Run with Your Heart by Sean Lacow

The Runner's Journey Series Book 1

Run with Your Heart follows Holly, a shy 12-year-old who moves from a bustling city to a small town where running is everything. At first, she struggles to fit in, unsure of her place in this new world. But with the help of a new friend and a local running club, Holly discovers not only her talent for cross-country running but also the strength to overcome her self-doubt. As she trains for the season’s championship race, Holly navigates friendships, rivalries, and personal growth, learning that sometimes, the most important race is the one you run with your heart.

This inspiring story of perseverance, teamwork, and self-discovery will resonate with young readers who dream big, face challenges, and believe in the power of their own potential.

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Excerpt from Run with Your Heart © Copyright 2024 Sean Lacow

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Holly stared out the window, her forehead gently resting against the cool glass. The view outside felt unreal, almost like stepping into another world. Back in the city, her mornings had been filled with the noise of car horns, the hum of buses, and the shuffle of countless feet on the pavement. But here, everything was so… still.

Her eyes followed the narrow dirt road that wound past the house and vanished into the distance. On either side of it were wide, open fields, interrupted only by clusters of trees swaying gently in the breeze. The hills in the background rose and fell like giant waves frozen in time. Occasionally, she’d see a bird dart across the sky or hear the distant hum of a tractor from a neighboring farm, but other than that, there was only silence.

“I think you’re going to like it here,” her mom said, breaking the quiet.

Holly tore her gaze from the window and glanced over her shoulder at her mom, who was unpacking dishes in the kitchen. The optimism in her mom’s voice was familiar. She had been saying things like that ever since the move had been announced.

“Maybe,” Holly muttered, turning back to the window. She didn’t want to sound ungrateful. She knew her mom was trying. But the truth was, Holly wasn’t so sure. Everything here felt unfamiliar.

Her mom sighed softly, her movements slowing. “I know it’s a big change, but give it some time. Small towns have their charm. You’ll see.”

Holly nodded, but the knot in her stomach didn’t loosen. When she was younger, her family had moved before, but this time felt different. She wasn’t just changing houses but leaving behind everything she knew. Her friends, her school, the city… it was all gone, replaced by wide open spaces and faces she didn’t recognize. She felt a pang of loneliness just thinking about it.

In the city, she had a routine. She knew every street corner and every bus stop and could navigate the bustling crowds without a second thought. Here, she didn’t even know where the nearest grocery store was. And the thought of starting over, making new friends, and adjusting to a new school filled her with a quiet dread.

“Holly?” her mom called, her voice tinged with concern.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to come help me unpack?”

Holly considered the offer for a moment, then shook her head. “Maybe later,” she replied softly.

Her mom gave her a sympathetic smile, though Holly could see the worry behind it. “Okay. Just remember, you’re not alone. We’re all figuring this out together.”

Holly nodded again, though the words didn’t do much to ease the unease gnawing at her insides. She wanted to believe her mom, but it was hard to shake the feeling that she was, in fact, very much alone.

The next morning, Holly stood in front of her bedroom mirror, adjusting the straps of her backpack. She was trying to mentally prepare for her first day at the new school, but the knot in her stomach had returned with a vengeance. She tugged at her T-shirt, trying to smooth out the wrinkles, even though she knew it wouldn’t make a difference. It wasn’t the clothes that made her nervous—it was everything else.

She had never been good at first impressions. Back in the city, she had stuck with the same group of friends since elementary school. They knew her quirks, and she knew theirs. She hadn’t had to think about making new friends or trying to fit in for years. But now, everything was different. She was the new kid, and she wasn’t sure how to navigate that role.

The school bus ride felt like an eternity. Holly sat near the window, her hands gripping the straps of her backpack tightly. She watched as the countryside blurred past—fields, barns, and houses that all seemed to blend together. When the bus finally pulled up in front of the school, her heart started to race.

The school wasn’t as big as her old one, but it still had that familiar buzz of students talking and laughing as they streamed into the building. Holly hesitated at the entrance, taking a deep breath before stepping inside. The hallways were already packed with students, and for a moment, she felt overwhelmed. Everyone seemed to know where they were going, who they were talking to, what they were doing. Everyone except her.