As part of my CAS activity, I embarked on a cross-country running challenge where I accomplished 2 marathons consecutively (19th August, 21st August, 28th November). This experience provided me with the opportunity to challenge myself both physically and mentally while enhancing my stamina. Due to this new and unfamiliar challenge, I developed resilience, perseverance, and a newfound appreciation for physical endurance. This experience directly aligns with CAS strands under ‘Activity’ and contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of Good Health and Well-being. as it promoted physical fitness, mental resilience, and the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I realized, through the marathon that good health is not only a personal responsibility but also something that strengthens communities when encouraged collectively – in this case, the participation in this activity by my peers and myself.
LO1: Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.
Participating in the cross-country marathon was both a physical and mental challenge that pushed me to reflect on my strengths and areas for growth (LO1). I have always had an interest in fitness being an active gymnast and advance yoga trainee, but this event tested my endurance in a way I had not experienced before, since it required fast-twitch physical activity – which I’ve not been accustomed to. Participating in the cross-country marathon helped me recognize that while I am determined, I need to work on consistency and pacing myself better during long-distance runs which was my reflection on an area of growth.
LO2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
Taking on this challenge required me to step out of my comfort zone and commit to something that initially felt daunting (LO2). As I had only been part of two marathons long before this experience, the cross-country was almost a new challenge for me. Running shorter distances is something I had done before, but running 5km required resilience and physical strength, which seemed to be a challenge for me. At first, I doubted whether I could finish. The thought of competing with more experienced runners was intimidating, but I reminded myself that the real challenge was about completing the journey. By taking part, I proved to myself that I am capable of handling situations that at first feel overwhelming. This gave me the confidence to take on new challenges in the future, whether in academics, sports, or service.
LO4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
One of the most valuable lessons from this experience was the importance of perseverance. The run itself was long and exhausting, especially the 5km run and there were moments where I thought about slowing down or even stopping. But I pushed through those thoughts, focusing on my breathing, my stride, and the fact that every step got me closer to completion and a new achievement. The discipline I developed in training carried me through the event. This perseverance is something I can now apply beyond running — in academics, future goals and more such physical activities. It showed me that resilience is often the key to success.
