Cross Country

The wet dew on the grass seeping through your shoes.  The sounds of birds chirping as they wake.   The sun peeking through the clouds as you walk the course with your teammates.  The brisk morning air hitting your face during those first few seconds of the warm-up.

It's a sport that some make fun of..some even say it's not a "real" sport.  But to those of us who know the greatness of being on a cross country team, it is the only sport.

Summer workouts are nasty, hot, and sweaty. You start your day with a run, before you go home and crash from exhaustion. As the school year approaches, the workouts slowly intensify.  Then comes the first week of official practices: a long run in the morning and core in the evening. And before you know it, the first race has arrived.

As the season moves forward, the bond of the team grows.  The love and passion for the sport blossoms in the first timers.  Everyone truly becomes a family. And as this bond grows, everyone works harder to accomplish their goals.  Each runner works to beat their personal bests and to do their part to help the team place.

And as the growth of the team comes, so do the cool fall mornings.  It's those cool fall mornings that all former cross country runners associate with the sport. The memories that come with the feel of the wet grass seeping through your shoes are some of the best.  The gentle breeze hitting your bear legs will forever give you the chills. The memories of the oh, so wonderful snacks and treats that the parents brought to every race make you want a fruity pebbles rice crispy treat.

Whether you were the number one runner or the last runner to cross the finish line, it didn't matter. What mattered most was that each person was working hard to be the best runner possible. Teammates cheered for and encouraged each member of the team to push forward and put up a fight as the final stretch to the finish line came into sight. The feeling of accomplishment sets in as you cross the finish line and find out that you just set a new personal record.

This sport forever holds a special place in my heart. Love and hugs to my QND XC family.