David Oyler methodically ties his timing chip into the laces of his bright orange cleat.

About 45 minutes and five kilometers later, the square of plastic will fly through a set of scanners at the finish line, clocking in his time–one he hopes will be under 19 minutes.

It’s unexpected to find an athlete like David out for this largely non-contact sport. During the rest of the year he’s grappling on the wrestling mats or taking hard hits on the lacrosse field.

But this year, he’s given up the tackles and tumbles of football for a different battle: the one that plays out on the cross-country course.

During the race, individual competitors face off. As David explains, every runner he puts behind him is a small victory. His sole focus is the guy in front of him. He pursues, passes and picks his next opponent.

Sometimes, his own body is a foe. David copes with shin splints, which sear his legs when aggravated. He handles them by taking days off running, opting for sessions in the cardio room.

But should his shins flare up during a race, there’s no stopping. He does his best to ignore the pain and pushes onward.

The greatest conflict is the mental one. In David’s experience, the moment he acknowledges his aches and exhaustion is the moment he slows down. He views the race as a challenge to overcome and takes the draining punishment in stride.

The payoff is apparent. He’s finished in fewer than 20 minutes at many meets, attaining a personal record of 19:01–tantalizingly close to the coveted 18-minute category. He strives for this goal as the end of the season nears.

With 15 minutes until race time, David gets to his feet and heads to the starting line — and the next battle.