Running

Running to most people seems like a dreaded thing when you just think about it. However, to me running is a sport, a hobby, and something that I truly enjoy doing. Running takes a lot of discipline and you have to be dedicated to the sport. When it comes down to it, running isn’t the right sport for everyone. You have to be willing to handle the pain and injuries, and most of the time, run through them. Running is one of the hardest sports physically on your body, and is truly a mental sport. It’s about telling yourself to keep going and to not give up, no matter what your body tells you.

I’ve been running for about seven years total. In third grade, I ran my first cross country race which was 1.2 miles, and joined track in fifth grade. Some people have asked, “Why do you like running?” I simply respond, “I just love the sport”. I’ve given up playing travel soccer to focus on running track and cross country, and especially during the winter off-season between the two sports. Once you begin running, it’s something you just can’t give up, and can't live without.

After a long day of school, coming to cross country practice and running is something good to end the day with. I can put aside my entire day and just let me feet run. When you finish a run, you feel such a sense of accomplishment. Whether you just finished a three-mile pre-race day run, or an eight-mile road run, you get a feeling that is hard to describe. In your mind, you tell yourself, “I did it.” The training involved in running can be a difficult and hard thing. During a hard workout, you may feel like you want to quit, but it’s all about pushing yourself because the pain you feel is what makes you better in the end.

Once a week of hard practice is said and done, its time for races. Races are what really matter, and when all of your hard work pays off. This is the time where the effort you put into those mile repeats you did earlier this week all become worth it. When the gun goes off, it’s like an adrenalin rush throughout your body, and immediately you tell yourself, “it’s time to race.” You forget about all of your worries and your mind is focused on now, this race. It’s about running your hardest and giving this race everything you have, so when you cross the finishing line you have no regrets. A Boston Marathon Runner named Tom Fleming said, “Somewhere in the world, someone is training when you are not. When you race him, he will win.”