Glistening sweat, pulsating veins and worn out legs. Add a heaving set of lungs and a 3.1 mile course, and you have got a cross country race. Cross country is becoming a popular sport, one that requires little more than self endurance. Of course talent adds to the thrill of the race, and winning is nice as well, but many runners both young and old enjoy the sport of running.
They join teams and clubs around the country. They race in 5Ks, half marathons and full marathons. The thrill of running and pushing one’s body past it’s furthest limit brings many to the dark side of running. The dark side is going on a run that is farther than a simple four or five mile jaunt. The dark side is called cross country.
While many do not categorize running into the sports section, it is considered a legitimate sport. The hard work that one completes while training for a distance race is considered to be one of the most difficult types of training out there. Some days a runner may hit the pavement twice, other days they go out three times. Time splits and hill workouts add a layer of toughness to the physique of runners.
Ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes puts running into perspective for the non believers.
“If it comes easy, if it doesn’t require extraordinary effort, you’re not pushing hard enough: it’s supposed to hurt like hell.”
Not only do they run, they lift weights that target key muscles used when racing. Hours are spent at the gym while sore muscles are put to the test, repetition after repitition. Their endurance limit is pushed daily, they always go past the point of exhaustion and pain. Practicing for this sport is the same as any other team on the list. The difference is in order to be a runner, the main necessities consist of a good pair of shoes, a stop watch and running apparel. A ball is not needed and there is no specific uniform or direct rules of the game.
The freedom that comes with running draws many fanatics into the circle. You decide when and where to run. The mileage is up to you, not anyone else. After starting out, if your feet are sore or cramps are building up in the calves, you can slow down and settle for a fast paced walk. The choices are endless. Competition is out there, but so are the fun runs that allow one to log in their mileage for the week without worrying about the finishing time.
Cross country allows runners to race on the grass and find relief from the hard pavement. It calms the nerves and is used as a good way of letting off steam. The force that drives us out of our comfy homes and into the darkness of the early morning is still a compelling mystery. The freedom of cross country, however, makes it less of a secret and more of a known fact to the running gurus.
What does running do for you? Is cross country a sport/hobby you enjoy?
Information and opinions from:
Karnazes, Dean. Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-night Runner. New York: J.P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2005. Print.
No comments:
Post a Comment