Many track runners seemed to think otherwise, but the possibility that running could fit well with one group of people over others just never occurred to me. ... Only then did I realize that runners seemed to be flickering in and out of existence like fireflies on the field only because of dedication and hard work. ... Such a rough road to reality emphasizes that through experience only can the true difficulty of anything be understood. ... With anticipating the worst is it only possible to come a long way on that road that never ends, the path of life. ...

• Word Count: 288
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

The way to play the game is to find a place to hide right near a road. One person is the caller, and everyone, including the caller, are runners. ... Then at the last second he or she yells green light and everyone bolts across the road in front of the car. The point is to run across the road fast enough so the car slams on the brakes, but also out in front of the car so one gets run over. ... I looked, and it was a dark figure sprinting at us from across the road. ...

• Word Count: 896
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Just below the slightly acidic smell of paper and ink you can smell the sweat of runners who take a moment to peruse the latest self-help releases. ... Charles Kuralt was once asked how he found all the wonderful stories for his "On The Road" segment, he simply said, "Look out your window." ...

• Word Count: 546
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School