David idolizes his father, who dreams his son will be a champion cross country runner. Now David's father is dying. To escape this horrendous realization, David cuts himself off from other people, becoming a "loner". He also turns off his emotions. When his father dies, David can't cry. He begins to run. For hours, he runs. The realization finally hits him, his father wanted to see him win. The next day, as he struggles toward the finish line of the big race, his suppressed emotions burst to the surface. He begins to cry. Breaking up the tape, he reaches for his teammates to celebrate. He has faces his father's death and is no longer a "loner."