1) The infamous gun shot
Nothing gave you more anxiety than crouching over a painted line, waiting for an old man to shoot his gun in the air.
2) Cringing at the words, "multiple sets," "ladders," or "repeats"
How about we do cut-downs instead?
3) Becoming best buddies with the people in your event
Oh, you're not feeling this race either? Let's be friends.
4) Being forced to practice in all weather extremes
Whether there is snow on the ground or a heat index of 90, you better believe practice was still happening. In coach's words, "no other team is out practicing right now." Maybe for good reason??
5) Shin Splints are no joking matter
There is nothing harder than explaining the pain in your shins to a non-runner either.
6) That one freshman who sprints every warm-up
GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING
7) A spike to the leg can do you in
Who said track was a no-contact sport?
8) Knowing your exact block measurements
Because nothing made you more intimidated than seeing a runner set her blocks before you do.
9) When your hip number won't come off of your spandex
After a long meet, the last thing you want to do is scrape off sticker residue with a soapy cloth.
10) Finding turf in your car, your gym bag, your clothes, your bed...
*5 years later* Finds a piece of turf in an old pair of socks
11) Maxing out the ice bath capacity
There's always room for one more, even if that means contorting our bodies into strange positions.
12) Sprinters and Distance runners are two different breeds
They may look, run, and act different, but both runners greatly admire the other. Track wouldn't be track without both breeds.
13) Knowing the award ribbon colors by heart
Congrats for getting 8th place; here's your poop-colored ribbon.
14) When coach says you are running the 4x400.
If you're lucky, you were told about this before you started scarfing down that pack of M&Ms.
15) Being able to mentally pace any workout
If I run the first three 100 meters at 17.3 seconds each, then I will be able to coast the last 100m at 20 seconds to stay on target.
16) When you forget your track bag at home
Hopefully you wore athletic clothes to school. If not, get ready for an uncomfortable workout on the turf.
17) The horrendous tan lines
Thank goodness track season is right before swimsuit season!!
18) That post-meet hunger
You may have only raced less than a minute total, but that doesn't stop you from eating your weight in pizza. After all, you deserve it.
19) Being wrongfully placed in the last heat
Thanks for saying I run a 23-second 200, Coach.
20) There's nothing like your track family
Your track family is unlike any other. You sweat together, push each other, and spend hours side by side . Even though track may be deemed an "individual sport," you race with your teammates in mind. Win as one, lose as one.
