Here is a story for all you high school X-Country Runners that will help motivate as well as give you some depth into what a indian run has derived from.
From Drums Along the Mowhawk, a historical novel. The Story is set during the American Revolution in New York State's Mohawk Valley. The Chapter is titled "Adam Helmer's Run." There was a real life Adam Helmer who did make a run much like that described by the author. Well here goes:
Helmer, a frontier scout, is running to warn settlers at German Flats of a an impending attack(directed by British Agents) from Mohawk Indians. Trailed by a pack of running warriors, the scout has plenty of motivation to run fast. The Indians have been trying to run him down(over a woodland trail and across brooks) with "surge" tactics- one Indian sprinting up at a time, while the other warriors pace themselves until it's their turn.
As he chanced a backward glance, he saw that the Indians were going to try and run him down now. The new man was there and it was clear the he was their best man...
The Indian's legs moved with great rapidity. He had already taken his tomahawk from his belt as if he were confident of being able to haul up on the white man. The gesture gave Adam the incentive he needed. He was enraged, and he took his rage out in his running...
It was the greatest running the Indian had ever looked at. He knew he was licked, and he started slowing up very gradually. By the time Adam hit the woods, the Indian had stopped and sat down by the roadside.
When Adam looked back from the woods, The Indian wsan't even looking at him. He was all alone in the clearing and he was futilely banging the ground between his legs with his tomahawk. Adam knew he had made it. He did not stop, nor even let down quickly on his pace. All he had to race now was time. he would have laughed if he could have got the breath for it. Time? Time, Hell!
Whick goes to show that there are, in fact, some Cross-Country races that you just cannot afford to lose.