Overcoming being the eighth runner

10/15/15, two years ago today I was a JV conference champ by over a minute. I could have been running on any other varsity team in the state as the 7th runner. But our team had depth. I was #7 or #8 all season.

I had my last race finishing #8 on the team, and knew I had probably come up a little short, and hated myself for it. My coaches informed me the next day that my teammate would be run running over me at districts, and state. 

I still practiced everyday with the team, because I was the first alternate. Those 2 weeks leading up to the state meet were so hard for me. I cried every night when I got home from practice, and most days I cried in the locker room before practice. 

At the state meet, I watched my team and my best friend run without me. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. But at that meet someone told me something I’ll never forget. They told me don’t let what’s happened define you as a person. It wasn’t until a few months later I realized what this meant.

Don’t let things you perceive as “failures” change who you are. They may not even be failures. Never let an unfortunate event change the person you are for the worse. Obstacles in life are meant to make you tougher.

Freshman year I missed out on the chance to run at state with my team. I missed out on the spot I worked so hard for all season. I cried. I cried a lot. I was so angry, I even wanted to quit. But I didn’t quit. 

Sophomore year I overcame all the pain from the last season. I set a new PR 5 races in a row. I was so incredibly blessed to earn all conference honors, qualify for state individually, and run on the state runner up team. 

Being the #8 runner and missing out on a chance to run on the 3rd place team at state my freshman year was the best possible thing that could have happened to me. 

Looking back now, that experience has shaped me into the runner I am today. It’s made me mentally tough, and now I don’t give up on anything. Cross country has taught me so many valuable life lessons, and this year, I’m a junior and cross country continues to teach me so much, even after 5 years.

Cross Country is the best thing I’ve ever had a chance to be apart of. My teammates never stopped supporting me. And now, we make jokes about the series of unfortunate events my freshman year. 

So to the JV runners who don’t think they will ever be good enough to earn one of the coveted top 7 spots- never stop working. Eat right, get enough rest, and work hard everyday in practice. Do all the stretches right. Do every push-up and crunch. Don’t cheat yourself out of training. And most importantly, never stop believing in yourself.

And to any of you who fall short of a big goal and feel like you failed, to you I have this to say- never give up. Don’t let the fear of failing again keep you from doing what you love the most. Get up, dust yourself off, and keep working hard. If you truly believe in yourself and put the work in, I promise you that you’ll get the results you’re looking for. 

As my team prepares for the district meet this year, we are still one of the top ranked teams in the state and have a great chance to finish as #1. I use the lessons I learned freshman year everyday and in every race. 

So if you’re in my position #8, I hope this has helped you realize that you can do anything you set your mind to. I know it sucks now, but never give up on that varsity spot, because after it’s finally yours, nothing feels better.

- Anonymous