Running - and why it SUCKS
Yes, I realize I'm typing in class.
But I have a perfectly good reason to do so.
Let's put this in a few words.
Math. Substitute. Finished Homework. Bored out of mind. A computer in front of me.
That should sum it up pretty well.
At the moment, it's a miracle I can type at all. My arms are limp and I'm pretty sure all the muscles and bones inside it are shriveled up and dying.
Why you ask?
The period before I had to run. A lot.
One mile?
Two?
Two and a half?
Nope. THREE.
I'm sure some of you cross country lightning bolt runners are just like, "pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that's NOTHING. We run FIVE miles. At six in the morning. Every day. Stop feeling sad for yourself, ya big baby." (ok, I'm sure no runner would say that, but you get the point.) Honestly, I'd like to applaud every runner who sacrifices their sleep so they can kill what's left of their legs. Us ordinary people will always look up at you in awe.
Anyways, three miles. Granted, our P.E. teacher let us walk some if we wanted, but it was excruciating.
Three miles are like me doing two laps around Disneyland.
Three miles are like the amount I walk on average every two days.
Three miles is too much for a weak human being with stringy legs like me.
Actually, our teacher was pretty nice about the whole thing. Two days before, she sent all of my class an email stating there would be a fitness test. Most of us were just like, "Oh, it must be like a few push-ups and sit-ups or something." Then, the next day, she mentioned that we're gonna run. Some kids anxiously asked her, "Is it the m-mile?" (four laps of pain). She's just like "NOPE" and before all of us can sigh in relief, she mutters, "it's more than that."
Now, she didn't state how much more it was going to be, and I am SO thankful of that. You see, I'm the type of person who stresses about running. You should have seen me LAST year.
In eighth grade, I had to run a mile every month, and you were graded on how fast you were. Now, first of all, I think that's STUPID. Everyone's different, and you can't force them to run faster! I know a friend who got sort-of sucky times when it came to long distance. But then when it came to short distance running, she was a PRO. I mean, that girl was out there running like Usain Bolt, sprinting like there was a hoard of wolves after her. It was amazing.
Anyways, our eighth-grade teacher had a system when it came to miles. 8:30 minutes for girls was passing time - 7:30 for guys. Anything over that, and you slowly get degraded down to an F. Luckily, I was an 8:20 kind of runner, so I barely survived P.E. But I remember every week before the mile, I'd feel dizzy and nauseous and anxious - I don't even know why!
Don't be like me.
Now, I'm sure you, reader, will also have to run a mile or two sometime during your twelve years of high school. And if you also want to improve your mile time, here are a few tips on how you can do that.
Numero Uno: Breath, but control it! What usually happens with most people is that their lungs shrivel up while running. You've probably felt cramps and sores often. How to stop this pain? You need to try to breathe slower and more rhythmically. It's pretty hard at first - your heart will try to force you to breathe faster. But try your best to keep a slow, steady pace in your breathing - that way. you'll be less tired and won't die as quickly! It may take a few weeks or even months, but follow your heart (and lungs), and you'll be faster in no time!
Numumero Dos: Rhythm. Keep a steady rhythm. Maybe count "one two one two one two", or "one two three four one two three four". Or you can try thinking of a song that you enjoy and just keep that in your mind as you run. That's what I did for most of my miles last year. In fact - embarrassing fact - the music stuck in my head was Stitches by *ahem* yes, Shaun Mendez. (It was catchy - what could I do??) I guess you can also listen to music, but I don't recommend it - your earphones and headphones may tend to fall, and you'll probably have to carry your phone or mp3 or whatever you listen to music with - what I'm saying is that it'll just be a real hassle. Take my advice - keep your phone in your locker.
NewMareO Thres: Have a lap plan. It really just depends on how big your track is. For instance, say you need to complete four laps in order for it to count as a mile. Run - or possibly sprint the first lap. Then for the next two, take it easy and just jog. (breathing right can help you be less tired). At the last lap, slowly increase your speed. By the time your only half a lap away from the finish line, start sprinting. This is the hardest step - most people give up trying. But you must sprint in order to get a good time. Trust me. It'll be worth it.
Bonus Tip: Make sure you have a destined time in your head - a goal you want to accomplish. For instance, if you have a mile time of nine, set your goal to an 8:50, maybe lower. Remember, running isn't just the play of the body - your mind's also part of it. Try your best to reach your goal, and I guarantee you, if you are determined, you WILL reach your time.
Whether you're someone who sprints when running or you know a snail could probably beat you to the finish line, be confident! It's only a few minutes of pain, and it'll be over! At least it's not like you need an 8:30 in order to pass high school. Try your best, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your day!
(Oh, and also I don't know any Spanish. You probably guessed that.)
But I have a perfectly good reason to do so.
Let's put this in a few words.
Math. Substitute. Finished Homework. Bored out of mind. A computer in front of me.
That should sum it up pretty well.
At the moment, it's a miracle I can type at all. My arms are limp and I'm pretty sure all the muscles and bones inside it are shriveled up and dying.
Why you ask?
The period before I had to run. A lot.
One mile?
Two?
Two and a half?
Nope. THREE.
I'm sure some of you cross country lightning bolt runners are just like, "pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh that's NOTHING. We run FIVE miles. At six in the morning. Every day. Stop feeling sad for yourself, ya big baby." (ok, I'm sure no runner would say that, but you get the point.) Honestly, I'd like to applaud every runner who sacrifices their sleep so they can kill what's left of their legs. Us ordinary people will always look up at you in awe.
Anyways, three miles. Granted, our P.E. teacher let us walk some if we wanted, but it was excruciating.
Three miles are like me doing two laps around Disneyland.
Three miles are like the amount I walk on average every two days.
Three miles is too much for a weak human being with stringy legs like me.
Actually, our teacher was pretty nice about the whole thing. Two days before, she sent all of my class an email stating there would be a fitness test. Most of us were just like, "Oh, it must be like a few push-ups and sit-ups or something." Then, the next day, she mentioned that we're gonna run. Some kids anxiously asked her, "Is it the m-mile?" (four laps of pain). She's just like "NOPE" and before all of us can sigh in relief, she mutters, "it's more than that."
Now, she didn't state how much more it was going to be, and I am SO thankful of that. You see, I'm the type of person who stresses about running. You should have seen me LAST year.
In eighth grade, I had to run a mile every month, and you were graded on how fast you were. Now, first of all, I think that's STUPID. Everyone's different, and you can't force them to run faster! I know a friend who got sort-of sucky times when it came to long distance. But then when it came to short distance running, she was a PRO. I mean, that girl was out there running like Usain Bolt, sprinting like there was a hoard of wolves after her. It was amazing.
Anyways, our eighth-grade teacher had a system when it came to miles. 8:30 minutes for girls was passing time - 7:30 for guys. Anything over that, and you slowly get degraded down to an F. Luckily, I was an 8:20 kind of runner, so I barely survived P.E. But I remember every week before the mile, I'd feel dizzy and nauseous and anxious - I don't even know why!
Don't be like me.
Now, I'm sure you, reader, will also have to run a mile or two sometime during your twelve years of high school. And if you also want to improve your mile time, here are a few tips on how you can do that.
Numero Uno: Breath, but control it! What usually happens with most people is that their lungs shrivel up while running. You've probably felt cramps and sores often. How to stop this pain? You need to try to breathe slower and more rhythmically. It's pretty hard at first - your heart will try to force you to breathe faster. But try your best to keep a slow, steady pace in your breathing - that way. you'll be less tired and won't die as quickly! It may take a few weeks or even months, but follow your heart (and lungs), and you'll be faster in no time!
Numumero Dos: Rhythm. Keep a steady rhythm. Maybe count "one two one two one two", or "one two three four one two three four". Or you can try thinking of a song that you enjoy and just keep that in your mind as you run. That's what I did for most of my miles last year. In fact - embarrassing fact - the music stuck in my head was Stitches by *ahem* yes, Shaun Mendez. (It was catchy - what could I do??) I guess you can also listen to music, but I don't recommend it - your earphones and headphones may tend to fall, and you'll probably have to carry your phone or mp3 or whatever you listen to music with - what I'm saying is that it'll just be a real hassle. Take my advice - keep your phone in your locker.
NewMareO Thres: Have a lap plan. It really just depends on how big your track is. For instance, say you need to complete four laps in order for it to count as a mile. Run - or possibly sprint the first lap. Then for the next two, take it easy and just jog. (breathing right can help you be less tired). At the last lap, slowly increase your speed. By the time your only half a lap away from the finish line, start sprinting. This is the hardest step - most people give up trying. But you must sprint in order to get a good time. Trust me. It'll be worth it.
Bonus Tip: Make sure you have a destined time in your head - a goal you want to accomplish. For instance, if you have a mile time of nine, set your goal to an 8:50, maybe lower. Remember, running isn't just the play of the body - your mind's also part of it. Try your best to reach your goal, and I guarantee you, if you are determined, you WILL reach your time.
Whether you're someone who sprints when running or you know a snail could probably beat you to the finish line, be confident! It's only a few minutes of pain, and it'll be over! At least it's not like you need an 8:30 in order to pass high school. Try your best, and I wish you the best of luck with the rest of your day!
(Oh, and also I don't know any Spanish. You probably guessed that.)
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