At the start of track season, Mallorie L was not sure what to expect. She had never been part of the track team before, and the idea of running everyday seemed challenging. Still, she decided to join because she wanted to try something new and push herself.

The first practice was harder than she thought they would be. After school, the team met at the track to stretch, warm up, and begin their workout. Mallorie quickly realized that running laps and doing drills took a lot of energy. Her legs felt sore, and sometimes she felt out of breath, but she kept trying her best.

Even though practice was tough, Mallorie liked being part of the team. She talked with other runners during breaks and learned that many of them felt the same way she did. They laughed about how tired they were and encouraged each other to keep going. Knowing that everyone was working hard together made practice feel a little easier. “I learned that many others felt the same way I did and were nervous.”

Mallorie also started to notice small improvements. At first, running laps felt almost impossible, but after a few practices she could go a little farther without stopping. She began to feel more confident and less nervous about being on the team.

The start of track season showed Mallorie that the sport would take effort and determination. Even though it was difficult, she was proud of herself for trying something new. With every practice, she felt herself getting a little stronger and stronger and more motivated to keep going. Mallorie knew the season was just beginning, but she was already excited to see how much she could improve. “I’m proud of myself for trying something new even though it will be hard to get as fast and strong as I want.”