A Parent's Role in Cross Country by Marion Enyeart
From the first time I heard the starter pistol kickoff a cross country race and witnessed my runner sprint into a sea of colored jerseys and determined faces, I was hooked! The thrill of dashing across the course with a band of cheering fans, making it just in time to see my athlete close in on the finish line, was so exciting! During those early days as a cross country parent, I absorbed as much as I could from experienced coaches and veteran parents to learn the best ways we as parents can support our runners throughout their cross country career.
One of the best gifts an athlete can have is a community of strong, supportive role models surrounding them. And that begins at home! As parents, when we model and reward positive behaviors such as hard work, discipline, integrity, adaptability, and resiliency - our children quickly learn that these valuable behaviors can help them successfully maneuver the responsibilities and challenges they encounter in cross country, the classroom, and life.
Another vital role model in an athlete's community are their coaches. As parents, we can foster a strong athlete-coach relationship when we respect the team's coaches and their program. By encouraging our athletes to communicate openly and honestly with their coaches about their progress, goals, and concerns, we inspire a sense of autonomy. By insisting our athletes take responsibility for their own actions and decisions - and the resulting consequences, we inspire accountability. Athletes that demonstrate these traits gain respect and trust from their coaches and become leaders within the team.
One of our biggest jobs as a cross country parent is keeping our runner healthy and injury-free. A first-line defense from injury is providing our athlete with the proper running shoes and replacing them every 300-500 miles. Equally important is educating our children about the benefit of eating well-balanced meals that sustain their activity level, getting at least eight hours of sleep a night, hydrating properly, and listening to their body. It's essential to check-in with our athletes frequently so we can find the best support for them should they show signs of mental or physical distress.
One of the most rewarding duties of a cross country parent is supporting the team! Whether you're volunteering at a meet, buying bagels for the team, or cheering at a race - it all makes a difference! A cross country team is an awesome mix of individuals with different strengths and varied skill levels. It's essential, as parent spectators, to remain encouraging, calm, and leave the coaching to the coaches. By showing positive support, whether our athlete or team wins or loses, we bolster team spirit and create a cross country community where every runner can thrive.
As we all know, time passes quickly and our children grow in the blink of an eye, so what truly matters most is that we love them, we're proud of them, and we're there when they need us. After that, it's just a cherry on top to have the privilege to also encourage and support them during their cross country career. All the amazing experiences, lessons, memories, and friends they take with them will stay treasured in their hearts forever!