For those who are unfamiliar with the story, The Chronicles of Narnia begins with 4 siblings playing a game of hide and seek in a large mansion. The youngest, Lucy, decides to hide in an old wardrobe; but unbeknownst to her, this wardrobe is the entrance to a whole new world, where she encounters a kind fawn, a horrible white witch, and Aslan, the good lion who created Narnia. The 4 siblings spend years in Narnia and eventually are crowned kings and queens. But eventually, they find their way out of that magical land and discover that no time has passed at all and their accomplishments were of no significance in the “real” world.

So why, you may be wondering, am I recounting a children’s story when my title promised a reflection on my years as a cross country runner? Well, my analogy is far from perfect, but like Lucy, I stumbled upon running just looking to have some fun, without any idea of the Implications it would have for my life. Cross country has allowed me to make so many friends, but there have also been periods that have felt like “always winter, and never Christmas” under the white witches of injury and mental health issues. And similar to the crowns the 4 siblings wore, my times and achievements from cross country will not be remembered. But what matters most of all is that cross country allowed me to meet the One who created this beautiful world of running, who also happens to be the One who is willing and able to save me when I repeatedly fail. For me, cross country is my Narnia.

I cried for days when my high school cross country season ended because I didn’t know if I would run in college and hadn’t yet fully realized that the joy I feel when running is from God and not from the action itself. Graciously, God allowed me to experience cross country again at Messiah University, where I learned that running, much like Narnia, is just one way through which to encounter my Savior. When the 4 siblings must leave Narnia for the last time, similar to how I have now moved on from being a competitive athlete, Aslan tells them: “In your world, I have anotherr name. You must learn to know me by it. That was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.” I am so thankful for my college cross country experience that allowed me to know Christ, so that I might know him better now that I have stepped out of my metaphorical wardrobe.

I’m now beginning a career in athletic coaching, and what drew me down this path is that I believe any athlete can have the “magical” experience I did through sport. With this as my context, sport is no longer simply a physical activity; it’s about creating an opportunity for each kid to step through the “wardrobe” and experience “Aslan” for themselves.

Written by Kirsten, 12th Rock intern