Stoutonia

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Rich Wold Had the participants known of the uncharacteristic snowfall, they may have packed their skis instead of spikes.

As I looked out my window when I woke up the morning of Oct. 23, I never would have expected the outcome of the day.  The University of Wisconsin-Stout women’s cross country race was at 4 p.m, and I knew it was going to be cold. The bus ride to the Lake Wissota Invitational proved that it would not just be a cold 32 degrees—but snowy. Three inches to be exact. A bitter draft on the bus led to numb toes and a chill in my bones. What a wonderful day in the world of cross country.

I had done numerous ski races in the snow before, but this was different. I would be running. As a cross country and track runner, yes, I run in a variety of weather conditions year-round, from stifling heat to freezing rain. But this was cross country season in late October; I was not mentally prepared for this bizarre event.

The rarity of the whole situation was almost hysterical. It was hard to focus on the task ahead as I jogged around to keep warm. I finally began to feel my toes and even though my shoes were already sopping wet, I thought, “Hey this is going to be fun.” I believe that is just the spirit of the cross country runner in me. My team stripped down to its uniforms at the starting line and felt hardcore. We pondered, “How many other sports would be as insane as us right now?”

The gun fired and, as a pack, we sprinted away. The slopping of the mushy snow and mud beneath our footsteps had its own rhythm. I could feel the splatter of water onto my back and—even though I couldn’t feel them very much—my bare legs. We entered the wooded terrain of the course; the ground was a mixture of leaves, snow and mud. This was quickly recognized to be a slippery mess, but I embraced it all. It was my last cross country race as a collegiate athlete, and that thought never left my mind. I wanted to enjoy every second out there.

As I looked down frequently to check the footing, I couldn’t help but notice my legs, raw and red. It was as if I just returned from a tropical vacation and had severe sunburn. I didn’t let this phase me. The cold just numbed away the normal aches and pains of racing. Somewhere around the second mile of the 3.1 mile race, I gained feeling in my fingers, which kept my motivation going.

This specific course at Lake Wissota State Park entails many quiet segments in the woods. There are the standard cheering spots where the noises and shouts jumble together, but in several areas it is just you and the trees. I can’t really describe this peace. It was as if the whole world froze for a few moments, yet I kept moving. I listened to my own breathing pattern and footsteps sinking into the snow. Racing through the frosted landscape was mystical and will always leave an imprint on my memory.

After we all completed our races, we realized how tough the conditions were, as many times were a bit slower than usual. However, Becca Hamm, a sophomore from Owen, Wis., finished first for UW-Stout and 15th overall.

As I tried to describe my peaceful race to my (non-runner) sister, she told me that having to race with wet feet and frozen limbs did not sound appealing or peaceful at all. In other words, I was crazy. She made a valid point, and maybe she was right. Maybe this experience can only truly be appreciated by those who possess the spirit of the cross country runner.  We train outside and the weather is no determinant; we must make the best of any condition, because it is just us and nature out there.
Ironically, amidst the unexpected wintry conditions of the race, my passion for the sport was reinforced like a blazing unstoppable fire.

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