November in Los Angeles— it can be a rollercoaster of temperatures. With the highs reaching around 80 degrees, and lows being about 60, not to mention harsh winds. 

Many students find running in these conditions without masks a struggle, let alone with one. 

Students group together behind the faintly faded arrows painted on the track, standing at the ready, waiting for one word: “go.” When that single word is said by one of the coaches, some take off running and others fall short. 

The feeling of the red rubber against the sole of a shoe – usually Converse, step by step, pacing forward. Feeling the mask push in and out as each breath is taken. 

School has changed in a lot of ways since the use of masks has been integrated. For one, students are still required to wear masks when running the mile in physical education classes. 

“As a person with a breathing issue, it’s very difficult,” says freshman Sara Miranda who has fifth period Physical Education.

Though many students understand the importance of wearing a mask, it is still a difficult adjustment to make, especially after many students have not participated in P.E. since March 2020. 

Returning to running the mile once a week is challenging. Masks help keep students safe, but it’s not so simple running with one. Students have come to that realization this year.

“I mean, it’s more difficult, but I’m fine,” says freshman Zara Seldon.

Other students have had no issue with wearing masks while running, feeling that it makes no difference in their mile. Students have resorted to changing their masks habits, especially for the mile.

“Most people wear their masks correctly, but some people don’t wear them,” Seldon says.

As many students are working to catch their breath, squinting their eyes because of the blinding sun, still on the track, students who’ve finished are in the freshly cut grass, playing volleyball, or soccer, or football. 

“Running the mile with masks is very exhausting, I don’t get as much oxygen with a mask on, making it harder to run,” added freshman Ridhima Arora. 

“My P.E. experience has become more difficult as we do more challenging things.”