<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Jake Group 250.jpg" style="width: 250px; height: 179px; float: right; " />This year celebrates the twelfth year anniversary since I started running. I started with running cross country in sixth grade, and I was terrible. But it got better, and it&#39;s now grown into something I love. It has taught me dedication and determination, and also gives me extended times of silence for prayer.</p>
<p>
	Running takes time. I have spent countless hours on country roads, alone, practicing. Left, Right, Repeat. One thing that I have learned from my decade of running is that running can be a metaphor to so many things in life. In high school, I read a quote on the back of a person&rsquo;s shirt that said, &ldquo;Running is a lot like life, you get out of it, what you put into it.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	Environmental Education is the same way. Just like running, environmental education takes preparation. Paul got us prepared for teaching kids with a week&rsquo;s worth of training, but one can only read and be taught so much beforehand. The best way to get better, at environmental education or running, is to go out and do it.</p>
<p>
	Everyone whom has tried to just start running knows that the first time you go running is hard. Lactic acid is building up in your legs and your lungs burn. But, after you stay true to your running and just get out and try each day, it gets easier.</p>
