This dark, deadly, and ferocious mile has been dreaded by students for years. We are expected to run the mile twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. We are expected to improve our mile times from the first attempt to the second attempt. For some, running the mile is a breeze but for others who struggle with asthma, back problems, etc.,running the mile is a true hardship. You must beat your time or you will not receive full credit for the class, even if you tried and ran your fasted and hardest. This is truly unfair to those who despise running or physically can not run. You can put in 100% all year and fail the class as a whole if you do not complete this useless fitness test. How is an acceptable mile time vital to our futures? Colleges and employers do not care if you can run a mile in 6 minutes or in 12 minutes. The times are just to try and show other schools that we have kids that are better than others in other districts. It's for the school, not the student. Running the mile raises anxiety to students and makes students go out of their way to avoid the mile. Students who struggle from eating disorders and body dysmorphia feel insecure after they do not meet the recommended mile times. After the mile, students feel sick and want to go home and many do. Is evaluating how fast you can run four laps really worth missing out on a portion of our education?