Running is one of the most beneficial ways to get exercise. If you want to stay in shape and get faster, you should join the Blue Valley High Cross Country team for summer runs. The team meets from 6:30-8 a.m Monday through Friday and at 7:30 a.m on Saturdays for long runs. Summer running is beneficial to all sports because it builds endurance and speed. No matter what sport you do this will keep you in shape.
The runs are led by head coach Todd Moenster who ran cross country also known as XC for the Air Force Academy and has led both the girls and boys teams to state for cross country.
Summer runs are a great way to make friends in high school, especially across different grade levels. I have made some of my closest friends through cross country, and you will too. Every Friday we have a fun team bonding activity after the run to get to know each other better. In XC you run individually but overall it is very much a team sport. You will always have people supporting you even when things get hard and you have a bad practice or race your teammates help pick you up.
Besides the fun, a lot of hard work is put into the runs everyday. In the summer, there are time trials to test your speed and see how much you improve later into the season. One route the team does is called Trail Right Nall, and based on your time, you can win a cool bracelet. Some other routes we do include Heritage Park, I-Lan Park, Deanna Rose and more.
If my first summer run freshman year taught me anything, it’s to try something new and be outgoing. I was so scared on my first day and missed out on a lot of fun team building opportunities. Looking back I would be more involved and put myself out there.
Don’t be scared there is a great group of runners ready to welcome you. You don’t have to be a state champion to do summer runs, just a good attitude and motivation. There are runners at all different paces, and you will fit right in. It will be hard and take a lot of perseverance. You don’t start off as fast as a state runner with 8-mile runs a day; you have to work up to it. By putting in the time and effort, it will show and prepare you for any sport, and hopefully that includes the cross country team.
XC has truly been one of the best parts of my life and has created amazing opportunities. Running is such a good way to clear your mind and get out in nature. The reward of finishing your first long run or race will change your viewpoint on running completely. Running is one of the hardest sports, but by putting in the effort, you will be a better runner and person.
What are you waiting for, grab your running shoes, and let’s go for a run.
