A Bumper Crop of Young Runners

Driving past our local high school yesterday, I saw the boys and girls cross country teams  practicing.  I grinned and shook my head because not much has changed since the years when I coached there. 

You can spot CC runners (or is it X-C?) pretty easily.  Many are rail thin. The scrawniest boys still run shirtless; their shoulder blades jut out and ribs show.  The girls are athletic and their pony tails bob in synchrony.

These young runners still honor the team's tradition of finishing every run by slapping the welcome sign at the entrance of the campus drive.  And then follows the unspoken practice that makes CC teams special; they hang around waiting for the rest of their teammates to finish running.

Cross country builds great young runners.  Each fall new CC teams form quickly with the veteran runners leading and encouraging the newcomers.  When they’re not running in packs cutting across lawns and against traffic signals, they’re clowning around. They snicker at the word Fartlek, but then again so do I.  They’re squirrelly!

When I see these kids running hard, quietly, glamourlessly in the heat, I get a mountain of hope for them.  They might not know it now, but through their seemingly ordinary running they are….

• learning about the payback of hard work and the reward of just trying

• getting a boost in their confidence and self esteem and hopefully going home encouraged about the next day, about the season, about becoming runners

• overcoming the urge to quit when another step seems impossible and finding meaning in finishing something hard

• making connections—figuring out stuff about themselves deep down—about the capabilities of their minds, their bodies, their hearts

• beaming on the inside when they complete runs that stretch them more than they thought they could run

• learning lessons about finishing well and encouraging others that many adults never learn in a lifetime

Make sure you check out Aves and and Reid who both coach cross county teams.   A Small But Spirited Group is a must read.  What's more exciting than these coaches leading and developing runners at the purest, grassroots level?   

These young runners thrill me, and deep down I just want them to have great running experiences.

Shirtless runners on Flickr by Powerbooktrance

Stretching runners on Flickr by Leah Mcleahson

Synchronized hair on Flickr by Casual Clicks

Comments

[bex]

I love this post. You really hit the nail on the head when you listed the reasons why running is also mentally, as well as physically, good for you. It teaches you self-discipline and fortitude.

[betsy]

You just made me totally nostalgic for cross country season.

[RunJulieRun]

Tom,
I like how you worded this. I'm glad that some schools have the Cross Country programs. It is important for our kids to learn these lessons. I'm wondering about trying to get something started at my daughter's school. I'm reluctant because I never had any cross country experience of my own.

[Sandy]

Tom,
I loved this post as it reminded me of my cross country days and my son's. (Although, he quickly left the sport for crew which required him to run more than cross country ever did - go figure!) I had to chuckle when I read the part about the skinny kids with their shoulder blades sticking out, and the girls ponytails bobbing - so true!!

Thanks for your clever posts. They're always entertaining!
Sandy

[Dina]

You have no idea how much I enjoyed your post today Tom! As one of your former students and runners, it brought me back to my high school cross country days. I had a smile on my face and tears in my eyes as I read your reflections on what we as runners learn. You're right - I didn't know it then, but I sure do now! I never felt more like I belonged in high school than when I was running with my teammates, or when I would see them waiting around for me to finish at practice, or at the finish line during races. Thank you for being such a great coach and friend Tom, and sharing your love for running with me - I am forever grateful!

[coach outlet store]

This is the one we did, isn't it??? It's one of my all time favorite runs.

[Retro Jordan Shoes]

I like how you worded this. I'm glad that some schools have the Cross Country programs. It is important for our kids to learn these lessons. I'm wondering about trying to get something started at my daughter's school. I'm reluctant because I never had any cross country experience of my own.

[Herve Leger Dress]

I love running in the hot weather as long as I'm hydrated properly and have Sharkies with me. I may have to slow down my pace a little if it is a really long run, other than that keep your fluids up and wear a hat!