College Essay/cross Country

Ethan Corcoran

During my Junior year in high school, I experienced an immense change that reversed my entire perception on why I ran Cross Country as a sport.

I was always mediocre at best when it came to running. But in the fall of my Junior year, I realized I could be much more than what I had ever perceived. My coach constantly trained me to my ability everyday, to no avail, or so it seemed. My first couple of races within the season had been tolerable for my standards. But as the months progressed, I came to a realization that I wasn't using all of what I was given to me. The next race on schedule was against our arch-rivals, and I thought it would be fitting to use all of my energy in that race to dethrone them as the Cross Country champions. Come race day, I was ready. After a long day at school our team travels to Sunken Meadow State Park, where the races are held every Tuesday. Upon arrival I quickly unpack my uniform and prepare for the big race by warming up. On my warm-up I have thoughts about the race running through my head. Will I do well? Can I impress my coach? And, how can I conquer this course and overthrow the opposing team once and for all? I quickly repressed these thoughts and focused on one thing only, winning. It was nearly time to race. I changed into my uniform, and grabbed my racing shoes. It got serious now.

As I jogged down to the starting line with my team I recalled what my coach had said to me the day before. "We really need you this race, so I need to see you shine. There will be a lot of people in your heat, so I need you to get out quick and keep that pace." I heeded his suggestion, but I had my own doubts about what he had said. For this course had held a grudge with me ever since Freshman year. Sunken Meadow is notorious for its very steep and narrow hills. And for me to get out fast, that would mean I would have to endure the first hill of the race at an extremely fast pace, this hill, which had claimed many cross country runners legs, was dubbed "Snake" because of its twists and turns, at a consistent 40 degree incline for about 20 feet. But after that it was mostly downhill. Mostly, until about halfway through the race when you get to the part that everyone dreads. The infamous Cardiac Hill. A constant uphill for about 50 feet. It was a killer for everyone on cross country. But after that it was a constant downhill for the rest of the race.

As I approached the starting line I tried to clear my consciousness of all of these hindering thoughts. My team was waiting on the starting line, all ready to go. This is the race where I can finally prove myself. I stepped up to the line. "Runners set." ... BANG! The gun goes off. I go out fast, just like my coach told me to.

I'm in a pack of seven runners containing my team for the first ½ mile, not permitting anyone through