More Than a Race

 Ever since I've started cross country my coach drilled into our minds that it's all about winning. Practices were for the soul purpose of getting better and being successful, and if that's not your goal then there is not point of you being there. Throughout my 4 years of running I've never been good or gotten a medal or anything, so that may be why my perspective is different. But for me it's never been about winning anyways. Sure, I do like beating people and PRing, but that's not why I've stayed. Against my coaches mindset, I don't keep coming to practices to get better, I keep coming because I love the little things that sport withholds. Like memories I make with my team everyday and the support system our team has developed. The running part isn't so bad itself either. After being in school all day, whether it was a bad day or not, it fells good to let free and run your worries away. 99% of the time I leave practice happier and more energetic than I was prior to practice. Whether it's a runners high or just being around my friends it's another reason why I run. Because of all these things, I've realized you don't have to run cross country just to win or be successful. You should run, because it gives you so much joy that you can't live without it. If you love running and the competition, go ahead, train to kick butt. But if you're just competing to compete what's the point? You're missing out on all the good stuff. At the end of your highschool running career odds are what you're going to remember the most is your team and the memories you made, so don't get too caught up in the race and forget the journey and people it took to get there.

- Anonymous