Dylan DeGroodMrs. AvilaPuente Honors Lit. May 27, 2014 Cross Country Community (Remove title for second copy)The painful screams of my legs and feet as I speed down the dusty path. I think to myself, I have to make it and I'm not giving up. I bounce along the path hoping to be done soon. The finish line calls to me as I go down the slide with the crowd cheering me on in the background. Cross country began in the 1800s, as noted here: “English schools began competing in cross country races in 1837 and established a national championship. championship on December 7, 1867.” (Wikipedia) The challenges of cross-country running are cruel. The mental strength linked to practicing this sport is unbearable. Cross country is more than a run in the park, it's a race between the competition, your teammates and even your friends. To run Cross Country, you will need to have the strength, endurance and mental toughness to overcome the obstacles that await you. This sport was certainly not my first choice. Honestly, once my mom and friends convinced me to do cross country, I was really scared. It is at...