I worked and worked. And now I can run the time I ran at state at practice.

I first joined the cross country team to get in shape for soccer. I have played soccer for many years and i have always been athletic. But nothing had prepared me for the first cross country practice that I ever ran. I ran/walked three miles and I had never done something so hard in my life. It took me 45 minutes. When i finished everyone kept telling me that it would get better. My bestfriend at the time laughed at the thought of me ever running cross country.

My first season was definitely not my best. I walked in all the races up to district. That was the first race I ever ran without stopping. My coach saw me and did a double-take at the sight of me coming in at a 26 minute 5k. I had never been so proud of myself.

Once the season ended I stopped running all the time. I played soccer and then let it end there. By the time summer came around I was majorly out of shape. But I ended up running 100 miles that summer. I began the season on junior varsity again, and I wasn't upset about it either. As the season progressed I began to increase in speed and began walking less and less. I went from a 27 minute to a 26 then down to 25 and at district I ran a 24. I didnt start working hard until he end of the season. My state time was a 23:43. I was more proud of myself than I had ever been.

That was when I decided that I wanted to do that good in every race. So I worked. When I had soccer practice I would run before or after. I ran every single day. The most I would give myself off was 2 days when I got sick and hurt my hip flexor. I then found out that I was going to run a half marathon a week before the marathon. The most I had ever run without stopping was 5 miles. I decided to run it anyway. I had never experienced anything like it. I ran all 13.1 miles without stopping. I ran it in 2 hours on the dot and it was the best day of my life. My feet were bleeding and I was exhausted but I was the happiest person alive. The race taught me more endurance than ever and I decided in that moment to never walk in a race again.

Eventually soccer ended and track began. This is also when my shin splints began. I started off running the 3200 and the 1600, only to get runner up every race. Then a spot on the 4x800 opened up. I finally won something for running. I ran the second leg and enjoyed it. We went all the way to state and got third. Then summer rolled around. Coach told me at he beginning of the summer that my goal was to run 300 to 350 miles. I think my jaw hit the floor. I thought to myself that there was no way that I could do that. Then I realized that I can. So I did. I ran 360 miles this summer. I worked and worked. I now can run the time that I ran at state last year at practice. I know now that running is my passion. I love the feeling of pushing my body to the maximum limit. Running has taught me so many things. I plan on running in college and eventually running a full marathon. Running is my life now, and I am happier than ever.

- Anonymous