I started cross country in seventh grade. The only reason I joined was because one of my friends did it and I wanted to do track in the spring. After the first practice, I wanted to quit and never run another day in my life. However, I went back the next day (my mom forced me to go) and never seriously thought of quitting again. Middle school cross country began my love of distance running.

Compared to middle school, high school cross country was a whole different level. The mileage doubled and the pace increased. For the first run, the team ran the same route. While the distance was only three miles, it felt like I was running a whole marathon! On the team, there was a group of seniors that shaped my freshman year. They introduced me to the iconic video of Fergie singing the national anthem. From the pasta dinners to jumping in swimming pools, my freshman year memories are swarmed with these people. Thank you to everyone from my freshman year who made running an enjoyable experience.

Sophomore year brought even more individuals into my life. My three closest people: two sophomores and a senior. We were always together at, before, and after practice. Starbucks was our go-to place. A classic dragon fruit refresher was a perfect refreshment for after a run. Another great after-run experience was swimming in a pool. While we aren’t in contact very often now, I am glad you guys are in my life.

Junior year was when I started to really push myself. While the cross country season was another just all for fun season, track season is when I took the practices more seriously and pushed myself past my limits. I wanted to be great at something I loved to do.

Senior year was where my hard work paid off. Summer training was brutal with the double run days and smoke-filled fields. With being on the third level of the training worksheet, I was running with the top girls. I hated it most days because I felt like I was struggling so much and they were just peacefully running. However, it allowed me to rise above where I ended at the previous cross-country season. Additionally, this was the season of the lasts. The last, first practice of the season, the last summer run, the last meet, and so on. But it also had so many firsts. My first varsity race, my first night race, etc. The team was one big family. The girl’s and guy’s teams made breakfast with each other after one of the summer practices. There were some struggles (the guy’s team forgot lighter fluid for the charcoal grill), but the girl’s food ended up amazing from the eggs we made to the pancakes. The summer canoeing trip was something else. In the first minute of being on the river, my canoe was flipped and water filled every corner of it. The whole river trip was a constant battle to stay in the canoe and not be flipped. Furthermore, trying to paddle down a river with water sitting at one’s feet is not the most enjoyable experience. Water NEVER fully left that stupid canoe. The grueling season led to a very successful team and individuals. The girl’s team managed to make it past districts and into regionals! I dropped my previous time of 24 minutes to 22 minutes and 29 seconds. I learned how to push myself even when my body doesn’t want to move another inch. My track season continued to show my progression of decreasing my times. For my last mile as a high school track athlete, I managed to break six minutes!! I got five minutes and 58 seconds. My 800-meter time decreased by 20 seconds. I showed myself that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. Additionally, I met my second family. The girl’s team was always there for me whenever I needed them. After a hard race, I found them next to me as I lay on the ground. When I didn’t feel well during workouts, they encouraged me to keep going. I am so glad that my last cross-country and track seasons were with you guys. I am going to miss you all!! <3 My coaches allowed me to believe that I could get through those amazing times and push myself past my limits. Thank you, Coach Saylor and Coach Cameron! I am so grateful that you guys were my coaches. My advice to the readers of the Paw Print: You can do hard things and believing that you can do it is half of the battle.