Become to Be

Morning- Woke up feeling really ready! Slept really great! Had a nice breakfast, and focused for my race on the bus ride. And during breakfast. Arrived there, and watched some of the other races. Watched the girls race, and the youngsters. Some did really well! As one of the kids past by. I said,"GO!! I got money on you!" I just joking though....

Race Report-

Did 3 mile warm up. And 1.5 mile cool down. Just to get that out of the way. So I had a goal of taking top 48, and placing. So I walked up to the race feeling confident, and ready to run really hard! The hardest I have the entire season! So we get on the line. And just like 1-2 minutes, before we start. I thought of a running experience that a friend of mine told. And it just gave me the chills, made my feel really good inside. Like an overwhelming feeling of joy, and happiness! So I just wanted to go to my happy place during the race. So I did so. And the gun fires. I take off in the top 50 or so. But I just told myself to relax, and the first 800 meters I fell back to about 85th-100th place. And I could tell kids were having anxiety. Like they wanted to win. But I just told myself again to relax. And in my mind during this part. I was mentally arguing just telling myself to relax, but in the mean time as the race is going on. I am in my happy place! :) And about 1,200 meters in. I tell myself now go!!!! So I go! And the first mile was 5:18. And I was like nice! Let's throw down another one of those! And starting to go up the switch-backs.  I started to really kick it into gear. And I started passing kids like crazy! Which the kids at the start had really died off.... But after the Switch-backs (which were not as hard as I thought they would be!) I started to make my way up. Passing Jason, and then seeing Byron, and Abel pulling ahead. Just telling myself to get to that pack. And going around "Poop Out Hill" I passed another huge amount of kids. And in my mind. I told myself, "Hills are friends!". Sounds crazy, but it works! And it's so true! But after that I don't remember much of the next part. Just racing. And going into mile 2. I felt amazing! Like I have never felt this great in a race before! EVER!!! It was crazy! So I just told myself to go! And by the time I know it. I was going up the last hill. And passed a good amount of kids. Atleast 5-8 people. And going down the hill..... Oh my! Kids just started sprinting! So I just took a leap of faith! Just to go! And I released all brakes, and just starting sprinting, but controlled. And I started my kick from there! With about 1000-800 meters left. I just started to really go, and about 600 meters left I pass coach Holt. And the says, " Your in 50th place! Now go!!!" And I was like yeah! I want a medal, and place high!!! So I asked myself, "How bad do you really want that medal?!?!?!?" I just took off from there! Turn off the grass part. Going in confident not worrying about burning out. And I thought the finish was at the end of the Gauntlet for some reason (saw the kids finish there that were younger). And I just started sprinting from there. And no one else was sprinting.... And I thought to myself why isn't anyone else sprinting??? And I realized we finished on the track..... And I was like great 300 more meters... But I was honestly glad that I had that! Cause that means I have more ground to pass more kids! And I just take off! Just flying! And I was wanting to beat Abel! And he goes harder, and I go ever harder! And every time he went harder I went harder! And about every 25 meters I went harder, and harder, and HARDER!!! Till I thought I was going at full speed, and I went EVEN HARDER!!!! Crazy as it sounds. I went faster than I thought I could! And it's amazing what confidence and what the mind can do! And I finished. Just wanting a medal! And just wanting to win! Just like Nacho says,"I wanna taste the glory!" And they are giving out medals! And I was just freaking out. Thinking I would not get one.... But they asked me what grade I was in. And told them Junior! And I got a MEDAL!!!! YEAH!!!!!! I PLACED!!!! I was SUPER SUPER DUPER HAPPY!!!!! I was freaking out, and shouting for joy! And getting all excited! And cheering! :) And just telling everyone great job!!!! And after that I did cool down. And watched Mike, and Casey race. Good race to watch. But this was by far the most, and best racing experience to be in, and around. Just the course, and the people. It's crazy! It's MIND BLOWING!!!!! Well Great Job Pine View! I hate to see the season end, but the season might end, but CROSS COUNTRY (XC) Never ENDS!!!!! XC 4 EVER!!!!

Afternoon- Didn't want to feel lazy. So I went walking for 15 minutes, and shot hoops for about 25 minutes or so. And then went on a bike ride for 31 minutes. Pretty good activities for the 2 week break. Hopefully something more productive tomorrow. Did some Core stuff to help out my soreness.... Good day though. I was very happy with my performance at Foot Locker in fact. I was really shocked! Weird to say I know, but I am wanting to go even harder next year. And go to nationals as a team!!!

Afternoon- 40 minutes of biking. Felt pretty good. Still a little sore from the race, but overall great! Did some nice old core work. With strengthing, and building the core. Felt good. Just need to focus on track, and get ready for a killer season!!!! I Love XC!!!!!

Morning- Biked for 35 minutes on the excercise bike. Feels good to do something! :)
Afternoon- After an hour, and a half of helping paint. I went for about 15 minutes on the bike. Felt good. Staying pretty fit!

Afternoon- Played some ultimate frisbey. And had a basketball game. Pretty good fit stuff. Lots of sweats! :)

Afternoon- Little walk, bowling, and some core stuff.

Afternoon- 25 minutes of bike riding.

Afternoon- Went walking for 30 minutes... But did some nice old core work!

Morning- Went walking for 20 minutes.

Afternoon- Went on a 40 minute bike ride with the killer hill. Known as the Fire Station hill! It's not a beast really.... But it's pretty tough on a bike! Went up most of the way. I forgot how bad it can hurt! I just need to get back into running after this break! I can tell I wanna run phyiscally, and mentally I just wanna work hard again, and set goals! Track here I COME!!!

Morning- Went walking for 20 minutes.

Afternoon- Went biking for 35 minutes! :) 

Afternoon- Ultimate Frisbey for about an hour. And then basketball game lots of running in those! :) Like the game was intense! And a little biking in between! So not a bad day! Some core stuff.

Just walking around... Good day though. Felt great, and ready to run!

Just a little walking....

Afternoon- 3 miles!!!! Man.... All I can say that it was tough running again.... It's been like 2 weeks, since I have ran.... It's been forever....I forgot how to run kinda.... I will get back in shape in no time! I will come back with revenge!!!

Afternoon- Nice and good 4 miler. Had a great conversation with Ridge! It was really fun, and great! I felt good. I am ready for track!!! :)

Afternoon- 5 miles. It wasn't too bad. But I feel out of shape..... Well I am starting to get back in the groove! :)

Afternoon- 3 miles. 1 mile warm up. 1 mile run and 1 mile cool down. It was the fundraiser for a family that needs help with their child that has cancer. The boy is 6 years old. I ran like a 7:30 mile! :) Each lap we drank egnog.... It was nasty!!!!! I felt alright.... But the last lap I just took off! :)

Afternoon- Nice and solid miler! Felt pretty good! I am feeling in shape again! :) That's a good thing! And now I am noticing that I am really insane crazy sometimes.... Like bouncing off the walls (literally!), and yelling my face out! Like it's crazy! I guess that's just me! Crazy "Red Leader"! :) Mabey that's why when I put my mind to something I do it well!

Morning- 5 miles. Felt better than most of the week. I felt a lot better yesterday. But today wasn't too bad... In fact it was quick fun, because I ran with some of the boys! Abel, Paul, Krenshaw, David, Jake B., and Cam B, and me! So pretty nice pack. It was fun!

Morning- Went out at 7 with David. Felt nice, and easy. Pretty easy pace. Nothing to crazy yet! But we talked a lot about meets (Regionals, Foot-Locker etc.) so it was nice! It's Christmas EVE!!! :)

Merry Christmas WORLD!

Morning- People make fun of me for running on Christmas day.... But I want to improve so that's what I am doing! :) I am not going to let someone hold me back, because I know what I can do. But good run. Nice and easy.

Morning- Nice and easy 5 miles. Just went to the gas station and back. Fire station hill is something else I can tell you that! And I am getting in better shape!

Morning- Ran with Abel, Byron, Krenshaw, David, and I. It was a good run. Pushed myself mentally which is great! And we ran on the half marathon course, which was a good experience, because I am going to most likely run that in Feb. So good run. I started feeling a little questionable about myself physically. Not doubt, but thinking negative I guess.... Have to fix that while I can!

Morning- Nice and easy 3. Got 2 new pair of shoes! WOOT WOOT! They are pretty sweet shoes too! But these pair feel nice, and roomy like my other Gel ones. :) These runs after getting easier, and easier!

Morning- Went out about 12. I ran to walmart to check out the watchs there! And there are some "mind blowing" watchs there! And I ran back and went the shorter way this time, because the long way was a bit too long... But I realized I was breathing some what hard the last mile... So I really worked on my breathing counts. Which could use some work... But then I remembered how hard you work during a race, and you just ran your guts out, and after that finish line. Everyone is like great job! You killed it! And just thinking about that I know now that people rely on me... Like during this next track season. I am going to rely on myself to see what I can truely do, and see what I am made out of! Either its the 800, 1600, 3200, or 400. I am going to run my guts out, and once that pain comes I am going to make it hurt even more!!! And really see what running is all about!!! :)

Morning- Went out about 9. With Byron, Abel, Krenshaw, David, and I! It was super fun! Lots of memories!!! Thats all I can say, if you know what I mean! But super fun run. We just talked a lot about life, and just running in general. How hard we really work in order to accomplish out goals in life, and in running! It's a two edged sword. You can either sharpen it, and make it more useful. Or just dull it up... It's your choice! I don't know I even thought of that?!? That is scary... I have had these really crazy, but smart insights lately... Maybe I am becoming the runner I want to be!!!!!!!! How great would that be!?!? Cause it's already happening! :)