This is very personal. I don't expect everyone who reads it to understand, but this is what I believe.
I don't know how to explain/say exactly what happened today so I will just do my best to get everything. It was fast Sunday at my ward and I decided that I wanted to talk about Cross Country.
The whole meeting I was trying to figure out what I wanted to say and it was getting close to the end of the meeting. I finally just got up and went up there. I knew that if I didn't say anything I would regret it forever. I sat down and waited for my turn. I was crying a little as I sat and waited but nothing compared to what was going to come. It was my turn and I walked up to the pulpit. I tried to talk but nothing came out but tears! Then I lost it!! I just cried and cried and cried. I finally just tried to get something out and I thought maybe I could talk but I didn't know if anyone could understand me. I explained about when I was a sophmore and by no accident (seriously, I think a miracle) I started cross country. I said that XC was over now but everything that I have learned will be with me for the rest of my life. XC changed my life and I tried to talk about what I learned, like how you can set a goal and work for it not just in running but in life. I had so so much more to say but that is all I could get out. I closed my testimony and sat down.
It didn't stop there! I sat down with my family and put my head in my hands and continued to cry. I knew this moment would come and I guess today was the day. My last race was hard and a little emotional, the awards ceremony was ok, yesterday was fine, but I guess I needed something like this.
XC was so important to me. I put a lot of heart into it. I learned so much like dedication, commitment, hard work, self control, team work, examples & heros, competition, the difference of surviving (just getting by) and living (really really doing something), pushing yourself past your limits. I learned that I can do things that I never thought possible before, things that for me were amazing. These are good for running and life. I learned a lot from XC and from today. I will continue to learn. This is for me personally but I know others have and can find out for themselves.
I talked with my Dad (and Mom) about it and I have learned a lot. We talked about things that you work hard at and put your heart into, like family, religion, even work or your job, and a mission. When you love something so much and work so hard at it, it is hard when it ends. Even thought XC is over the things I learned will be with me forever, and I will run for the rest of my life.
I am a better person because of Cross Country. Running has really changed my life.
Might be funny or weird but it happened and that is how I feel.
XC Forever
Also thought a lot about this. (found it on Paul's blog). http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=e593f8eba239bada1a0c | 