Running Argumentative Essay

When is it acceptable for a man with a gun to demand you to take off your pants? The answer: at a start of a cross country or track race. For close to seven years now, from March to November, running has become part of my weekly routine. I continued to dedicate myself to the sport by participating in college cross country. Most people can agree that running is not an enjoyable activity, but it does come natural to humans. However, to improve, you need training, healthy lifestyle choices, and motivation.
My running career officially began with my seventh-grade track season. A successful season of running the mile and 800 meter races spurred my decision to join cross country the following fall. Distance runs came natural to me since I finished
Basketball players work on their shooting form. A runner’s form is just as crucial to success. Proper form allows your body to use its store of energy more efficiently. Let’s work our way up the body. While sprinters are encouraged to run more on their toes, a runner’s stride should move from heel to toe. Focus on picking your knees up as you run, especially on a hill. Your arms should stay at approximately a 90º angle, and you need to utilize a powerful arm drive through the shoulders. My old cross country coach shouted at his athletes “Hip to chin!” (Niggemeyer) To visualize this, place your hands or fists, arms bent, next to your hip. Rotate at the shoulder instead of extending and flexing at the elbow. Drive one arm forward, following an invisible arc, stopping at approximately chin level. Since form is the first to fail when fatigue, I must remind myself to maintain the hip-to-chin movement. Continuing along the body, keep your chest upright and eyes forward. Looking down at the ground causes your body to slump, and it is harder to replenish your oxygen supply. This is a useful tip for when a run is completed, too. (Another post-run tip is to pour cold water on the back of your neck and wrist; your body temperature cools down
Running is equally a mental and physical sport, so motivation and positivity are key. For when you struggle to go out and run, remember these tips: running sucks for everyone, and a bad run is better than no run. I can guarantee that each of my teammates have struggled in a workout or pushed themselves to discomfort in a race. Elite runners who look effortless are good at hiding their struggle. Running will feel awful, but it only means you are doing it right.
If running is physically unenjoyable, why do we do it? Why do multiple people compete on a track or cross country team? The easiest way to overcome mental obstacles is to be a social runner. Train with a friend or join a local running club. It is easier to hold each other accountable, and running becomes much more enjoyable! Runner’s World magazine frequently encourages group running to help “manage the inevitable mental and physical fatigue” (Migala 20). My cross country team is great for keeping me entertained during boring runs, motivation when times get tough, and building friendships in