A changing mindset.

3.1 miles seems like a daunting and impossible task. I used to believe this to be true. Until my freshman year, at the age of 14 my life changed forever. I began my long journey as a runner. This journey has been filled with many ups and downs but more ups. 

So as a 14 year old, my parents forced me to join the cross country team. I had never been so upset with my parent prior to this and would cry and beg not to attend practice. Soon I would realize that I was meant to begin running. Running changed my life. 

I grew up an athlete but I was a swimmer. My identity and who I grew up as was a swimmer. Until my shoulder injury that changed my ability to swim forever. Now only being able to swim for one season instead of the entire year. I was forced to take up another sport so running cross country became my sport. 

I always suffered an injury freshman and sophomore year I severely sprained my ankles which resulted being in a boot for weeks at a time. Then track season sophomore year. In gym class I suffered a severe concussion that took me out of track for that entire season. 

Following that concussion I became an entirely different runner. Prior to the concussion I ran 28 minutes for a 5k. The first meet my junior year I ran a 25. Then I dropped 6 minutes from my season best sophomore year. I also fall in love with the sport that I took for granted the first two years of high school. I'm forever thankful for the concussion that changed me as a runner forever. I'm forever thankful for my coach and teammates who have seen and helped me through thick and thin. Most importantly I'm thankful for my parents who forced me to continue running and helping me find my new identity. I want to thank running because it has shaped me into the person I am today.

- Anonymous