Personal Essay: Why Marching Band Is My Life

Marching band is my life, or at the very least, it's the majority of my free time. In marching band, we have been trying to push ourselves physically to be in shape for this competitive season. We run laps every practice, rotate between different muscular exercises, and practice breathing fully – which is harder than it seems. At the beginning of the season, I began to struggle by about halfway into the first lap. I'd become light-headed a few sets into breathing exercises. I couldn't seem to keep up with the bar that was being set for us, however; I continued to push myself to – and occasionally beyond – my breaking point. After every practice, I was sore and exhausted, then it suddenly started getting easier. I’m now able to jog nearly two