Cross Country

My first race was on Sep. 26, 2023.  Although it was technically my second race, I’ll get to that in a moment.  I got 49th place out of 93 girls which is not bad considering that it was my first race that I actually ran.  I might have gotten 48th place though if I had sped up and not let that one girl pass me.

The race started off with the boys first, then the girls were next after the boy’s race.  When the time for the girl’s race came, my teammate and I got into our box which was lined up with the starting line along with the other boxes and their racers. The guy with the shotgun to signal the racers talked to us about the signal–when to do the running start to the starting line and when to take off.  After he finished speaking, he paused and then made the signal to make the running start to the starting line.  Then the gun went off.  BAM!  And all the girls took off, including me.

As we ran the sun was shining, the crowds were yelling and cheering, and we proceeded to run. A lot of the girls weren’t used to running in the heat so much and a few of them walked.  I however was one of the few who continued to run along the route.  As I ran, I saw some people that I knew cheering for me and others who I didn’t know cheering for me.  The aching of my legs and the dryness of my throat and the heat of the day tempted me to stop running, but I continued.

As I neared the finish I tried to pass a few of them and was successful with a few.  When I finally came to the finish I maintained my place until a girl zipped past me and got to the finish before me, so I got 49th place.

Afterwards, I felt a pain all of sudden in my shoulder from running too tightly, but it felt better after I took a drink.  I got congratulated and was given a Gatorade to help me with my thirst by my parents.  I went to where I had my water bottle and my running bag, got them, and went home with my family.

The first time that  I was supposed to have run, I had missed the race.  What happened was, I was so busy cheering on the boys that I did not hear the gun go off for the girls to start.  So, I missed the race. I, however, since then, am determined to never miss a race again.  With all these experiences to teach me, I have learned things to keep in mind for future races.