Friday, September 25, 2009

Bragging Rights

Can you say Juno?

It's cross country season in high schools around the nation. That was one of the BEST things I did in high school. And I was good. I can brag about it now because I'm no good anymore.

I was the first freshman in my graduating class to earn a varsity letter in any sport. I was also the first freshman to win 'Athlete of the Week' at a pep rally. I can't tell you what a big deal that was to me. I wrote a journal entry that day about how not only did I receive this unexpected award, but I got to go up in front of the school wearing my favorite outfit (which consisted of a corduroy jumper).

I took second place in this freshman race of around 300 freshman. I won some big all-county freshman award for it. I was REALLY proud of this race.The picture isn't that great, but I was a good distance a head of the pack.

It actually took several races before my coach started letting me run varsity. He kept me on the freshman team at first. In dual meets, everyone just ran together. I was beating out the majority of the varsity girls and I'd come in anywhere from 3rd to 7th place overall. He FINALLY recognized that it was not just some fluke...that I was good enough for the team. I actually was third on the team. I'm pretty sure I never came out ahead of Myka or Pennie but I did make second on the team one time. One of them must have been out sick or something.

I'm practically a model.

And on to MORE bragging... I must not have kept all the records of my times, but I know I did come in under 20 minutes once or twice. I broke some kind of school record for a freshman girl.

I can hardly believe this was me. Man I miss running like this. I had some kind of reaction to my own adrenaline. I started blacking out during races and had to quit after my sophomore year. I can still imagine what the adrenaline feels like right before a race is about to start. It's so exciting. I love it.


And aside from being good, I had so much fun with the cross country team. Summer practices were a blast. We'd run at like 7:00am all summer long. It made for easy summer plans. The team would all hit the beach after practice (or sometimes for practice). Or head over to someones pool. OR just make plans to meet back up at the bowling alley, the movies, the mall or the park. It was such a goofy, care-free group of kids. I have memories of waiting for a race bus at 5:00am and dancing in the headlights of friends cars. And hitting Miguel's Jr. after EVERY race. And pasta parties the night before races. And endless amounts of ultimate frisbee. These were GREAT friends.

Sophomore year...again with the modeling...the wind in the hair is a nice touch.

Oh to be 14 again. Not really, but I would love to run like that again. I'm no where close.

15 comments:

Lauri said...

The thing that I loved about your cross country experience is the comradarie you all shared...not just with your own team but with your opponents as well.

I remember the pasta nights at our house on several occasions. Such fun!

Amanda B. said...

I ran cross country in middle school. I thought it was okay, but not that great. I started out bad....the only reason I made the team is because they wouldn't have had enough to qualify for a team without me. But, after two years, I was decent. Then, in high school, I was way more into band so did that instead. Sounds like you had a blast! :)

Genn said...

Quite the runner you were! Very impressive. Oh to be able to run like that again, and oh to have the time to run like that again, right? :)

Kris said...

Katie,
Out of all of the people I know, I believe you enjoyed high school more than anyone! What wonderful memories you have!!!!
I know when my girls were in high school, they were very involved, and I got to enjoy it right along with them. Fun times!!!

Kelly said...

What a cool thing to brag about! I was never a runner- not even now, though I run nearly daily, I am not any good! Our HS had a lousy CC team, so I never cared about it- I played Varsity Soccer for 2 years, not because I was any good, but because they needed 2 girls on the team, and my friend and I had our boyfriends that played!! I was so bad at running then that I got shin splints all the time!
I just love that pic of you laying down- as if CC made you that happy!! Too cute!

Traci Elizabeth said...

Those pics take me back!! GO RED AND GOLD!!

I married a Cross Country runner...you guys are definitely a special breed ;)

jeanine said...

You were so good! I remember you passing out at a meet... so scary! Those cross country kids were so much fun though...

Erin said...

I didn't run but swam and I would just love to go back sometim es and swim 5 hours a day starting at 5:30 am! I miss it. I tried cross country for a week and than thought "Am I Crazy!" I hate sweating and running. :) I never knew you were that fast!

Jake said...

Fun pix. I always thought the cross country runners had a gene I was definitely missing. It looked like sheer torture to me to see them running in the heat. Go you.

oops-this is actually Autumn here...

Megan said...

You were an awesome runner Katie! Way to brag! Cross Country is such a great activity, I love what it does for you and the team building is great!
I was never good, I think my fastest ever was 24 minutes, but i did get that at Mt. Sac. Now, I am lucky to run 3 miles in 30 minutes.

J, E, S & L said...

I ran a mile once...just sayin...

Kelly said...

my mom would be so proud of you and all that good running! you should get back into it. you've got talent in so many areas!

Natalie said...

You are a HOTTIE!!! I'm impressed and you should brag... go right ahead!
I could never beat Myka in junior high and so I decided to forget cross-country and play Basketball-Ball instead. I can't really do a bragging post though since I rode the bench most of my sophmore year. I did have one relly good steal as a freshman... one shining moment is good enough for me ;)

Violet said...

I didn't know you ran cc! I ran all 4 years but was never very good. Somehow that didn't seem to matter though. I miss those days. I was out walking last week and ran into the cc coaches marking the trail for a race. It brought back so many great memories.

I really need to get back into running. Maybe someday;0)

VeeAnn said...

Oh my! I am laughing so hard at the memories this brings back. I remember pasta nights and running with the team even though I wasn't on the team, lol.