By Lim Zhi Xuan (20S03J), Girls’ Captain and Thaddaeus Ng (20S07A), Boys’ Captain
Cross Country: No half times, no time outs, no substitutions. It must be the only true sport. – Chuck Norris
Indeed, cross country is not an easy sport—it involves non-stop running, regardless of rain or shine. And, it does not stop there. PT awaits us after torrid long runs or hard interval sessions, as if we aren’t battered enough by them. So in all honesty, to those considering cross country, we highly advise you not to. Unless, you know what you’re in for, and are willing to make countless sacrifices for it—including waking up before sunrise every, yes every, Saturday morning.
Despite that, we still manage to drag ourselves to training and constantly push ourselves past our limits. Running makes us search for every last bit of strength and determination that lies within us. As we triumph over the pain, the rewards are unimaginable—the sense of self satisfaction at the end of the workouts, limitless personal growth in the form of discipline and resilience etc. Other than leading a healthy lifestyle, cross country focuses on nurturing the right attitude to always give nothing less than our 100%. It strengthens our mentality, such that even as we encounter roadblocks or take stumbles in life, we learn to pick ourselves up and continue unfazed.
Training sessions are thrice a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Weekday trainings are usually in school, while Saturday trainings are at MacRitchie/Bedok Reservoir. Each session is tailored to each individual’s fitness levels to maximise one’s potential.
What makes arduous trainings more bearable is the companionship of our fellow cross country members. From a simple gesture of clapping as a form of encouragement to one another during training to post-training lunches and dinners, a strong sense of camaraderie is fostered. Raffles Cross Country is like a second family, where we spend the good times and bad times together. And as they say, those who suffer together, stay together. And of course, not to forget our teachers (Ms June Tan and Mr Teo Hui Koon) and our coach (Mr Lim Kien Mau) who are with us every step of the way.
(where we made a clean sweep, obtaining 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the team category for our age group)
Cross country is truly a CCA which will bring out the best in you, and while it can be painful at times, the lessons and the friendships that you will take away from this CCA make it truly worthwhile. As the saying goes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.