By Abby Hong, Penn Women's Cross Country/Track & Field, Class of 2018
One of the best aspects of the Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships is how it brings together the friends and alumni of each school; our post-race “tailgate” at Ivy Heps is filled with not only an amazing spread of food, but also great bonding moments among past and present teammates, family, and other Penn supporters. It is incredible to catch up with old teammates and meet Penn alumni, all of whom have closely followed the team’s results over the course of the season out of a love of the sport and a fierce loyalty to their alma mater.
My favorite memory is striding out with my team for the final time before the gun went off at the XC Ivy Heps last year. A few of our team members striding out behind us may not have been competing that day, but they had the all-important honor of being our Penn flag bearers that day. That simple moment of striding out besides my teammate with the Penn flags streaming behind us reminded me that we were there to race for so much more than ourselves, which helped lift the burden of the outcome of the race from any individual’s shoulders.
I am not a superstitious person, so I don’t abide by any specific pre-race rituals. However, one of my favorite parts of any cross country meet is our pre-race team huddle, moments before the gun goes off. It is a brief, yet intense moment where any nerves are momentarily abated as we lock eyes and realize that no one is out on the course alone but with the strength of six or more gritty women beside us.
Unlike those in other conference championships, our teams, coaches, and alumni do not view the Ivy Heps as another race to cruise through to advance through the post-season. It is typically the highlight of the season due to the intense rivalries and bragging rights earned by the victors. There is an air of excitement and magic tangible on race day such that each competitor feels as if that day could be a breakthrough race—simply because it is the Heps.
Time management and planning ahead is key in maintaining a proper sleep and nutrition pattern in preparation to compete at a high level while balancing rigorous academic commitments. It is also helpful to establish a good relationship with professors from the beginning of the semester in case of conflicts with missing class or exams due to a competition date.
I chose to compete in the Ivy League to have the opportunity to earn a degree from a respected and academically rigorous university upon completion of my running career. Athletically, it is the best balance of team camaraderie, healthy competition, and dedication to hard work to reach one’s personal best. One of the best aspects of being on an Ivy League student-athlete is the collaborative and supportive team environment, because each athlete is ultimately a part of our team out of a passion for the sport and an intrinsic drive for excellence. This environment allows me to thoroughly enjoy the process of working towards my personal goals while being surrounded by teammates and coaches who genuinely care about each athlete’s well-being and future success.
Abby Hong is a senior on the Penn women's cross country and track & field teams. The
2017 Ivy League Heptagonal Cross Country Championships take place Friday, Oct. 27, at Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, N.Y.
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