How XC has changed me inside and out
In 6th grade, my math teacher had us all do a mile around our track on the last day of school to discover who his cross country runners would be for the new season. I won the mile that race for my first time and afterwards he came up to me and said “I’ll see you in August.” Something that simple changed my life completely and if it weren’t for running that mile on the last day of school, I wouldn’t be the person I am standing today.
However, that math teacher was also the same person who told me that if I didn’t find a way to make myself have a better attitude and a way to be more respectful to people around me, it wasn’t going to take me to positive places in my future. Thankfully, cross country happened to be what saved me and what always saves me. Nothing will ever compare to the bonds you create with the girls who become your sisters and getting to run and clear your mind, the sound of the gun going off and 300 plus people hitting the grass all at once. Nothing compares to the pasta parties, the weird jokes you make with each other, or how many times Coach says “Only one more!!” and you know in the back of your head it’s not. Nothing will compare to the love a runner has for what they aspire to accomplish everyday in a sport that consumes their life.
So, I went out in August for summer running and had no idea what I was really doing my first year and we didn’t have the best team. I was the first runner and always tried my hardest but it never compared to what I saw other girls crossing the line at. So, the next season I started training in June before I even had to, and came in August 8th grade year and got blessed with the absolute best team I could have ever asked for. We were all best friends and each other biggest supporters. We blew off football games for pasta parties and even did weekend runs when we didn’t have to. But being around them didn’t make it feel like work, but a true love and passion we all shared as a family. The whole season we went undefeated and won our championship meet. Track season went the same and our distance team was our strongest events and myself, and one of my best friends broke records together. I have never loved a group of people so much.
But then the day came that my parents had told me I wouldn’t be going to the school I had all my life and I wouldn’t be with my team anymore. So when my last race in my Field jersey, it was a very emotional race. My best friend, Heather, and I, walked down the track together holding hands one last time as we had every meet and I would do anything I could have to race that race one last time.
Summer running came along with my new school and I couldn’t face the fact I wouldn’t be starting summer miles with my team I had grown to love unconditionally. So for awhile I still trained with them and refused to go make new teammates and friends until I absolutely had to because I couldn’t let go. Eventually, I did and the girls were very accepting, encouraging, and fun to be around but that didn’t/doesn’t mean I don’t miss my girls everyday. I lost passion for a long time because I didn’t see a purpose in myself anymore and it came to be hard for me to go to practice when that used to be my favorite part of the day. But I fell back in love with it and realized there is a team that cares about me and is there for me to support as well so I have an effort to going back to what I know is my whole heart and found what iI love again.
It’s only freshman year, and already this amazing journey has taken my wild places and taught my life so many life long lessons. This is a journey of starting over, regaining passion for what I’ll always love, and giving it your all every second. No matter where I end up or what team i’m on, i’ll always remember where I came from and everything my past has given me in my running career so far to shape who I am. But one thing will always remain, which is my love for what I fight to do everyday. Thank you to the coach who forced little 6th graders to run a mile, it truly changed my life forever.
- Anonymous
