Carol is a top runner, coached by her father day and night. Then she meets Angie, the punk new girl, and the two become friends, eating hamburgers at "The Armpit" where Angie has to work after school. They give each other lots of support and together do things Carol has only dreamed of. Carol begins to rebel and plans a new life for herself. But the all-important race is coming up - and Carol has to give it all she's got.