November 19, 2005

(Nov. 19) - 11th place at Nationals!  Southeast Regional champions!  What a great end to a wonderful season.  We showed the ranking polls what we knew to be true--that they had underestimated us all season long.  We also proved to some perennial national cross country powers that we can hold our own with the best. 

Only Amy DiBianca and Caroline Hagedorn had run at the NCAA National Championships before.  For the rest of our team, it was a first, and an exciting, adrenaline-filled experience.  We were told that cross country nationals is unlike any race we have ever run in-more people racing, more fans lining the course, more excitement, more pushing and shoving, and a faster pace.  I expected a unique experience but I was honestly not fully prepared for what was to come. 

Those of you that run or have run cross country know that it is not a glamorous or spectator-friendly sport.  We're lucky if family and friends come out to watch, and even when they do they only see us for brief seconds as we run by.  Most of the race you run alone, through trees, and up and down hills.  You see no one but your teammates and competitors; occasionally you see Coach, arms flailing, yelling at mile markers to speed up and catch the person ahead.  To say that cross country runners do not do it for the glory or fan support is an understatement.  We push ourselves because we enjoy the individual and team pursuit and the lifestyle that accompanies it.

Cross country nationals is a completely different story.  When the starting gun was fired, I felt like I'd entered into an entirely different sport.  The atmosphere reminded me of the Tour de France.  Thousands of fans lined every single part of the course, shoulder to shoulder, and sometimes five people deep.  Team mascots and fans with posters, banners, flags, and body paint, ran through the crowds.  The noise was constant and deafening.  We were always surrounded by dozens of other runners throughout the race; the difference between ten finishing spots could be as little as one second.  The excitement and energy of the day was truly a wonderful experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.  I am honored to have been a part of it, and I am proud of our team and how we represented Emory University.  At the very least, the excitement and prestige of the race got our entire team to wear buns at the same time.

Thanks to all the parents who traveled and supported us for this race.  They are so enthusiastic and vocal that my teammates and I often heard them cheer for us through the crowds at nationals-no small feat.  Also, thanks to Coach Curtin for successfully guiding and encouraging us throughout the season.  And most importantly, thanks to the amazing ladies of Emory cross country.  The girls on this team are some of the most fun, supportive, hard-working, and smart people you will ever meet.  Next time you see them, ask about the Full Body Club.  And the N-d K.  And why Caroline will eventually drive Coach Curtin away from coaching women.  And why you need to watch out for dumpsters and car side mirrors.  And why seamless is best. 

Go Eagles! 

Kate Bowman is a senior from Austin, Texas

October 13, 2005

In the past two weeks, our team has been a part of two exciting races. Two weekends ago, we competed at the Great American Cross Country Festival in North Carolina, and last weekend we ran at the Auburn Invitational in Alabama. Each race offered different opportunities and challenges, and after being a part of each I think everyone on our team is a better runner. We faced stiff competition from many different (mostly Division I) schools.

Great American was one of the more physically taxing races with a constant barrage of hills, uneven footing, and changing terrain-rocks, sand, asphalt, grass, and dirt. At Auburn we ran mostly on a manicured golf course that had been soaked and flooded by thunder storms the day before.

Since each race had so many people, we truly experienced cross country as the contact sport that few people know it is. Once the starting gun is fired, everyone pushes, shoves, and jockeys for position during that first adrenaline-filled half mile. You never really know how tough and strong such little, skinny girls with bows in their hair can be until you run against them in a cross country race. Watch out. Most importantly, we realized that tough competition brings out the best in each of us, and we can see our hard training begin to pay off.

I look forward to the race this coming weekend at the Georgia State Invitational, our fist 6k of the year. I know we're ready to work together to run our best and tackle the longer distance. Until then, we will train hard, enjoy our much-needed fall break, and continue to invite ourselves over to Coach Curtin's house for some free food (so far, it hasn't worked but our team is always hopeful and persistent when free food is on the line.)

Kate Bowman is a senior from Austin, Texas.