Editor’s Note: Riley Becker-Kopke is a 6th grader who has been on a cross-country team since she was in first grade. The following is from a class assignment in which she was asked to write a personal essay. Her mother, Kamryn Becker, who shared it with us, wrote “She is always at the front of the pack, and I find her determination and grit to be awe-inspiring.”
Cross Country begins in August and lasts until December. Throughout this time, each practice makes me better. As we run mile after mile, I push myself to run faster and do my best. I race my teammates as we run figure eights around the fields. While running, my mind wanders. It brings back memories and gives me time to think. I race myself, trying to run each lap faster than the last.
I love the Drop Stick exercise, because it pushes me to do my best. Each runner has a stick with their name on it. We have a certain amount of time to sprint as far as we can, circling around the field. When our coach yells “time,” we drop our sticks and walk to the beginning. Each time we have five seconds longer to complete the loop. My goal is to make it all the way around on the last loop. The last time we ran it, I was close, but still about six feet from the corner. Practice is hard but it helps prepare me for the meets.
My alarm goes off early Saturday morning. Though I am tired, my excitement overcomes my fatigue and I quickly get ready. My mom drives me and my sister to the park where the meet takes place. I learn the course during the walk through, and my anticipation grows. I stretch, and jog around the park to warm up. Finally, the person that runs the meet calls us to the line.
We step back, and they go over the rules. My stomach churns and I become scared. All of a sudden he says, “Take your mark,” and everyone steps forward. The alarm goes off and I run. I begin to sprint, weaving through the crowd to get toward the front. I forget about everything as my feet kick up dust. I start off fast but slow down once I am far from everyone else. My feet hit the ground making a familiar sound. I race up and down hills, and around corners. Then I see the finish line. It is far at first, but grows closer. I sprint. My legs hurt, but I ignore it.
I pass my parents and my sister standing on the outside of the course. They cheer, making me run faster. I can feel the wind in my hair, and for a minute it feels like I am flying. I sprint through the flags, and a wave of happiness passes over me. They hand me a card and I put my name tag on it. This way, they will know who got each place, and be able to call us up to get our ribbons.
Running make me feel alive and like I can do anything.
Goals help me do my best. If I did not make goals, I would not be as determined to try hard. I have made many goals throughout my life and accomplished most of them. My biggest long term goals for running are to make the Olympic team and get a running scholarship. When I watch the Olympics, I am inspired. If you make the Olympic team you are one of the fastest runners in the world. I think that would be amazing. Because that is a long time away, I have many short-term goals, including getting first place in a middle school race, and getting under 22 minutes in a 5K.
Accomplishing a goal is like taking a bite of ice cream. It sends a rush of satisfaction through my body and makes me feel like I am invincible.
Running makes me feel free and helps me forget everything. When I run through the finish I am filled with determination and energy, I feel like I can do anything. One of my favorite quotes is: “One run can change your day, and many runs can change your life.”
Whenever I feel sad, running can help me feel happy again.
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