So, you are a runner... Supposedly you ran track and/or cross country. Maybe you used to in high school or still compete at the collegiate level, or even higher (impressive). Regardless of your level of talent and pace which you race at, all of us experience few or all things involved in the amazing or dreading sport of pushing our bodies to the ultimate test. Of all things that long distance runners deal with, here are 10 things we have all experienced at one point:
1. Why on earth do I do this?
You may have smoked the entire 7th grade win your mile time test. Maybe your mom just did not want you sitting on your butt everyday after school playing video games. Despite your reasoning, you found a love for it.
2. When people clog your lane
There is nothing worse than having to scream "Track!" at the top of your lungs mid workout because some "thing" without a brain is blocking lane one.
3. Wondering if your coach is out of his mind when he tells you the workout
It is fair to say that some of the best running coaches know exactly what they are doing. How else are runners like Bolt, Rupp, and Meb so amazing? The majority of coaches like theirs have been in our shoes at one point; they just want the best for us. Sometimes, you cannot help but wonder if they know what kind of hell they are putting you through. Mile repeats, anyone?
4. Having your watch die before or during a run
When this tragic event occurs, it is as if the world ends. How are going to calculate your pace? Your miles? Your minutes? What will your coach think? How are you going to add up your weekly mileage and when to pick it up or drop it down? Avoid these questions by charging your damn watch.
5. Injuries...
It seems like just a week ago you were complain gin about how sore you are or how you wish the season end was nearing, and now you are injured. Receiving a diagnosis off the MRI suddenly becomes a the most dreadful sound to your ears. Now, you regret every moment you have ever complained about running.
6. When it is a long run day
Running for 80 minutes or longer can seem like a total drag, but when you are accompanied some of your best friends, no set time seems long enough. The intent for extreme endurance training with bursts of sprints can become quite fun actually. You cannot deny that some of your best memories and laughs occurred on these runs.
7. Not being able to help, but hate your competition
No one knows how that one team in your conference is absolutely amazing... You are not sure if there is something in their water or if they are even human. You cannot help but despise their talent and adore them for it.
8. Carb-Loading
Sources say that glycogen storing is most effective two nights prior to race day. Let's be real... we have all started too early or too late. Regardless, we find a good, valid reason to load up on bread and pasta.
9. Finding bathrooms
You have definitely have learned to become very fond of port-a-potties... and the woods. If you have ever been to a track or cross country race, you know exactly what a bathroom line looks like. You, in fact, you may have made friends with the local convenient store owner. Hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go. Duty calls.
10. The friends that turned into family
I do not know about you, but for me, cross country and track blessed me with some of the greatest people I have had the true honor of meeting. Just because a season ends, does not mean the end of some of the best times. The workouts you do together, the races you run together... you count on each other and fear letting one another down. My team is my family, and I am sure you can relate to that.
