It was the Monday of the first week of summer, fresh out of middle school, where it all started. Earlier that morning I had attended one of the introductory basketball practices for my new high school, Foothill Tech. I had my mind set on playing basketball that school year and possibly track but little did I know that would change later that day. That night was the sports informational meeting for the upcoming year at my new school. After the introduction my dad suggested that we attend the cross country meeting. Not until recently would I find out that that was one of the best suggestions my dad has ever had for me. The very next day I attended the “freshman academy,” an introductory week of workouts for cross country, which clearly showed me that cross country is what I wanted to do. In middle school I ran track for the city track club but I had never been a long distance runner and cross country wasn't on the list of things I wanted to try.
After the freshman academy I attended the weight training days twice a week through the “dead period” of the summer. By the time actual practices started, I was in slightly better shape than when I got out of school but still was unprepared for what was to come. When the official practices started I was barely able to run two miles without stopping, but after a lot of hard work I would come to be where I am now, running seven miles non-stop at a decent pace.
The first meet of the season came much quicker than we had expected. Not only did it come quickly but it was over in the blink of an eye. All the first time cross country runners lined up on the starting line ready to run the first race of their high school cross country careers, and I was one of those first time runners. I remember passing through the one mile mark with my own dad calling out the times….6:29….6:30….6:31. Coming down the last hill, around the last curve, the burn in my legs, glancing at the clock as I crossed the finish line for 1.4 miles….9:15….9:16…..FINISH! It was a great feeling knowing that I had just finished the first of many races for my cross country season. Throughout the season I worked harder and harder to achieve that goal time of 20:59, working hard on those bad days and getting over injuries that set me back a bit. My determination was a force to be reckoned with.
The season flew by, from the world’s largest cross country meet (in which our team won the freshman boys race), to the small league meets against 12 other teams in our division. Before I knew it, it was time for league finals, the last meet of the season. The atmosphere was happy, the weather was chilly, but just perfect, “dragon weather” as we say here at Foothill and overall it was just a great day to race. The junior varsity boys from 14 teams were all scrambling to get a spot on the starting line as the air was tight with anticipation for the race about to commence. The gun went off and I knew that this was going to be a great race. I ended up coming through the finish line at a personal best and a season goal of 20:43. I was determined to break that barrier and with enough work put in, I got what I had worked for.
Not only was cross country a great chance for personal achievement, but I met so many wonderful people who I am proud to call my friends. If I hadn’t done cross country it would have changed my whole school year. The people who I call friends now wouldn’t be of significance to me and my whole demeanor probably would have been much different. I am glad to say that cross country has made me who I am now, and I am proud to say that I run track and cross country. Cross country a big part of what has made me who I am and I have the great opportunity to say that I am a runner.
After the freshman academy I attended the weight training days twice a week through the “dead period” of the summer. By the time actual practices started, I was in slightly better shape than when I got out of school but still was unprepared for what was to come. When the official practices started I was barely able to run two miles without stopping, but after a lot of hard work I would come to be where I am now, running seven miles non-stop at a decent pace.
The first meet of the season came much quicker than we had expected. Not only did it come quickly but it was over in the blink of an eye. All the first time cross country runners lined up on the starting line ready to run the first race of their high school cross country careers, and I was one of those first time runners. I remember passing through the one mile mark with my own dad calling out the times….6:29….6:30….6:31. Coming down the last hill, around the last curve, the burn in my legs, glancing at the clock as I crossed the finish line for 1.4 miles….9:15….9:16…..FINISH! It was a great feeling knowing that I had just finished the first of many races for my cross country season. Throughout the season I worked harder and harder to achieve that goal time of 20:59, working hard on those bad days and getting over injuries that set me back a bit. My determination was a force to be reckoned with.
The season flew by, from the world’s largest cross country meet (in which our team won the freshman boys race), to the small league meets against 12 other teams in our division. Before I knew it, it was time for league finals, the last meet of the season. The atmosphere was happy, the weather was chilly, but just perfect, “dragon weather” as we say here at Foothill and overall it was just a great day to race. The junior varsity boys from 14 teams were all scrambling to get a spot on the starting line as the air was tight with anticipation for the race about to commence. The gun went off and I knew that this was going to be a great race. I ended up coming through the finish line at a personal best and a season goal of 20:43. I was determined to break that barrier and with enough work put in, I got what I had worked for.
Not only was cross country a great chance for personal achievement, but I met so many wonderful people who I am proud to call my friends. If I hadn’t done cross country it would have changed my whole school year. The people who I call friends now wouldn’t be of significance to me and my whole demeanor probably would have been much different. I am glad to say that cross country has made me who I am now, and I am proud to say that I run track and cross country. Cross country a big part of what has made me who I am and I have the great opportunity to say that I am a runner.