I'm sure we all have that memory of being forced to run a mile in middle school gym class to pass the statewide fitness test and yes, I hated it as much as everyone else in that gym did. As a child, especially in middle school, self-care and taking initiative in my life was not something I even thought of.
I ran cross country throughout middle school because all my friends were doing it. It was not until I reached high school that I actually began to enjoy running.
Throughout high school, I ran cross country and played lacrosse. I never really understood the importance of having an outlet before I reached high school. For those who were artistically talented that outlet was drawing, dancing or singing, but whatever it was it was something that you could pour all of your stress into.
During high school, a time of adjustment into a stressful time academically, running became my outlet. I joined cross country originally because I ran in middle school and thought it would look good on my resume but then shortly realized how important it became in my life.
For me, running was more than just an outlet. I really began to understand the commonly used phrase "mind over matter" when it came to running cross country in high school. I was by no means the best runner on my team, but over my four years of running, I improved.
But that sense of accomplishment was not the most significant thing I gained from running cross country. Most importantly I learned that if you set a goal in your mind you can almost always achieve it no matter how difficult it may seem. While I am aware how cliché this sounds, it is true.
In terms of running, your body can handle a lot more than you think it can. You just have to push yourself. Even if you are uncertain of the outcome failing is better than not trying at all, this is what running has taught me.
This mentality that I developed from running has shaped the steps I have taken so far in my life. In between high school and college, I took a gap year and decided to live in Israel. I did not make this decision because my friends were doing it, in fact, I was the only one of my high school friends to take a gap year.
I did it because I did not feel prepared for college and wanted to learn more about the world before settling down and studying a specific major in college. This mentality encouraged me to study abroad for a year despite the many unknowns surrounding this decision which ended up being one of the best choices I ever made.
While running may not be for everyone it is important to find something that works for you. For me it's running and exercise. For others, it's something else. Everyone should have something that pushes them to their limit mentally or physically, in turn, allowing them to grow as a person.