Anyone can be a runner.

When you think of a runner you think of someone with jacked legs, a shorts tan line, and someone who looks good when they sweat. Well when I started my running career in 8th grade I was 0% any of those things. I had never run a mile hard in my life and I was only doing cross country because my friends all wanted me to. So a runner going in blind you have to expect not the greatest results, and I have to admit it wasn’t a good season, but I’m so happy I stuck with it. Flash forward to freshman year and a new cross country season. My times weren’t bad but I wasn’t going to make varsity, but I stuck with it anyways. Over the winter I joined basketball, I did it in junior high and figured I try it again. I only bring up basketball because it’s what gave me an appreciation for running and how free you can feel after you run. Basketball practice was brutal with sprints, constant drills, and being pushed to my limits for 2 hours a day. Running was my escape, I could plug my headphones in and compete with no one but myself for 30 minutes. I couldn’t wait for track to start and took any advantage to run that I could. Then it was track season and I couldn’t be happier. Basketball really paid off in helping with my endurance and I loved running. I was with my friends and loving the sport I was doing, and I was even more excited for cross country. Long distance is what I was made for and I couldn’t wait. I didn’t know how mentally tough cross country would be but everyday I pushed myself. I had to, my team was counting on me. I had to stretch extra and do hip exercises to keep myself healthy. I couldn’t just give up, I loved to run, and I did anything to make sure I could keep doing what I loved. Hard work and determination really pay off though. I went from a girl who couldn’t even run a mile without walking to someone who ran a 21:45 5k at state cross country. Never give up on what makes you happy and what you love. I never thought I would be a runner, not in a million years but now I can’t live with out it. Running changed my life and I’m so much better because of it.

- Morgan Miller (@morgansmiller)