While running 5k's, 6k's or 10k's you have a lot of time to think (unfortunately). Several thoughts race through my head while I'm running through the woods and should be focusing on the task at hand...beating the person in front of me. But let's face it, if you've run cross country we have all been through these thought processes.

1) "Why do I do this?"

2) "The gun just gave me a heart attack, I can't go on."

3) "Alright just hold on as long as possible."

4) "Woah I just PR'ed in my mile time."

5) "Where would be the best spot to fake an injury?"

6) "No ones around...I could just dip out into the woods."

7) "Okay righttttt...here...damn it you blew your chance."

8) "That hill doesn't look that bad."

9) "Oh...that was bad."

10) "There's coach, pretend to breath normal."

11) "Hey, I actually don't feel too bad."

12) "If I could only switch places with that runner who's 100 yards in front of me."

13) "Alight if I pass this girl what place will I be in."

14) "Coach is yelling at me to go get her so I guess I need to start racing now."

15) "Okay, I have a mile left that's only four laps on a track."

16) "If I kick right now will I make it to the finish line?"

17) "Oh sh#t I kicked way too early."

18) "I am so glad I did that."

19) "That was so worth it."

20) "When's the next race?"

You may hurt during the race, but nothing beats the feeling of seeing that finish line or getting a new personal record.