Growing up, I have always had the passion to be a long-distance runner, and when I was introduced to the sport of cross country, I could not have been more thrilled. I joined the team at my small, yet charming junior high school and immediately knew I was not welcome. The coach was kind but my "teammates" never showed any support or care for me, but this letter is not about them. This letter goes to all the girls on my high school cross country team that threw their arms open wide to the tiny and terrified freshman me and showed me what a real team looks and acts like.
Teammate or best friends are far too distant terms to describe who these girls were to me. They are family to me, they are sisters. Fourth hour was the worst and best time of the day, otherwise known as cross country. Despite the painful and sweaty workouts, deep down we knew we would not want to endure these feelings with any other group of girls. The 90 minutes we were together felt so short, and the times we were not together were achingly long.
When my first meet came along, my team was never shy to assure me how awful it was going to be. However, it was calming to know that they would be with me every step of the way, not only in this race, but all the others, big and small that lay in our future. Sure enough it was awful, but the team I had my freshman year molded and carved me to lead and be a role model to all my future teammates.
SEE ALSO: The Hardest Sport I've Ever Done: Cross Country
Like any sibling, there are times when they become your worst enemy. This happens at every meet. Everything is all fun and games until the gun is fired, at that moment and for the next 3.1 miles we are rivals. This is something our coach loves, our competitiveness, not just with other runners but our own blood. Although we may want to tackle each other to the ground on the course at times, as soon as we cross that finish line, there is always a "good job" followed by a sweaty hug and maybe a few tears.
So thank you to my girls, for sweating with me, crying with me, pushing me, laughing with me, competing with me, accepting me and most important of all making me a member of your beautiful family, making me a sister.
