What's Up Weekly Synopsis

 

 

 

My endeared friend's affirmation that I am indeed fabulous totally made my day.

Yes, I bought a 15 oz coffee cup from the bookstore - that's a grande in Starbucks lingo.

 

 

Care package from my family when I was suffering from the worst cold ever - stuffy nose, fatigue, cough, congestion - yes, I know you are dying to read all of the snotty details, but I will refrain. 

 

 

The ever intimidating mid-race face of death.

 

23:54. Disappointed.

 

My best friends - foam rollers and sphere-shaped objects that roll out all the knots in my quads, calves, glutes, back....

 

 

Collegiate Race Recap and a Personality Test

My Tia is an absolute life saver, sending me Starbucks k-cups to brighten my mornings and evening homework sessions. When I asked how I would live without her, she responded with "decaffeinated". Truth. She is that special person in my life who bought me my first Starbucks drink when I was ten years old - salted caramel hot chocolate.  It was love at first sip.

 

 

As you can tell by my face, Friday's xc race was death. Reminscient of the battle scene in Narnia, the race began on a flat grassy plain that gave way to rolling, sandy hills. I covered the first half mile in 3:26 and was feeling pretty good, Bethany and Rachael were right behind me and our rivals had begun to decluster and spread out in front of us. I totally thought that the race would play out like the last one - surge up to a group of girls, stay with them, then pass them and repeat. I clocked a 7:26 for my first milesplit but wasn't too worried, I reasoned that the loose sand slowed me down a bit but that I would gain momentum as the race went on. Nope. The entire course consisted of loose sand and long hills. It was like being stuck in the Matrix, where the sand was draining my energy and fight with every stride. Bethany passed me by the 2nd mile mark, but I had zero oomph to keep up with her. I finished with a time of 24:28, 26th out of 63 girls. I guess it didnt help that I had a cold, which has only worsened since the race.

 

Warning-the following information is probably only interesting to those in my family, as is this entire blog. If you could care less about where my tuition dollars are going and my personality type, you may want to go back to lurking on your friend's profiles on Facebook.

For my Christ, Culture, and University class I took the Myers-Briggs personality test, which was so accurate that I am wondering if scientists have been stalking me since my birth and taking case notes.  The test consists of 93 questions, which ask about your tendencies/preferences in certain situations. Your answers to the questions show whether you lean toward being introverted vs extroverted, intuitive vs sensing, thinking vs feeling, and judging vs perceiving.  

I am classified as an INTJ - introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging.

According to the book, those with introverted intuition and extraverted thinking:

• "want and need challenge, and they often have a high need for achievement. They have a driving need to be competent, and they often set high standards for themselves."
• "they are always analyzing their actions with an eye to improvement"
• "self-critical"
• "an exceptionally strong need for independence"
• "will power"
• and my personal favorite - "Respect is given to others only on the basis of their competence and understanding, not on the basis of their position. When INTJs are certain of their insights, they will ignore the system and rules."
• "determined"
• "vision oriented"

I think that my family and close friends would agree that I reflect most, if not all, of the above statements. Now I understand myself better.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Snapshot of life as a College Freshman

 My day usually begins with my cell phone alarm going off around 6 AM. After that, it is pretty much a blur of cross country work-outs, consuming caffeine, studying, listening/trying not to doze off during class, and accepting my 20 new friend requests on Facebook (slight hyperbole). This post is a simple snapshot of my university life, sprinkled with subtle hints for those of you dying to send me care packages. :)

 

  

My dorm habitat - I am totally into aqua blues and lime greens, not to mention hot pink. The plan is to eventually install a fridge under the microwave.

 

What do I snack on? Green tea, coffee, popcorn, dark chocolate, unsalted almonds/peanuts and Clif bars. Not to mention brown sugar.
Before going to college I could not nap, I had too much energy or would start thinking about my marathon-long list of things to do. Not anymore. At about any time of day, especially after hard cross-country work-outs, I can slide into my bed and pass out for a 20 or 30 minute power nap.

 I chill with the ice tub about four times a week.

 Collegiate sports definitely take a toll on the body, but I don't plan on being sidelined for the season because I wasn't keeping up with injury prevention. My left calf has been driving me CRAZY, so I have been icing every day, elevating my legs when I read or before I go to bed, and I finally ordered a pair of hot pink compression socks for recovery. The last thing I want is shinsplints. Hopefully I can hitch a ride to Walmart soon so I can pick up a foam roller. If you don't know what I am talking about, a foam roller is a wonderful device that loosens up your muscles and rolls out all the knots in your leg muscles. Google it :)

Sometimes I bring the ice with me. Accessorizing like a runner girl. 

 

Now that I have rambled about my running life, time for the next most important element of my existence: eating. I have been devouring fruit, veggies, salad, soup, and wraps like there is no tomorrow, not to mention the amount of water, coffee, and tea that I chug drink everyday. The above pic is an example of what I eat for lunch. The salad bar also has either quinoa, barley, bulgur, or wild rice everyday that I like to mix with my soup or salads.

 

 

Proof that I don't wear running shorts and hoodies to every class. Only to some classes...

 

 I happen to live off of hot pink and light blue post-its notes - they are like pieces of my mind that I can post all over my planner and laptop so I don't forget any of the million events/essays/assignments/social gatherings that come my way. I just dislike the yellow and orange post-its....they come off as so demanding.

For those of you nerds/creepers wondering what classes & activities I am involved in, here is a quick run-down:

I am currently taking a 15 credit course load and was able to knock out 30 credits worth of general education requirements thanks to the AP classes that I slaved under in high school.

My classes include: Intro to Mass Communications, Liberal Arts Math I (the easiest math course available), Intro to Radio, Intro to Psychology, and my Honors course (Christ Culture & University).

I am currently working on an article for my university's newspaper profiling the stellar cross country team, and hope to become involved with the television program. My mornings and/or afternoons are pretty much devoted to running.

 

 

 

Dorm Day!!

After a four hour drive infused with anticipation I finally arrived at my university!
It took me and my Texan roomie a few hours to set up and such, but I am pleased with the results. The most depressing part of the day was plopping down $155 for my Liberal Arts Math packet. And maybe seeing my parents cry as they hugged me goodbye, but that was more bittersweet.

I thought I would feel competitive of those around me and would spend my hours fighting not to compare myself to others - nope. It is like a big burden has rolled off my back and I simply appreciate people for who they are and dont care for comparing my height, clothes, weight, or hair to theirs anymore. It's just like, whatever, I have been meeting and talking to random people and am constantly smiling simply because I am happy to be where I feel like my gifts and talents can be nurtured and implemented. Like my university's president said, God expecially created you with a Divine Design that no one else can quite match.
This post is a bit ramblesome but that reflects the activity of the next few days as I settle in. :)

Runner Girl Tips

Some of the things I learned about running while in highschool had to do with experiences that happened outside of the track.

Take care of your gear. AVOID putting your dry-wick running apparel into the dryer; the heat can set gross odors into the fabric and damage the elasticity of sports bras. Just throw your gear into the wash on cold and hang it out for a few hours to dry.

Run inspired. Some people are motivated to move with music, I find motivation to complete my core workouts and blog entries by painting my nails with bright polish.

Visualize. When my quads are burning during Spinning class I imagine myself competing in the Kona Hawaii Ironman race, pushing me to pedal faster. Visualizing my goals gives me that extra oomph in training for competition.

Get creative. During my senior year of high school I painted my experiences as a female runner for my AP concentration. Painting, journaling, or playing an instrument help relieve stress.

Show your pride. Confession: I am proud to be a runner, and am absolutely psyched whenever someone new to the sport joins in.

Get crafty. This goes into the same category as creativity. I made this magazine holder for my Runners World magazines and running logs from the cardboard box that my racing flats were mailed in.

Stay hydrated. In highschool I was the girl who had a waterbottle on her desk or in her gym bag for every class - nothing has changed in college.

Ecclesiastes 4:9 "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil."

Kiss my Kicks. It is super important to find a shoe that your feet love. A well-fitted shoe can go a long way in keeping you un-injured and happy during your runs. Personally, my favorite pair of sneakers are Saucony's Progrid Guide 4. I actually bought 3 pairs of these shoes in a row after one would wear out (two of them are featured in the photo above). 

Beat Blisters. A pair of dry wick running socks can help keep your feet dry and blister free. I remember wearing cotton socks during a rainy 5 mile run during cross-country practice that left me limping afterwards from unforgiving blisters.

Key Lime Pie in Key Largo

Went snorkeling, ate food.  Too tired to write anything creative.

The customer service was incredibly welcoming. 

Although Tim ordered one of the spicest selections on the menu he still added hot sauce.

Mahi Mahi burger with sweet potato fries before consumption.

After consumption.


 

Homemade Key Lime pie in Key Largo - the best dessert I have ever tasted.

 Didn't comb my hair for the 24 hours preceeding this photo - livin' up the beachy waves.

That post-snorkel glow.

Midnight In Paris

"Art is merely an antidote for the emptiness and meaningless of the world". Woody Allen must have had this quote hanging above his desk as he wrote the script for Midnight in Paris, a superficial examination of love and art made humorous by the neurotic main character's awkwardness.

The basic premise of the film involves a young engaged couple, Gil and Inez, who travel to Paris with Inez's parents. Inez is materialistic, and accepts Gil only because he is a successful Hollywood screenwriter. Gil, although successful, is not satisfied. An aspiring novelist, he hopes that the cobblestone paved streets of Paris will divulge the inspiration of men who once strolled it's avenues - men such as Hemingway and T.S. Eliot.

Walking the streets in creative angst one night, a clock tower strikes midnight (how original).  A vintage peugeot rattles by, filled with Parisian partiers who invite Gil to accompany them. Suddenly, Gil finds himself not in modern day Paris, but the Paris of the 1920s- one filled with flappers, swanky all-night parties, and classic writers.  And, of course an attractive mademoiselle named Adriana.

As Gil wanders throughout Paris during the daytime with Inez and during the night with Adrianna, he stumbles upon numerous writers and artists such as Picasso, Henri Matisse, Gertrude Stein, and T.S. Eliot. It is while talking to Adriana that Gil realizes how unsatisfying life is when one dwells on past "golden times", and resolves to live his present moments to the fullest - the only redeeming resolution made in the film.

When one looks through the glass goblets of wine and beyond the immortalized Eiffel tower, the questions presented the film are still sitting in the stars - What is beauty? The purpose of art? Love? Woody Allen, an Atheist, offers no answers, but reflects the depressing view of the "lost generation" described in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises. His main character, Gil, is left to search for meaning in a meaningless world.

While watching this film during my AP Literature class, I came to fully believe that there are two uncompromising and opposing worldviews in this world.
On one side, we are animals that started out as primitive beings who have improved through time and civilization. You only live once, and there is no need or cause for redemption.
On the other side, we are created in the image of God and started out as human beings graced by personality and intelligence. However, we currently are degraded and possess a fallen nature. We are in need of redemption. With these two views on the sidelines, it is much easier to analyze literature and film while recognizing the roots of their author's worldview.

The Runner Girl's Ride

19 mpg, clear headlights, and a five star safety rating. Not too bad.
My parents are graciously allowing me to take over our old family van. Last week I shook out the floor mats, wiped down the inside, and washed the exterior. This week I added a touch of my own personality with bumper stickers.

If you honk at me, I will simply assume that you are a fellow runner.

Finally replaced my goggles, hope that these don't leak! Today's test trial run was sponsored by New Balance, who offered freebie towels and chapstick. WIN!

Freebie running tank from my local running store



The Perils and Pride of a Little Brother

Tim, consider this your belated birthday post.

Cups disappearing? You will probably find them scattered on my brother's desk with various amounts of stagnant liquid in them. Stepping on small round objects that hurt your feet? Probably airsoft or BB pellets.
Lift a cup of water up to drink only to see a broken thermometer seeping mercury onto the crushed ice? Someone was curious to see if the temperature displayed on the icebox was telling the truth. (Don't worry, no mercury was consumed).
Despite these close encounters, Tim is an excitable, enthusiastic, and loving sibling. The longest he has been mad at Tina and I is 20 minutes. He is the person to call if a lightbulb needs to be changed, the television needs to be turned on, or if the toilet is making weird noises.
Tim, I am sure that God has big plans for you in the future. Now, can you please turn on the t.v. for What Not To Wear? I can't figure out the enigmatic remote controls....

Legit member of the Fire family

I finally signed and sent my letter of intent to run for SouthEastern University, making me part of the Fire family. 
Before I signed, Coach called me on Tuesday night to talk about my past experience and to gauge how serious I was about running for the fire - I was absolutely stoked. Before we ended the conversation, he threw in an offer that jolted me like an unexpected pothole in the middle of a race. "I know that it isn't much, but I would like to offer you $500 on behalf of SEU for running on the cross-country team". My jaw almost slammed to the ground. After being deflated on Senior Awards night, I thought that the rewards that I reap from running would just involve endorphins.  I must of stuttered my appreciation in about a hundred different ways before hanging up.
After that phone call, I was on fire - I spent the better part of the evening transferring my logs onto the computer to send to Coach as well as my racing stats. Coach's biggest mistake was saying that I could email or text him at any time if I had questions - I have spent the past two days blowing up his phone and inbox.
I am extremely glad to have a sense of direction now - Coach told me to lay off tempo and interval running and to focus on increasing my mileage. Last week I ran 20.56 miles, so if I increase my mileage by 10% each week, I should be in good shape by the fall.
Summer = 11 weeks = increase mileage by 10% each week = 40 miles per week by the fall

In other news, I have added a College page to my prayer journal - where I am basically begging for miracles. My biggest request is to graduate from SEU without debt. My impending request is for my future roommate - I find out who she is tomorrow! I also am praying for my Coach, who is moving down to FL in July but has yet to find a house.
Another one of my prayers is that all of those around me - my Coaches, professors, peers, and teammates, will find in me a cause for joy.

The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.      Deuteronomy 28:12

 

Wake up call

Tempo Run
.62 mile warm
3 miles, 24:49 (8:06) (8:33) (8:10)
.75 mile cool


After watching college cross-country races on Youtube, I have come to the conclusion that in order to place in the top ten for smaller meets (think 120 runners) you need to race in the 18 minute zone. To place between 10 and 30 you need to clock within the 19 minute zone. To place between 30 and 50 you need to be in the 20 minute zone. After that, you can fall anywhere between 60 and last place.
 At my current level of fitness, I would probably be bringing up the rear in a collegiate race. This is definitely a wake up call for me. If I can whittle down my time to 22 minutes by the fall, then I will be alright. If I eventually get to the 21 and 20 zone, then I can place higher. If I dig deep and find a miracle, I can break the 20 zone.

I have never been in a situation where I have allowed myself to go all out, to dig deep mentally and physically. I was a decent runner in highschool, placing between 10 and 20 something out of 70 in meets, but I just didn't dig. Was it the fact that the team was in a state of reconstruction? That my work-outs weren't long or challenging enough? I have a few theories, but I know that I enjoyed serving as the Captain for my team, watching the confidence of my teammates grow as they passed new milestones. I remember one Freshman runner who was estatic when she ran her first full mile without stopping. Another runner who had never imagined that she could run from our school to the beach and back, but found herself running the route on a weekly basis. When I become discouraged over my times, I remind myself why I run - to help others improve, to inspire others, to be a source of encouragement, and to experience a certain kind of freedom that only comes with running shorts and sneakers.

Running reminds me of my full dependence on God and causes me to thank Him for the mere ability to run. I am blessed to be have been born in a family that can afford things I take for granted such as running sneakers. I am blessed to be born in a society that doesn't forbid women from basic freedoms such as lacing up their sneakers and heading out the door. And although I may have questioned it at times, I have been blessed by going to a high school that doesn't have a windfall of funding or a well-oiled running program. Because of it, I avoid looking down on others and have learned the importance of humility in leadership.

Romans 12:7-8

"If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

Beat the Heat

Progression Run
7.46 miles, 1:17
mile warm-up (10:18)
5*1 mile with 2:50 minute recovery in between (9:25) (9:01) (8:11) (7:43) (7:39)
cooldown

As I began my run around 6 in the morning, I spotted four or five bunnies chilling on someone's front lawn, hopping around like their presence was of no one's concern.
During my recovery time after mile 3, I tried one of the chocolate gels that I received at the Saucony Spring Training run. No bueno. The warm pudding-like liquid made me want to throw up. Gels are definintely not for me - I prefer consuming solids such as sports beans when my body needs to refuel during a run.

I have no idea how people consume these while running marathons...I would barf everywhere

This heat is baking my brains - please excuse the brief post

Went for a run with my friend Madison, who just so happens to be the Captain of her school's soccer team. It is way more motivating to run with someone else beside me, myself, and I.
In the afternoon, I went over to the beach with Tina and Erin and was able to cover a few more miles. The heat is seriously affecting my splits as well as my overrall energy levels - I need to start waking up early for my work-outs to save my remaining brain matter from being fried in the heat and humidity.

2.4 miles, 28:19
(9:22)(14:22)

2.03 miles, 19:22
(9:44)(9:16)



Blueberry Crisp that I baked for dessert - used whole wheat all purpose flour, old fashioned oats, smart balance butter, brown sugar, and fresh blueberries.  My family devoured the entire dish in a matter of minutes.

My Final Day of Highschool

My last day as a Bulldog was pretty stellar. I only had to stay for two hours for my finals, and when I checked Pinnacle afterwards my exam grades were as follows: A, A, A, A, A, C+, A. Math is obviously my achilles heel.
 I practically ran out of the school once the Principal came over the loudspeaker, announcing that all seniors had to leave campus immediately. My sister, who is a freshman, told me that they caught a senior still on campus during A lunch and forcibly removed his presence.
After going home, clearing out my worn-out school bag, and grocery shopping for my mom, I drove Crystal, Tina, Cat, and Karen over to the beach to meet Madison for a run.

The heat took it's toll on us, leading to many walking breaks and slower splits, but it was great to run with a group. Our moving mob caught some attention from beach goers - one guy cheered for us, "To *** with the boys! Keep moving girls!" Talk about stellar crowd support.

3.4 miles, 44:05 minutes
(11:40) (13:03) (15:42)

Saucony Spring Run

This Saturday has been pretty sweet - I went on a group training run with a local running store and was able to run faster longer than I would if I ran on my own. Saucony also sent a representative down to offer runners an opportunity to test out their kicks. An avid fan of the Progrid Guide 4 series (you can read the full soliloquy of my passion for these shoes here) I decided to test out the Guide 5. The upgrade was lighter than the 4 but had more cushioning. As a taller athlete, I love sneakers that give me a sense of stability and comfort - You won't see me donning minimalist slip-ons unless I am running on the beach's shoreline. My only complaint regarding my experience was that the test trial Guide 5 had normal laces, making the fit less glove-like and causing the inside arch of my right foot to become blistered.  With my Saucony's I have Yankz laces that give my sneaker's a glove-like fit, allowing them to hug the sides of my narrow feet.
For speed work the Saucony rep recommended the Kinvara, at 6.7 ounces it retains a sense of support and has the same Progrid cushioning that I love so much in my Guide 4's.

6.79 miles, 1 hour
(8:50) (8:16) (8:39) (8:50) (9:14) (8:44)
I need to start out slower at the beginning of my runs so that I can finish strong. Negative splits should be my main goal in every run.

Some of the freebies I received at the training run: a sneaker key chain (so cute!), gels, a sticker, and a Saucony bag. My mom also bought me a post-run powder that you mix with water to speed muscle recovery.

I am currently praying that God will give me direction concerning competing in cross-country for college. I know that it will be hard work and that I will have a challenging schedule, but I want that sense of camaraderie and competition. Cross-country would enable me to learn the running routes in my new environment while training with a team. I have already applied for consideration, now I just need to wait, run, and pray.

Savor Summer

 As Summer approaches, I have to start waking up at the crack of dawn for my runs. Here are some reasons why:
8 AM-5 PM = Hades.
6 PM - all night long = Gnats.
4 AM - 7 AM = Calm.

9 AM - 10 AM
4 by 1 mile repeats with a 2:40 minute recovery in between
Splits: (7:06) (7:39) (7:54) (7:48)

The mantra "savor the pain, savor the fight" was running through my head during the last split when I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke. This pain-embracing motto reminds me of the training method I need in order to compete. There will always be a fight between my mind and my body when I push out of my comfort zone. My body sometimes cries and screams for me to stop while my inner being tells to to keep going, to go faster, to take down one more mile. You can only listen to your body so much when you train competitively - listen too much and you will not see improvement.
However, it also holds true that if you ignore your body, you will eventually crash and burn. There is a difference between sore, excusable pain and sharp, injury-induced pain. It just takes time and experience to tell the difference.
I also have to keep in mind that I am young - I am able to accomplish things that will be genetically more difficult for me to achieve when I am older. It is best to savor the rest of my todays so that in the future I will be stronger from my yesterdays.

As summer approaches with the hope of college in the distance, I have an opportunity to break my self-inflicted barriers - the excuses that keep me from giving my all in everything that I do.
I am not too tall/short/skinny/fat to surpass my goals. Sometimes I pass runs because it is too hot/windy/humid. A little planning can fix that. I simply need to destroy the word "too" and my excuses crumble to the ground like dust.

The source of this profound post can be traced to the fact that:

1. I earned my drivers license today, and am feeling more responsbile/independent.
2. SEU is starting a cross-country team in the fall, and I have contacted the athletic director and sent the athletic eligibility form, making me more critical of my times and excited about the prospect of competitively running in college.

The work-out doesn't end with the run - injury prevention, core conditioning, and strength sculpting sessions will keep you on the road longer.

Senior Awards Night and Photo Fright

The lighting in my highschool's auditorium isn't fantastic, just warning you. Thanks to my Dad for the photos though - he braved not so great lighting, an unfamiliar camera, and some jostling around to get them.

Scholar Athletes
Sports represented from left to right: cross-country & track, softball, football, volleyball, swimming & waterpolo

Me with the Principal