The Burn

Since the eigth grade, I've been running what people consider To be their sports's punishment Cross country. Now Why do I continue to run 3.1 miles in the woods While my chest and legs burn That makes me spend so much money On gear That will only end up to be stained with mud and dirt That pushes both my mental and physical threshold? It's because I live for this burn. I run this sport because I love the feeling Of my chest and legs burning After a hard workout and knowing That I am both mentally and physically able To push my body to limits That I never knew were possible. When I run, It makes me focus and understand My body and how it functions Getting dirty during a run or a meet Is something that I don't mind Because it helps me know That I will not allow anything To stop me From reaching my goal of improving more and more. Most importantly, I run this sport Because I live to support my teammates I live teaching them that they too can push themselves To limits that they may also have not known That they could reach.