I realized that everything that I was worried about didn't matter

 I've run cross country since I was in fourth grade, and it's always been "my sport." I loved proudly telling my friends how much I had ran that day, and seeing the shocked looks on their faces when I told them I "only ran an easy three miles." 

Going to a small school for K - 8th grade, I was so used to running with the same people. We were all really close, and I loved having something in common with all my friends.

In eighth grade, I dislocated my knee right before a race. It was the worst pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I swore that I would never run again. I was terrified of getting hurt again. 

Right before summer began, my mother signed me up for my school's cross country team, and summer running camp. I dreaded going every single day, because I thought I would get hurt again. My running hadn't improved, I thought I was just getting worse. 

Fast forward to the first official practice of the season. We had a two mile time trial, which I did not want to do. My time landed me on JV, which was better than nothing.

The first meet of the year, I had a stupid fear that I would get last place, or get hurt again. I didn't, I placed towards the middle, which I was used to. I realized then that everything I was worried about didn't matter. I just needed to get my mind on track, and believe in myself. 

The next meet, I PRed by almost two minutes. The same thing happened the next week. And the next

I realize know that I can't quit. My new team has become family, and I love them all just as much as I did my old team. 

So, yeah, cross country DID change my life.

- Anonymous