Today, I ran in my school’s House Cross Country race. Everyone in my year was there, and we were all lined up and ready to go. The weather was cool and cloudy — perfect for running — but I could still feel my heart racing before the start. I really wanted to do well for my house and show how much I’ve improved this year.
When the whistle blew, I didn’t get the best start. I was stuck in the middle of the pack and found myself in fifth place. That felt terrible because I usually like to be near the front. But instead of panicking, I told myself to stay calm and work my way forward. I knew there was still plenty of time to catch up.
After about 50 metres, I started to pick up speed. I pushed harder with each stride, overtaking one runner after another. My legs felt strong, and soon I found myself in first place! Once I took the lead, I focused on keeping my pace steady and not looking back. I could hear footsteps behind me, but I just kept pushing and told myself, “Don’t let them catch you.”
The course was different this year, which made it more exciting but also a bit harder. There were more turns, and some parts were quite uneven underfoot. The toughest part came right near the end — we had to run through stinging nettles for about 100 metres! It was really painful, and I could feel them on my legs, but I didn’t slow down. I just kept running and tried to ignore the sting.
As I reached the final stretch, I could see the finish line ahead. I pushed as hard as I could, using up every bit of energy I had left. My legs were burning, and I was out of breath, but I didn’t give up. When I finally crossed the line, I realised I’d won — and not just by a little bit. I finished about 15 seconds ahead of everyone else!
I felt so proud and happy. It was an amazing feeling to win, especially after such a tough race. My friends and teachers cheered, and my house team were really pleased. Even though my legs were covered in stings, it was totally worth it. This race taught me that even if you don’t start well, you can still come back strong if you keep believing in yourself and never give up.
