Post Hoc and High Jumping

        Since seventh grade I was a high jumper on my school’s track and field team. I excelled and became confident in my abilities. However, as many highly competitive athletes do, I had my superstitions. Superstitions fall under the logos fallacy post hoc. There were many instances in my high school high jump career where superstitions were formed. I remember the first one being my sophomore year at track sectionals. I hadn’t fixed my hair the same way I had the rest of the season. Instead of a messy bun and a headband I put it in a simple ponytail. Through the competition I noticed that my jumping was below my usual level. I was scratching left and right, making careless mistakes, and barely clearing the heights. As soon as I fixed my hair to its normal style my jumping improved immensely. My coach just shook his head at me when I explained what I thought the problem was and what I did to fix it. Starting my junior year I wore my hair with a braid and a messy bun on the left side of my head. I never fixed my hair any different way. Not once. Because of that one experience the way I fixed my hair became an essential part of my jumping.
            The next superstition to arise was related to food. I once ate a hamburger before I began my jumping competition. Bad idea. Instead of clearing my regular 5’2”, I only cleared 4’8”. Not only was a frustrated, I was reflective. I took note on what I had done differently and made the decision never to eat before a competition again. Though superstitious, and most coaches and athletes would disagree, this method worked for me. The next meet I didn’t eat before I jumped and I was back to clearing my 5’2”.

             My senior year was my big year, and probably where the most superstitions arose. They didn’t necessarily come from experiences when things went bad, but rather from experiences when things went good. I was the returning state champ. Lots of pressure all on its own. I was looking for a scholarship. Add more pressure. I had a goal I wanted to reach and only one chance to achieve it. My superstition level was at an all-time high. I was almost to the point of obsession in making sure my routine was the same as the previous year. Hair- check, chalk- check, warm up routine- check. The same thing over and over because of the overwhelming fear that everything would fall apart. As I would continue clearing new heights I would copy what I did at the meet I upped my height at. The one time I cleared 5’7” I was a mess. Every little thing stayed the same.

            I guess you could say that the fallacy post hoc was ruling my life. I believe it had a negative effect because I was too focused on making sure everything was the same instead of just focusing on what I was doing. It was a lesson well learned, and while some of the superstitions may follow me to my collegiate athletic career, they will not rule me. The fallacy was beneficial in providing me with comfort and familiarity in my endeavors I guess you could say. Even though that sounds super weird.

            Fallacies are delicate things. Writers and speakers must be cautious in the use of them.