Why am I running this race? Why am I here?

 I am a junior in high school and sadly didn't join cross country until my freshman year. In the three years I've been out for this sport, I have asked my self this question countless of times. Why do we run? It's a simple question that has a thousand answers. 

I first started running because of my sister and the first year I was out, I wasn't nearly as good as she was (I'm still not close to her times). But one day that year, during a race I thought to myself "why am I here running this stupid race. I was good at volleyball." And after that race I realized my answer. After crossing the finish line with sweat poring down my face and my legs rejoicing that I finally finished, I knew why I did cross country. 

I do it for the results...knowing that with every hard long run, every hard workout that makes you hate your coaches for a split second, there are results. I love being able to see myself and other improve, but this year, my junior year, is different. We are already half way through the season and I still haven't gotten a pr or even a season best. I watch my team improving while I feel like I am going backwards. That's why today, in my race, the same question came into my head. Why am I running this race? Why am I here? And at that moment, I couldn't think of a good reason...it is hard to fail. I didn't run the best race of my season, but I realize that it's okay to have bad days. As runners, we know that not everything will go perfect. We will hope and pray that it will, but sometimes it just doesn't happen and we can't change it. My coach always says, "some of you will have good days, some will have average days, and some will have bad days. But no matter what day you have, let it be the best good/average/bad days you have ever had." And that is why we are here. To do our best. To strive for greatness and feel accomplished.

- Anonymous