I have three years of experience running cross country. I am by far no professional when it comes to the sport, running on JV is not an accomplishment most athletes brag about. However, whether or not you run on JV or Varsity, we all have the same thoughts when it comes to the running lifestyle.
1. One last chance to impress coach!
The past three months of summer you spent pounding the pavement and putting miles on your shoes. Coach will be so impressed at how much you ditched your social life in order to run those summer miles. There's no other way to show your dedication than spending your entire vacation suffering mild heat strokes and pretending you don't have shin splints. Or, you may have just spent the entire summer telling yourself you should start running before you regret it, and haven't seen your running shoes since last season. Summer miles bring fall smiles!
2. New members?!
Cross country is not a sport for the weak or sane. You have to be crazy for signing up to run 3.1 miles voluntarily, not to mention you will triple that mileage in daily practices. So, teams usually run on the smaller side when it comes to numbers. Walking in on the first day of practice and seeing that you gained two new members is something to celebrate. The appearance of new members gives you and your team hope, and you spend the next few weeks seeking out other insane humans. Welcome to hell new runners, you're going to love it!
3. How long have I been running?
"So, I am at the travel plaza, which is about 2 miles away from the school, so that means I have to have ran at least fifteen minutes easily, if not twenty." *checks watch* "Seriously?? I've only been out here for THREE MINUTES???" Nothing kills a runner like when they realize they will have literally ran across the country by the time their long run is over. At this rate, you might as well run to Olive Garden and call it even.
4. Can't wait for this practice to end so I can eat my weight in carbs.
If you have never been to a cross country team dinner, you
missed out on the best thing in life. Endless amounts of pasta, fruits, salad, and a rainbow of desserts. Sometimes the only reason you're still surviving practice are the thoughts of a carb consuming session in the near future. Better pick up the pace in order to be first in line for the spaghetti and breadsticks.
5. The race is about to start...why am I here again?
The only thing you will be thinking about before the gun goes off is why you are there in the first place. This all seemed like a good idea up until this point, now you're about to endure torture for however long it takes you to complete 3.1 miles. "I hope I survive so I can go to homecoming this weekend, it would break Johnny's heart if collapsed and he went dateless." You push the thought of dateless Johnny out of your mind, and remember the real reason you are here: "wait, why am I in this sport again?"
6. What if I just....fall over?
You survived the start stampede and the first mile of setting the pace. The 100 degree heat index is having no effect on you at all, and you realize that you're probably dehydrated. No big deal, everything's fine. "Only two more miles to go, that twice what I just ran, no big deal" Everything is tollerable until you see that girl a few steps ahead of you collapse. "She's so lucky, I wish I was having an asthma attack, then I could be laying on the ground instead of hyperventilating." Thoughts of rolling your ankle or tripping on grass and spraining your foot crosses your mind.
7. Look at that student section
8. The finish is in my sight!!
Nothing is more satisfying than seeing the finish line on the horizon. The angel on the hill gives you a new hope and sense of energy, and you start to pick your knees up a little higher and your pace increases significantly. After thirty seconds you realize that you do not have the will power left to keep this pace up. The finish line is suddenly running away from you, and a panic sets in that you will never see your family again.
9. You are NOT passing me in the finish!
To that one person who thinks they are going to push me aside in the last 100 meters, I think not. I would rather die than give you the satisfaction of passing me in the chute. That's exactly what I am going to do; I may die during this race, but I will do it with gratitude in the fact that you did not beat me in the last few seconds of my life. Think again next time you challenge Usain Bolt.
10. I am so dead, but I can't wait to do it all again!
After you catch your breath and your spirit finds its way back to you, you can finally reflect on what a great workout you just survived. The fact that you can do what 97% of your school can't makes you a superhuman, and thats something to be proud of. Now you get to consume carbs to your heart's desire, and we all know that's the reason you joined in the first place.
