High school track and cross country—as a long-distance runner, the most difficult part is the mental challenge. Anyone can run or walk for a long period of time, but getting better every single day and pushing yourself to be better than others is where the real mental strength comes in. Don’t skip training in the off-season; it will set you back. You might think you have all the time in the world and that you’ll magically improve just because you’re getting older, but then what’s the point of even training?
Go pick up those shoes, grab your headphones, and get to work. Forget the watch—who cares about the distance? Go until you’re tired, then turn around and run home. That’s where you gain all your strength: on a dirt road, by yourself, for months on end. Those were the best times of my life, running those events in high school. I would tell anyone not to take their time for granted. I know I wouldn’t, if I had the chance again.