![“I have never done a sport that was so demanding and yet so fun and exhilarating,” Price said. “I look [forward] to it every day and am so happy that I became so good at it." (Courtesy of Lucy Richins)](https://ballardtalisman.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/miles-wrestler-2.jpg)
![“We’ve been undefeated for four years in our Metro League [Championships] so we’ve won every meet and we’ve had strong teammates who’ve made it to state finals and big competitions like that.” (Kelly Pecoraro)](https://ballardtalisman.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/©20241220_KelliePecoraroPhotography_1959_Brooke-e1739485869928-1200x748.jpg)
![Being captain means a lot to Larson, having played basketball for his entire life. When asked about who their biggest competitor was going to be this season, Larson was very confident.
“[We have] No competitors,” Larson said.](https://ballardtalisman.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brewster-color-1200x800.jpg)
Some people love running. Others hate it. They groan when the gym teacher says it’s time to do the pacer test. I, on the other hand, love it. Running has its pros and cons but it is definitely worth it.
One of the downsides of running is that it’s an outdoor activity. I always have to be mindful of the weather and dress according to it. For example, it’s been pretty cold lately so now I have to wear leggings and a running jacket to keep warm. During the warmer seasons, I’ll have to go and buy running shorts. For indoor activities, I get to dress however I want while running requires me to dress for the weather unless I feel the need to freeze myself.
Another con of being a runner is that winter is a dark season. It gets dark around five and stays dark until eight. This means if I want to go on a run after school, I have two choices. One is to do a short run so I get back home before dark, or run in the dark and be very careful.
One good thing about running is how good it is for me mentally, and physically. While I’m running, it allows me to take a break from just life in general. All I have to do is focus on running, not homework, whether I did well on that certain test or not, if I took the trash out earlier when I was asked to, the list goes on. During runs, I can just relax and enjoy peace. Focusing on the sound of my feet hitting the ground, a calming rhythm. Freeing myself from the current chaos of the world. Running is also very good for myself physically for obvious reasons. It keeps me in shape for one which is great. And it allows me to get my steps in for the day which is always so satisfying.
Running with friends is both a pro and a con at the same time. It’s a con because everyone has different paces so it’s hard to run in a big group. In order to push myself, I need to go at my right pace, not too fast or too slow. Running with friends could also be a pro though. When I run with people who have similar paces to mine, it can be pretty fun. We usually do a fun route such as to Sunset Hill so we can see the water and boats. So running with friends can be both a pro and con.
Another pro of running is the scenery. I love a good run with beautiful scenery. Green trees, blue water, cute little shops and bakeries, just everything. Seeing great scenery gives me a source of motivation, to keep running to see the next motivating sight.
And, as a bonus, the final pro is honestly pushing myself. I love the feeling I get after doing a tough workout. It’s a feeling of pride, joy, improvement and relief that the workout is over. And when I do a workout with my friends, we all share that feeling.
Even though running has its cons, it has way more pros. I enjoy the good and the bad, even if that means getting soaked in the rain. I get to enjoy scenery, hang out with friends, and a sense of achievement.
