The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

As student athletes, it is easy to get caught up in the balancing act of running, school, and social life. I have found that sometimes it is easy to become drained by the seemingly tedious schedule that most students have. I myself am in one of those phases right now, but fortunately, there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel.
 

Given that I have been running for all four of my high school years, I know that I can speak for many high school runners when I say, little things can overwhelm you quickly. Whether it’s one bad race, or stress from school, or even a social issue, one little thing can lead to a very difficult week. For me it’s a combination of all three factors this week, and I have found myself a bit out of it, and mentally exhausted. I think the most important way to get through these funks is to just go back to the basics, and have fun!
 

The primary reason I continue to run cross country is because I love the joy the sport brings me. I love waking up to run with my friends. I love the euphoric feeling that you get after a fantastic workout. I find that I’m at my best when I take the time to remember why I run in the first place. When it gets difficult for me to remember this I like to just take my mind off things. Sometimes I may go out and throw some baseball with a friend or two, or take a long bike ride. Whatever I do it usually doesn’t take long for me to come to the realization of how much I love running, and get that edge back.
 

So I think that sometimes relaxation, and taking a little mental break, is a great way for runners to deal with things when they become overwhelmed by everything going on around them. Remember why you run, and just enjoy being a high schooler. I love that I have the free will, and worry free atmosphere for another year. Just keep it simple, and enjoy yourself. I know I’ll be calling up some teammates to throw some ball very soon, and that’s all I need to enjoy myself!