“The next one is optional."
Patty's voice had come out from behind the clouds of steam rising from the ten runners' bodies. It's always optional. Optional means do it. Once again I toe the line.
"And, go!"
The click of the watch and once more they head out into the woods. Minds set to one task; get through this workout, run fast.
The Monday workout was similar to many other Monday workouts. All had completed eight times 1000 meter intervals. The rest periods were determined by the athlete herself as we would be running one interval every five minutes and thirty seconds. Yes, the workout was like any other, but today would prove to be especially difficult. It was 40 degrees and pouring rain, making the trail almost a half-inch of rain and was entirely made of mud.
Though this was the condition of the course, the girls were not fazed. None wanted to fail or disappoint; none wanted to let the team down.
With each interval, legs and minds were realizing that they weren't failing. They would not be disappointed. How many other girls in the United States are doing this right now?
To succeed in a sport like cross country, one has to be willing to do all the little things, extras. Some would say they are crazy working towards a goal which is always just out of reach. The days they love the most are the cold and rainy ones. These are the days that they know; no one else is working as hard. Pushing the body to its full potential, knowing they are bettering themselves with every step.
Many do not always see the accolades that others may. But they don't do it for that. They do it for the itch in the legs at the end of a 16 miler. They do it for the light-headed-ness after a hard hill workout. Or the puke in lane one.
In the beginning I ran for my mom. I ran because she did, and she was pretty good. I mean, if you call qualifying for the trials good. Ok. She was great. I was hidden in her shadow and probably still am to an extent. I've heard all the comparisons; all the questions on why I am not as fast or as great as she was. Now, I know those answers, the real answers. I am not as good or as fast as my mom because I am not my mom. I was never close to her times because that was my focus. To be her. To beat her. That is not the point in running. Yes, the point of a race is to beat the other competitors, sure. But in running, it is about bettering you every time out. Even in a race, the person next to you may have run 2:04 in the 800, and sub-5 in the mile (girls). That's great! But, each time you toe the line, it is a clean slate. Everyone is even. Believe and anything is possible.
As they near the finish of the interval, their legs start to churn a little faster. This day these 10 girls have completed nine intervals. No one else is doing the optional. No one has done this workout. Not in these conditions. Others have already given in. Given up on the dream. Others don't know how to keep going. Others don't want it as bad as they do.