TSSAA State Cross Country Preview - D1 A-AA

2016 D1 A-AA Cross Country Preview

There is a common denominator when it comes to cross country training and racing.  It's not the sweltering summer workouts or the mud runs in the pouring rain.  And no, it's not the 800 repeats over and over or the long runs common among all the athletes that enjoy this pretty grueling sport.  It's not the woods, the trails, the dirt or the sun baking you on an open run.  Surprisingly enough it's the comradery these athletes have among each other.  Whether a teammate or a competitor, there is a respect these athletes have for each other that makes up that common thread among them.  It doesn't happen all the time, but you hear stories - and if you're lucky, you see it first-hand like I have - about athletes helping their competition get to the finish line.  Something startling happens and an athlete falls or gets hurt near the finish and instead of passing them, the runner helps them up and enc...