300 Words: Cross Country

by Sam Long


It has been many consecutive days of the same routine. Starting the morning off with barely enough sleep, barely making the bus, realizing you forgot to do an assignment.  People always ask the Cross Country runners why we come into school so sore and tired.

Well, here is why:

Because of the constant feeling of knowing we have an opportunity to make it to States,
our coaches push us hard every day to be better.

Because every day seems like a new challenge and every day there seems to be some new ache; when getting sick or missing a workout presents even more obstacles.

Because people say all you have to do is run for 3 miles, but it’s much more complicated than that.

It’s an event where preparing 3 days ahead is essential.

Because what you eat and how much sleep days ahead can actually affect you when it’s time for the meet.

We’re tired because it doesn't just wear us down physically, it wears us down mentally too.

Because with the amount of talent we have on our team, we know it’s more than just running a 5k.  We made a commitment from the beginning of the season and here we are. Just before the most important meet of the year, we will be tired, but we know the pledge we made. We won’t give up so close to the finish.

The soreness is so ordinary to me now. But that fatigue is going to become strength which will help us accomplish our goal.  

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