All I hear is the pounding of my feet on the solid concrete and the rhythm of my breathing. I feel free and invincible as I speed down the path. I'm not sure where I am going, or how long it will take, but it doesn't matter - I am running.

Running is my passion. Something about the steady beat of my heart and the constant cadence of my legs on the ground are so relaxing that running quickly relieves any stress. The therapeutic benefits of running have helped me make it through hard times in my life; a long run provides a mental escape and an opportunity to think. When my grandfather died, I felt very lost and dazed. I really didn't want to do anything, but I forced myself to go for a run, during which I cried while I really thought about the influence my grandpa had on my life. There are days when running itself creates stress, but I look at this as good stress that produces excitement and adrenaline.

Being a runner has also provided me with life-long friendships. It is difficult to explain the bond that is established between cross country and track teammates. Your team becomes your family - you laugh together, you cry together, you win together, you lose together. I have become acquainted with so many wonderful people through my running experiences. I feel that there is not as much rivalry between runners as there is between players of other sports because there are so many factors that play into every race. Runners understand that everyone has good days and bad days, and we encourage and support each other even if we are part of opposing teams. This support has played a huge part in my accomplishments throughout high school. Through running, I have learned to accept that my best effort is all that I can give, and I have applied this revelation to school and other activities.

Throughout my high school career, running has taught me self-discipline. It takes a lot of sacrifice to push oneself every day, through every practice and race. In addition, willpower is needed to study for a calculus test or write a government essay. I know that the discipline I have learned from running has carried over and has helped me succeed in academics as well. Running is difficult because it is such a mental sport, and one's mind is extremely powerful. I have discovered over the past four years how important optimism is to success, for one's own self and for her teammates. As I got older and became a team leader, I realized how much the attitude of the team captain affects the other members of the team. As a result I have become more encouraging and upbeat even after bad races, and I have tried to remember to do the same after receiving a bad grade.

When I look back on my high school accomplishments, the first ones that pop into my head are those relating to running. When I remember my academic and service accomplishments, however, I realize that those achievements are a result of the stress-relief, great relationships, optimism, self-discipline, and many other life lessons I have experienced throughout my running career. I am so grateful that I am able to run and that I have been given the opportunity to experience such a great sport.

I watch as my favorite green running shoes beat down on the black cement. My lungs burn, my quad muscles ache, but I feel amazing - I am running.