Ladies, we won again.

This issue’s Battle of the Sexes was a running challenge out on the bluffs to the north of Panorama. But, this was a special challenge, an editor’s battle of the sexes.

I have never won a race or broken any sort of record, but for some odd reason, I have always enjoyed running. I get what someone once told me is called a “runner’s high.” It’s the best feeling in the world to me. Running takes away the distractions of life, and when I’m running, all I feel I have is the gravel in front of me.

My senior year of high school, I was on the track team, but besides that and jogging occasionally, I had no real race experience.? My competitor, Taylor, however, was a football player and had no experience running at all. I had confidence in myself, but you never can get too cocky. People can surprise you.

So, the week before our race, I began training myself and ran every night to prepare myself for a victory. I was doing fairly well until the Sunday before our Tuesday race when some sort of super virus caught me, and I spent the day puking my stomach out. ?I had no idea how this sickness would hinder my ability to run, and while the race was at the back of my mind, I reminded myself that I am a very determined person. I knew I had to win.

Monday came, and I decided to take the day off to give my body a rest so I would be ready for my race the next day.

The day of the race, I woke up excited to win. Finally, the time came. Our adviser showed us the first course we were to run. I definitely felt confident despite the fact that Taylor was trash talking. I had run far more in training and knew this 600-yard race wouldn’t be a challenge. We warmed up and stretched. Then, it was time to race.

As soon as our adviser’s hand went down, Taylor took off. I was stunned. I had no idea that he had the capability to run that fast. I didn’t try to keep up with him because I didn’t want to give it my all in the beginning, and after about 200 yards, he slowed way down, and I was able to pass him. I’m not sure how long it took me to finish, but I do know that I beat him by 1 minute 30 seconds. This race boosted my ego, and I was more than confident for our next race. We let him catch his breath and then began to walk down what I am now going to call “Profanity Hill.”

We walked down the hill, and when we got to the bottom, we were told to run back up. It only looked like it was about 400 yards, and I questioned why we weren’t doing more. I regret this comment.

Once we started, I instantly began to feel my legs burning. I could see that Taylor was behind me and I was no longer as worried about him passing me as I was actually making it up the hill. The hill was at about an 80-degree angle and getting up it was no easy accomplishment. While I tried to jog at least most of the hill, there was one part where I had to walk. After regaining my strength, though, and telling myself that I could do it, I began to jog again.

No pre-training I did at home could have prepared me for that hill. It was downright awful, and I really underestimated it. Although I doubled my winning time, and he was 3 minutes behind me, I feel the hill won that race. I never thought that it would be over, and, when it finally was, I wanted to die. My legs were burning for the next 10 minutes at least, and my limbs felt like they were all going to fall off my body.

I am proud of myself for winning, but I have to congratulate my fellow editor. He took on a task no other male in our class would, and he finished the races with his head held high.