As much as I didn't want it to happen, I knew the day would come. I tried my best to push it out of my mind and not think about it. I told myself to just enjoy the moment and make the most of the time I had left with that special group of ladies...Last year's experiences running cross country and track were phenomenal. I never wanted to have to say good-bye to the seniors who made my first year on the team so much fun. What would the team be like without them?...
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My eyelids open, a dull light is coming into the room from the window. It looks a bit hazy and overcast outside. Perfect weather for running. Personally I'm hoping it doesn't rain today, but I know the forecast isn't in my favor. Our cross country course could have some big mud holes if it rains a lot.
I get up, brush my teeth, throw on some clothes and head down to the locker room. Some other runners on my floor are heading out too. The overall consensus is that it doesn't seem like a race day. Since we are hosting the meet there's not the usual bus ride to get our minds focused on the race ahead. Today that focus will come in the locker room, on the warm-up, and on the starting line.
Another factor taking our minds off of the race is the fact that many of us have parents and siblings who will be coming to cheer and spend the day with us. Questions fly about people's plans with their families and what they'll do if it rains.
In the midst of this chatter, I realize another reason this doesn't seem quite like a regular race day. The alumni will be back and they will be running with us! That thought just brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart as I think about seeing Hokie, Mel, Hillary, and Heidi (the ladies who were seniors last year) wearing the Norse blue again. As we continue to the locker room I can just imagine their cheerful voices and welcoming smiles that I was first introduced to a year ago, those smiles that I never wanted to say good-bye to.
It's Heidi who I see and hear first. She comes into the locker room just like old times. I feel like my mind is playing tricks on me. It's like one of those puzzles where you have to figure out how picture 2 is different from picture 1. To me it feels exactly like last year with Heidi still being one of the senior leaders. I remind myself that time has passed and things have changed. But have they really?
Hokie, Mel, and Hillary are all in a pack as I run up to them grinning like a goof-ball. It's so great to see them again and I can't stop smiling! All I can think about is how different (not necessarily bad) the team is without them and how I miss having them around to run with every day. I realize how much these ladies impacted me in my first year at Luther, and how much they are connected to my ideas about what Luther XC is all about.
The gun goes off and the Luther Alumni are right with us, all in a big blue pack. I hear the supportive voices of those Alumni, "Let's go Norse" "Work together now", just like last year. The Norse family and pride still running strong.
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It was great to run with those teammates again, those ladies who will forever in my mind be the ones who introduced me to the fun family of Norse runners. I realize that last year was something special to be cherished and remembered forever. But now it's time to turn my attention to this season, which calls for all of the same hard work, passion, and love that I experienced last year. It's time to make the most of today and enjoy my time with this special group of ladies.
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