It's Race Day, Race Day, Gotta Run Fast on Race Day..

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A little "run down" of what goes down on a home race day. 

I sleep in a little more...and run less. 

I also get my dinner ready to warm up as soon as I get home since it will be so late. 

 

This is what I had for lunch-toaster waffle with blackberry jam, blueberries, and strawberries. I have coffee at school every day, too.

Ya know, just some more evidence of my gift...

I tried a new protein bar and loved it!  It was the Picky Bars Smooth Caffinator.

I love to participate in contests and projects, so I did this one for Camelbak's #LivingColorful and to remind my team to hydrate!

Another new thing I tried before this race was the same brand of drink mix that I've been using when it's been more humid and I sweat more, but the kind with caffeine! I don't know if I even drank enough to make a difference, but it tasted good.

Before our first home meet, things are busy. We do team and individual pictures as well as take pictures with every single banner from each sponsor to send them a thank you. 

We start warming up about an hour before race time, make final bathroom breaks, and change shoes before heading to the line around 15 minutes before where we do strides, team prayer, and our cheer. At this meet Coach Burroughs sang the national anthem and our area FCA leader led us all in a prayer. Coach Farmer is the starter!  (Should we trust him with a gun?)

Our 5k course:  

I'd say it would compare to any of the toughest high school courses you would find anywhere. If you know anything about course record times, my old record was 19:40 (However I've lowered it to 18:38). It's tough, hilly, rocky, and rooty, but I love the challenge. We tell our new girls that if they can race our home course, they can make it anywhere. 

Flat, open start, a loop through/around some trees, the mile loop, a little flat area past the campground, cross the road and onto Old Wagon where there are little spectators but big hills. The two mile mark is at the top of a long, gradual hill about halfway through. After another half mile comes the toughest hills, a short and steep one and a long and steep one. But this is my favorite part!  It's up that hill and you're on the downhill stretch--literally!  You go down the big hill and it flattens out!  From there you run to the 3 mile marker, round the corner, and to the finish!

We are also lucky not only to have the park to practice and host races, but to have an official timing system, too!  We also have some pretty great music, and having a great race makes me want to dance; dance is what I did (just a little after I caught my breath and legs). 

Farmer likes to do his races a little different order than most, where the boys race first. His logic is that they run faster so they'll all finish sooner so the girls can start sooner. (This helps even more at our second home meet because middle school races two 2-mile races after us, followed by an elementary 1-mile race that I get the joy of leading!  It really hurts me trying to run after a race, even after a cool down, but that's just what happens! Racing hard is brutal on a body!  However, I get a big head start and just show them where to go. By the end when they pass me I just tell them where to go.)

That was the race from more of an outsider's perspective, so here it is from a runner.  I won't give too much detail, because running and racing is just something that you can't understand unless you actually do it.

Before races, I am never sure how things will go.  Like James 4:14 says, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow..."  I always make time to read some scriptures and pray before every race to give me some peace and focus for what I am about to do.  Before this race, I read Psalm 37.  A couple verses from there that stood out were the first words:  "Do not fret..." because I was a little nervous for this first race.  Verse 4 is also one of my all-time favorites:  "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

 

  I also wrote 1 Peter 4:11 on my lower leg to remind me that I have to do this with His strength because I literally have none.  Especially with anemia, I have no energy except that that God fills me with.  Then because it is all from Him, it is all for Him.  The result is to use His strength to proclaim that strength.

  This is my calling.  Each race is an opportunity to use my gifts.  Whether I win or lose, feel good or miserable, if I have done my best, the result is God's plan.  I am to use every step to shine for Him.  Win, I praise Him.  Lose, I praise Him.  Racing is not easy.  Start lines are the scariest part.  Hearing that gun go off and the stampede of runners taking off in that first speed out is a bit intimidating!  There are so many bodies all heading for the same place as the trail narrows; I am always relieved when this part is over. 

 

Throughout races, I pray, sing bits of songs, and remember Bible verses.  Some particular to this race were from the Psalms passage, verse 24, "though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand," and the Bible Gateway verse of the day from the day before from Psalm 119:165, "Great peace have they who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble."  Though I did stumble a few times, literally, I did not fall!  And though I have my fears and failures, God never lets me fall.

The song that was in my head was "Lord I Need You" 

Races seem to fly by so fast!  The great ones especially.  This night was one of those.  When I have a run where I feel so free and flying and joyful, it is truly a gift from God.  I was so excited and thankful crossing that finish line, feeling better than I had since last season, relieved to have my first race this season done, I was filled with joy to the point of tears!

I have become so attached to my teammates!  They truly are my best friends. These two have been with me running since 6th grade, and Katlyn has been with me since kindergarten. Now we're seniors. We are so much more mature and have been through so much, but we are so thankful to have each other through the struggles. Each struggle is unique, but we can all relate. We are so pumped to be here in this season.
On Monday, we didn't all 3 plan to dress up, but since we did, I wanted to get a pretty picture of us.  Then we decided that we needed one just like it in our uniforms before the race and our first-team shirts after the race.  Again, there through it all!

Not to brag, just honestly what happens, I can't name a Panther Creek race where we didn't get a perfect score.

Farmer always picks out different colored first and second team all-meet shirts to give out to the top and second seven finishers. The individual winner gets a nice embroidered polo (one year was sweatshirts), and the top teams get plaques. 

After awards and pictures, it's time to head up the hill to the parking lot and back home!

It's late. No shower before dinner these nights.  I threw my leftover bows in the microwave and whipped up some dessert, finally cleaning up around 9:30. Now I still had to unpack and repack for school, do some work, and shower before bed. I love my sleep but race nights are just one of those times I am up late!

It may seem like a long day, but it flies by. 

I love it. 

There really is nothing like cross country season. 

Savoring Summer

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 The last week of summer break approached faster than I could imagine.  It hardly even seems like we had a summer.  I spent every moment I could outside, soaking up the sun.  I love summer weather so much, I don't know how I get through the rest of the year.  This summer was one of the best, but there's still fun left to be had, always things left that I want to do.  Here are some things that I squeezed into that last little bit.

I had this little event planned for at Panther Creek one morning to invite people to do a little devotion and bring items to donate to Food on Foot as they have a rush of needs at the beginning of the school year.  They are always open for donations and volunteers, and I believe that this is a great way for anyone in Morristown to help the people right here where we are.  This world is a pretty dark place, but God is the light that overcomes it all.  When we are filled with Him, we are also a light that He uses to reach out to others.  I am really motivated this year to live differently, do new things, make my life a better gift to the Lord!

This is the view of the lake from where we met.

I have a friend who graduated from Tennessee High a couple years ago and now runs cross country and track for ETSU named Macy Carrier.  She is such an example to this world of how to be a light!  I see her heart for others at work all the time, and it makes me smile and want to do more myself.  Living life like that really is contagious.  You don't have to boast in all you do; people notice.  "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  2 Corinthians 10:17  She has gone on mission trips, babysits, and is just a positive example in general.  The past two years, she and some friends have even put together very successful 5k races to raise money to build a well of clean water and to raise money for a children's home.  I came upon this article about her from her town's newspaper that tells a lot about how great a girl she is and learned some things even I didn't know!  I just wanted to take a moment to share a little about her!

 There for a while, it rained at some point, usually multiple times, every day for a couple weeks.  That obviously frustrates me!  I redecorated my dry erase board with this verse and picture to try to keep my perspective right.  I am blessed, and I shouldn't let a little rain ruin that!  (Although that is one of my most difficult times to be positive.)

"Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all the living creatures of every kind on the earth."  Genesis 9:16

I couldn't believe it; after our team's cross country camp, I made RunnerSpace again!  This was two weeks in a row!  (Jessica and I were flying high-bottom right)

I don't watch a lot of tv, but when I do, it's usually with my mom and dad at dinner.  We always watch sports if there's a good one on or Big Bang Theory.  That show just cracks us all up!  However, my dad laughing so hard, or as mom says, "getting tickled," is funnier to me than the actual show.  Sheldon is my favorite.  Here he is with all his cats. 

This summer the weekends just did not work out for the lake, which makes me sad!  I am used to spending all Saturday and Sunday out at the lake, as well as the long weekend Mondays!  This year, I have only been out 3 or 4 times total!  Mom and Dad went a few more times, but between house projects, family events, vacations, camps, and bad weather, this was the least we have ever been out to the lake.  We took a couple weeknights to go get some skiing water while we had the chance.  It's so nice at night; there are few people and calmer water.  It's quite peaceful!

We had to take a picture together to prove that I really did get to hang out at the lake some!  Erika and I have literally grown up together on the lake.

When you have a long day at the lake, dinner to go is convenient.  By that time, we're usually pretty hungry, too!  We often stop by Taco John's.  They have room for us to park the boat, too, so that helps!

I actually found this verse a while back, but couldn't find a time to work it in, but I gotta share what I learn!  I hate feeling like I'm wasting time, so this verse goes right along with that.  If you waste the time God gives you, you're not going to have anything good come out of it, or you may find that your free time is taken away!  When you put your mind to doing good, God will help you succeed.

As a little kid, I would daily sleep in until around 10:30 when Mom would come drag me out of bed.  There's no time for that anymore!   Sleeping in is considered 7:30-8:30, sometimes 9:00, but I do cherish a good night's sleep!

I really like this quote.  Every day is a new one.  Take it on as a challenge!

Another positive quote I came across was from Aristotle:  "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work."

New phone wallpapers!

"...See how the flowers of the field grow...If that is how God clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you?...So do not worry...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  Matthew 6:28-31, 33

I got paid a couple times during this last week of summer!  I dog sat for my neighbor's grandkids and bathed my own dog for mom and dad.

Even more money!  I find change almost every day.  I am a professional runner.  I get paid.  Kinda...

After losing my beach tan during the weeks of rain when we got home from the beach, I have finally gotten it back!  This weather has been pretty great lately, hot, humid, sunny.

I feel like this is how my parents look at me all the time.

And speaking of food...

The Florida State coach came over for dinner and dessert one night to talk about me and their running program, which was really cool!  We fixed grilled chicken salad because that is something just about every single person, especially athletes, likes, and it is simple to make!  I had to snap a picture because it was the prettiest salad I've ever made.

The meal on the right is a new thing I've decided that I like together.  It is also one of the best post-workout meals I could make, too!  It's sweet potato with it's cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg topping; fish with some seasonings; and chia seed on top of it all!  I added some turkey sausage to this one, too, for an extra umph.

More new goodies I've found at the store for heading into school

I am stocked up on protein bars for like months, but there are just so many varieties of flavors that I love!  Kind is also a great brand with tons of good-for-you ingredients.

 

On our way back from a visit to Alabama, we stopped in the Target to look around, nothing special in mind, but you just can't pass up a Target!  I ended up getting these two gelatos and a yogurt to have for my road trip dessert!  I also got a new granola to have on hand, which is a variety available exclusively at Target!  These were all new products to me, and they were all a success!

These are two new protein bars I found at Walmart.  They're pretty good, but not my type.  After I finish them, probably not getting anymore!  They are very chewy!

We have a new race this year at a new location, so we had practice there one afternoon to try it out.  It is in a mowed hayfield, so it's pretty hard to breathe!  Along with the recent weather and no shade to be found, it was a tough afternoon.  But there were some really pretty sunflowers!  You can find good anywhere if you just think about it. 

"For all people are like grass, and their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord endures forever."  1 Peter 1:24-25

My main goal (going along with using it for the Lord):  Enjoy Life.

"So I commend the enjoyment of life because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad.  Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him."  Ecclesiastes 11:8

 Simple, yet so wonderful!  Here I was participating in "enjoyment of life...under the sun,"eating a dark chocolate chip waffle, drinking coffee, and followed the rest of the day with even more joy in what I did!

Last thing before school started on Monday:  sub deb pledge tea at the country club.

We all got dressed up and had a dessert buffet while we got to introduce ourselves to the freshmen and their moms and talk about some things we're going to do this year!

 

FU Year Two

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Before last year's camp was even over, I had already decided that I was going back to Furman for cross country camp the next summer, and that is what I did! This year the camp was one day longer and combined both sessions, instead of two like they did last year.  The turnout was great:  almost 130 campers!  The days flew by, and we all got some great information and experience.  I just love the whole thing! 

I was ready to go from head to toe(nails).

We instagram captioned this photo "Let's go stand by that bush so we look like we're doing something outdoorsy," becuase we wanted a cute picture to start the trip, but we were at a gas station.  I was also excited about my super color coordination.

It's only 2 years, but we still are calling it tradition!  Lifewater is my favorite.  Thanks Coach Haas.

This is the group that Coach Haas got to come!  He was so excited that little Madison, one of his middle schoolers got to come.  I am, too!  She did great and had a blast.  She even had her birthday while she was there, and we all sang to her!

On the first day of camp after everyone is checked in, we all run a 2 mile time trial so they can see what we've got so we can be put into groups for the week.  It's always so hard doing time trials because we're not really prepared!  So far, it's been all base training for summer, no speed yet, but I love a challenge!  It was tough and painful, but I was so glad to have Furman runner and my camp counselor Allie Buchalski there to run along side me, pushing me, through parts of it.

Cross country always leads to new friends, and this is Madeline!  My friend that I made last year, Jennifer, came back again this year, and Madeline was her new roommate all the way from Florida!
 Teal Garmin Forerunner 15 matchers!

Excited to be here!

I am a slow eater, and I like to hang out and talk while I eat, so we had a group that was in the dining hall for 2 hours one lunch!  It's always great to sit around with the counselors and other runners and tell stories.

I took this with my pizza-loving mom in mind. In the pizza section, they have a fancy fire oven back.

Camp isn't all about running; we listen and learn, too. Each day we had a different "lecture" in a classroom somewhere on campus. This gave us a chance to get new information and see some of the school part of the school. One session was on nutrition, one on running form, and another on shoes.

I was trying to be all "poetic."  This is probably the most-photographed/famous spot on all of the campus.

The lake is also home to turtles!

This is a very adequate picture of me. #RunHappy, eat, sleep, repeat. And Jesus of course.

It has been so hot and humid basically every day for the past few weeks, so even short runs leave me nasty. Thanks to the Yes To soap and wipes mom put in my Christmas stocking, no matter how hot and sweaty I get, this always cools and refreshes me!

These were my counselors this year, Austin and Allie!  We had a blast, and I couldn't have asked for a better pair. They gave us so many laughs and were willing to help us with anything we needed.

This fountain outside the bookstore is fascinating. This was taken at dinner time, and yes, it was still 98 degrees.

A little reminder to hydrate. Last time you peed, were you hydrated?

Katlyn cracks me up. How she fell asleep like this, I do not understand. Even funnier, though, right after I took this, she fell off!  No worries, no "Kat's" were harmed in the taking of this photo.

Niamh, Jennifer, and I had the opportunity on the last full day to join the Group 1 guys and do a longer, tougher part of the trail at Paris Mountain for our last group run of camp.

I took my phone on this one, remembering last year that I wish I had it!  Not that I could even see what I was taking pictures of while I ran, but they all turned out great!

*Me running with an Ethiopian*

Come to find out, he actually recognized me from a race we both ran in Spartanburg last season!  Small world...

The flat part of the run

This is the bottom, where the trail levels out and opens up for a loop around the lake before you hook back on and start the journey up. 

This picture ended up getting reported several times to various sites, including Runnerspace for the #RSXCCamp hashtag project of the week!

By this time, it was just the guys and me. The trail wasn't easy, but compared to Panther Creek where I run almost every day. It was a piece of cake. No pin intended with Matt back there. (His twitter and Instagram name: The Cake)

On the way back up Matt stayed with me and another guy, and we had a lot of fun talking about all kinds of running and college stuff!

Picture of our post-Paris-picnic

Moe's on the Mountain

After everyone is done with their run, Moe's sets up a buffet line, and we get to have a picnic dinner!

Since we don't eat in the dining hall the last night, that means no dessert...unless you are with me. We got this crazy idea last year, and had to bring it back this year, too!  At lunch, we stashed up a bunch of Greek yogurt and frozen yogurt to keep in our room's fridge until we got back from the park.

Jennifer, Katlyn, Maddie, and I rationed it all out, along with protein bars and granola to have dessert before we went to the LipSync competition!

When you do things like this, you end up in one of those moods where you laugh at things that aren't even funny, and then you can't stop. The week flew by, but I had a blast with these girls!

This was probably the funniest group for LipSync. Group 1 guys did That's What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. Yes, that's a guy wearing a sports bra and makeup. The hair is real.

Group 2!
We did Watch Me for the lip sync contest, and we got 2nd!  Not too bad, I'd say.  If you watch the video, make sure you see the ending! Our signature move for the week was the pterodactyl. One of the warm up drills we do before every run looks like a pterodactyl, so we started making that noise while we do it!  Coach Rita recorded it one day and posted it to their Instagram account.

My mom and dad came to pick us up on the last day so they could see campus. We got to run a bit then finished up with an obstacle course before cleaning up and heading to awards. 

This is one of my favorite pictures. Life just wouldn't be complete without Katlyn!

The counselors surprised us all at the end of all the groups performances by doing their own LipSync!  Not even the coaches/judges knew they had planned this, so it was entertaining. I just love how great this team works together and has fun.

I know dining hall/cafeteria food doesn't sound appetizing, but you are WRONG. Furman has amazing food. Just ask any of the campers. Of course there are the not-so-healthy options, but there are more healthy options than you could imagine!  The salad bar is huge and has more things than you would ever think for a college salad bar. There is frozen yogurt, yogurt, fruit, and granola. Hot foods are always available, and so is make-your-own stir fry (they do the cooking), and right up my ally: sweet potatoes pretty much every meal. 

I am lover of all things spicy, but the Paladin 5-Chile Sauce is labeled "extremely hot, eat with caution" for a reason. It set even my mouth on fire!