Amanda Chritz

Mr. Willett
English 9A
10 October 2012
Running the Mountain

Chilling goose-bumps covered my exposed flesh. Leather bus seats suctioned my skin to
its surface. My warm breath cast a fog on the windows, still cold from this mornings rain. The
bus shook with all the excitement radiating from the eager runners in the tall seats behind me. I
absentmindedly touched my fingers to the frozen glass, a trail following my movements. I peered
through the 3 tiny openings, the tip of my nose lightly touching the frost. Pale grey clouds coated
the sky, like they werent quite sure if they wanted to rain or not. My eyes strayed back to the
figure next to me, her forehead lying heavily on the seat ahead of her, rolling slightly with every
bump in the road.
I hope it doesnt rain. I direct the words at her but it was the people behind us that
answered. Sarahs fairy voice, light and cheerful, rang out from the void of other noises.
Dont worry! I bet it doesnt! But if it does, at least we wont have to take a shower
tonight! I felt my lips rise in the form of a smile.
Yeah! Thatll be great! Those showers are always so cold! added her counterpart,
Sydney. The some-what lifeless figure beside me fidgeted. She rotated, joining our conversation.
Meah! Your alive! Exclaimed Sarah in complete seriousness. Laughter erupted from
our Freshmen huddle. Sharp pains of joy attacked my diaphragm, making breathing difficult.

Suddenly the large form of the mountain loomed over us. Ghostly ski-lifts sat frozen in
place. Without the white snow, they were a stranger in their own home. Like a character out of its
story.
The village that we drove through was deserted, apart from the large yellow bus already
parked there. Parallel to the other vehicle, we parked, forming a makeshift tunnel. As if in a daze,
we shuffled off the bus, shivering. Cool air assaulted my face, bringing water to my eyes. Close
together, we were herded in a large group of more than 100. Up ahead, a mans voice was
talking, barely loud enough to understand. With my team next to me, one of them mustve
understood the baby-like babble. Did anyone understand what he just said? I practically
shouted to the girl who was standing next to me.
YeahI think he said the 4 milers stay straight and the 6 milers turn left, but Im not
sure. She answered almost as loud as I asked, barely a whisper compared to the crowd
surrounding us.
The pack of runners dispersed, and I saw what was ahead of me. With Boyne Mountain to
my back, I faced a wooded path. Even muddy from the earlier downpour, it looked groomed and
well maintained. My limbs were shaking from the nerves, my heart pounding hard enough to be
mistaken as something from a marching band. My teammate touched my shoulder, and smiled.
Ready? Youve earned the right to be here, so dont worry about anything else. Its my
first time too. She reassured me with a smile on her face, trying to hide her own nervousness.
Without looking back, I pressed the tiny button on my watch, starting the time. Mud
covered my legs and the air felt wet. A sharp turn to the left and it all went uphill from there.