Everybody has a different idea of the most important element of running: some say it’s your physical ability, others say it’s all about nutrition; some say posture or how colourful your new sneakers are, your breathing, or maybe the way your ponytail shines when swaying in the sun (all of which hold some truth). But two weekends ago, I, and every Correlieu and Quesnel Junior School runner, found out what the most important element is, without a doubt: mental strength.
The 2017 Cross-country Zone Championships at the Otway Ski Trails in Prince George on Oct. 21 was a race that not one of us could have prepared for.
The course, for one, was different than anything we’ve run this year. The ground was uneven. We were running through frozen puddles, around gravel pits and along ATV trails.
Yet our team ran this course an average of four minutes faster than our previous times. I suppose it is a good thing that we have the toughest of athletes to tackle the toughest of courses, for that day, our limits were tested.
Amber Proudfoot woke up that morning with the flu. But not only did she compete, she placed 9th in the senior girls. That day, Amber ran like being sick wasn’t an excuse, and as a result, she carried our team to 1st place; to provincials.
Our dear Bazil Spencer had probably the most challenging race of all. Bazil competed in the senior boys, required to run three laps instead of two.
There is a viewing area along the tail end of the path, where teams line up to cheer on their runners and occasionally shout motivational insults.
Most of the team (those left in well-enough shape to stand) were out waiting to spot Bazil near the front of the pack and Scott Sargent, our other senior boy, not far behind.
When they came up the hill and around the corner, the crowd got a little quiet. Bazil was near the lead, but limping.
Sometime in the first lap, Bazil had sprained his ankle, but that wasn’t stopping him.
We watched as all the runners came around a second time and eventually started flying through the finishing chute. Bazil came in as fast as ever, crossed the finish, and collapsed. He placed 4th in the senior boys, and will be competing in the provincial championships.
Lots of runners can come across a finish line just kicking it, blowing steam like they had energy left to burn.
But our runners, trained by our hardcore coach Scott Trueman, know that a strong race is better than just a strong finish.
So every race, we get inside our heads, and we dig. We dig deep. Until your only thought is the rhythm of your steps, the pound of blood in your ears, the sound of laboured breath, and the collaborative song they make.
At each bend, hill, and lap, we ask: “Can I give anymore?” We pull out every bit of ourselves, every bit that we can throw down on the trail.
In some cases, we don’t save enough to get to food or water. Like Emma Pontius, for example, who had a better idea, lying down on the grass past the finish line and losing consciousness.
Others, like myself, manage to stagger partly conscious and most parts blind past the results table, only staying on my feet due to the joint support of my mother’s strong arms and a conveniently located wooden post. When we cross that finish line, there is nothing left in the tank. Nothing.
A special mention before I finish up here. A very important member of our team, Alex Beauvilier, is a boy who, no matter the odds, does not back down. Alex may not have the fasted time, but he does have the kindest heart. He claims that he may not have competed, but he completed, and that’s the only thing that matters. We are nothing short of blessed to have Alex as part of our team.
This is a column written jointly by Abby Fisher and Katherine Osmond, both Correlieu students. Abby and Katherine both have a passion for writing and hope to learn and improve their skills over the course of this year.