Cross Country,WHY???????

There are two days in an academic year when PE teachers can be sadistic and force us to go outside in the cold and run. These two days are when we are ordered to take part in Cross- Country. Being year 11 students, we get taken out of school to run around the local countryside.

Firstly the teachers sat us down in the gym hall and told us where they wanted us to run. I was sitting with my group of friends and when I turned around they all had that expression of 'No way am I running that' I have to say I agreed with them. There was another of those moments, it was when the PE teachers told us we were to complete the track in less than 20 minutes and I'm glad to say I didn't make it with in that time and neither did any of my friends.

The running went without incident which for me is a very rare thing, but me and the two girls I was running with did nearly get run over by cars more than once. We had PE last lesson on a Friday so the route was really muddy from the previous runners and the rain from last night. Fortunately I had decided to change my plimsolls for some school trainers so my plimsolls didn't get muddy.

We have had the coldest weather this winter during these last few days and I stupidly thought that I would be alright in just my PE top and shorts, not a good idea. Luckily I was lent a jumper and found some football socks in my locker so I didn't get too cold.

This leads me to why do we have to do cross country in JANUARY (!!!) in the first weeks back from the Christmas holiday. We could at least wait a few weeks before we have to run or wait till it is warmer so we don't freeze. Also why TWO lessons of cross country? Do the PE teachers enjoy seeing us suffer? Isn't one lesson out in the cold enough? If we were doing a proper winter sport it would be alright, but just running (or walking) for 30 minutes is just stupid.

Some people like to run and do outdoor activities but within my friendship group, without offending any of them, we are not the most energetic, sporty or outdoorsy people, give us a book, canvas or music to listen to and we would complacently sit there without a care in the world so why should we have to take part in this atrocity called CROSS-COUNTRY!!!!!!