What did I get myself into? That is what went through my head as I ran at 6:30 AM on the first day of Cross Country practice. I joined the team to hang out more with my friends, but we were all too out of breath to even talk to each other. I didn’t know how I was going to make it through the next 6 weeks. All I knew was that I wasn’t going to give up.

I woke up at 6:15 Am for the first Cross Country practice of the season. I was tired but a lot less tired than I was about to be once I got there. I finally got there and met up with my friends. We all went to the locker rooms to put our stuff away until the end of practice. After practice, I was tired and my shins hurt. We went back to the locker rooms to get our stuff and headed to the cafe to wait for school to begin.

It was our third meet. We lost a teammate on our first meet due to her hurting her hip. It was easier than the first meet though, so I didn’t complain. With our first meet being nothing but hills this was definitely easier. But I didn’t know we were halfway through the season. I was surprised that the season was already halfway over.

It was our last meet of the season, and it was like a trip to the past. Due to the fact that I knew the course and had spent months training, I knew it wouldn’t be too hard. I knew that whatever my time was today was all I’d get. After the meet I was tired and sore. A few days later I figured out my fastest time, it was 19 minutes and 37 seconds. It’s unfortunate but I know I’ll do better in eighth grade.

It’s unbelievable how I ended up in Cross Country. I will never forget the incredible memories I made, how hard the meets were, and waking up at 6:15 every morning. I wasn’t the fastest runner but I managed to make it through the season. There’s no doubt in my mind that I’m doing it all again next year, in eighth grade and I will improve my time.