How big of an impact did high school XC and track have on your life?

david45 wrote:

Those of you who ran in high school, how big of an impact did those running sports have on your life? How different would your life be if you didn't do those sports?

If I didn’t run, I would’ve just continued to play soccer and basketball. I would’ve had the same grades, and friends. Not much would have changed but I might not have the same work ethic

I wouldn't have known about this website. Would've been devastating. Outside of that I probably either would've had a social life or be addicted to gaming.

Saw you out running yesterday.

David fan wrote:

Saw you out running yesterday.

Where do you see me?

In your 15m wide backyard.

David fan wrote:

Saw you out running yesterday.

I saw you in my dreams last night David ;)

By the beach.

Quite a bit, made some of my best friends (years later) and memories in this sport.

Tremendously. My high school coaches changed and saved my life and I owe them everything. My parents both deal with addiction and mental health issues but were provably still seen as “functioning”, so I had coped fined up until high school. But after that first XC season I have never just coped I’ve thrived. My brother dropped out of hs and has a felony. I graduated from a great college and have a great job, great friends, and a great life today.

You can imagine how my brothers life might be different if he’d had some adult mentors like my coaches, and I keep thinking how Covid is taking away such relationships from a lot of kids this year.

Great memories. I was pretty average but good enough that it was fun and my performance mattered at times. Ran relays (SMRs or 4x4 ) with several guys who were elite HS athletes, future NFL etc.

It made a huge difference, I had a wealthy but corrupt and violent father who was hiding assets from my Mom (who wanted to divorce him) and the IRS. His tax return was thicker than the Bible. He made it clear that he was never going to pay for any of my colleges and furthermore, was never going to fill out a financial aid form as he would have to reveal tax information that he viewed as top-secret documents. I either got a track scholarship somewhere decent or take a part-time job, get a lousy apartment, and go to the community college. Since I had near-perfect test scores, I didn't think I belonged at community college, although I realize now that it might have been easier than living my hippie track scholarship life. The added bonus here is that my coach knew of my father through other means (he still liked me!) and more or less forbade me to ever spend any off time back home with him. I stayed at school all year round. So just a huge change.

You're specifically asking people who ran high school XC who are now on letsrun.com how much it impacted their life...

David, high school running is not your calling in life. You'll get over this silly obsession you have. Just forget about it. It's not for you.

I didn't run at school. I was a stoner. Do I regret it? Yeah a bit but only cuz in hindsight I realise I might have been quite good.

You know now that you cannot be good while still at school. Give up. Become a stoner. It's quite fun.

david45 wrote:

Those of you who ran in high school, how big of an impact did those running sports have on your life? How different would your life be if you didn't do those sports?

Well travelled the world.... live in a great country. Earn plenty and get to coach athletes and help them achieve their goals.

I hated it. None of the girls want to bang some guy prancing around in short shorts. All my baseball player homies from the neighborhood were laying pipe while I’m practicing year round.

You are so lucky not to have run in high school. Most people would not do it if they had it to do all over again. You are so lucky. I wish I could be you. My life is ruined and I can't stop thinking about those terrible years of running in high school.

Man, you really are a broken record...

The only reason I ran in high school was because heart disease in my early years left me small and thin and unable to play the popular sports. However, all the hard distance work plus working out with my brothers who were gymnasts put a lot of muscle on me later. The combination changed my life more the older I have gotten because I am still really really fit for my age. The most rewarding part is when people who see me comment on my fitness and hopefully are inspired to work on their fitness as well.

Pretty big, not all positive. Cool question.

David fan wrote:

You are so lucky not to have run in high school. Most people would not do it if they had it to do all over again. You are so lucky. I wish I could be you. My life is ruined and I can't stop thinking about those terrible years of running in high school.

Agree 10000x. I wasn't aware that all the boys on the XC team are forced to shower together. I would try to get away but my coach told me I had to. I am told this type of thing happens on most high school cross country teams.