More Than Just a Race

Well, today was my final race for this year's cross country season. The weather was perfect for running, the sun was shining and clear blue skies was visible. I don't remember any weather that it was like today that I ever ran in last year; most of time, it would be cold and the sun would not shine as bright as today.
Before I get to tell you what happened during and after the race, I need to tell you something that happened before I ran. What happened was, while I was walking to my teams' tent during one of the Division 2 races (we are in Division 1), I was watching a teenage runner limping in a way that indicates that he leg was hurting. She fell to the ground. I ran to the girl and asked a high school boy nearby to help me lift her to go to her coach. I don't know what really happened to her, but all I know is that her leg was hurting. So while we were finding her coach, we started talking and she told a lesson to me that I have heard many times from others. What makes this one different is that she raised her voice at me on how, if you want something really bad, you go get it no matter what happens. That hit me in the heart in a good way. A thought came to me after we found her coach and dropped her off. The thought was about if I was really pushing myself to get something really badly this season. Now that I pushed myself in the race and received a time of 19:40, I decided that I need to get it together for the next season. Thank you for enforcing the lesson. Here is quote that relates to what I was doing for this girl, even though I don't know her at all.

Now that happened, let me tell you what was going on in the race. First off, the JV races was as one, not two individual races. That kind of took us by surprise, but we were prepared. The gun didn't go off until 3:15. While we were waiting to run, two graduated seniors from my school, came over to watch us run our finally race for this year. It was a pleasure to see them and to support us. Now that many people were watching and pushing us, no doubt about it that we are going to do well.
Everyone started off very fast on the first mile. I didn't want to do that, since I knew that I would slow down in the second mile (which I was right) by at least 30 seconds. We started off as a group for the first mile, until we started to break into different sections. I was by myself after the first mile and I was passing people from schools like Kalamazoo Central, Portage Central, Matawan, and other schools. They provided a good run for me, especially on the final stretch with all the sprinting. While I was trying to pass a boy, I didn't realize that he is actually a friend of mine that I made over the summer in the NSTI (National Summer Transportation Institution) up in Michigan Tech. We were pushing each other hard to the end and I beat him. When I crossed the finish line, Will (that is his name) called me and came up to me to congratulate/thank me for that sprint. At first I didn't realize it was him until he explained to me how we met, that was when I remembered him. It was amazing how friends that you made over the summer is still lives close by. Who knew.

After the race, one of the cross country members invited us to attend a bonfire party. We came over at 7 and we just enjoyed our time there. We had some cupcakes, s'mores (without the chocolate though :-( ), a night big campfire, and the cross country. The night was clear and the temperature was cool. I was happy to see the team enjoying their reward for finishing strong after a long, touch season. Everyone did a great job, I am proud of all of you. Can't wait to see you in track season. 

I like to post this song that tells about our enjoying time.  

  Here with you- Asher Monroe


Well that is what happened today. It has been a good day for me and many others. I hope you day was good. Good night y'all and see you in the next post.
Peace out brothers and sisters- MNM