Never in a million years had I imagined my self running, not just running but running for sport. Yet there I was freshman year in cross country about to embark on a journey that changed me forever. The two years that I ran were filled with victory and triumph as well as injuries and disappointments. Freshman year I became very ill from the stress of running, so sick my immune system actually began eating my leg muscles to the point where I could not physically move my legs by my self for more then a week. With a valley always comes a peak; A peak which I achieved by learning never to give up no matter how bad things may seem. The peak for me, running 4:54 for one mile, after being told by doctors I may never be able to run again.

The morning of the typical time trial (of which today was a mile.) I woke up early preparing my self to leave everything on the track. I was a little nervous as I had so much prove to my fellow runners, but I knew one thing for sure I was not washed up. It was time to put my past behind me. No more excuses I thought to myself. This was sophomore year, not freshman year, I had a lot to prove. My goal since freshman year was to break five minutes for a mile but missing out the majority of freshman year I was far behind. Every night before I went to bed I affirmed to my self that I was good as new, it was only a matter of time. Coming back from my injury my head was a mess. My body had forgotten how it was to push my self to the limit day in and day out. On top of that my teammates had improved exceptionally. I was the lone wolf in the back of the pack. My teammates wondered if I was ever going to make a workout or even a quick recovery run. All those doubts were soon to be erased and I was sure of it. With my thoughts racing I walked out the door and headed toward my school.

When I got to school I could see the passion in which I felt embedded in the bodies of the everyone in the locker room. Our team had a great week training and every one was excited to get a new mile PR (Personal Record). At 6:15 Coach Green came into the locker room, gave us a quick motivational speech and told us to warm up.

The two mile warm up went smooth as the sun became barely visible over the horizon. The weather, perfect for Texas standards of course, the thermometer read about 80 degrees. I headed to the locker room and got my brand new white and red spikes and headed toward the track. At 7:15 the gun was to go off. I put my spikes on,but

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