Cross Country

Today I went to state cross country in Ft. Dodge with one of my best friends from high school. I ran cross country from my sophomore year and on while I was in high school. I was never that great, just average on JV, but there were other reasons for my participating than how good I was. However, as I watched the races today, I kept thinking why on earth do people do this to themselves?? There are some people that would argue that running is fun, but I think a majority would agree that running isn't fun. It's painful and tiring and frankly kind of boring. Yet, here are these kids (and I was one of them) that ran just to run. Why?? If you ever have watched a Cross Country race, especially a highly competitive one like the state meet, it is very common to see runners simply collapse to the ground either during the race or after they cross the finish line. Their bodies are at the limit and they simply can't do anymore. It's painful just to watch, and I scream in my mind for them to stop. They keep going even if they have to crawl just to finish. It is absolutely insane but having done it myself I was able to come up with at least part of an answer to the why questions. There really is something exhilarating about finishing a race, especially when you weren't sure if you could do it. A long-distance runner really does need to have a mental toughness, and some people just don't have that. For me I can think of three or four reasons why I did cross country. First of all for that feeling you get when you finish a race. Races are grueling and tough mentally but nothing compares to that sense of accomplishment you get when you cross the line. When I think about it, it's sometimes hard to realize that I just ran 3.1 miles without stopping or quitting. While that may seem small compared to marathon runners or other longer race distances, it really is something not everyone could do. Another reason is the physical shape cross country gets you in. I can say without a doubt that the best shape I've ever been in has been during the fall of my Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. It's a great part of cross country, and I really wish I had the discipline to keep it up. (I definitely don't) Another reason would be being a part of a team. I know experiences differ from person to person, but my experiences with my cross country team were some of the best I've had. We really did become like a family, and everyone encouraged everybody else. It was amazing to see some of the best runners cheering and screaming for the kids who were at the bottom of the JV. It showed that it wasn't about your place or points but really about competing against yourself, doing something you didn't think you could, and proving yourself wrong. (Team meals were another definite perk of cross country that I LOVED! :)) I think there has to be a tiny bit of insanity within a person who runs cross country. I mean you're running just to run...that's it! I'm proud to have been a part of that insanity for three short years, and I will never forget those experiences, feelings, and memories for the rest of my life.