I ran cross country for a total of 2 days. It wasn't that i was lazy or that i didn't like to run or that i didn't like to push myself. I just don't really like to throw up all that much. I ran track and I ran some distances, but admittedly it wasn't my thing. When I'm alone I think too much and then I need to get to some place and jot down notes or make something. Running just didn't do it for me. I photograph these Cross Country kids and they push themselves to the brink and then some. I'm not sure if I ever was to be falling down and rubber legged if I would recover from that and say--"lets do that again." I have great respect for athletes who push themselves and they do it not just for themselves, but for the love of the sport. I think XC athletes and swimmers share this devotion to the sport like non-other. Today I didn't want to get up early to head an hour south to photograph XC in the cold, but I'm glad I did. These are my favorite images from the day, not because they show athletes in distress and pain, but because they show their devotion to their sport and themselves as they push themselves to be better! I'd like to send these photos to politicians and say--see--thats they you're supposed to act!!!