The Art of Running

The art of running a cross-country race is one that takes unique, yet rigid physical and mental stamina. Unlike team sports that involve timeouts, progressive adjustments, exploitations of weaknesses/challenges and other intangibles, the limited time and the individuality faced by each runner plays valuable roles into building mental and physical toughness.

Take, for example, proper exercise and workout sessions. By working with someone in those areas, goals can continually become eclipsed over time as these individuals gain strength and confidence to go the extra mile. In a sense, cross country is very much similar to the progression of workouts and exercise -- but it certainly taxes the mind like no other individual sport.

Should I lay back and stay with a group of runners? Should I become aggressive and set the pace? Which runners do I need to follow? Will I have enough energy to pass runners at the end? Did I train and eat well in preparation for this race?

All of these thoughts certainly broach the cross-country runner's mind during that 15- to 45-minute span before the race is suddenly over. These athletes who race and compete for Emory & Henry College deserve a lot of credit. Over the last three weeks, these persevering students have raced against some of the more renowned Division I, II, III and NAIA programs in the country.

And though final placement wasn't tip top for E&H, rest assured that the competition certainly helps better personal-best times in the continuing development of these two strong programs. With Homecoming on the horizon, take some time on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 10 to come out and watch these athletes perform, along with our challenging alumni in the always-popular Wasper 5-K run.

By braving those chilly temperatures, you'll get a chance to see the full realm of intense stamina and mental toughness evidenced from our E&H cross-country harriers. And maybe, just maybe, by observing these athletes, it will not only reflect upon proper ways of health, conditioning and diet, but also ways of approaching many challenges -- on and off the course -- so that we may all cross the finish line.