October 28, 2026 — The fourth and final segment of the Cobb Schools 2026 fall sports “Day in the Life” (DITL) series follows the path of the cross country (XC) runner.
Cross country is both a team and an individual pursuit. The 5000 Meter Run – essentially a 3K – is raced by single runners who can medal for personal accomplishments, but there is also a point system that scores each team’s runner for a cumulative overall team score. The higher a runner finishes, the more points they earn for their team, even if they do not earn a podium finish.
Recently, Osborne sophomore Diego Valenzuela has been enjoying his share of podium recognition. In mid-September, the Cardinals’ long-distance runner won the JV Cobb County individual Championship, crossing the finish line in just under 17 minutes on a wet course. The very next week, competing in the Varsity B Wingfoot XC Classic, a race with 275 finishers, Diego won again. Those two wins were followed by a second- and third-place finishes in successive Varsity meets. Then, at the 24th Annual Coach Wood Invitational, Diego set a personal record with a blazing 16:13.99 while finishing seventh.
In his first year of high school in 2025, Diego earned the Fastest OHS Freshman in XC title and broke the school’s 5000 Meter XC record, which had stood for 47 years. He claimed the Fastest OHS Sophomore in XC title in 2026. In early September, Cobb Director of Athletics Don Baker recognized Diego as the Cobb Schools Male Athlete of the Week after setting a course record at the 2026 Birds of Prey meet.
Despite all his running, Diego found time to walk us through a Day in the Life of a Cobb Schools cross country runner.
Day: Friday
Location: Diego’s family home
Time: 6:58 a.m.
“It’s time to wake up and get ready. I have to get moving because there are a few things I need to do before heading
out the door. I put my lunch box together and refill my water bottle, so I have everything I need for the day.”
Location: Diego’s family home
Time: 7:45 a.m.
“I get all my bags together and head out to catch the bus. By 8 a.m., I’m at school and dropping off my bags before
getting ready for my first class.”
Location: Osborne High School classrooms
Time: 8:20 a.m. – 1:26 p.m.
“My first class is DE Diet and Nutrition. The first part of the school day keeps me busy until the afternoon. Second block
is AP World History. My third block is Health/Personal Fitness. This class takes up most of the late-morning stretch before
lunch. Once class is over, I get a short break.”
The “DE” designation for Diego’s Diet and Nutrition class stands for “Dual Enrollment.” This means he’s taking a college-level course as a high school sophomore. That course is likely very useful for a long-distance runner. It also represents the demands of being a student-athlete in Cobb Schools. Academics are not set aside. Diego may be on cruise control on the cross country trails, but it’s not like that in the classroom, as evidenced by his Advanced Placement in World History and an Honors class later in his day.
Location: Osborne High School cafeteria
Time: 1:30 p.m.
“Lunch! I have a little time to eat. It’s a quick break in the middle of the day before I’m off to fourth block.”
Location: Osborne High School classroom
Time: 2:00 p.m.
“My last class of the day is Honors Chemistry. We didn't have a full class period this time because the pep rally cut it short.
Instead of staying in class for the whole block, we got to join the rest of the school for the rally.”
Location: Osborne High School basketball arena
Time: 2:50 p.m.
“Friday’s during football season is a pep rally day, and that gives us a change of pace from the normal school schedule. It’s
a chance to get together as a school and get excited for a game. For me, it’s a chance to relax some before afternoon practice.”
Location: Osborne High School track
Time: 3:45 p.m.
“After school, I head to cross country practice, which lasts until around 5:30. This is where I shift my focus from classes to
running. By the time practice wraps up, I’ve been at school for most of the day and still have my evening routine ahead of me.”
The Osborne Cardinals cross country team practices Monday through Friday during the season. Official races, or meets, are typically on Saturday mornings, and as the season winds down, there’s a race almost every weekend. That means practices are as much about staying in shape as they are about improving.
For Diego, the after-school practice usually consists of a two-mile warmup run off-track, then some drills. Then, depending on the day, the team will finish with a workout or an easy run. On Fridays, it’s a one-mile run and then an ice bath.
Location: Diego’s family home
Time: 6:05 p.m.
“When I get home, I eat dinner. I work on homework and any other tasks I need to finish. Even though the school day and
practice are over, I still have responsibilities to take care of before I can fully relax. Around 8:30, I grab a little snack before
taking a shower and getting ready for bed. By 9:50, I’m in bed and ready to call it a night.”
Diego’s day is a long-distance effort. Much like a cross country race, there are many twists and turns. In academics, as in athletics, there is hard work to manage. Whether facing a long day or competing in a long-distance run, as the finish line approaches, the sense of accomplishment at the end is worthwhile.
h/t photos provided by Osborne High School, Diego's family, and Don Baker
