Summative My Gr8ness Post Summative

How to survive Cross country for dummies:   

Index:
1. Do you love running or not know it yet?
2. Tryouts and how not to be stuck up about it.
3. Exhaustion and getting through it. (Yes you need to read this paragraph, your not superman.)
4. Finally getting better at it. (after 6 weeks)
5. Wow. You actually made it.
6. Reflection


 1.     Have you ever wanted something so bad you were willing do do anything to get it? Have you ever not known you wanted something until you actually tried it? Have you ever ran your heart out? (Heres a hint: you would know if you did, just ask your legs.) 

2.     The first mile is hard. Arms pumping. Breathing heavily. Running to the rhythm of your steps. "One two three, one two three," you pant. Eight minutes or below that’s what you're aiming for. First lap easy, second lap you start to feel the burn in your chest, third you struggle to maintain the pace, and the fourth lap you bring it home. Sprinting, giving it all, you've got just a stretch away from your goal. "8:03!"Finished you pull back on your legs but are unable to stop. Going a couple more meters then finally you slow down to a jog. "8:03, 8:03, 8:03." You play it over and over again in your head, trying to not forget it. You walk to the water fountain, lungs heaving trying to gather enough oxygen to keep you from passing out. On your way back to the start of the track it starts to come to you. You made it! You're on the cross country team!
     Making the team is a wonderful feeling, but don't let it get to you head. You still have to try hard and work at it regularly. They aren't begging you to be there because you made it on the team so your automatically the best. They are giving you the opportunity to improve and work hard with team. Don't take it for granted. (P.S. Its okay to go home and brag about it with your folks but remember that some of your classmates did not make it. You need to acknowledge that their feelings may get hurt by you telling them how awesome you are that you made it.) 

3.     The first day of practice you love. The next morning your sore and glad its a Tuesday, no practice on Tuesdays. Wednesday hits you like a train.
     Wednesdays practice is an off campus three miles. Its not the farthest you have ever gone but it is the fastest. You try to keep up to the other runners. They leap, soar, and sprint. You stumble, dodge, and trip. “Faster, faster!” you’re yelling at your legs. The coach is running at the back gaining on you. You fall behind, tasting defeat. After practice you collapse on the bleachers. Exhausted, mentally and physically. But one by one your teammates and coaches tell you, “Good job!” and “See you tomorrow!” Those few words are enough to pick you up and put you back on the track the next day.
     I know your tired and sore but its worth it. The physical exertion gets better I promise, don't beat yourself up about "Im so sore and their not," or "they ran faster than me." Your teammates are their to help support you not beat you, its not a race. (unless its ACSIS)

4.     Day after day, practice after practice. You get better and better, now able to keep up with all the others. You get a spot in ACSIS and prepare for the big day.
     Eat healthy, get plenty of rest, keep up your muscle and stamina. That is all the advice I can give you there. The rest of it comes from you and how hard you worked over the past few weeks. 

5.     Teams come from all over Singapore, all from different schools. Warming up you and the team talk about strategies. Keep pushing, try and pass as many runners as you can, and use your hands on the steep hills if you need to. “14 and under girls please head to the starting line,” blares the speakers.

     SAS lines up against the other teams. “BEEP!” The buzzer goes off, some people sprint but some pace themselves. The terrain is true to its name, a real cross country race. You pass a school that decided to stick together as their strategy. Faster and faster you go as you enter a forest. Dodging puddles, rocks, and runners you make your way higher and higher up the ranks. The trees grow thicker around three miles and so do the people. Your heart is pounding but not too bad. Your legs ache but it’s a good ache. Soon you’re neck and neck with runners and using your hands to help you run up the hill (more like crawl). “Go SAS!” You hear from Mr. Walker and other teachers from SAS. You see the finish line and you kind of wish it wasn’t over. Crossing the finish line you fall into the arms of your teammates. Exchanging “great job” and “you did amazing” with everyone. The last run of the season and it was amazing.

     This is my story. The one I am proud to tell. The story about my first ACSIS final. The story of the first time I realised how much I love running. The story of my first season of cross country. I hope this helps and inspires all of the runners out there. (and future runners "wink", "wink")

6.      Reflection: Write your reflection on your season of cross country or other sport and how you loved it in the comments down below. (What! Im not writing it for you.) Thanks so much for reading my blog! Can't wait to see all of your wonderful comments!
(First comment by Robin Williams)