Life as a Runner

Layla Graham is a Junior at San Dimas high school and just started her second year of Cross Country. Running three miles is hard alone but, running at a six-minute mile pace is extraordinary.

Running varsity, and a 19:36 overall, Graham solidified her place in top 50 out of 300 runners.

As a kid, Graham played softball and became a cheerleader but she never knew what running could do for her until she moved to San Dimas.

One of Graham’s goal was to become more sociable and make some new friends, joining cross-country provided her with the space and freedom to do just that.

Graham says that physically running is hard but, getting through it mentally is harder. She states that challenging herself to push through the long runs, many hours of practice, and through the extreme pain was a constant struggle.

“Overcoming yourself before you can overcome the mountain”, and “winning the race before you get to the starting line”, are both mentalities Graham has come to realize are true as a runner.

Graham wants to continue to beat her time and aspires to go to CIF for the third year in a row. She is striving for these goals and is continuing to do her best.

Graham is ready to face the challenges that lay ahead of her this season. “Harder, faster, stronger, run as one, work as a team, come out as a family”.