Individual Improvement

My Quest to Become an Author

By: Brian Liu

Have you ever woken up and decided that you are a future best-selling author? Me too. On March 14, I came up with a solution for my boredom during quarantine. I was going to write a best-selling romance (the genre that makes the most money) book and become rich and famous!

One thing I quickly noticed was that I had no clue how to write a book. So, for the sake of research, I read through Scott Pilgrim and some Percy Jackson books. But I still had about 20 different ideas, and didn’t even have a cohesive plot yet. The book was going to be based on my personal experience getting rejected by a girl at a stake dance, but I didn’t know anything else about the plot of the book. By the time two days had gone by, I was barely any closer to writing a best-seller than when I had started. I had only figured out a few character names.

I also didn’t really know what my characters would be like. In my head I was thinking of the main protagonist as an incredibly unintelligent person that could not for the life of him detect sarcasm. And I didn’t even know who the main character would end up with; the girl from the stake dance or her best friend.

After a week, I was ready to give up. I did give up, actually.

In conclusion, do not try to write a book unless you are passionate about it, otherwise you will end up lost and confused.

Running During COVID-19

By: Derek Price

There is a lot more to running than just the movement of your arms and legs. During this difficult time of social distancing due to the outbreak of COVID-19, many people may feel isolated at home, bored, exhausted, or stressed. Running is very beneficial, as it can relieve stress and is a healthy form of exercise for all ages. It helps your physical and mental health. And then there is just the joy of running itself.

For me, a run along the river with the wind blowing in your face feels great. I enjoy the peaceful alone-time while exercising and allowing my brain to empty. Everything falls into place as I move. My body is experiencing what is called the running rush. It's a unique feeling that a runner has and that is hard to describe: you feel focused, unstoppable, and in the zone. This rush gives you a great motivation to keep running even when you feel pain. Being in the outdoors contributes to this feeling. I get a different perspective on what's around me. As I run along the river, I see a reflection of the sun on the water and I enjoy seeing how the skyline of the city appears in the corner of my eye.

Running also teaches you life skills, particularly perseverance. Running can be very uncomfortable, but as you continue to run you gain confidence and motivation. While you run you may have many different aches, but you persuade yourself to finish. Not every run is going to be smooth. It’s not like a car ride. Almost all the time, you feel some discomfort, but pushing through it day after day allows you to deal with it. This teaches you perseverance and mental toughness. Such skills do not only help you in running, but also in other activities that require self-motivation and determination.

Running also has many immediate health benefits. It keeps you fit, strengthens your bones, and burns fat. Personally, I notice that running helps me sleep better. I also feel that daily tasks become easier, because I feel refreshed. Overall, it really helps me alleviate stress. Running is a very big mental task which allows me to organize my thoughts. Running requires you to focus and strategize, allowing you to free your mind of problems.

During this unprecedented time of instability and school closings, running has helped me cope with the situation. Daily running has given me structure and discipline. It lets me get out of the house and allows me to start the day with a relaxing activity. As I look back to where I started and compare it to where I am now, it reminds me how much progress I’ve made and continue to make. I am proud of what I’ve accomplished as an athlete. This gives me satisfaction. But most of all, running has allowed me to take my mind off some of the difficult things I experience as a teenager living in isolation away from my friends and school.

Some great running routes in Cambridge:

• Minuteman Trail (Goes into Lexington)

• Charles River

• Fresh Pond

• Alewife Brook Pathwa