The cross country team runs approximately five miles on an “easy day,” according to Senior Wes Roberts. On a long day, the athletes run a maximum of 12 miles. Since they practice every single day, not much additional work is necessary. Being a part of the cross country team is no breeze. A specific athlete, Sophomore Danny Conrad, really buckled down this summer and did some extra workouts with Senior Jake DeWeese and Roberts. By doing the extra workouts, Conrad’s time dropped three whole minutes, and he has successfully become one of the team’s best runners this year. To run a good race, some preparation is in order. Three or so days before, they must drink tons of water. Two days before a meet, the team takes a trip to Olive Garden to chow down on the all-you-can-eat pasta. The day before is all about mentality. Finally, some extra sleep never hurts. Running is no easy task, especially if it is competitive. “It is great to get out there and try different sports, but unless you are committed to running year-round, it might not be worth the time. If you want to see the results, you must be prepared to work,” DeWeese said.