Out of the four years I have run in high school, I feel like I should be a little more prepared for regionals and state, but my first varsity cross country season has made me uneasy. District did not turn out at all the way I had planned for it to. Amarillo High beat us, taking second place away. This only makes the will to win burn in our legs even stronger.

 We have had workouts that are much more complex than running a 5K. We run when it’s cold, hot, windy and rainy. I believe we train this hard because, even though no one says it, we all know our competition is getting that much stronger, and we will not allow ourselves to fall behind. Each person on a cross country team has to believe that their teammate running next to them, in front of, or behind would pick up their slack if they couldn’t finish the workout. I feel like we have all the essential items we need to be successful, except our mindset. In order to run distance a person must be mentally fit. Looking at the boys and girls cross country teams anyone could easily tell we are all physically fit but no one could know if we are mentally fit.

 Our girls have put sweat, sacrifice and determination into this cross country season, but now is the time to really know we have champions in ourselves. This is where we peak and show what kind of athletes we truly are. Yes, I wake up some mornings dreading the alarm clock, but it has become routine to where the tiredness usually fades within the first two miles of the morning run.  We train every morning during the summer for the feeling of holding gold UIL medals at state, to show that it’s not impossible to run fast for a long time. Anyone can do it, just believe. A team has trust in one another and their relationships. To be able to have the same passion for running as every girl on my team does is an incredible feeling no words to describe.