Cross country.
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Oh no. I am sure that is the first reaction for many of us, when we heard we are running a cross country on 24th Feburary. To run 3km is not something many of us have ever done before. When i first heard it i was worried too. Like many of my friends, the most i have ever ran is 1.6 beacuse of our yearly NAPFA test. It was a worrying thought. At first i thought we might be able to skip it or something, but when i found out they are actually going to check on us, i was terrified. Things got worst when my class nominated me for the competitive run due to my passion for soccer which supposedly makes me run alot and be a good runner.The day has came. I walked into school all nervous. I was scared of many things despite previous preparations. Can i finish the race? Will i faint? Can i keep up with my friends? All these questions were to be answered later. "Secondary ones , please report to the starting line NOW." My heart pulpitated rapidly as i heard that. I briskly walked to the starting line and prepared myself for the run of my life, so far.
As i ran through the match, i had great motivation from the songs that the 37th high school council played like new divide and i'm yours. For that i am thankful. of them. Basically, i came into the race with one stategy. Keep pace with Danyon, a very fast runner and do well. He was my only motivation, i knew there was no point in catching up with him, i just made sure he was in my sight. But danyon was just far too fast, a reason why he was chosen for cross country instead of me. I ran as hard as i can, making sure not to fall down, or run too fast through the downhills and effectively controlling my pace whilst going uphill. At one point of time, the adrenaline rush got to me, and it was as if i ran automatically as i tried to chase Danyon as he was already out of my sight. But it was not to last as when i reached the grass patch reaching the track for the last 400m,. i hit a "wall" my legs were not moving as i struggled to keep up with the genreal pace letting a few people go in front of me. I quickly poured all the water in my bottle on my legs to attempt to loosen it. It worked, slightly. As i ran through the grass patch to the track, I quickly picked up pace again as i attempted to finish in the top 30, as i was 30+. As i cut through the crowd, i tired but persistent i was as i kept running not willing to crumble and lose ground in the last stretch. At last there was a mind game to play. It was between top 30 and 31, the guy behind me dashed as i jogged from the 100m line. I knew he would be tired, everyone was, as i saved my last ounce of energy, just when he was going to beat me to the line, i sprinted as fast as my legs could as i finished just a step in front of my competititor.
It was a good run, and i was happy with it. After that i went to get myself a drink and went home to rest when we were dismissed. I was glad to finsih 3km today, it was one achievement i was proud of and we should all be proud of.