Picture this; You’re running in bipolar weather, heart beating fast, feet flying over the pebbles from the path, and you’re trying to close the distance between you and the person in front of you. You remember what your coaches have said and taught you over the days of training. As you try to get your breathing steady, you remember what it takes to run cross country.
But what is that exactly? Kolten Jenkins says, “It takes confidence in yourself and good stamina to be able to run cross country.” This is true when running cross country, which also requires you to have mental toughness. Mental toughness is referred to as the idea to push past failures by remaining lively and intact, even when you are training.
When training for this sport, runners have their own specific way of practicing. This can range from running time intervals to regular long runs. For those in cross country, the students practice by trying to beat their previous time scores for each practice run.
When training isn’t sufficient, Rankin cross country students remember what keeps them going. That being their coach, specifically Coach Martin, encouraging them to continue. “I just try to remind them what they are working for and tell them that they are talented enough to accomplish anything they want to accomplish.” It’s great to see our coaches inspiring others!
Despite the mixed feelings about cross country, the runners enjoy the competition not only with the opposing teams but within themselves.

By: Zoie Haire & Cassandra Vogel, sophomores
Taken from The Pitchfork, Volume 8, Issue 2, October 2, 2020