At WPIAL championships during last year’s cross country season, in the middle of the race, I suddenly felt like I could not run any more. Mentally and physically, I just wanted to stop running because of how drained the season had made me.

I did finish the race, but I was so glad the season was over. I could not imagine running cross country again – so this year I turned to soccer instead. 

The decision was not easy. I had started running very early on in my life and even participated in a challenge where I ran 50 5Ks in 50 days in seventh grade to raise money for a charity.

Running was a way to exercise while having fun and building relationships with friends and family who also run, especially my dad, who brought me into the running community. Because of his support, by sophomore year, I was the number one finisher for the Baldwin girls cross country team. 

But being a high school athlete often puts a lot of pressure on a student. Although it is only high school, athletes are defined by their sports and their output in the games and practices. Athletes all strive to be their best, and one bad game can ruin the next couple of days. 

Although some coaches encourage playing multiple sports, I thought doing that would reduce the time I had to focus and become the absolute best at one specific sport. I used to think it was in my best interest to focus completely on running, which took me from cross country in the summer and fall, through indoor track in the winter, and to outdoor track in the spring. 

However, so much pressure from one sport for four years is a lot. Athletes need breaks, but rarely get them. For student athletes who want to have a life outside of their sport, this amount of commitment is especially frustrating.

Running cross country also takes a toll on the body. It requires a very specific lifestyle to be one of the best.

Once I began experiencing the pressure of running and racing well in high school, it felt like more of a chore than a hobby that I enjoyed. Breaks are crucial for athletes to take and runners who compete in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track never experience the necessary break.

To get away from a stressful mindset and lifestyle that consisted of eating a certain way, cross training, and constantly worrying about stretching to be healthy for race day, I quit cross country this year to find a break from running and to play soccer. 

I had played soccer from the age of 5 through middle school, but quit to focus on cross country in high school. However, coming back to soccer now is something that is much more healthy for my mental and physical health. 

I no longer stress about my running performance daily or worry about what I am eating and how it may affect my races. Also, I rarely experience injuries such as shin splints because I decreased the impact I put on my legs. 

Despite the benefits, going from being a varsity runner to a starting varsity soccer player has been a difficult mental change. Going from being one of the best runners to being a soccer player who needs the most work on the field is very difficult. 

When I play a bad game, it’s hard for me not to define myself by it. I am really hard on myself, but I also have to remember that I have only been dedicated to this sport once again for a month or two.

This upcoming winter and spring I will be running indoor and outdoor track. Track is so much more manageable than running cross country because of the shorter distance and less volume on the runners legs. 

Next year, I will likely play soccer once again. 

My parents and old cross country teammates have been very supportive of me switching sports because they saw how mentally exhausted I was last season. I’ve kept my friendships with my closest friends on the team as well. 

Although I have missed talking with my teammates on long runs and getting to experience new courses with the team, I am glad I made this decision and I don’t have any regrets. 

Overall, high school athletes need to remember that sports aren’t everything. Although they could potentially pay for college and continue even after that, athletes are not only confined to one sport. Life is so much more than your performance in a game.