To most, cross country is just considered a group of skinny kids running in a small amount clothes. To me, cross country is a sport that has taught me lessons that I would have never learned otherwise. It's having a blast with teammates that I now consider family. It is hard to put a limit on the reasons why this sport means so much to me and all my fellow cross country runners, but this is a start.

1. It is the one sport where the spectators exercise too.

Attending a cross country meet is a whole new adventure for those who have never experienced one. It's impossible to take in the entire meet if you stand still. Therefore, spectators are sprinting in every direction, through knee high weeds, with cowbells, signs, and stopwatches. Some crazy fans even have resorted to yelling into orange cones that are placed on the course - yes, that would be my dad.

2. It tests our true limits.

One of my high school teachers volunteered at the finish line of a big cross country meet. She later told me that she had never seen so much passion in high school athletes. Runners are putting everything they have into their races to where they are collapsing, fainting, and puking at the finish. I have even seen runners crawl to the finish line.

3. It is fun.

I am often asked, "How is running fun?" My response is "How isn't it fun?" From mud fights, jumping in random lakes, ponds, and rivers to those deep and ridiculous long run talks, cross country is a blast. Not to mention, it is completely common to get chased by dogs and to encounter other exotic animals on runs. Call me boring, but I think it's pretty fun.

4. Running is a metaphor for life.

Anyone who has ever run before knows that it's not easy. There are always going to be workouts that you have to suffer through and races that you don't think you can complete. As previously mentioned, it tests our true limits. Continuing to persevere when it gets tough and also not giving up teaches us how to be strong in life. In both running and life, there are going to be ups and downs and endless hills to climb, but we have learned to take it step by step. We know that the most important thing is to just keep moving forward.

5. It is a family.

From the minute I joined the cross country team in high school, I knew that I had made friends that I was going to keep for a lifetime. I experienced a similar feeling when I met my college team. All of my best friends are either past or current teammates. These are girls that have seen me at my best and my worst. They have seen me smiling with joy after a good workout, to crying on the ground after a bad race. They have pushed my through practices and races that I didn't think I could survive and they have my back in every aspect of life. They have been through the practices where we start laughing so hard that we can barely run. No matter how long we have been apart, the minute we are reunited, it feels like nothing has changed.

I'll be honest; there are times when I wonder why I put myself through the pain, the injuries, and the ups and downs. But it all comes back to the rewarding and truly awesome experiences that cross country provides.