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Lesson 19 of 20 · Stories
The Long Run
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Our school had a running club. We ran every Tuesday after school. We were training for a five-kilometer race. I had never run that far before. The first day I could only run one mile. I was exhausted. But I kept coming. Gradually I got stronger. I could run two miles. Then three. I had discovered that my body could do more than I thought. The day of the race came. I was nervous. The starting gun went off. I ran. I kept a steady pace. I did not stop. When I crossed the finish line I was exhausted. But I had done it. I had run five kilometers. I exclaimed that I could not believe it. My coach said I had run a magnificent race. The experience of finishing was amazing. I had considered quitting the club in the first week. I was glad I had not. The opportunity to push myself had changed me. I had learned that gradual progress adds up. I would run again. I would run more races. The long run had shown me what I could do. I would never forget it.