If your sport was literally someone else's sports punishment, then you were probably a cross country runner. Although sometimes you were on the brink of death (I'm only kinda kidding), the days that I ran cross country were some of the best days. Here are five signs that you ran cross country in high school:

1. Running Three Miles Was Considered An Easy Day

As some people groan at the thought of running a lap on the track, you were thankful for your short practice days. Race days were the very best because it was the lowest mileage possible. In high school, three miles felt like the 100 meter dash.

2. You Tried To Gain Weight

You'd think carb loading seven days of the week would help you gain more than .5 pounds, but when you're running five miles or more a day, it cancels out. In high school, I prayed to one day gain weight and oh the regrets I am having now...

3. Your Team Was Your Family

Throwback to the days of being called the Cross Country Cult...but in all seriousness, I wouldn't have wanted to spend at least six days a week with a better group of people. There is something about running mile repeats with someone that just makes them feel like your family.

4. You Packed For Meets Like You Were Going Away For A Year

When you live in Ohio, a typical race day's weather could vary 20 degrees. Not to mention, you had to bring rain boots in case it rained...and it somehow always did.

5. Homecoming Was A Nightmare

When everyone else was already taking their pictures, you were heading home from a meet that was two hours away...oh, and you were covered in mud. Your hair dresser also hated you because your hair was a disgusting, sweaty mess.

So, yeah, summed up cross country was the best years of my life. Although there were definitly rough times (eight mile repeats, thanks Coach Albaugh), I would still do it over every single time.