Sweat is dripping down my face, the hot sun is scorching on my shoulders, and the aching pain is slowly taking over my legs. Physically my body is giving up, yet mentally I'm all there; between the ears there's a voice that tells me to go on. This was my first cross country meet my sophomore year. I had never been a long distance runner and always saw myself as the slacker in the back of the gym class running the mile. However, my friend wanted to try it out and we were like glue and paper, always sticking together. Joining the cross country team was one of the best decisions I have ever made; not only did it turn me into a better person, but it taught me self discipline and time management.

Running as really helped me push myself to the limit. Starting out as someone who did not even run and now being able to say that I've ran in the Dam to Dam race without walking is a great personal accomplishment. When a person sets mental goals for himself and achieves them, it is better than any first place trophy. Running has also made me into a leader. Being on upperclassmen runner, one has to take on the responsibility of watching over and guiding the others. It is a great skill that has not only helped me through cross country, but it definitely comes in plan during my everyday life at school and in the workplace.

Having the responsibility of going to cross country practice after school every day and even waking up early on those "wonderful" Saturday morning practices has really taught me self discipline and time management. It is not an easy thing to be able to squeeze the typical life of a high school teenager as well as all the school work in a given day. However, I began to learn to manage my time and be more productive when I know that I do not have that much time to get something done. I really sit down and focus on what I'm doing. This has definitely played a huge roll in my overall scholastic achievement. Instead of being overwhelmed with the long practices or coming home late from far away meets and then having to do loads of homework, I learned to make everything work.

With the hectic and overwhelming life of today's society, it is so easy to get caught up in one thing and get lost in another. It is also very stressful and sometimes a person needs to just get away. Running has been my ultimate getaway. It sounds crazy that a forty-five minute run might be the most relaxing time of my day, but it is true. I love going on a long run by myself to just clear my mind and not have to think about anything except for watching out for pot holes. After a run, I am much less stressed the rest of the day.

While to some, being sweaty, hot and achy might be their worst nightmare, to me it doesn't sound bad at all. I am really glad I took up cross country in high school. Even after the season is over, I continue to go on runs either by myself or with a friend. Running has helped shape me, quite literally, into the person I am today. I have set the bar pretty high for what I want to achieve in college, but I know that I have the endurance and perseverance to get there.