Why I Joined XC
I have never ran before but sophomore year, I ran track and quickly became the fastest 800 runner on the team. Also I became best friends with not only my teammates but my coaches too. One coach I had, who was by far my favorite, told me that his wife was the president of the school board and I wouldn't receive my diploma if I didn't run cross country. I was very obsessed with my grades, so naturally I decided to join.
My junior xc season was great, I quickly became the 2nd best girl on the team and stayed there the whole season. I medaled at almost every race except for two. I made it to regionals, but I knew I had to work hard because my region was the toughest in all of Ohio. During regionals I ran the worst race of my season, coming in 27th and only the top 20 made it out. The 1st girl qualified and I trained with her the rest of her season, but reminding me of how mine ended.
During my senior year of xc, this past season, I decided to redeem myself. I set a goal at the beginning of the season to make it to state. I medaled at all meets except the same 2 from the previous season, but I didn't let that get me down. My team made it to regionals, the hardest race of the season for us southwestern Ohioans. Since the qualifications changed from 20 to 24 I knew I had a better chance than my junior year. I ran the smartest and best race of my life, placing in 20th and qualifying for the state meet. My coaches were so proud of me, but mostly I was proud of myself. I didn't care how I did at the state meet, but only that I was there. This past season was the best of my life.
Just think, if my coach hadn't been married to the president of the schoolboard, I wouldn't have known the satisfaction and reward of what it's like to achieve such high goals. And all I have to thank if my favorite coach, Jimbo. He is my "adopted" parent, and his wife too. They may not be blood, but more like fruit punch Gatorade, and I owe them all my thanks.
If you have any reason to run cross country, do it, because it will change your life for the better.
- @ShelTrue ( Shelbie Truett )
