P.V.H.S.X.C.S.T.S.

First day back to practice. It was rough, but I'm just glad to be back. :)

I don't really enjoy barefoot runs. For some reason they feel like they last forever and the grounds seems too soft to push off of. Also, the grass gives me all these little cuts all over my feet, they don't hurt much, but still, I'm not a fan.

I only went 2 again, but I'm just working my way up slowly. My stomach was cramping up before running, so I didn't want to go 3 miles with a sick stomach and just stuck with 2.

I'm actually not sure of my total distance because for my online PE class I had to do a timed mile and a half, and I started out by doing a warm-up run around my neighborhood. I know it's a mile and a half from my house to the high school and back so I just did that for my actual run. I did not do very well, even for my own standards. So I'll just blame the 17 and a half minute mile and a half time on the two week break and stomach cramps. I also guess I just wasn't pushing myself very hard.

Just getting started again, I'm trying to move my mileage slowly back to what I could do before the break. It was very slow today, but that will improve with time.

today I ran the fire station 3, I was feeling alright for the most part. the hill was a lot harder than it should be, and my pace was rather slow, but hopefully when I get more comfortable with the mileage I can push my pace harder.

The run at practice was alright. I was feeling like trash for the first half, but partway through the mile loop I started feeling really good. Again, it was a lot slower than I hope to be going. Also, when I got home I offered to go on a walk with my mom but didn't quite know what I was getting into. It ended up being another 2 miles of quick walking/running. I didn't know whether or not to count it on here, but I guess since that was about as good as I was last year at practice, I'd count it.

Grass run today, still not my favorite thing in the world, but at least I got to run with Laney! I didn't push myself very hard for the majority of it, so I felt fine. I only did two miles, or else I would have been out there alone forever. Kids club today was a blast, I'm so glad we get to help with that!

Todays run was out. . .yar? I don't know what to call it, sienna hills park? Anyway, I have learned that I tend to go faster, be stronger, and feel better on the second half of my run, and so that big long hill at the first part of the run was killer! But I was feeling about the best I have all summer after the bottom of the dirt hill after maverick. I got a little lost at the end because I tried following people who also didn't quite know where to go, so I ended up doing quite a bit of back tracking, circling neighborhoods, and such hence the .5.

I ran the Arctic Circle run today with Deborah, my house to the high school, then to Arctic Circle, then back to my house. It was rough! Maybe just because I ran later in the day it was so difficult, but I was exhausted the whole time and even had to walk some. I felt pretty good though halfway back to my house, but for the most part I didn't do so well.

It was alright for the most part, I feel like I get so tired so easy. That long slow hill midway still is just killer, I'm anxiously waiting the day that hills wont be so tough, but for now they still seem like beasts.

Today was pretty good I'd say. I tried staying with Mariah and Liz, but they were trying to stay with Megan and friends, so I dropped back about halfway to the turn around and then ran with Breanne and Whitney, and they pushed my pace the whole time. I sure hope I can improve. I keep getting side aches, so that's also slowing me down. And yet again: Hill = Beastly

Today was the dirt mile run, but unfortunately, none of us girls in the back have a watch, so we have no idea how we did.The first time round there were a whole bunch of us, but only Liz and I did a second lap. On the way back when the low varsity girls were coming to pass us, Liz and I just ran with them instead, but it was only for a bit. I felt more tired today than usual, but it's probably because I'm moving my mileage up some.

Grass run today, not my favorite thing because it cuts up my feet, it makes me feel so tired, and I feel like I can't run as hard. I still only did two miles on the grass, but I think it was a little faster this week because usually I'd finish my two after the boys finished their three, but today I finished before. For some reason I sometimes get something that feels like a side ache, but it's in my coller bone, I don't know why, but it bothers. Kids club is like my favorite thing ever, I love the little K-2 girls!

ugh. . . I see how today's run got it's name! when we got to the three turn around Liz convinced me going four was a good idea. No. I wouldn't have minded the distance so much if it weren't for the beastly uphill. I tried telling myself I would be glad I went the distance afterwords, and maybe I will be. I didn't get much of a side ache until we were out of the hole, which I was glad for, but once we were out it hurt a ton! I was going really slow for a long time, but at the very end I started feeling alright again.

dirt mile today, and this time we had a watch! the one thing I'm not to fond about timing is that I don't see how slow I'm actually going until then. first mile was 11:14, and Breann, Liz, and I all stayed together for that one. and the second mile we all got spread out but I went about 10:42. I felt kinda tired today, could have been from yesterday's run, or from waking up at 4 to go to the airport, but I'm not sure. but I'm feeling pretty good about this season. I feel like I can reach my goals and be able to improve a noticeable amount.

why is there always some obscene hill in the middle of a run? It still doesn't feel any easier now than it did on the first day. I felt like I was trying hard, but for the most part it didn't seem to make a difference, I feel about as fast now as at the beginning of summer. I was a  bad kid and didn't do striders today because I felt so tired from the hill, but I know that's not much of an excuse, especially if I want to improve. 

Grass run today. This would probably be my best grass run day yet, I felt pretty good almost the whole time. I just wish I could get faster and be able to keep up with Liz and Taylor, but for now I'm good with running with Laney. Kids Club was a blast again! I just love the first and second grade girls, they're so fun and sweet! (and they're not too fast for me!)

well I ran by myself today because Liz decided to  "push herself" and run with Little Taylor Boyer, who was trying to run with Megan, who was trying to run with coach Roberts and Stoner. It's so hard to push the pace when you're alone! And when so many people passed me I guess I got a little discouraged and got a little slower. I'm not the biggest fan of 4 mile loops, I like knowing where the middle is because it helps me go faster on the way back. It was lovely weather today though. But I can't help but feel accomplished that I went as far as Tyson today.

today we mourn the loss of Liz Lunt who decides she's going to push herself and try running with the fast people always so that she can "improve". Breann hasn't left me yet entirely, but she's working on it. Four miles still feels rough, and I'm pretty sure without Liz there to push us, Breann and I went pretty slow today. Today we talked about running goals for the season and for high school in general. It'll probably take a lot more work than I'm currently putting in to reach my goals, but I don't think I can do much more right now.

I've been feeling exhausted lately from running four every day, last season I only went four once or twice a week. So today I took it easy and Breann and I just ran to the Chevron and back. The hill is getting. . . less deathly? I can't say easier, because it is by no means easy. But I only start feeling like dying when I'm about 2/3 up as opposed to 1/2 up, so I guess that's a plus. I would be interested to know how long it takes me to run three miles now. I just wonder if I'm better, worse, or the same as I was last season.

Be proud. I did striders! Coach, I have a confession to make. . . I pretty much don't think I've done striders since last summer. You know I really want to get better when I start doing my striders! Today was the dirt mile, 11:40 and then 11:25. I don't know why it took us forever today, last time I had like 10:40, so I don't know what's up with today. I felt like I was doing pretty good, but I guess not. Okay, second confession of the day. My left foot really has been bothering me lately. It was hurting me a lot at the beginning of track season for a few months but then it went away and now it's starting to come back and hurt when ever I'm not wearing shoes, even at home.

grass run yet again! I am hating these less and less, so I guess that is a good thing. I was all by my lonesome today, but for warm up I was able to stick with the main group which is something I've never been able to do before, but we'll see if that lasts. My foot was kind of bothering me, I've found that it hurts most if I point my toe at all, and it hurts mainly in the arch, but it's not too bad.

Running while on vacation. In Arizona. At noon. This all better pay off. I ran around a park that I estimated was a little more than a quarter mile 12 times, and I ran to the park and home, and around a bit more. so estimated about 4 miles. about halfway through I felt dehydrated, but I survived. It was actually a pretty nice run, a bit of shade, mostly flat, with sprinklers at the last lap. I wasn't feeling too hot (or I was feeling too hot) at the beginning, but by the end it felt just as easy as any three miler I did last year.

yay, first time back in over a week! It was rough. really rough. But that's okay, if it were easy it wouldn't be called cross country. I only went three miles on the legitimate run, and then striders at the end. I just felt so very tired, and I tried pushing myself but it was really hard just as it was. I felt so tired at the end of my run I didn't think I could do striders, but then this thing called guilt kicked in and I just got my striders over with. I felt surprisingly full of energy and able to run as soon as I took of my shoes, so that was cool.

I'm feeling frustrated. I've been trying so hard all summer to improve and I still don't get anything. I only got one of my two dirt miles timed today because I can't really make Chancie and Breann wait two minutes both times after there done to tell me my time. My first mile was 11:56. so far my very worst. I'm not wanting to be on varsity, I just want to improve and reach my time goal, but it's starting to seem less and less likely.

FALSE. Guess who gets all bragging rights for running nine miles today? I do! four and a half this morning with warm ups, and four and a half this afternoon having to run to and from the high school. I feel way too awesome to feel all of my pain and exhaustion, but I bet I'll feel it tomorrow! I never said I ran quickly though, I was ridiculously slow, especially on my way back home from afternoon practice.

yikes today was rough! I went about the speed of your average snail this morning, and still felt exhausted! My heart feels like it's being stretched or something, should I be worried? Striders at the end are tough, but they don't feel like they take very long. I still feel sore all over from yesterday. I do not intend on running nine miles again any time soon. But I guess all this pain and stuff is worth getting to say I did it.

my feet were killing me! I don't know what I did to make them hurt so bad, but if I move them very much they start hurting, and now it's both my feet! I'm hoping it's just because of the river yesterday though. 3 on the grass, I still seem to be tired from Tuesday so the grass was slower than I would like. Today I just seemed to not have energy for running or for kids club, possibly it could have been from the stresses of yesterday, but I don't know.

Once upon a time there was a girl named Susan who went for a run out at vernon worthen park. She ran pretty hard today and tried her best to stay close behind Liz, Kailee, and Makayla. Unfortunately, every time Susan would take a step with her left foot for the past two days she's felt a stabbing pain in her foot. But overall, she felt pretty strong today and therefore quite enjoyed the run. The End.

I took the afternoon run pretty easy-ish, but it was still hard-ish. I just didn't want to push myself for half the way and be totally exhausted the second half the run. yet again I ran to practice, therefore making my total to 8 miles today, but I don't feel near as tired as I did on Tuesday. I've been trying to focus on my form today, hoping that it'll help make a difference, right now it still feels kind of funny, but I'm getting used to it. running alone is . . . well, lonely. But I guess the way to run with others it to eventually get to their speed, so I get to keep on trying.

yikes! this whole thing is just getting really rough! even though the uphills today weren't so steep, I was still dying. I could feel my form slowly deteriorating into nothing more than a clumsy walk/jog. My foot also was hurting me, not so much during my run, but when I was doing striders I seriously feared that if I took one wrong step, I would twist my ankle. My foot is hurting me all the time now, and I seriously wish I could go talk to Mark or something. . . which reminds me I need to keep trying to get Mariah out here, I'm lonely, and she may possibly be out of shape enough to run with me.

I just went three. I felt super exhausted today, and my foot is really hurting me. On the run up the hill I had to stop three times. for some reason I was just out of it today. but I did get to run with Mariah (who is still better than me, even though she hasn't been in forever.) It's just kind of discouraging when new people or people who haven't ran in forever come and totally waste me, even though I've been trying so hard all summer.

afternoon run in a few words: sweaty, hard, painful. my foot is hurting me like none other, just walking on it sometimes makes me want to scream. I very much so do not like the pain, and I don't know how much longer I want to try to deal with it. but funny enough, my foot probably hurts least in the middle of  a good run. but on the up side swimming was a ball! I really enjoy team things like that, I basically only come to cross country for the people.

todays run was. . . something else. My foot was hurting a ton on the way to hell's whole so I stopped for a short bit to tighten my shoe, which helped some. I didn't hurt so much going down the whole, but when I got to the bottom I tightened my shoe some more. I didn't stop on the way back up the hill even though it hurt, not so much my foot, more of just my legs. but I ran back to the elementary school at a snails pace, without my foot hurting too much.

fabulous! I feel bad that all I do on here is complain, so just assume my foot is killing me and I feel like I'm running so slow. I've discovered my speed ratio though compared to other groups on the team, I can run 2 laps in the time it takes the varsity boys to run 3 and I can run 3 laps in the time it takes the varsity girls to run 4. I loved kids club today, I think I know all the girls who semi-regularly show up by name, which is super helpful, and probably means more to them than "yo green shirt! you're it!"

I actually have no idea how far we went. first we ran around the mountain to the Delta sign by the freeway, but then turned back not seeing where to go, so we went back to the beginning of the trail around the mountain, and turned up into the gated neighborhood. I don't think that's where we were supposed to go, but believe you me, it was easily among the more difficult and beastly runs of my life. there was this huge steep and long hill in the neighborhood, we followed that and then we saw a dirt trail leading up a mountain, so we "ran" up that (with a handful of breathers, never walked, but stopped to catch my breath.) we got up to about the height of the towers, but it was kind of on a different hill, so then we turned around and went back the same way we came. um so yeah, super lost, and terribly difficult. on the plus side, my foot hasn't been hurting me too much yesterday and today, it's just mostly my ankle now, which is better than before!

My blog posts are turning into novels, I'll have to work on that. afternoon was really good. I don't think I was super fast, but I didn't feel slow today, even this morning (besides on the mountain). I think when I feel slow is when I get discouraged the most, but today was really good. I got chocolate milk with Devin and friends afterwords and then went swimming at Megan's, I love doing things with people on the team, they're the best!

easy three today with striders. I felt like I had a hard time breathing, but it wasn't too bad. I ran with Zak today, even though he was going really slow for him, he set a good pace that I tried to follow. I unfortunately don't think I'll be running at girls camp, my parents have been wanting me to take time off ever since my foot started hurting, and so I told them that this would be my break. Speaking of my foot, it's hurting more than on Friday, but less than it was most of last week, which is good I guess.

I'm actually not sure if that's as far as I went. See, I didn't run at all during girls camp because my parents have been wanting me to take a break for my foot for a while, so I told them I wouldn't run at camp so my foot would hopefully heal (which it actually didn't do much for, my foot still hurts). Any who, so I was originally intending to do 3, but then Breann convinced me while we were running that I would feel so accomplished if I did 6. I ran with her on the way out, but she turned around with liz, so I ran alone on the way back. I had been feeling kinda sickish, on the way out a little bit, but I thought it was nothing, it wasn't until I was about at the bridge on the way back that I started feeling terrible. I kept pushing but then I had to stop about half way to the light, I felt like vomiting/passing out. Rachel and friends found me and Rachel went to go get her car. I kept trying to get farther while she was gone, but I just didn't feel well at all. Moral of the story is, drink water, even if you wake up late. but plus side, when I ran with Breann she kept making me run with her, which was really good for me.

easy 3 today, nothing too special. It felt slow, and lonely.It's just hard to see new people who haven't been running very long at all come and pass you up, one of these days I'll be faster than a brand new person. striders afterwords, when I get to about 6 I start to feel so tired! and my collar bone starts to ache like a side ache, which I know sounds super weird.

yay afternoon run! It wasn't too bad, except I ate way too much before hand and felt awefully sick during the run. Kelsi, Aubrey, and Breann stuck back an ran with me. It's nice to run with other people, but I always feel so awfully guilty when they do. I don't want people not becoming their best because they're always sticking  back with me, they need to push their selves! One day someone should join who is just as good as me, and then we can push each other.

yeah, the run deserves the name. hills down in you know where, it was my first time doing hills like that this summer and it was sure something special. when I got down there the level 2/3 girls had already done a 1 min. so I joined them for their second one, right after we got started I could tell I was trailing behind by a ton. I am done being left in the dust. So I went as hard as I could and passed up Liz, so that made me feel super accomplished. then on one of the two 30s I ran up it with Megan which made me really excited. I pretty much woged up the hill out though, technically I was running, but I was running slower than manu's walk. died of thirst all the way back to the school, but besides that, I'm good. Oh, and my foot and ankle were hurting, I wonder why it just won't get better!

yay long boring and monotonous! grass run. I don't feel like I can tell how fast I'm really going on the grass, but today I wasn't pushing it very hard. one thing that I don't like about all levels going the same distance is that everyone finishes, and I still have two or three laps left! and then it's just kind of awkward running around everyone else doing their striders. Last day of kids club, made me feel sadish. . . I probably won't see some of those girls ever again, but then some of them may come back next year and be in my group again, so that's almost hopeful. I didn't go swimming with the team today, because Elder Hutchins gets home at noon, and I thought that was a bit more important.

Missionary brother get's released and  what's the only sensible thing to do 10 minutes after we get home? Take him on a run! He talked all the time during his mission about how he was running a lot and getting into good shape, and so I was excited to run with him! he's faster, but he stuck back with me and pushed me some. My stomach felt icky while running, even if it was just an easy three. I hope tomorrow my stomach will feel better. I felt justified in going on a second run today because we were supposed to do an afternoon run yesterday and I didn't do it, I felt kinda guilty.

five is hard. two and a half up hill is really hard, but the way back was nice and easy. I've been so sore all week ever since monday, I hope a little weekend of recovery will be good for me. I am seriously doubting that I've gotten much better since last season, I don't have any evidence that I've gotten any faster. I'm half excited for the race, and half dreading it. It either can make my entire summer of sweat pay off, or just break my heart and crush my soul. So yeah, that's my feelings for the day.

I wasn't able to make it to the afternoon practice at the school, so I ran the arctic circle three by myself. It was just an average run, I tried to push myself a little bit out of my own comfort zone that I usually end up running in while I'm alone. I hope that if I do everything coach tells me to do that I'll be able to reach my goals, which is how I got up the energy to go run three miles all by my lonesome. 

wow, I'm sure tired. I do enjoy running out into the fields though, so that's a plus. My ankle was hurting bunches about the last mile and a half, but besides that it's just occasionally painful. I luckily got to run with Micah and Taelor for part of the way out, but they turned around at the bridge. It's so nice to run with other people, makes the whole thing so much more enjoyable. speed wise I think I did okayish, I never got too fast, but it was just so I could conserve energy for the end when I really needed it.

It was a nice three mile run. I did my best to keep close to Breann, Mariah, and all of them so I ended up pushing myself throughout the whole thing, which is what I really need to do. I wont be here for the race tomorrow, which makes me quite sad, I was really rather looking forward to it. My ankle just likes to hurt, but at least it's not very much anymore.

ah great, just as the pain in my foot is getting quieter, my hip starts acting up. It doesn't hurt a ton. yet.  But it hurt enough that I didn't do plyos(?) today. unfortunately, it's the opposite hip than my bothersome ankle, so I don't think that they're related. well, running is just awesome to me.

Ouch. So I showed my mother where I was hurting yesterday and she said it wasn't my hip. unfortunately she said it's the exact same spot where her sciatic nerve hurts. awesome. and better yet, she says that it's genetic. But any way, the run was alright, lovely weather, not too difficult, just pain on my sciatic nerve and ankle. I'm going to miss running in the mornings like this. I'm leaving town today so I wont be at the race, or at practice for the rest of the week, so see ya!

This was probably my best run in a long time, I'm actually really excited. Even though the weather is kinda icky looking, it actually felt really nice. I didn't notice any pains in my foot or my legs, so that was really encouraging. as I was running I thought to my self, I bet I could go faster than this and still feel fine, so I did. And it felt great! I'm starting to feel like my work is paying off, even if it was just one easy three.

from now on I am including warm up in my mileage. oh my. It was a seriously rough day! so hot. so slow. kept getting side aches and my leg was really hurting me. my leg feels like the joints are out of wack and messed up some how. I don't know. . . I've had better days. I'm really going to miss running with the team, even if I don't really run with people I still love the social part of it. Ahh! It'll be so sad. :(

ugh time trial really was a huge disappointment. I was so hoping to get under 25, and I thought it would be easy, but nope! instead I get 26 something. not what I was hoping this season would look like. I am certain one of the main reasons I did so terribly was I was dehydrated. I have a new goal for tomorrow! drink a bottle of water per class period and during lunch! I bet that will make a huge difference. BUT on the positive side of the time trial, I know I did poorly for me, the whole time I knew it wasn't going very well. I felt like I was running about as fast as I could walk. What's positive about that, you may ask, well, if I know I did awful it means I can expect more than this from myself. I know I can do better. but on the down side my hip/ leg joint is super not cool. it hurts bunches and feels like it's out of place or something.

Physically spent. that's how I felt today. Absolutely and completely exhausted. As I was running I figured I never ran more than .5 a mile at a time because I'd stop at stop lights, the club house, the turn around point, and then all the same places on the way back. It's so frustrating, I don't feel like I've improved at all since last year! Coach said that it's impossible for someone to work so hard and not improve. I feel like I've worked pretty hard, and I'm still waiting for the improvement. I drank a bunch today during school, but I still felt like I needed many a drink, so I'll keep trying that.

okay. I'm doing alright. Today Coach Roberts told me to try and stop thinking about trying to improve an just think about having fun. I tried my best to not think about it, but I couldn't help myself for the most part, when I run, to entertain myself I think about how I'm doing and if it'll get me to my goal. but I think he's right. right now I'm not really enjoying running at all, but I think if I stop thinking about it for a bit and just try to have fun, I'll enjoy this season a lot more. Today itself went pretty well, not superb, but not terrible.

Best run in a long long time. I felt like I was moving really quickly, I didn't feel dehydrated (just a little dry mouth), I was able to run with sophomores Austen and David, and I didn't hit any lights or need to stop for a drink all the way till starbucks! It was kind of a perfect run today, and it felt really good. Unfortunately, today was the last day I'll be able to run with the team for a long time, because of the play. well, I'm glad I had a great last run.

I just wanted to cry when I came around the corner at the end and saw the clock had 35 minutes on it. In fact I did cry. I want to break 30 so so so so so bad, that's what I've been working for all summer, that's what my goal has been since midway of sophomore season, when I feel like stopping or turning around early at practice I would imagine how proud and excited I would feel when I saw my time reading 29:58. and now I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get it. I would have to cut off 5 minutes, I was looking at the list afterwords and saw how many people I would have to beat to have had my time be where I wanted it. I would have had to have beaten about 20 more people. I felt awesome while running, which just means I couldn't have gotten better. Now with the play, I don't have the time to do what it takes to cut off those last 5 minutes.

Auditions today! hooray! which means I got to run in the morning. Oh. Dear. They go SO fast! I was pretty proud of myself for keeping up with Mariah, Liz, and Chancie on the way there and only being a bit behind them on the way back. I guess if I want to get faster, this is the way to do it! Practically died, but worth it. Morning practices are going to be hard, but I'm actually thinking that this will help me most to get my goal.

Honestly, I really didn't want to be here today. I wanted to be at call backs. but I was here. Fortunately, this improved my daily mood greatly though. I don't feel back to my 100% happy self, but I just feel a bit better about my life, which is much needed now. the run itself wasn't very good; slow, tiring, hot. but it was certainly hard, so it better be doing something good for me. plyo's were super hard, my legs feel like jello right now. But the phrase that first got me through XC last summer came to mind, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!"

I wish I could run more, but just time wise, this is what will work. But I think that these morning runs may be better for me than afternoon practices! Those girls go so fast! I practically die trying to keep up! but this morning, I was able to stay in the pack the whole way there, I was even in the front bit for a little while. I know long runs have all of their awesome advantages, but I think that a whole bunch of these shorter runs with more speed is really going to take me to my goal! I feel like I'm running a race every other day!

Yep! That's right! I ran four and a half all by my lonesome! pretty much every time I run on my own I always start out thinking I'll try going four, but then I always end up going three. but I'm dedicated. I felt really pretty good. My head kind of felt elsewhere, so I didn't really notice too much. Although I did feel as though I was moving pretty quickly and I had no pain really. except I ate dinner right before I ran, which didn't effect me as much as it usually does, but I felt a weird pain in my esophagus (I think it that's what it was) but I'm pretty sure that was just from eating.

morning three. quickish for me, but slower than usual. I was behind all the girls pretty much the whole time today. I'm thinking it's partly because the varsity girls were running with us today, making everyone pick up the pace, but I can't really pick it up any more. also probably because I ran yesterday evening, and then just a few hours later I was running again. I'm feeling more positively towards running, you don't really realize what you've got till it's gone. I cherish practices more, because I'm not able to run with my team always now.

A minute slower than last year. but I'm in a better mood today. I'm okay. It's probably partially because I knew I would probably not get my goal this time, and partially because of the graduates who were there. They make me happy. the run its self was not quite the best, my stomach hurt so I wasn't quite able to do my very best. It was still a pretty good run. I had a pretty good start for me, I was with this cross creek girl, but she was moving too fast for me to stick with. I wish that they did the long lap first, and then got smaller from there. but it's not my choice! well. It looks like I have more practicing to do.

I'm a sinner! I didn't run yesterday! I was super busy yesterday but I'm still sorry I missed. this morning was okay. the whole morning my stomach was hurting, but I couldn't go anymore at one point and had to stop and sit down to try and let my stomach feel better. I'm just so exhausted, I wasn't able to keep up for very long today, but all of the varsity girls were running too, so they were going a bit faster than usual. I just feel awful when people slow way down for me. I don't want to be the reason they aren't reaching their full potential.

Arctic circle run with Mariah. nice, easy, fun. we basically just talked about boys and the play the whole time, it's quite entertaining running with her. That's basically it. She's faster than I am so it was good I guess she was there to push me a bit. I felt rather out of breath and out of shape, morning runs are too easy on me I guess! haha!

Morning practice was really pretty good. Today I stayed right up with them the whole way there, big accomplishment for running with this group of girls. but on the way back I didn't even bother trying to keep up, I was tired!

Afternoon practice was just wonderful, simply because I was able to go! but even for an afternoon practice it was great! the weather was pretty much ideal, warm with a cool breeze. at first I was a little disappointed that it was a grass run, but I ended up really enjoying it. on the way to the park I was able to keep with Megan, Liz, and Little Taylor Boyer; I asked them how their pace was compared to normal, they said it was nice and relaxed. I was pushing it quite a bit! but I'm happy I get to come tomorrow too.

I really don't have any idea. I didn't know I didn't need to be there/ shouldn't be there. so that threw me off to begin with, and then I didn't understand the course and I wasn't able to understand what I was supposed to do. so I did the warm up and ran around the park once. then I was frustrated and tired and I knew I was running later today so I just stopped. I'm not super happy I didn't keep trying, but I honestly don't feel too bad. 

so I'm putting on what I technically ran on friday on to today. I felt really fast actually, I think those morning practices of super quick and quite short have really helped me, at least when it comes to a mile at a time.

technically I ran two and a half miles this morning. like I said before, I felt quickish. but for these ones I was getting quite exhausted just from lack of sleep so they weren't as quick. last night/this morning was a blast! I really love the run-a-thon, it's a time to bond with the team and party! :)

haybales are so so fun! haha, but I seriously did have fun on this race. I'm not quite the fan of grass (or wet grass either) but it wasn't too bad after I got into it. I am happy with this race. still not my goal, and I still want that goal so much, but this race was the best this season so far. It always makes me so upset to see like ten girls in front of me walking for what seems to be majority of the race, and I'm never able to catch them! today, I don't know how, but I passed like seven. It really helped me feel better about racing and stuff. I'm glad I stick to my two goals of last season, don't stop running, don't get last.

three mile run, striders, warm-up, and parade. I feel good! that's about all I can say. When I started running for fun like coach roberts told me, everything just seemed to get better. I have a goal for this week's race, positive attitude. for the most part I'm good with that, but when it comes to races, those dark clouds of "I can't" start looming over my worried head. so far race goals are going pretty well this year, besides breaking 30, I've beaten Micah in all the races, and this past race I made a goal to beat Sally, and I got that one too!

okay, so I didn't go to afternoon practice BECAUSE I am feeling ill-ish, and I don't want to do anything to make me feel really sick for the race tomorrow and homecoming Saturday. I also went to morning practice, which puts me in the clear, okay? this morning I didn't feel as well, I wasn't really able to keep up with varsity at all this morning, but I got to run with Little Taylor Boyer, so that was very enjoyable. morning runs feel nice. :)

hooray positive attitude! It went pretty good, until I noticed that the next person in front of me was farther than the next person behind me. I felt like I was really pushing hard, but I guess not hard enough. I'm sure my illness, the wind, and the grass didn't help too much either. I wanted to be able to catch up to sally, but unfortunately, people improve. haha. Still not any closer to my goal, which is a little depressing, but I'm going to keep on trying the positive attitude thing.

so so SO nice! easy three at an easy pace, great weather, got to get to know Sasha. pretty much an awesome run. I feel really good right now. I could have pushed it more, but an easy pace every once in awhile is very very nice.

weather today was beautiful! It would have been a perfect run had it not been for eating a big dinner right before I left. So really, besides that, and the little cough I've been getting, I felt good today! I'm going to try running farther when I'm on my own, sometimes things like feeling sick, or the amount of day light left make me only go three, but hopefully I can get the motivation to go more when the circumstances allow.

easy three, easy pace (for Megan and such, but still felt nice enough for me), no complaints! There's not much more to say beyond that I just love being with the team!

I didn't have much time today, so I just did the ever classic three. I felt like I should try and push myself, but sometimes I'd get lost in thought and realize I'm going super slow again. So today's speed was pretty much all over the place. but you know what, some fast is better than none. Sleep is becoming less and less common in my life, I just hope it doesn't affect my running too much!

good run this morning, a quickish pace for me, but I was very capable of keeping up the whole time. running with others is SO bennificial! I just wish there were people who ran at that speed during the race that I could try to keep up with, then maybe I'd be able to reach my goal. I don't think the team knows how lucky they are to be able to go to afternoon practice everyday.

It felt so super fast! but I endured to the end! as long as the end was arctic circle. Probably about the best I've done so far. yet again though I didn't bother trying to keep up on the way back. I wasn't feeling so top notch. A touch irked that we started so late, today was picture retakes and I didn't get much time to get showered and ready. I wake up so early so I can go for a run early, not to stand around and wait till everyone else decides it's time to wake up and run.

I have been so so bad this week! I'm just so super overbooked and over stressed! I'm sorry!This morning's run was a success! yay! I made it all the way there with the group, and by the time we were back at the high school I was about only 200m behind the main group! I think today was a little slower than some, which is probably how I kept up, but I sure think I'm getting faster. I'm just sad I don't have anyone to pace me in races, that's what I'm sure would get me going the speed I need to in order to reach my goal.

easy three up at the varsity races, ran with a nice group. I felt super stiff from the bus, and I bet everyone else was too because we weren't going very fast at all!

ugh! I'm so mad at myself. I ran the first lap with Sally, then somehow she got in front of me, and some other girls passed me up and I felt tired and discouraged and I just basically gave up the race. Then Micah and Taelor came up behind me and got about a step ahead of me. They haven't beaten me at all this year, and I wasn't about to let one of my goals go down the drain. So I pushed it, much. As I was running in view of the people cheering at the finish line they started cheering for me, then I heard one of them say  "you can break 30!" I ran hard, too hard for how far away I was, as I got around to that loop around the trees I started heaving a lot, and I ended up throwing up a little bit. charming. but I didn't want to stop and break my goal of not stopping during a race, so I kept pushing, but I wasn't able to go quite as fast as I know I can go, because I was feeling a touch ill. on the plus side, I think this is a PR, overnight trips are so so much fun, and I get to join the ranks of those who vomit during races.

I felt sluggish this morning, I have trouble sleeping on top of not getting to bed at a reasonable hour. The pace seemed quicker than some days, but not the fastest it's ever been. I just was very tired, physically, mentally, and pretty much in any other way.

four miles?! crazy, I know. It's been forever since I've been able to do a four mile run. It was a lot harder than it should be, I'm looking forward to winter training so 4 miles can feel like the average again. I was seriously struggling, because not only was it four miles, it was four miles in the afternoon! It really is just worlds different running in the afternoon as opposed to the morning. I need to run farther in the afternoons when I run, it'll help me reach my goal. 

so today I decided to be more watchful of the time, a bit before we began our run, it was 6:05, and then I went for a super quick run, still falling way behind the whole group today, and then when I got back, I talked with aubrey for about a minute, and then coach roberts for about two more, when I got in my car it was 6:38. that would mean that I'm running this between 29-32 minutes. that's my race goal time and current time! it makes me upset that at practice I can run the speed I need to go, but when it comes to a race and I'm all by myself, I fail. slight pet peeve of morning runs, when we get to the turnaround where everyone stops and rests, the fast people, who don't need rest so much are there forever, and so by the time I get there they're all ready to head back. I need to stop and take a breather too!

are you kidding me?!?!?!? four seconds?! On the one hand I'm super excited and proud of over a 2 minute PR, but on the other hand I'm super upset that I was four seconds away from my dream time. If only I had pushed it a little bit harder for a little bit longer. I was glad when coach told me the time, I just wish I could have known it more throughout the race, but I guess it was good just at the end, or I might have felt too confident and backed off. I'm glad I beat Brea, that's about the first person on the team who I've ever beat on their first race. It's not that I don't want her to do well, I just feel frustrated when new people show up getting times 5 minutes faster than mine. overall a good race, but I know I have that sub 30 in me.

ahh!!! lovely weather! I love love LOVE the weather today! like this is perfect/ideal running weather, not hot, not cold, not bright, not super windy, a little bit of sprinkles, and just a great mood! It's so fun to go on runs after play that's just really chill and really amazing! I think I could run easy three's like today for the rest of my life.

This morning was the first time it was simply just me and varsity. I was super intimidated, until we began running and I was in the front. What? the front? I was super curious what was up because I'm sure they all could have easily zoomed by me. on the way back I asked Liz if they were going slower today, and she said they were, to keep with me. It was way nice of them to keep with me, but I don't want them all to be frustrated that they can't go a decently quick speed because they're running with me. I was actually feeling super fantastic this morning, until the very end my stomach started to hurt something fierce. when I was done I wanted to curl up on the ground and vomit, but I'm not sure why. . . but I don't think that's a good thing. anyway, I hope to break 30 tomorrow! it's about time!

29:25!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can't tell, I'm a touch excited. I have worked so hard for this, and now, finally at the end of my season I get it! It's pretty much exactly like I imagined it would be like. When I crossed the finish line and the guy with the timer said my time, I stopped in my tracks, turned around and looked at him and i was like "really?!?!" he seemed kinda confused. after that I couldn't stop crying from joy for like 5 minutes! it's a bizarre feeling, but definatly a good one. I love my super supportive team who all helped celebrate with me. I was afraid during my race when I hit the giant hill, because I fell behind Sally and some Desert Hills girl, and I was afraid it was going to shoot my time, and then as I was nearing the end I had some serious side pains in a space of the race where there were no people, I deeply considered walking, which I'd never done before, but then Manu showed up and he helped remind me I just had to push through it, and dig deep. if it weren't for my extreme joy of breaking 30, when my truck ran out of gas on the way home, I would have been put it quite a sour mood!

yikes. . .  not so good. My lovely list of petty excuses, first, I hadn't ran in almost a week (I'm so bad I know! I've just been super busy and don't become un-busy until super late). second, It was a rough course! all grass, I mean come on! Third, I had only gotten an hour and a half of sleep the night before. I think number three is the one that got me the most. It's a little sad I didn't get to end my season with a bang, but I got my long awaited goal, so I feel this XC season was successful, and I've learned you can do anything you want (within reason) as long as you put your mind and body into it.

First run back since region, boy how I miss it! running was tough, just like I knew it would be, but it wasn't as bad as it could have been. I think I'll be able to get back into the swing of things quickly, though. It was a fun little run with Sasha, she's so fun to be around! it's just sad how few people there were, hopefully more people will be showing up as time goes by.

it's so sad how easy it is to get out of shape! I feel like I''m being a total slacker for not doing what coach tells everyone to do, but I know I got to do what's right for me. I do love running in this weather, it's absolutely perfect running weather. the run itself was pathetically difficult. my sides were burning and my muscles were getting sore, how sad! I've decided I should be okay by next moday or tuesday, so I intend on getting back into the swing of things by then.

hearts and back twice. I considered doing part of the speed workout, but considering the fact that when I got done with the first trip to hearts I was already feeling worn out, I just did an easy three. I tell myself I'm not aloud to feel discouraged yet, I need to give myself at least two weeks to potentially be back near where I was, but sometimes it's hard when the whole team, even breann, is so far ahead of me. But I do love to be there, seriously, what people need to realize that XC is the best thing ever is just not to be able to run or run with the team for a bit.

Oh what a beautiful day! one of these days I'm going to be able to keep up again, but until then, I'll just try to have a positive attitude. I got to run with the new freshman Alyssa, which was nice to get to know her, and then on the way back I ran with breann and sasha, both of whom were slowing down for me. but it was very enjoyable. only downside really of the run today was that I tripped and fell near the end, scraped my hands and knee up decently, but I've learned when you fall you have to get back up asap and not think about the wounds, or else you wont want to keep going.

another three miler. hopefully by the end of this week I'll at least be doing 4 or doing the extra speed things afterwords. I still hurt while running, not a bad hurt, but a pushing yourself hurt. as soon as I don't feel that hurt I'll know I need to start moving up. one of these days I'll be able to progress as quickly as the other people, but until then I'll just keep trying! Lovely weather today, and I'm glad I got to run with Chancie and Austin, they're so fun.

yep, just another 3. nothing too exciting. I feel nervous about the time trial on thursday, because I know it's not an accurate judge of my season and it's just going to make me feel depressed. Mariah's back to running, so at least that was something fun today, plus she's also out of shape so we could run together without me holding her back too much.

I ran by myself today because I needed to finish a test in Pre-Cal. It was kind of lonely, but kind of relaxing. I felt good today! On Friday I'll definitly have to try going four mile. I'm not looking forward to the little time trial tomorrow, because I know I'm just going to be disappointed in myself. oh well, I'll just try to tell myself that once upon a time I was better than I am now, and I'll have something to work back towards.

hooray for timed trials! Sadly I think this may be my best timed trial so far, even though I'm still out of shape. but I am getting better! running is getting easier every day, maybe tomorrow I'll go four or something. I try not to get judge myself against others or get down on myself, but it's so dumb when all but two of the little kids beat me. I knew I was last on the high school team, but I didn't know I was so poor on the whole team in general. but on the upside to that, it means we have an awesome generation coming up. Our team will always be unstoppable!

I was only going to do three, but I was too busy having a nice long chat with Little Taylor Boyer. Running with people makes it so much easier, and a lot more fun.We did my favorite four miler, the church run. The reason it's my favorite is because my first day of summer practice last year, I ran to that church as my first run. Now every time I run there from the high school it just helps remind me how absolutely far I've come. I believe that ANYONE can do cross country, if you just seriously just put your mind to it.

just a guess at the distance.Nice weather today, but lesser nice run.Now's about the time I'd love someone new and out of shape to join the team, just sayin'. I love running with people, but I hate keeping them back. the obvious thing would be for me to speed up and get better, and as much as I would love that, I can only do what I can do. Trying to come up with goals for this track season, but I don't know if anything can be as desirable as breaking that thirty.

mehhh. . .  that's about how I feel right now. usually after a run I feel invigorated and full of energy, but today for some reason I just feel bleh. being the slowest one on the team is still no fun, but I guess I'm used to it. I usually only feel upset about it when everyone does the same distance and I'm the last lonely one running after everyone's been done for ten minutes. But I like our little marching form exercise, even though we look dumb, I bet it'll help a lot. Oh! and today while running Shakes' little sister was out cheering some of us on, and she remembered me from the summer running club! and also on my run I was running outside someone elses house and Shakes' little brother was like "Oh, that was my sister's trainer at the summer running club!". I love kids club. :)

so I didn't do the speed work out because Mariah had an AP Bio lab to go to at four and had to get finished with running quickly, and I offered to go with her. we went three miles because that's about what she had time for. I do like running with people, especially Mariah, she's amazing. I feel like I'm being so lazy, but lately I just don't feel up to working hard at running. I'm working hard at so many other things, and I seem not to have energy to work hard at other things. But I'll keep trying, it's good for me. Like my mother always says,  "I can do hard things!"

Ran with Megan today :). she sure does make me happy. I was trying to keep up with a little group, I did alright on the way there, but I sure held them back on the way back. Megan showed me how to roll out after the run. I know my muscles are tight, but rolling out didn't hurt or help very much, I just probably didn't do it right.

I wanted to go three, little taylor boyer said do four. so I went four miles. after that I didn't want to do any striders, little taylor boyer said to do striders, I said I'd do four, she convinced me to do eight. thanks to little taylor boyer I did what I was supposed to do today. It's a sad day when you need to have sophomores and freshmen to tell you to do all that you're supposed to.

I'm bad I know! I had to be somewhere at four, so just be glad I ran at all! I know, I know, I'm only hurting myself, but I really did my best. I've decided I'm pretty much back into the swing of things, so the only thing I can blame for me not being so good is me being lazy. I'm looking forward to the footlocker trip, not so much for the footlocker race. I just want to not get last place at the race, it'd be so embarrassing.

I don't really know how long michigans are.speaking of michigans, this was my first time ever doing one! I've never heard anything but awful things about them, so I was quite nervous. But it turned out to be slightly enjoyable. I don't know if it's because I don't feel all the pressure in the world to get a certain time or what, but I do push myself. I really probably could have pushed a little more, but because I had no idea how to pace myself for this work out I decided I didn't want to be dead when I got halfway through. I really hope we do those again some time, I do really like them.

Thanksgiving day run was awesome! again, this is just an estimate of how far I ran, considering I'm not familiar with any runs around here in Page. I may end up running again later today, after eating, just to save myself from feeling completely fat. I ran with my sister, Deborah, because she's home from collage. Luckily Deborah isn't very out of shape, therefore I didn't need to go super slow for her, but I think at my leisurely pace, I was pushing her.

Didn't run much over the weekend, but I pushed this three, so I feel justified. I'm a touch worried about the race this weekend, I'm not in it to win it, but I don't just want to throw it away. I hope to get a little better this week before it's time.

I just wish I was where I was near the end of my season! Today all the girls ran together but me and Sasha. I could have totally stuck with them had I never stopped running. I think how much I would have loved to continue running during play, but it was just seriously unrealistic considering how it was already dark after practice and I was getting little sleep as it already was. but still, I can't help but feel a touch down about it, but I'm coming back. It'll take a lot of effort, but it's worth it.