Monday's first track practice was indeed hard, especially for distance runners like me and Bridget, but it was nowhere near as short as promised. The ten-minute 'pep talk' from our captains at the end about the upcoming season was just a cherry on top of the marathon afternoon. As we all broke up for the long walk back to the dorms from way up on the hill where the track was, I found Bridget, Carla, and Beth surrounding me as I walked. They steered our way off to the longer route back, herding me like a sheep away from our teammates. Or like a lamb to the slaughter, perhaps.

Since...