Personal Narrative: My Passion Of Running

Running is my passion. It is what I turn to when I need to get my mind off of something. It is so exciting to run around and realize that what you are doing is not only fun, but it is also helping you exercise. I am not talking about running on a treadmill. What is the point of running if you’re not going anywhere? This is when it struck me that I wanted to be a runner. I began my journey at Villegas Middle School. My average mile was an 8 minute mile. I kept trying to improve this time, but i realized the only reason I was not getting a faster mile time is because I simply wasn’t trying my best. This is when my grit and willpower took a greater role in my running. My time increased drastically over time and by the time I reached the 7th grade my average mile was a 7 minute 30 second mile and although 30 seconds doesn’t seem like a big improvement, it is.

One month passed, I was training and was determined to get faster, but then the most unexpected thing happened.

I was chosen to run in the annual Mile Run Race! It only gets better from there, my time had improved from 7 minutes and 30 seconds to an average of a 6 minute 30 second mile. When the day of the race came, I don’t know what happened. My determination went from 0 to 100 in a matter of a day. I began the race at a semi-sprinting pace. I remember running and thinking to myself, “I can’t do this!”, but nothing was going to keep me from getting a faster mile time. I went from there, drippin sweat like a wet mop, but when i crossed the finished line and heard my mile time, i couldn’t have been happier. I finished the mile long race with an astonishing 5 minute 47 second mile! It was at this moment I realized I had reached my goal. I went from an 8 minute mile to a 5 minute 47 second mile! I accomplished this with the power of these 6 things you should know about

running.

Know Your Boundaries. When you are running, you need to know the point of running where you cannot continue. Taking this, I want you to run to this point adding a small distance of extra running each time you run. Doing so will improve your stamina and will also make running a lot easier.
Work Through It. I know you want to quit in the middle of a long run. Here is all I have to say: Don’t stop running, because if you work through it, you will realize that you are accomplishing your goal and nothing is better than knowing that you goals are no longer goals, but achievements.
Use The Right Gear. When you are going out for a run, make sure that you are running with the proper gear. If you are running with new shoes that you just bought, but haven’t took the time to at least run in them once, the chance is that you will surprised to find out that this will actually make running a lot harder. Run with an old, comfortable pair of tennis shoes instead. This will make you feel more comfortable because you won’t have to be getting used to the feeling of a new pair tennis shoes.
Extensively Hydrate Yourself. If you are preparing for an upcoming race, do not drink as much water as you can on the day of the race. Drink water weeks before the race. This way your body will always be used to being hydrated and therefore keeping you hydrated.
Know Your Track. If you constantly run and you run the same route every time you run then you don’t need this step. It is critical that you know where you are running or else you might not know how extreme or hard it is going to be to run that route. Not to mention that there is still the possibility that you might get lost.
Always Continue To Set The Bar Higher For Yourself. There is a specific phrase that I think about whenever I run. This phrase is, “Never stop improving”. I hope this phrase sticks to you too, for it is telling you all you really need to know about running. Always set higher goals for yourself, even if you think they are impossible. Being a runner was my dream. It was my dream. Now it is reality. Don’t let your dreams be dreams. Let them be a reality.