Emily Bernath
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Sixteen Janes completed the journey to Tallahassee, Florida for USATF Club Cross Country Nationals, some of us barely, and all of us missing our teammates who couldn’t make it to the start line this year. Through covid, cancer, divorce, freak accidents, injuries, finals– we found ourselves together in community again, shaking off some social cobwebs and accepting this shared challenge, wherever our fitness was at.
The day before showtime, a passenger van full of Janes spilled out into the parking lot of the Apalachicola National Forest. I was the last to get out, having secured a spot in the trunk for the drive, legs stretched out, with electric stimulus pads on the parts that hurt the most. Only a month ago, I had texted my coach “crawling around the floor of my house to get around, but going to try running, just to see if I can do it and get myself to Nationals.”
A little slower for now, I followed behind my teammates, who were walking with kid-like anticipation to the edge of the Wakulla River, breezing past alligator warning signage, and reminders to not pet the manatees.
Just a few blinks later, our fearless leader Tania had climbed the stairs to the diving platform, and jumped in, with the rest of the team to follow. We giddily scuttled into the gift shop afterward, Florida swamp water drying on our skin and in our hair, and picked out matching manatee temporary tattoos for the battle and celebration to come tomorrow.
. . .
Toeing the line at the National Club Cross Country Championships at age 57 with KT taped-up knees, a depressed bank account due to buying a ticket at the last minute, and wearing spikes that I borrowed from a high school student, I couldn’t help but ask myself, “why am I doing this?” I know from experience that a good majority of women on that line with me were asking the same question. But by the finish . . . exhausted, sore and dripping in sweat due to the 100% humidity factor, my next question was of course, “When can I do this again?” The feeling of accomplishment after any race is fantastic, but there’s an added level to that feeling when it’s Nationals, you’re (a bit) older, and just getting to the starting line takes a near Herculean effort. Contributing to my team’s second place finish is something I will always cherish. But more than anything, I’ll always have the memories of another incredible weekend with an incredible group of strong, funny, inspiring women, some of whom I’ve been competing with since high school. I think I just answered my own question.”
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Shannon Stryker
Every year we go to XC Club Nationals believing we are ready and every year the level of competition exceeds our expectations! The level of competition rises every year and so we have to work harder to get on that podium. This year was no exception with covid canceling out last XC season it was hard to imagine how tough we needed to be! In the end the Janes relied on their depth and toughness to get second place.
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Tania Fischer
Running for The Janes and meeting runners from all over the country made cross country nationals an unforgettable experience.
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Ingrid Walters
I’ve wanted to run at Club Cross Nationals for years so it was a lot of fun to head out to FL and race last week. I haven’t raced alongside a team since college ~10 years ago and being there with The Janes made the experience so special! There’s just something about running for something bigger than yourself that motivates you through the hard parts of a race.
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Lauren Floris
My motivation to toe the line was my team. I had a rocky road to get myself ready to race but I wanted to be there to help my team and support my teammates!!! The most surprising thing was how much the humidity affected me 😅🥵🥵 It wiped me out. The course was beautiful but the weather was brutal!!
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Rae Santora
The day before the race, we realized that one of the masters runners would need to run for the open team which meant running two races two hours apart because one of our open girls could not make her flights. My teammates needed me and I would want the same from my teammates to step up when possible. The weather was noticeably hotter than the masters race and, while I felt the fatigue from the previous race, I wanted to do the best I could so that I could help my teammates out. It was hard but I am glad I could do it for the Janes.
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Gwendolen Twist
