Imagine a cool fall morning. Leaves are falling, and there is a slight breeze. It's 6 a.m. as you board the bus to head to the meet, and a knot begins to form in your stomach. You try to sleep on the bus, but all you can do is think about the fast approaching race. Arriving at the meet, you find your so-called "spot" for the day, and begin your warm-ups.
There are 10 minutes until race time and you have to be in your starting box. There is a call for last run outs as your team huddles by the start line. Your coach gives everyone words of encouragement, and that's when you really start to get nervous. The ref makes everyone stand in the starting box and he holds the gun up, ready to begin the race at any time. There is absolute silence as then the gun goes off, and the race begins.
I can't begin to count how many times I've been asked, "Why did you do cross country? Running sucks." I'd have to say there are so many reasons I did cross country, but even more as to why I miss it so much. Here are 10 reasons you'll miss cross country:
1. The team
There is something very special about a cross country team. You all go through hell and back with each other, you've seen each other at your absolute worst, and you're each other's biggest supporters. These people start off as your friends, but they become your second family.
2. The fact that it is one of the most mentally and physically tough sports out there
Don't let the football players tell you that their sport is harder, because in all honesty, that is far from true. Running for 3 miles straight without stopping AND running for a fast time is both mentally and physically difficult. Mile repeats, sprints, and distance runs up to 10 miles? Sounds awful. But if you can get through this, you feel like you can tackle any difficult task with ease.
3. You are in great physical shape
Get past the mental aspect of it all, and just think about how crazy in shape you are. You have toned calves, great lung capacity, and you feel like you could leg press a car.
4. Because you are in such great shape, you can eat whatever you want...most of the time
Just finish a race and you want a cheeseburger? You can have it. Want to go eat a couple of cheeseburgers? Go for it. But don't try that kind of stuff before the meet, that would not have a positive outcome. (I would know.)
5. Those track workouts
Oh, the dreaded track workouts. I remember those days hearing that we would have a track workout. I instantly got that knot in my stomach all day until practice. But as I look back on those days, the track workouts were the days I missed the most. Although they were tiring, I found that I felt the strongest after completing these. Holla at those 800 repeats.
6. The easy days
I always thanked The Lord for the easy days. Those days where you ONLY had a three or four mile run... no sprints, mile repeats, or fartleks. While to others, three miles in general seems terrible, to a cross country runner, this is a blessing.
7. The pasta parties
Pasta parties are debatably one of the best parts of being on a cross country team. Everyone brings a dish of pasta, salad, or desert (although most times it's some pasta and a LOT of dessert) in order to carb up the night before the meet. It's a great way to bond with teammates while you eat, play games, swim (not always recommended), and mess around to relieve the stress of the upcoming meet. I always had the most fun at pasta parties.
8. The coaches
Sometimes you will absolutely hate your coaches. For example: when they yell at you during a workout to run faster, but you are already running as fast as you can. But at the same time, there are so many things you can thank them for. They have made you into the runner you are today and they are only hard on you because they want you to do better and know that you can. Your coaches are like your second parents.
9. Beautiful fall mornings
There's something about the crisp autumn air that reminds me of being in season. When the leaves start to change colors and fall, I am always reminded of those morning meets, bus rides, and bonding with my team. Fall will become your favorite season just because of cross country.
10. Yes, running does suck, but finishing a race is a huge accomplishment
I'm not going to lie, before and during the race is absolute hell. Your calves hurt, you can't breathe, and you're not sure if you are going to finish or if you'll PR. But when you see that finish line, and you cross it, there is such a great sense of accomplishment that no one else has. It's a huge motivation boost, and not to mention, you just did something that not many people can say they have.
