As we begin our second week of classes, cross country practice is a refreshing and energizing break from schoolwork. It allows us to completely let go of everything for two hours every afternoon, creating a routine little haven in which to progress, learn and laugh together. Though its only the beginning of the term, we've been missing all of the free time we had during sports camp. At the same time, though, having practice each day, on top of of our other activities, encourages us to use our time well and get things done.
During our second meet this past Friday, a large number of my teammates ran much faster than in our first race and/or set a PR. Off to a good start! As a team that practices and demonstrates Christian Science, we have the privilege of a spiritual alternative to medical aid. Each day, we share prayerful ideas and progress during and in between our work-outs and runs.
For me, every run is a prayer, and I overcome physical problems each and every day. Perhaps our hardest work-outs have been the 1-Kilometer, hilly intervals that we've done several times so far. They have also been my favorite ones. Each time we're faced with them, we encourage each other to take each interval one at a time, and that is exactly what we do, finishing faster and stronger with every loop.
As a new runner, I have been and continue to be wonderfully impressed and uplifted by the sheer supportiveness of my coaches and teammates, both of themselves and of everyone else. I've learned very quickly that cross country is hardly an individual sport, but rather an extremely team-and community-oriented one.
Amber Dahlin
(about Amber)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment