huge mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-was-am-and-likely-forever-will-be-a-huge-mess/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [To tell your story, you have to include others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/to-tell-your-story-you-have-to-include-others/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [Professional highlight of 2011 was definitely getting the job at ABC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/professional-highlight-of-2011-was-definitely-getting-the-job-at-abc/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I wanted to write a story about my struggles with depression and mental health. It's an issue that needs to be talked about more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-wanted-to-write-a-story-about-my-struggles-with-depression-and/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [Like most women, I want to stay fashionable during my pregnancy - and on TV, that means coming up with something new to wear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/like-most-women-i-want-to-stay-fashionable-during-my-pregnancy-and-on/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [People can say whatever they want about me. They can call me ugly. But don't talk about my child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/people-can-say-whatever-they-want-about-me-they-can-call-me-ugly-but/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I didn't study broadcasting in school, but I did a lot of internships, and I dedicated myself so much so that I made my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-didn-t-study-broadcasting-in-school-but-i-did-a-lot-of-internships/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I don't think you fully get away from something like the years of depression that I went through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-don-t-think-you-fully-get-away-from-something-like-the-years-of/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [To witness history and science being made in front of your eyes is the rush.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/to-witness-history-and-science-being-made-in-front-of-your-eyes-is/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [We're all more complex than the person we put out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/we-re-all-more-complex-than-the-person-we-put-out-there/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [I started storm-chasing at a young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/i-started-storm-chasing-at-a-young-age/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) > [Anorexia is a real disease. The choice you do have is asking for help.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ginger-zee/anorexia-is-a-real-disease-the-choice-you-do-have-is-asking-for-help/) [Ginger Zee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) [Explore all 51 Ginger Zee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ginger-zee/) ## More Big quotes > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [Many early-stage entrepreneurs make one simple mistake: Describing this 'big picture' in vague concepts and words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunil-nagaraj/many-early-stage-entrepreneurs-make-one-simple-mistake-describing/) [Sunil Nagaraj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunil-nagaraj/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [My mom had very low expectations for me, and she really had a point. I was a big problem at seventeen. If I had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/my-mom-had-very-low-expectations-for-me-and-she-really-had-a-point-i/) [Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alejandro-gonzalez-inarritu/) > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [It's going to be used in the last days to get people to come against Christ, and that's the issue: they come against the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-lahaye/it-s-going-to-be-used-in-the-last-days-to-get-people-to-come-against/) [Tim LaHaye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-lahaye/) > [My parents are divorced, and seeing that was really painful for me. Really painful for me. But that's also a big part of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/my-parents-are-divorced-and-seeing-that-was-really-painful-for-me/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I always want to do a big finale.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-yuh-nelson/i-always-want-to-do-a-big-finale/) [Jennifer Yuh Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-yuh-nelson/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [So I concentrated on the rhythmic side of things, and therefore left a lot of holes. I didn't want to use big pad chords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/midge-ure/so-i-concentrated-on-the-rhythmic-side-of-things-and-therefore-left-a/) [Midge Ure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/midge-ure/) > [I think a big part of success in football is mental, not physical. How you are inside your head matters more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iker-casillas/i-think-a-big-part-of-success-in-football-is-mental-not-physical-how/) [Iker Casillas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iker-casillas/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Making sure that people have access to preventive medicine for the first time ever as a nation? That's a big deal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-schneider/making-sure-that-people-have-access-to-preventive-medicine-for-the/) [Brad Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-schneider/) > [If you read 'Lord of the Rings' and dismiss it as a lie because it has orcs and elves, you're missing the whole point…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-tennapel/if-you-read-lord-of-the-rings-and-dismiss-it-as-a-lie-because-it-has/) [Doug TenNapel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-tennapel/) > [What I know about Ali Krieger is no moment is ever going to be too big for her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-ellis/what-i-know-about-ali-krieger-is-no-moment-is-ever-going-to-be-too/) [Jill Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-ellis/) Browse all 12,477 Big quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I actually think the last time I stood with a race medal around my neck was after an eighth grade cross-country meet. 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