Diary

Laura
Burns

Past Entries

November 1, 2004

The hardest part about last weekend was not that we lost by to Washington University (Mo.) by 14 points, because we all ran great races and gave it all we had. It wasn't the enormous hill we had to run up three times, and it wasn't the inches of mud we slogged through.

We are tough enough to handle anything, so a little mud didn't hurt that much. And it certainly wasn't the Halloween parties we missed out on, because we came back to campus on Saturday night and besides, the race was a lot better than any parties would have been.

No, the hardest part for me last weekend was the fact that it was probably the last race I was going to run with our three senior girls, ever. See, after UAAs only the top seven go on to race at regionals and nationals, so I am pretty much done for the season.

It is hard to believe that I will never race with these amazing women again, and I couldn't get that thought out of my mind all weekend. I know they will go on to do amazing things and lead amazing lives, but right now my selfish mind can't picture them anywhere, except as a central, important part of our team.

Dorothy Boone, Angela Davie, and Erin Manning have taught me a lot in the two short years I've been running with them. They took me under their wings when I came in as a transfer student, and welcomed me to the team. They encouraged me this year as I improved my running to a varsity level. They always provided leadership and demonstrated incredible dedication, and I can hardly believe I will be replacing them as a senior next year.

The race last weekend was bittersweet. The weather was perfect, the course was nice (although extremely muddy), and we all ran our hearts out. Yet we did not achieve what we had hoped we would, and I know some of us were disappointed.

In my opinion, however, the girls did everything you could ever ask for in a runner, they gave it all they had. When we left New York to come back down south, I knew that we had left everything at the finish line, and I could tell by our tired and downtrodden faces that there was nothing left to give.

I could not have asked for a more inspiring and amazing way to end the season, and a second-place finish is pretty dang good if you ask me. As we continue to train and prepare for the final two races of the year, the miles of the season are starting to catch up to us. Yet, I feel as though this team can persevere, and will go on to a great national finish.

Laura Burns is a junior from Lovingston, Va. She would love to answer e-mail questions from Emory recruits and fans.