Cross Country Lessons

Go Eagles!

This fall Novali had her first season of cross country. She always liked to run with me, I think mostly because the runs are fundraisers, but still she would do the occasional 5k with me. She was entering a new high school, new city, and I thought it would be a great way for her to make friends before school started.

I think athletics is a great way for students to learn leadership skills, to learn to balance a hectic schedule, to learn to work with different types of people, and of course to learn a little about GRIT. Life isn't easy, neither are sports, and learning to handle challenges in a sport make you better at handling challenges in the real world.

Novali did well, great actually. She made some good friends, and this week I saw that at the annual sports banquet. Her friends, teammates, coach... all together and I was proud of what she accomplished. She ran her first 5k of the season in 38 minutes... and she cut her time down an impressive ten minutes and ended the season running a 28 minute time. She learned she can push herself.

I also learned a lot... its a sport I really know nothing about it. I always loved running, but it conflicted with soccer. I had to learn the sport, learn new county parks, and I also got some great leadership lessons from the sport.

Novali taught me how strong she is. She started the season weeks after everyone else, she joined without any training and had to jump right in. She didn't know anyone at the school, on the team, and she worked hard to run and fit in. All while being a successful student. She balanced it all and did it well.

My favorite leadership lesson was about sportsmanship.

When the team runs, many parents and spectators run around to points on the course to cheer on their student. I got my exercise running to points along the course to encourage Novali. Well one time near a spot as she passed a girl from another team, and I heard the other girl say, "Good Job" and Novali replied, "You to".

Until then I always thought Novali was just out there running alone, working on her best time. I realized she wasn't, everyone out there was in it together. Yeah I am sure it is more contentious towards the front, but it really was great to see the sportsmanship.

Her season ended, she made some good friends, she kept up her grades and is looking forward to the next season. We ran a 5k last weekend, and will do some training in the off season... proud of her and I am looking forward to next season. GO EAGLES.