Track and Cross Country Running

    Have you ever wondered what the difference was between track and cross country running? Many are unaware of the vast differences and similarities between these two popular sports. While track and cross country are quite similar, there are some things that set them apart, creating two fun and unique sports.
    Track and cross country running have been popular sports, each with it’s own, unique strategies and training methods. Although they sound similar, track and cross country can be very different.
    One of the simpler of the two sports is track. Track is not only running, as some may think, it also includes a variety of field events like shotput, discus, long jump, and high jump. In the running events, a runner sprints or jogs in a circle of a total 400 meters. The track is made of tire rubber to make it a little softer for the athletes.  Runners use lanes, normally there is a total of 8,  that runners must stay in (depending on the event) or else they are disqualified. Other than relays, track is mostly an independent sport.
    Cross country is a sport that takes total commitment. Cross country is a sport in which runners jog a course mapped out around a certain geological area. The average length of an average cross country track for a high school athlete is around 3 miles. The runners go through all sorts of terrain, such as valleys, mountains, forests, and etc. Runners in this sport set themselves at a slower pace to avoid dying out  towards the finish. Cross country is known more as a team sport because all the athletes train together (from the same school) and can run with their teammates.
    The similarities between these two sports are very interesting. Both sports involve a lot of running, whether it’s multiple 100 meter sprints or daily 3 mile jogs. Much practice is needed to be successful in the events you compete in, so practice is a “must.”  Before both of the sports, coaches should and do require a lot of stretching.     Stretching should be done before practice and before events that the runners will compete in to keep their muscles warm and ready. In either of the two sports, athletes can lift weights to build muscle and gain endurance. Of course, both events in both of the sports, are started by a gunshot. Both of the sports require athletes to spend hours training, whether running or weightlifting, and both sports build good relationships between friends and the teams become like family.
    If you happen to run cross country and are looking for another sport in your future, I would recommend track. Track is a fun sport that helps you gain more social smarts. Cross country and track are so similar, that many athletes choose to do both and love them both equally. Of course, if you like to run long distances and prefer not to do any sprints, then I would definitely recommend cross country for you. So, while they are quite different, each sport has it’s own way to train and equip students to compete in running or field events.

Laptops vs. Ipads

    While iPads have many uses, laptops are victorious when it comes to efficiency. For example, have you ever noticed how hard it is to type on an iPad? The keyboard is smaller than the average laptop. The keys have no bumps to indicate the placement of your hands therefore making it harder to tell if you are typing and have correct hand position.
    Laptops are very sturdy and durable, whereas the iPad is easier to crack, chip, or break. In almost every case, the laptops can do anything the iPad can. iPads are just seen as “new technology” and a “must have.” Depending on the model, laptops are generally cheaper than your “state-of-the-art” iPad. Furthermore, laptops have a longer battery life, especially in the long run. 
    In my own experience, my iPod isn’t that old. It’s in perfect working condition except the battery life is quite short. iPads have excellent battery life at first, but as time goes on, battery life reduces drastically. Yes, iPads may be the newest model and the new “thing.” (I mean who wouldn’t want a free iPad?) But overall, buying an iPad over a laptop just isn’t a smart choice. You name it: music, pictures, skype, games, internet, etc..., all can be done with a laptop. When you carry around an iPad, you have to buy a  thick, heavy case in order to cover the delicate screen. If you accidentally drop it, it’s more likely to have a crack across the screen. With laptops, the ingenious idea of covering the screen inside the fold is effective. You drop a closed laptop, one of the last things you worry about is the screen. You’ll probably first look for damage on the outside.
    Your average iPad can cost anywhere from $500-$830. Laptops usually range between $450-$900. This means that your average laptop can cost way less than an iPad unless you get a fancier model. Think about it. Your average laptop cheaper (depending on the model) than an iPad. Don’t forget that laptops consist of a longer battery life, easier for typing, and contain much more memory than iPads. They generally run the same size, whether width or length, and are just as lightweight as any iPad! So I ask again, why would anyone buy an iPad over a laptop? Laptops are just as accessible and efficient as any iPad could ever be. 
    Overall, I believe you’ll agree with me that laptops are the ultimate tool in modern society. In the coming years, days, or hours, I challenge you to use both a laptop and an iPad and monitor the benefits of both. In the end, laptops will always have a longer list of benefits. I encourage all iPad users to buy a laptop. I believe laptops are the key to future school notes and tests. Imagine how much easier it would be to turn on your laptop and type your notes and answers to a quiz than to open a notebook and hand write them? Laptops would save so much time and make the school experience more enjoyable. No more cramps, no more hand stretches, no more sore arms, Laptops are the answer.