While I loved running and my team in high school, cross country meets were the bane of my existence. They were when this non-contact sport turned into elbow fights and obscene bathroom lines had almost as many people as the starting line. Pretty much, those 20 race minutes brought out a recurring weekly struggle. Here are 15 moments all cross country runners have probably experienced at some point at a meet. I'm sure you can attest to each example.
1. Binging on bagels or some other energy food before a race.
Because you clearly won't do well without some carbs in your body.
2. Waiting in huge lines for the bathroom before a race.
And cursing yourself for not getting a spot sooner.
3. Not having any toilet paper in the port-a-potty.
Then texting your friend an SOS message to come help you.
4. Having to pee again right before the gun goes off.
And hating yourself for drinking that extra bit of water because you thought you needed to hydrate more.
5. Getting elbowed constantly on a tight path.
Mustering the energy to shoot a dirty look and elbow that person back.
6. Seeing your coach encouraging you, and giving them a dirty look.
Because you don't need them to encourage further pain being bestowed on you.
7. Getting a cramp and hating yourself for not eating your bagel earlier.
And telling yourself to power through it because you don't want anyone to see you walk.
8. Conquering that huge hill, and then remembering that you have a second loop.
While you question why you even put yourself through this sport.
9. Awkwardly smiling at your teammates cheering for you on the side.
Wishing that no one was actually there to watch you slowly die.
10. Wishing that the photographing parent didn't take pictures of you looking terrible.
Praying that no one ever sees how you look in those pictures, including you.
11. Being stuck in the huge clump of runners, and wanting to elbow your way out.
Not knowing where you actually are once the clump finally disperses.
12. Cheering for yourself for passing a group of runners who slowed down.
Counting how many more you have to pass before you finally reach the end.
13. Somehow reviving and finding energy to sprint to the end.
And asking yourself where all this energy was when you needed it during the race.
14. Running through the shoot and almost tripping as you slow down to give your tag.
Trying your best not to be dramatic or make a fool of yourself in front of all the spectators.
15. Giving your coach another dirty look when they tell you to do a cool down run, while you still feel like dying.
But you know that it's either that or feeling entirely sore the next day.
