The birth of a natural born runner

   Well since I have told you why my sport is a sport and why I love it; I think it is time to tell you how my running experience all started.
   Memorial day in 5th grade. The first time I ever ran competitively and really ever ran at all. At the time I was a soccer player on a travel team that eventually went on to win states. My sister was doing the 5k for Girls On The Run. I show up there and many of my very close friends at the time were running it as well. They were all in there nice athletic shorts and running shoes. Me? I was in plaid cargo shorts, an Abercrombie shirt, and old tennis shoes. I was just not planning on running at all and was going to just watch. After a lot of peer pressure and bugging my mom to let me sign up; I ran it.
   I show up to the starting line. I was some little kid just under 5 feet in height wearing casual clothes. Yes, I did get funny looks from the try hard adults. Did I care? No, because I had no clue what I was getting myself into. The starter fires the gun and the runners go off. I start running as fast as I can. But, the thing is I did not slow down. I kept trucking along the beautiful Lake Cadillac. After the 3.1 miles, I crossed the finish line which was by the Cadillac Pavilion. I finished ahead all of my friends that made me do it and won my age group. Some little kid in cargo shorts and old, beat up tennis shoes surprised everyone.
   My parents and grandparents came up to me after the race and congratulated me and told me that cross country and track just became my new sports. When 7th grade hits I was out with my new team, the Cadillac Cross Country team. I was still a soccer player too. At the time cross country was not the only thing I did. I played soccer, ran cross country, played basketball, I skied, played baseball, and ran track. In 8th grade I trained with the varsity cross country and track teams because apparently I was "An important prospect for the future." I did not see myself as that. I was just some ordinary kid who went out and ran and sometimes won.
   The summer going into my freshman year I had the most important decision of my life to make. Yeah, that's right a 14 year old making big "life time" decision. After lots of thought and talking to both the cross country coaches and soccer coaches. I trained and practiced with both teams. In August 2010 I decided to run cross country. My coach made me sign a contract because he worried about losing me to soccer within my four years of high school. Does he realize I was only 14 at the time and barely knew what a contract was?
   Now, I am a senior and still do cross country. It was the best decision I have ever made. I have made lifelong friends, won championships, broke records, and helped lead people to achieve their own goals as well. I consider my coaches as "second parents" and my current/past teammates as brothers and sisters. I have made memories that will last forever. Whether it is at practice, a meet, or XC Camp at Camp Torenta there is never a dull moment with the infamous Cadillac Cross Country Team.