Julian McElhaney

As a nine-year cross country runner, I have learned one major lesson. Cross country is boring. The entire sport has one element -- running. Within running, however, there are four main phases. These phases are adrenaline, boredom, tiredness, and strain. My adrenaline phase lasts about 30 seconds from the time the starter begins speaking to about 100 meters into the race. Observing how other runners get themselves energized makes this phase most entertaining. I’ve seen everything: simple, quick sprints; pouring water on the face; screaming while doing backflips. I do nothing besides survey the environment and allow my energy to rise naturally.

My next two phases of boredom and tiredness intertwine. After the adrenaline leaves, footsteps and breaths occupy the following two miles. That’s it. Sometimes I’ll listen to a song before a race and have it playing in my head so I stay mentally alert. Nothing is interesting until tiredness intermixes. At this point, two miles pass, and tiredness announces its presence. The sound from heavy breaths overrides the song playing in my head; I begin envisioning the finish. Relaxing during my boredom saves me the energy to endure the three-quarter-mile tiredness, but it’s finally here -- the strain phase. I have about 500m left to endure. It’s funny how time decides to go half-speed when I’m tired. Spectators begin to cheer, and life temporarily resurges into my legs until I finish and complete the race.

Thank God, time to sleep.