I never knew much about cross-country running before last year. I always thought it was just something kids did when they didn’t want to play another sport. Or for people who really loved running. But after watching several of my son’s high school meets these last couple of years, I have a newfound appreciation for this unheralded battle of wills.
Because that’s what it is. Unheralded. Gritty. A contest that doesn’t get much glory or recognition, but reveals one’s determination and spirit. It’s akin to individual sports like wrestling or swimming, where you are a team of one pushing yourself past a pain point to overcome your opponents. Sure, there are other guys running with you on your team, and maybe when you get really good you can figure out how to help each other with a little drafting, but you are essentially on your own. It’s you against the world.
Modern-Day Warriors
When the runners start their race, it looks like a scene out of Braveheart, with a giant horde charging into battle. Some break out fast, while others bide their time, planning a big attack for later in the race. And some, while not being as athletically suited for the task, still charge with boundless enthusiasm. They are all so willing and, in my view, that makes all of them fierce. Strong. True.
Some of the weaker runners might have to walk for a spell, or stop midrace to stretch because they are cramping up. I’ve seen some kids throw up and others weep from exhaustion. And then there’s the finish line, after enduring all that pain, where some kids give a final charge of epic proportions before collapsing in a heap, straining to pull oxygen into their lungs. Heaving noises and painful gasps can be heard all around as kids crawl on all fours.
But that’s not the end. If they finish and are still standing, the fist-bumping commences. The slaps on the back. And not just from one teammate to another, but with opponents. At the recent Manchester Invitational, I saw countless pairs of competitors doing just that, charging to the finish line and giving it everything they had to beat the guy or girl next to them. When the race was over, nobody hung their head in disgust. Instead, the opponents quickly turned to each other and gave a fist bump or a high-five out of respect. To congratulate the other on a champion spirit. It was awesome to see.
Modern-day warriors.
Individual Resilience
When I’m watching these races, I can’t help but think how much a sport like this can do for someone’s confidence and resilience in life. Individual activities like swimming, wrestling, or—you know I gotta say it—mountain climbing, all test the body and mind in a way that is distinctly different than a team sport. That is not to say grit isn’t a part of team sports. Hardly. I’ve been on all sorts of teams, coached some of them, and know that perseverance and character play a big part in every endeavor—not just athletic ones. But individual sports, if we see them through, have a way of building us up like no other.
A friend of mine jokes that cross-country running should be required of all kids for just that reason. Maybe. As parents we face a future where social media and the World Wide Web of Lies does little more than increase anxiety and lead to self-doubt. Anything that can combat that—like the confidence one can derive from testing oneself on a cross-country course—can only help. So, his joke is noted. As they say, there’s a grain of truth in every joke.