The last race of the year sounds like a good idea, if you live in Florida or something like that. In Iowa, not so much. It was 4 degrees outside at 9:00 a.m. when I ran my race. The gravel trail where we ran parts of our race on was partly covered by snow and ice. And not all of the ice was thin and crunchy, the stuff that you can keep upright on. Some of the ice was in sheets, shiny like glass. In one area there was a frozen puddle that was more the size of a small pond. It looked like a good ice skating rink but dangerous to run on.
True, it was supposed to be a fun run or whatever that is, but who goes for "fun runs" when it's 4 degrees out. Apparently quite a few people. When I went to warm up outside about 40 minutes before the race, there was no one else. There was a lot of people warming up on the indoor track at the rec center, but I prefer not to run around 200m elipses over and over and over. Instead I ran around a parking lot in multiple layers. I figured I might as well get used to it before the race.
When we actually gathered for the race, we were told that we had the option of running inside around the track and no one would make fun of us for not wanting to run outside (wimps). We had to take multiple pictures and get told that it was only a "fun run" and not a real race (which is a total lie) before we could actually start the race. There was no official starting line and we were just yelled at to go which allowed me to start towards the front. Less than 400m from where we started we had to cross a busy street. I stopped because I didn't want to get hit by a car but this idiot little kid who looked about 10, ran in front of the car. A few cars later an adult, probably the kids dad, raced in front of the cars. I waited until there was no potential collision waiting to happen before I crossed the street and ran across the frosty field (where I passed the idiot little kid).
The next part of my race was running 3 laps around the trail at the park which happens to be the site of my home xc course. I haven't really ran around the trail before, only parts of it, but everywhere I looked I found more memories of practices and races even though we were running around the course backwards. There was the bridge that constantly contained people even during a race, the always muddy spot where people slip near the evergreens, and the slight hill that never fails in tiring you out.
On the first lap I realized I had started out way too fast. I should've started out slower but I was so caught up in racing and beating a bunch of guys, especially the ones in the matching outfits, that I sprinted. While going up the slight hill, the one that always tires me out, I found that a 5k is longer than you think. I hit the downhill and I felt a lot better even though I almost fell on an icy corner. At least the guy behind me didn't laugh. I also got a compliment on my knee socks, my incredibly luck red and black ones that I specially chose for my race. This was by a volunteer but I had gotten another one earlier from the only female to beat me.
On the second lap, after that little hill, I began thinking of excuses I could tell others, but mostly myself, as to why I completely sucked during this race. I had only let a few people pass me but I was slowing way down and my legs were getting tired. I thought the cold, tired legs, maybe an ache here or there could convince people that it really wasn't my fault I slowed down so much and completely lost the race. When I started passing the familiar xc spots I realized I was a complete idiot. If I sucked, it was my fault, the same as it was if I rocked. This was when my legs started feeling better although they might have finally been going numb. Somebody passed me right after that but I was ready to finish my race.
The third lap was hard but I was in my zone. I concentrated on picking up the pace and efficiently dodging ice. Near a large ice puddle, an man wearing a winter coat that was open and flying back in the wind, passed me. At first I couldn't figure out why he was racing me, I thought he was just exercising on the trail like some walkers I had passed. He was actually in the race though, because he followed the path I was running. I didn't see him before or after the race, and I'm not sure he did all the laps (you didn't have to but those who didn't, wimps) but he kind of freaked me out. Everyone else who had passed me, although not as colorful, were wearing all the right running gear. Speaking of which, I saw many people wearing the running tights without shorts over them. At my school and all the others I've seen, you wear shorts over the tights. Without the shorts, you remind me of an annoying girl on the team who likes to show off as much skin in tight clothes as possible. Also, it's just gross.
After my third lap and running across the open field behind the coat dude, we had to stop at a stoplight. It was there I met up with one pair of guys who were wearing matching clothes, the college aged ones. I was very close to them before the light and would've passed them if we hadn't had to stop but I liked the look on their faces when they saw a girl was close to beating them. Once the light changed, I ran behind them for a bit so they would forget about me. Then I slowly sped up, although I was very tired, so I was running beside them. One of the guy kept giving me looks but I sprinted for the non existant finish line.
I ended up beating them, but then sitting beside them while I won no door prizes (they both won backpacks). Most of the prizes were strange but I got Gatorade and 2 waters. It was red Gatorade, which I don't really like, but I was fast enough so that I didn't have to drink the yellow, pure disgusting sugar Gatorade. I also got a pink colored energy gel that looks like something they eat (or drink?) at the Tour de France. Since I don't plan on riding up the Alps at 30mph anytime soon, I don't think the gel will be used. My tie dye T-shirt is pretty cool though so all the race stuff wasn't that bad.
My time was 29:02, give or take a few seconds, which seems incredibly crappy. I was at least in the top 15 so I really wasn't that bad. The combination of the cold, ice and snow, and an unknown route all factored into the time. I'm still not spreading the news of my time around though but the race was a lot of fun.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
MY NEIGHBORS
Since I haven't ran for the past 2 days I really shouldn't write about running (although I put in a good 6 miles and talked to my coach!). During my run though, I was thinking about my neighbors.
Most of these "neighbors" are not really neighbors, most of them just live in the vicinity. They live on a street that my street comes off of, but since I am so well aquainted with their sidewalks, I feel as though they are my real neighbors.
My favorite is the short old man who walks his old dog outside when it's 30 degrees out. He and his dog shuffle along slowly, although it may be because the old man is so tightly bundled up. I salute him though because he is out there when many people aren't. I call him "the old guy with the old dog". I have only one problem with him and that is the fact that his sidewalks are never clear until a week after the snow/ice come. I know he is an old man, that's where he got his nickname, but he has people living with him, there's cars in the driveway, and sometimes there's a shovel by his door. I almost want to shovel his sidewalk for him because whoever is supposed to be shoveling off his sidewalk is doing a terrible job of it.
The old guy with the old dog had a surprise for me however. His sidewalks were SHOVELED. Hardly anybody's sidewalks were shoveled which makes it an even bigger surprise. But the sidewalks were clear, no ice or snow. If he had been standing in his driveway, I would've hugged him although he obviously is not the one shoveling it. I think he was giving me an early Christmas present because he made my last around home run before Christmas a very special one.
Not all my neighbors are kind and nice like the old guy with the old dog. Some of them hate me. Take for example the people who live on a corner that kept their McCain/Palin sign up almost 3 weeks after the election (a.k.a. the Palin people). I haven't seen them before and they don't know I support Obama but they hate me. There is always something wrong with their sidewalks. A few days ago, everyone's was clear while the Palin people's was icy. It didn't just have icy patches, the sidewalk was a sheet of ice. They also build hurdles at the end of their sidewalks. Where the street meets their sidewalk there always seems to be a big pile of snow. It's over a foot high and I somehow have to jump over it. I haven't missed yet but it's kind of embarrassing when the cars drive by. Today they didn't even bother shoveling their driveway (and even the old guy with the old dog did!). The Palin people just don't like me.
The other kind of neighbors that seem to be popular lately are the stalker or creeper neighbors. When they see me run by they pull up chairs to their windows and watch me. They know my route (which I guess isn't that hard, because I have like one route where laps can be added on) and they are always so impressed that I run up the hill. One such neighbor today was walking his dog towards the bottom of the hill (the dog didn't even bark at me!) and from across the street he told me how he was impressed with how I was always running. He used to run up the hill but can't do that anymore. He used to have fun doing it and it's nice to see someone else having fun running too.
I wasn't even going to run up the whole hill because the street conditions were too slick but I ran up halfway because I apparently have a reputation to keep.
Another lady that lives on my hill told me, while shoveling her sidewalks, that she was so impressed with how I ran up the hill all the time because she could barely walk up.
These people may just be trying to be nice but it gets a little creepy. Everybody seems to know that I'm that girl who's always running. And how do they know I'm always running. Do they have jobs or something better to do that look out their windows and watch me? Even the HOPE sign people knew I was that runner girl because they hadn't seen me for awhile (I know they are retired so they're excused). These people know more about me than I know about them, I don't recognize half of them. It does make me feel good though.
I haven't covered all my neighbors yet (just wait for the snow comet people) but my favorites have been talked about. They really aren't that bad as long as they clear off their sidewalks.
Most of these "neighbors" are not really neighbors, most of them just live in the vicinity. They live on a street that my street comes off of, but since I am so well aquainted with their sidewalks, I feel as though they are my real neighbors.
My favorite is the short old man who walks his old dog outside when it's 30 degrees out. He and his dog shuffle along slowly, although it may be because the old man is so tightly bundled up. I salute him though because he is out there when many people aren't. I call him "the old guy with the old dog". I have only one problem with him and that is the fact that his sidewalks are never clear until a week after the snow/ice come. I know he is an old man, that's where he got his nickname, but he has people living with him, there's cars in the driveway, and sometimes there's a shovel by his door. I almost want to shovel his sidewalk for him because whoever is supposed to be shoveling off his sidewalk is doing a terrible job of it.
The old guy with the old dog had a surprise for me however. His sidewalks were SHOVELED. Hardly anybody's sidewalks were shoveled which makes it an even bigger surprise. But the sidewalks were clear, no ice or snow. If he had been standing in his driveway, I would've hugged him although he obviously is not the one shoveling it. I think he was giving me an early Christmas present because he made my last around home run before Christmas a very special one.
Not all my neighbors are kind and nice like the old guy with the old dog. Some of them hate me. Take for example the people who live on a corner that kept their McCain/Palin sign up almost 3 weeks after the election (a.k.a. the Palin people). I haven't seen them before and they don't know I support Obama but they hate me. There is always something wrong with their sidewalks. A few days ago, everyone's was clear while the Palin people's was icy. It didn't just have icy patches, the sidewalk was a sheet of ice. They also build hurdles at the end of their sidewalks. Where the street meets their sidewalk there always seems to be a big pile of snow. It's over a foot high and I somehow have to jump over it. I haven't missed yet but it's kind of embarrassing when the cars drive by. Today they didn't even bother shoveling their driveway (and even the old guy with the old dog did!). The Palin people just don't like me.
The other kind of neighbors that seem to be popular lately are the stalker or creeper neighbors. When they see me run by they pull up chairs to their windows and watch me. They know my route (which I guess isn't that hard, because I have like one route where laps can be added on) and they are always so impressed that I run up the hill. One such neighbor today was walking his dog towards the bottom of the hill (the dog didn't even bark at me!) and from across the street he told me how he was impressed with how I was always running. He used to run up the hill but can't do that anymore. He used to have fun doing it and it's nice to see someone else having fun running too.
I wasn't even going to run up the whole hill because the street conditions were too slick but I ran up halfway because I apparently have a reputation to keep.
Another lady that lives on my hill told me, while shoveling her sidewalks, that she was so impressed with how I ran up the hill all the time because she could barely walk up.
These people may just be trying to be nice but it gets a little creepy. Everybody seems to know that I'm that girl who's always running. And how do they know I'm always running. Do they have jobs or something better to do that look out their windows and watch me? Even the HOPE sign people knew I was that runner girl because they hadn't seen me for awhile (I know they are retired so they're excused). These people know more about me than I know about them, I don't recognize half of them. It does make me feel good though.
I haven't covered all my neighbors yet (just wait for the snow comet people) but my favorites have been talked about. They really aren't that bad as long as they clear off their sidewalks.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
NON RUNNERS
Yes, it is -2 degrees out with a windchill of -25 degrees, but I still need to run. My mother actually told me I was forbidden to go run today because "it's too cold" and "this cold isn't good for your lungs". Since my running clothes are now in the laundry, I can't defy her and run. It doesn't even seem that cold outside, I've ran in far worse weather. Besides, today was supposed to be my long run day, and now I won't have met my mileage for the week and I'll have to make up my run tomorrow when it's a warm 0 degrees. I have to be properly prepared for my race on New Year's Eve and the weather is messing my schedule up.
Any non runners reading this probably think I'm completely crazy but I've thought of that already. The idea of non runners not understanding runners reminds me of a post in the Runner's World discussions by xtrackaholicx. It is possibly one of the greatest posts ever about running.
"I'm not talking about running, some people can watch track on TV or attend meets, keep tabs on elites and get a pretty fundamental understanding of what times are good, how scoring is done, how training is done. all that technical running stuff that can easily be learned by any observant couch potato in the same way a person can watch "how its made" on discovery channel and understand how they make a car engine but never be able to do it themselves.
Basically, most people don't understand us RUNNERS, the PEOPLE of the sport.
Whenever we feel ****ty and out of shape because we have not run in a while, they assume we must be too mentally attached, or, in other words crazy. After all, who would be upset about NOT exercising right? They also don’t understand how we can make commitments without being miserable. "You cant drink soda? you have to run 70mpw? You have to skip out on a your friends beach party because of a meet? You can't do this? you cant do that? etc... how do you live like that!?"
Perfectly happy, that's how. Or at least happy enough to make it worthwhile.
But I think where we differ most is our perceptions of what an accomplishment is.
I run xx:xx time, I'm miserable because I feel it is slow and that I should be running so much faster. I get 4th place in a race. Most people patronize you by saying "Its not like xx:xx isnt a bad time! You should be proud of yourself! and 4th place is fantastic!"
No, your wrong. because I ran the exact same time 6 months ago. 6 months, 1100+ miles later, consisting of heartbreaking speed works, freezing morning runs, painful hills and long, seemingly endless runs. YOU go through all that, then YOU tell me that its okay and I'm being to hard on myself. It's not like you dedicated yourself to all those miles, only to find them worthless and without improvement. No sweat off your back right? And sure, its easy to say 4th place is great, after all 4's pretty close to 1 right? Well, it doesn't work that way.
I ask you,
Were YOU in the race, and coming around the last half mile YOU saw 3rd place, and did YOU realize that you needed to kick like hell to break it? How would YOU feel, if in that last 400m of the race, you saw third slipping away slowly, while cursing yourself to run faster, harder, ANYTHING just to get to him and finding yourself shriveling back, too afraid to embrace the pain needed to do so? And as third place crossed the finish, and you ambled across the line behind him, did YOU see the look on your opponents face, a look of agony, but relief? And did YOU realize that if only you had sucked it up, if only you had been tough and resilient like a true runner, you would have been able to out kick him? Did YOU look at 5th place, and see how deadly close he had been to passing you? Did YOU cross the finish line, looking at those who proceeded you, and realize that all your miles and hardships had amounted to second best, almost the winner, sorta good, coulda been better, should have tried harder, a secondhand runner. Did YOU look at the guy in second, and realize he was two years younger than you, and his feet over 10,000 miles fresher than yours, and yet still able to beat you regardless of your own work simply because HE HAS THE GIFT, and you do not. And did YOU realize that even though all this may be true, it is no excuse to stop. That you must go and pick up your trainers again in anticipation of another long, silent run, in anticipation of another brain numbing speed work,in anticipation of another day of seemingly endless hills,in anticipation of miles and miles and miles of work.And if even then you find yourself still a secondhand runner, to quit would still mean just that. To be a quitter, to give in and succumb to defeat, to surrender like hundreds before you and become another lost face in a crowd, dreams jaded and faded by a rough, unforgiving self-inflicted nature. To forget what it means to be a runner. To forget the strength it has given you and to forget how it has defined you by creating an ever-determined spirit filled with hope. In favor of succumbing to false realities where time, place, and numbers are all that matters
....
Yes, none of these things cross the mind of non-runners, they know only the numbers. And they patronize you by giving you soap-box pep talks and sanctimonious speeches designed to make you feel stupid for ever doubting yourself. A runner doesn't want to be shown for a fool who is too hard on themselves, they want to express their unrelenting pursuit of their goals by raising the bar higher and higher the further they can reach. Perfection is boring to a runner, to be told to take it easy, your doing fine, there's nothing wrong, some people are just better than others and there is nothing you can do about it. Such rationalizations are the opposite of a runners nature. We dedicate our lives to growing stronger and faster, we derive pleasure from the pursuit, not the catch. We may think that the catch is all we really want. But if your a 15:30 5k runner who has trained for 5 years to achieve that mark, you most likely feel more accomplished and pleased about that time than a gifted runner who ran that time ever since they first started running.
Non-runners don't understand this. To them, our whole world is numbers with no real tangible merit. you either run fast or you don't. The pursuit of victory has ever been dramatized by Hollywood as a glorious affair in which the underdogs eventually triumph over the unbeatable team.
They know nothing of the people who run day after day, mile after mile, hill after hill. only to come up short, again, again, again, and again.
and to still keep running anyway.
Because it's in our nature to always feel as if we could have run faster, harder, longer.
To tell us that we need to relax, that we should be grateful, that we should rest and just be happy with what we already have achieved.
how could you understand?"
Any non runners reading this probably think I'm completely crazy but I've thought of that already. The idea of non runners not understanding runners reminds me of a post in the Runner's World discussions by xtrackaholicx. It is possibly one of the greatest posts ever about running.
"I'm not talking about running, some people can watch track on TV or attend meets, keep tabs on elites and get a pretty fundamental understanding of what times are good, how scoring is done, how training is done. all that technical running stuff that can easily be learned by any observant couch potato in the same way a person can watch "how its made" on discovery channel and understand how they make a car engine but never be able to do it themselves.
Basically, most people don't understand us RUNNERS, the PEOPLE of the sport.
Whenever we feel ****ty and out of shape because we have not run in a while, they assume we must be too mentally attached, or, in other words crazy. After all, who would be upset about NOT exercising right? They also don’t understand how we can make commitments without being miserable. "You cant drink soda? you have to run 70mpw? You have to skip out on a your friends beach party because of a meet? You can't do this? you cant do that? etc... how do you live like that!?"
Perfectly happy, that's how. Or at least happy enough to make it worthwhile.
But I think where we differ most is our perceptions of what an accomplishment is.
I run xx:xx time, I'm miserable because I feel it is slow and that I should be running so much faster. I get 4th place in a race. Most people patronize you by saying "Its not like xx:xx isnt a bad time! You should be proud of yourself! and 4th place is fantastic!"
No, your wrong. because I ran the exact same time 6 months ago. 6 months, 1100+ miles later, consisting of heartbreaking speed works, freezing morning runs, painful hills and long, seemingly endless runs. YOU go through all that, then YOU tell me that its okay and I'm being to hard on myself. It's not like you dedicated yourself to all those miles, only to find them worthless and without improvement. No sweat off your back right? And sure, its easy to say 4th place is great, after all 4's pretty close to 1 right? Well, it doesn't work that way.
I ask you,
Were YOU in the race, and coming around the last half mile YOU saw 3rd place, and did YOU realize that you needed to kick like hell to break it? How would YOU feel, if in that last 400m of the race, you saw third slipping away slowly, while cursing yourself to run faster, harder, ANYTHING just to get to him and finding yourself shriveling back, too afraid to embrace the pain needed to do so? And as third place crossed the finish, and you ambled across the line behind him, did YOU see the look on your opponents face, a look of agony, but relief? And did YOU realize that if only you had sucked it up, if only you had been tough and resilient like a true runner, you would have been able to out kick him? Did YOU look at 5th place, and see how deadly close he had been to passing you? Did YOU cross the finish line, looking at those who proceeded you, and realize that all your miles and hardships had amounted to second best, almost the winner, sorta good, coulda been better, should have tried harder, a secondhand runner. Did YOU look at the guy in second, and realize he was two years younger than you, and his feet over 10,000 miles fresher than yours, and yet still able to beat you regardless of your own work simply because HE HAS THE GIFT, and you do not. And did YOU realize that even though all this may be true, it is no excuse to stop. That you must go and pick up your trainers again in anticipation of another long, silent run, in anticipation of another brain numbing speed work,in anticipation of another day of seemingly endless hills,in anticipation of miles and miles and miles of work.And if even then you find yourself still a secondhand runner, to quit would still mean just that. To be a quitter, to give in and succumb to defeat, to surrender like hundreds before you and become another lost face in a crowd, dreams jaded and faded by a rough, unforgiving self-inflicted nature. To forget what it means to be a runner. To forget the strength it has given you and to forget how it has defined you by creating an ever-determined spirit filled with hope. In favor of succumbing to false realities where time, place, and numbers are all that matters
....
Yes, none of these things cross the mind of non-runners, they know only the numbers. And they patronize you by giving you soap-box pep talks and sanctimonious speeches designed to make you feel stupid for ever doubting yourself. A runner doesn't want to be shown for a fool who is too hard on themselves, they want to express their unrelenting pursuit of their goals by raising the bar higher and higher the further they can reach. Perfection is boring to a runner, to be told to take it easy, your doing fine, there's nothing wrong, some people are just better than others and there is nothing you can do about it. Such rationalizations are the opposite of a runners nature. We dedicate our lives to growing stronger and faster, we derive pleasure from the pursuit, not the catch. We may think that the catch is all we really want. But if your a 15:30 5k runner who has trained for 5 years to achieve that mark, you most likely feel more accomplished and pleased about that time than a gifted runner who ran that time ever since they first started running.
Non-runners don't understand this. To them, our whole world is numbers with no real tangible merit. you either run fast or you don't. The pursuit of victory has ever been dramatized by Hollywood as a glorious affair in which the underdogs eventually triumph over the unbeatable team.
They know nothing of the people who run day after day, mile after mile, hill after hill. only to come up short, again, again, again, and again.
and to still keep running anyway.
Because it's in our nature to always feel as if we could have run faster, harder, longer.
To tell us that we need to relax, that we should be grateful, that we should rest and just be happy with what we already have achieved.
how could you understand?"
NICKELBACK MUSIC VIDEO
The music video for "Gotta Be Somebody" by Nickelback came out this week. When I first watched it, I was confused and didn't really like it. But after multiple watchings, I'm beginning to like it.
One of the reasons I, at first, did not like the video is because of the fake movie quality thing going on. After a while, I began to think that it actually adds to the video. It may look like a bad home video but it makes it realistic in another way.
I think this song has a deeper meaning than most listeners suspect. The video seems to suggest this song is not about looking for somebody to fall in love with, but to know somebody is there such as God. The video shows planets at the beginning so the line "there's gotta be somebody for me out there" may actually be a way of showing that the song is about God. Also, the way Chad and the rest of the band keep looking up seem to confirm my suspicions. My thoughts may not be right, but it's my take on the song.
One of the reasons I, at first, did not like the video is because of the fake movie quality thing going on. After a while, I began to think that it actually adds to the video. It may look like a bad home video but it makes it realistic in another way.
I think this song has a deeper meaning than most listeners suspect. The video seems to suggest this song is not about looking for somebody to fall in love with, but to know somebody is there such as God. The video shows planets at the beginning so the line "there's gotta be somebody for me out there" may actually be a way of showing that the song is about God. Also, the way Chad and the rest of the band keep looking up seem to confirm my suspicions. My thoughts may not be right, but it's my take on the song.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
SNOW
I love running in the snow. When the snow doesn't consist of large flakes, but smaller and seemlingly soft flakes that just lazily fall to the ground. Today it was almost like running in a snow globe.
I had another excuse to run in the middle of the street because none of the sidewalks were cleared (but I wouldn't have run on them anyways). Hardly anyone was out shoveling or snowblowing so it was almost like I was the only one outside. It was very serene and quiet, at certain points in my run the only sound I heard was my footsteps and sometimes my own breath. My run was calming and peaceful because the only thing besides me outside was the snow. I'd like to think of it as a connection with nature that just so happened in the middle of a residental street.
Sometimes I just stopped in the middle of the street to listen to the silence and watch the snowflakes slowly float to the ground. When I caught them in my glove they looked like stereotypical snowflakes. Like the ones you make as a little kid or ones you see in pictures. It was a perfect snow, in a way.
Running in weather that looks like a snow globe is amazing. It helps me connect not just to nature, but the reason I love running. When most people are hiding in their houses because it's cold and snowy outside, I'm becoming stronger and faster while at the same time enjoying it. Snow is one of my favorite types of weather to run in.
I had another excuse to run in the middle of the street because none of the sidewalks were cleared (but I wouldn't have run on them anyways). Hardly anyone was out shoveling or snowblowing so it was almost like I was the only one outside. It was very serene and quiet, at certain points in my run the only sound I heard was my footsteps and sometimes my own breath. My run was calming and peaceful because the only thing besides me outside was the snow. I'd like to think of it as a connection with nature that just so happened in the middle of a residental street.
Sometimes I just stopped in the middle of the street to listen to the silence and watch the snowflakes slowly float to the ground. When I caught them in my glove they looked like stereotypical snowflakes. Like the ones you make as a little kid or ones you see in pictures. It was a perfect snow, in a way.
Running in weather that looks like a snow globe is amazing. It helps me connect not just to nature, but the reason I love running. When most people are hiding in their houses because it's cold and snowy outside, I'm becoming stronger and faster while at the same time enjoying it. Snow is one of my favorite types of weather to run in.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
HOW I FROZE WHILE RUNNING
I dressed for my run when it was 43 degrees outside. It had been 52 before and I thought I would be able to wear shorts in December but the temperature dropped, which should have told me something. Thirty minutes later after deciding a route in which to run 7.5 miles, it was 38 degrees and windy. I was only wearing my light running tights and my lightest long sleeve shirt over a short sleeve one. I had wore some of my favorite running clothes hoping it would help me on my long run and ignored the weather for the most part. I had at least wore gloves and a headband which would come in handy later on.
After 2.78 miles, I made the decision to keep running rather than run inside my house and put on an extra shirt. My run had started out a little chilly but I'd gotten warmer. The dark clouds in the sky were gathering however, and I was worried it would start pouring and I would freeze (I was halfway right). I ran on though, partly because I didn't want to stop, and partly because I didn't think it would rain since it hadn't all day. I didn't want to be warm either so I took my chances. While talking to myself, I jokingly thought that I'd probably get down to the bottom of my hill and it would pour, since I hadn't grabbed another shirt. I was close. I made it down the hill and then less than 400m later it started raining. I thought this was funny but it was a nice rain, steady and not heavy yet so I ran on. Plus running up my hill twice isn't the greatest experience.
My shoelace is actually frozen in this position.
The loop in my shoelaces is actually hard and wouldn't straighten until it melted.
My shirt is frozen in this position.
It wouldn't stand up on its own because the back isn't frozen. The arms are frozen in that position however.
Those wrinkles in my shirt don't move.
The bottom of my frozen shirt.
The slightly darker spots are where the ice is.
This is one of my favorites because you can really see how the ice froze it.
This is my driveway which didn't look like this at all before my run. You can actually see the ice pellets.
After 2.78 miles, I made the decision to keep running rather than run inside my house and put on an extra shirt. My run had started out a little chilly but I'd gotten warmer. The dark clouds in the sky were gathering however, and I was worried it would start pouring and I would freeze (I was halfway right). I ran on though, partly because I didn't want to stop, and partly because I didn't think it would rain since it hadn't all day. I didn't want to be warm either so I took my chances. While talking to myself, I jokingly thought that I'd probably get down to the bottom of my hill and it would pour, since I hadn't grabbed another shirt. I was close. I made it down the hill and then less than 400m later it started raining. I thought this was funny but it was a nice rain, steady and not heavy yet so I ran on. Plus running up my hill twice isn't the greatest experience.
It began raining off and on during my run and I started getting a little cold. It wasn't too bad though until it got windier and even the light rain began flinging against my face. I had been worried about hail and sleet but this didn't seem much better. I put my head down when this happened and ran on since I needed to get my long run in and I figured the miles would help if the ice prevented me from running later on in the week.
The rain continued stinging my face and it proceeded to get colder. I didn't take much notice until about 6 miles into my run while it wasn't raining. I moved my arm for some reason, maybe to check my watch or wipe the rain dripping from my hair into my eyes, or something like that. My sleeve felt weird and I touched it. If felt like there was something underneath it making it hard. Then I figured out that it was frozen. My sleeve was frozen. It had become hard and the wrinkles and sags in the shirt weren't able to move because they had frozen. I checked my other sleeve and found the same result. I checked the top parts of my sleeves, and although not as hard, there was still an icy covering spread over them. I found this hilarious, which should have told me I was becoming delerious from the cold and rain and turned back.
It took me at least another half mile before I figured out that it hadn't been simply rain that combined with the cold that froze the arms of my shirt. It had been freezing rain or sleet. Maybe that was why people had been giving me weird looks as they ran to their cars and wiped the ice off. Minutes later it started raining again so I was able to test my theory. Sure enough, I caught little ice pellets in my hand that had been pelting my face for 15 minutes.
After reaching almost 7 miles I decided to keep on running because I felt good and I wanted to see how frozen my shirt could get. This is obviously a stupid idea but the cold was affecting me. The fact that I had just found out, while trying to pull my shirt down, that the bottom of my shirt was frozen,creating a sort of shield around my abdomen also affected my decision.
I decided to run 10 miles, which I have only run once before, in the summer when it was about 85 degrees out. At around 8.5 miles I found the upper part of my shirt, the part across my chest, was also frozen so I now had a sort of shield on my front half. My hair seemed to be covered in ice too or at least had icy pellets spread throughout it. Less than half a mile later, after stepping through multiple puddles that didn't appear to be water, I could feel my shoelaces hitting the top of my shoes. My shoes were soaked but I took this as a sign that my shoelaces had frozen. My shorts didn't freeze though, probably because they were mostly covered by my shirt and constantly rubbing against my running tights.
The last half mile of my run produced no more rain. I was a little disappointed but since I couldn't straighten my arms due to the frozen sleeves, maybe that was a good thing. The sidewalks had become icy and slick but I hadn't noticed because my last 4.5 miles had been ran in the street. After arriving home without falling on the ice, I melted a little while running inside to grab the camera. I checked the temperature quickly and found it was 28 degrees. It had dropped 10 degrees during my run and the clothing I was wearing wasn't acceptable for anything under 35 degrees. The experience was worth it however. I took some photos since I figured this wouldn't happen to me very often while running.
My shoelace is actually frozen in this position.
After I untied my shoelaces they were still frozen.
The loop in my shoelaces is actually hard and wouldn't straighten until it melted.
My shirt is frozen in this position.
It wouldn't stand up on its own because the back isn't frozen. The arms are frozen in that position however.This is what freezing rain does to your clothing.
Those wrinkles in my shirt don't move.The bottom of my frozen shirt.The slightly darker spots are where the ice is.This is one of my favorites because you can really see how the ice froze it.This is my driveway which didn't look like this at all before my run. You can actually see the ice pellets.Sorry for the long post and all the pictures. I just like to show off how dedicated I am.
Friday, December 12, 2008
THE OVERLOOKED SPORT
I am willing to overlook the lack of people at our xc meets and the lack of support we get at school. I ignore the fact that there is almost no one running xc and that there are more girl's bowlers than xc runners. I, usually, deal with the fact that not many people care about my sport. Sometimes it gets to be a little too much.
At the pep assembly today, which are important for that fact that they eliminate 10 minutes off of each class, the AD started to announce "the achievements of the fall sports teams". He talks about how wonderful the football team is, girl's swimming, golf, volleyball......I thought they'd stick xc in the middle since we didn't go to state but at this point I realized we'd be at the end. Except then he talks about how our school received the sportsmanship trophy because of football and volleyball (what an honor). The football team didn't even officially get to state. They even talked about the dance team more than us. I don't even consider that a sport and I've taken 12 years of dance. Maybe if the routines were more advance than ones I could do 4 years ago it could graduate to a sport level.
Apparently the xc team didn't achieve anything in our season. Sure, we weren't super amazing, but we didn't place last at our meets. We put more time and effort into our sport than probably most of the other sports. Nobody else woke up at 6 in the summer to run before it got to be 90 degrees. They didn't practice in thunderstorms or with lightning flashing over them. They didn't run up hills that have been described as "giant" or that are popular for sledding. Other sports might practice when it is hot out, but they have something called drink breaks. We don't have those in xc.
At practice in August one day, we had to run for 42 minutes with more than 30 minutes of that sprinting, around a track in about 90 degree weather. There was two big gatorade coolers sitting by the football field that allowed the players to get drinks. I had to pass those coolers every single lap and imagine how wonderful a drink would feel. For 42 minutes without shade I looked at those coolers that held ice cold liquid. So when the football player who had just gotten a drink out of a hose cut in front of me on the track and said "I wish we could have practices like that, all they do is jog", I lost respect for other sports. We had been running for more than 20 minutes before he started his practice and there's no way he could've RUN our practice.
During the summer I would sometimes have to run at 9:00 at night so it would get down to 85 degrees. I went through countless amounts of ice throughout the season to make sure I could stumble through practice the next day. I ran a meet where I actually had to numb my leg with ice before hand so I could run. I put up with terrible repetitive sprint practices at Vito's, where I refuse to eat because those practices have ruined it for me.
True, there are fun parts or else nobody would join xc. But to overlook us in achieving something is not fair. I achieved so much in xc this season. I ran 10 miles. I PRed in basically every distance and can run 5 miles with under an 8 minute pace. I ran 7 miles in under an hour, when last season it took me 10 minutes longer. I PRed in my xc race by almost 30 seconds for a time of 16:24. I achieved something in xc. My team achieved something this season. Apparently no one cares.
At the pep assembly today, which are important for that fact that they eliminate 10 minutes off of each class, the AD started to announce "the achievements of the fall sports teams". He talks about how wonderful the football team is, girl's swimming, golf, volleyball......I thought they'd stick xc in the middle since we didn't go to state but at this point I realized we'd be at the end. Except then he talks about how our school received the sportsmanship trophy because of football and volleyball (what an honor). The football team didn't even officially get to state. They even talked about the dance team more than us. I don't even consider that a sport and I've taken 12 years of dance. Maybe if the routines were more advance than ones I could do 4 years ago it could graduate to a sport level.
Apparently the xc team didn't achieve anything in our season. Sure, we weren't super amazing, but we didn't place last at our meets. We put more time and effort into our sport than probably most of the other sports. Nobody else woke up at 6 in the summer to run before it got to be 90 degrees. They didn't practice in thunderstorms or with lightning flashing over them. They didn't run up hills that have been described as "giant" or that are popular for sledding. Other sports might practice when it is hot out, but they have something called drink breaks. We don't have those in xc.
At practice in August one day, we had to run for 42 minutes with more than 30 minutes of that sprinting, around a track in about 90 degree weather. There was two big gatorade coolers sitting by the football field that allowed the players to get drinks. I had to pass those coolers every single lap and imagine how wonderful a drink would feel. For 42 minutes without shade I looked at those coolers that held ice cold liquid. So when the football player who had just gotten a drink out of a hose cut in front of me on the track and said "I wish we could have practices like that, all they do is jog", I lost respect for other sports. We had been running for more than 20 minutes before he started his practice and there's no way he could've RUN our practice.
During the summer I would sometimes have to run at 9:00 at night so it would get down to 85 degrees. I went through countless amounts of ice throughout the season to make sure I could stumble through practice the next day. I ran a meet where I actually had to numb my leg with ice before hand so I could run. I put up with terrible repetitive sprint practices at Vito's, where I refuse to eat because those practices have ruined it for me.
True, there are fun parts or else nobody would join xc. But to overlook us in achieving something is not fair. I achieved so much in xc this season. I ran 10 miles. I PRed in basically every distance and can run 5 miles with under an 8 minute pace. I ran 7 miles in under an hour, when last season it took me 10 minutes longer. I PRed in my xc race by almost 30 seconds for a time of 16:24. I achieved something in xc. My team achieved something this season. Apparently no one cares.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
WHY I RUN
I have been waiting a long time (as in since October when I last had one of those days) to know the answer to this question and today I figured it out. Yesterday I was asking myself why couldn't I have played a sport with a ball that can be played indoors. Why didn't I take up volleyball, bowling, soccer, or basketball? Why, of all sports, did I have to run? Why do I run? Today I know the answer.
I run because of days like today, where you feel you can go on for forever. I was going to force myself to do 3 but instead I ran 7. Seven whole miles just because I felt like it. It was one of those days you don't want to stop. The days that happen when I allow myself to forget the soreness in my legs, forget the wind and cold, forget everything but running. I forget that I am required to run, that without these runs I won't be able to have more good runs. Instead I focus on the moment, my run, and it no longer is work. It becomes fun and turns into a passion.
I run because I am dedicated. Why else did I run seven miles when it is 17 degrees outside not factoring in the wind chill. When the people don't even bother shoveling their snow for thirty minutes. Days when all you want to do is snuggle under the covers instead of running. But you do it anyways. And sometimes, every once in awhile it doesn't feel like a chore. You are able to enjoy the cold because you know that the people in the cars can only wish to be as dedicated as you. That they might look at you and think you are crazy but deep down they think that being able to do that is amazing. No one else is outside but you, no one bothers to do anything except you which is what makes me dedicated. Running is dedication.
I run because of days like today, where you feel you can go on for forever. I was going to force myself to do 3 but instead I ran 7. Seven whole miles just because I felt like it. It was one of those days you don't want to stop. The days that happen when I allow myself to forget the soreness in my legs, forget the wind and cold, forget everything but running. I forget that I am required to run, that without these runs I won't be able to have more good runs. Instead I focus on the moment, my run, and it no longer is work. It becomes fun and turns into a passion.
I run because I am dedicated. Why else did I run seven miles when it is 17 degrees outside not factoring in the wind chill. When the people don't even bother shoveling their snow for thirty minutes. Days when all you want to do is snuggle under the covers instead of running. But you do it anyways. And sometimes, every once in awhile it doesn't feel like a chore. You are able to enjoy the cold because you know that the people in the cars can only wish to be as dedicated as you. That they might look at you and think you are crazy but deep down they think that being able to do that is amazing. No one else is outside but you, no one bothers to do anything except you which is what makes me dedicated. Running is dedication.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
ACTS OF KINDNESS
My dad is home from the hospital now and doing much better. He got home Wednesday and has improved a lot. He walks around more and lays on the couch less. He still can't do any lifting but I do it for him. He's also in a better mood.
One thing that has really stood out for me in this whole experience is what people have done. There have been lots of phone calls, emails, and cards from my family, coworkers, neighbors, friends, etc. My family sent a fruit basket which is really yummy. My mom's coworkers have volunteered to make food for us, though we didn't need any. My mom's boss and his family sent flowers, well more of a flower arrangement. It's very Christmasy.
My favorite act of kindness would have to be from my dad's coworkers. I had just gotten home from school and my run and was doing my homework when the doorbell rang. Two or three of my dad's coworkers were at the door in full snow gear. My mom was on her way out and was surprised to see them. They said they were here because they heard we needed new windshield wipers. Apparently the ones on my dad's car weren't working and my mom had been complaining about it for awhile. They installed the new ones and talked to my dad for awhile. They made sure we didn't need any more help like with shoveling snow, meals, or anything like that. It was incredibly sweet to think that people are willing to do this kind of stuff. I guess I didn't realize that people are that kind. I want to thank everyone who has done things for us or sent us notes. It has helped me realize that humans can be good people afterall.
On a sidenote, Happy Birthday Alberto Contador. It's already the next day where you are but good luck with your races this year. I hope you dominate in the Tour and make Lance work for you. Have fun at training camp and have a good birthday.
One thing that has really stood out for me in this whole experience is what people have done. There have been lots of phone calls, emails, and cards from my family, coworkers, neighbors, friends, etc. My family sent a fruit basket which is really yummy. My mom's coworkers have volunteered to make food for us, though we didn't need any. My mom's boss and his family sent flowers, well more of a flower arrangement. It's very Christmasy.
My favorite act of kindness would have to be from my dad's coworkers. I had just gotten home from school and my run and was doing my homework when the doorbell rang. Two or three of my dad's coworkers were at the door in full snow gear. My mom was on her way out and was surprised to see them. They said they were here because they heard we needed new windshield wipers. Apparently the ones on my dad's car weren't working and my mom had been complaining about it for awhile. They installed the new ones and talked to my dad for awhile. They made sure we didn't need any more help like with shoveling snow, meals, or anything like that. It was incredibly sweet to think that people are willing to do this kind of stuff. I guess I didn't realize that people are that kind. I want to thank everyone who has done things for us or sent us notes. It has helped me realize that humans can be good people afterall.
On a sidenote, Happy Birthday Alberto Contador. It's already the next day where you are but good luck with your races this year. I hope you dominate in the Tour and make Lance work for you. Have fun at training camp and have a good birthday.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
MONDAY
A few days ago I was full of topics to blog about. How I had lost some of my motivation to run, how I love running in snow, Thanksgiving, my grandparents who still live in the Dark Ages and don't have a computer. I could have blogged for at least a week on the topics I had thought up. Now, however, I am at loss for words. It also doesn't help that I'm barely awake since I haven't had much sleep. But, I must blog so I'll have to try.
My dad is coming home from the hospital today. And now you might be wondering since when was he in the hospital since my last blog post was over a week ago. I planned to write one of Monday but that day didn't exactly turn out as I expected.
I had went to bed Sunday night thinking about the first day back from Thanksgiving break and kicking myself for not doing the homework that was due later that week. I was started a new class so I was memorizing a new locker schedule and room number.
At 3:50 Monday morning I woke up to the phone ringing. It kept ringing and ringing, and I couldn't figure out why my parents weren't answering the phone since I thought it was one of my dad's coworkers asking him to save the University once again. Once I heard my mom's voice on the answering machine, I got up quick. The phone had finally stopped ringing but I listened to one of the messages to make sure it was actually my mom. Then it hit me that my parents weren't in their room and lights were on all over the house. Since I was half asleep this really didn't worry me until I was calling my mom back. When she answered the phone my dad switched from worrying about my classes to worrying about my dad.
My mom told me she had taken my dad to the hospital because his chest was feeling tight but that he was okay and she'd call me back. I sat on my parents bed, suddenly wide awake, thinking that my dad had a heart attack as I stared at the phone. I didn't think about when this happened or why it happened to him and not some lazy couch potato. All I was thinking was "please let my dad be okay".
My mom called me back minutes later and told me that some of my dad's arteries had been blocked and he had stents put in them and lot's of other medical information that thanks to my halfway attention in biology, I understood. But, all I cared about was knowing my dad was okay.
After a phone call like that, you don't go back to sleep. My body was now so full of adrenaline that I couldn't sleep even if I had wanted to. I finished a book I had been reading while waiting for the phone to ring again. It rang several times after that, my mom reassuring me and giving me more information while sounding calmer as time went on. While waiting for my sisters to wake up I watched cartoons on Disney Channel since I no longer know any of the channels of my T.V. (Our cable or something was changed so the channel numbers all have changed. I don't know any of the channels now except the Game Show Network even though we have a sheet telling us the channels). There's nothing on in the morning anyways except early morning talk shows, reruns, and cartoons. Spongebob wasn't even on. So I watched some strange Disney show that involved children helping dinosoars made out of instruments.
One of the hardest parts the morning however was telling my sisters. Although I had hoped they would wake up earlier because I hated sitting alone, I also wanted them to sleep up to delay my message. How do you tell your younger sisters that your dad is in the hospital? One just kept walking into the bathroom probably to straighten her hair while making sure we didn't have to go to school. My youngest sister came out of her room excited that her favorite show was on and thinking we had a school delay. I can still see her face in my mind when I told her. Her face crumpled up. It actually crumpled up before she started crying. Nothing I said could comfort her although Handy Manny seemed to help. A bad ripoff of the Wiggles along with Warehouse Mouse telling us to brush our teeth everyday also made us feel better.
My grandparents came to our house later that day and I was allowed to go on a mind relieving run with no motivation needed. Running is some of the best therapy around even if I had to trespass through fields to get a good run in. My mom came home and left again, and eventually took us up to the hospital to see him. I have never seemed my dad look so exhausted but he was okay and that's all the matters. I saw some pictures of his heart and the blocked arteries which was cool and actually let me use more of my biology knowledge (I still can't figure out how to use chemistry). He's supposed to come home sometime today though, so I'm really excited.
This whole ordeal has seemed like a bad nightmare that won't let you wake up. On Monday I was pretending to myself that none of this happened in order to make it through the day. But it did happen although it didn't seem like it would. My posts this week will probably not pertain to running (I don't need motivation anymore) or cycling at all (although I see Lance is deciding to ride in the Tour). My posts will be about my dad and what happened because I no longer have anything else to talk about. You don't expect these things to happen to you and your family. They shouldn't happen to anybody. But it happened and my dad is going to be okay. He is coming home today and nothing could make me happier.
My dad is coming home from the hospital today. And now you might be wondering since when was he in the hospital since my last blog post was over a week ago. I planned to write one of Monday but that day didn't exactly turn out as I expected.
I had went to bed Sunday night thinking about the first day back from Thanksgiving break and kicking myself for not doing the homework that was due later that week. I was started a new class so I was memorizing a new locker schedule and room number.
At 3:50 Monday morning I woke up to the phone ringing. It kept ringing and ringing, and I couldn't figure out why my parents weren't answering the phone since I thought it was one of my dad's coworkers asking him to save the University once again. Once I heard my mom's voice on the answering machine, I got up quick. The phone had finally stopped ringing but I listened to one of the messages to make sure it was actually my mom. Then it hit me that my parents weren't in their room and lights were on all over the house. Since I was half asleep this really didn't worry me until I was calling my mom back. When she answered the phone my dad switched from worrying about my classes to worrying about my dad.
My mom told me she had taken my dad to the hospital because his chest was feeling tight but that he was okay and she'd call me back. I sat on my parents bed, suddenly wide awake, thinking that my dad had a heart attack as I stared at the phone. I didn't think about when this happened or why it happened to him and not some lazy couch potato. All I was thinking was "please let my dad be okay".
My mom called me back minutes later and told me that some of my dad's arteries had been blocked and he had stents put in them and lot's of other medical information that thanks to my halfway attention in biology, I understood. But, all I cared about was knowing my dad was okay.
After a phone call like that, you don't go back to sleep. My body was now so full of adrenaline that I couldn't sleep even if I had wanted to. I finished a book I had been reading while waiting for the phone to ring again. It rang several times after that, my mom reassuring me and giving me more information while sounding calmer as time went on. While waiting for my sisters to wake up I watched cartoons on Disney Channel since I no longer know any of the channels of my T.V. (Our cable or something was changed so the channel numbers all have changed. I don't know any of the channels now except the Game Show Network even though we have a sheet telling us the channels). There's nothing on in the morning anyways except early morning talk shows, reruns, and cartoons. Spongebob wasn't even on. So I watched some strange Disney show that involved children helping dinosoars made out of instruments.
One of the hardest parts the morning however was telling my sisters. Although I had hoped they would wake up earlier because I hated sitting alone, I also wanted them to sleep up to delay my message. How do you tell your younger sisters that your dad is in the hospital? One just kept walking into the bathroom probably to straighten her hair while making sure we didn't have to go to school. My youngest sister came out of her room excited that her favorite show was on and thinking we had a school delay. I can still see her face in my mind when I told her. Her face crumpled up. It actually crumpled up before she started crying. Nothing I said could comfort her although Handy Manny seemed to help. A bad ripoff of the Wiggles along with Warehouse Mouse telling us to brush our teeth everyday also made us feel better.
My grandparents came to our house later that day and I was allowed to go on a mind relieving run with no motivation needed. Running is some of the best therapy around even if I had to trespass through fields to get a good run in. My mom came home and left again, and eventually took us up to the hospital to see him. I have never seemed my dad look so exhausted but he was okay and that's all the matters. I saw some pictures of his heart and the blocked arteries which was cool and actually let me use more of my biology knowledge (I still can't figure out how to use chemistry). He's supposed to come home sometime today though, so I'm really excited.
This whole ordeal has seemed like a bad nightmare that won't let you wake up. On Monday I was pretending to myself that none of this happened in order to make it through the day. But it did happen although it didn't seem like it would. My posts this week will probably not pertain to running (I don't need motivation anymore) or cycling at all (although I see Lance is deciding to ride in the Tour). My posts will be about my dad and what happened because I no longer have anything else to talk about. You don't expect these things to happen to you and your family. They shouldn't happen to anybody. But it happened and my dad is going to be okay. He is coming home today and nothing could make me happier.
Monday, November 24, 2008
HILLS
This post is purely to show off my dedication to running. I need someone to brag to other than my family who's tired of that, so this will work.
I live towards the top of a hill that is 418m long according to mapmyrun.com and some conversions. It's pretty steep, in the winter time if it's icy or really snowy, everybody has to park their cars at the bottom of the hill and walk up. Whenever somebody drives up it for the first time, they always make a comment about how steep it is.
Since I am already bored with running around my neighborhood, I decided to do hill sprints....up my hill. I've wanted to do this before, mainly during the summer when training for xc but somehow doing hill sprints up my hill in 90 degree weather didn't sound fun. Mainly I've wanted to do it just to see how many I could do. Since it was a wonderful bright and sunny 47 degrees outside (perfect running weather) I decided today would be a good day to try out the hill. Although the most I've done was two hills but there's always a first. My younger sister only thought I could do two while my mom didn't give me an exact answer but she said I would do what I was determined to do.
First hill: 2:22. Over 418m that are flat that would be terrible, but this is a hill with over a 30% grade at some parts. The first one was okay, but it was only the first one.
Second hill: 2:35. This hill was hard mentally. They all were really but this one was one of the hardest. I was repeating to myself things like "dedication. commitment. hard work". I kept thinking that if people saw me they would think "oh wow, she's so dedicated. Only someone really committed would do something weird and hard like that". That kept me going not only through this hill but also the others.
Third hill: 2:43. For some reason, this hill seemed to be the hardest physically. I don't know why but it seemed really hard to make it up the hill.
Fourth hill: 2:40. Climbing hills got easier. I sprinted the last part of the flat part of the hill just to get a better time but this hill just seemed easier.
Fifth hill: 2:30. I decided this would be the last one so I sprinted the first part, which wasn't really the smartest but I wanted it to be good. It turned out to be the second fastest, partly because I sprinted the end. The steep part of the hill was really hard because I was going faster but it was still a good hill.
The run report was mainly for me to look back on once I do the hills again, because I will do them again. This run was less about the physical aspects, although I got a wonderful anaerobic workout in. Instead it was about motivating myself and making myself run my hill. To look at it and say I can do that again instead of resting and stopping my workout short. My hill is all about motivation and the mental part of running although there is a physical gain. Just because it made me feel so good, I think I might add it in my weekly workout. This way I will be able to feel better about running and motivate myself.
I live towards the top of a hill that is 418m long according to mapmyrun.com and some conversions. It's pretty steep, in the winter time if it's icy or really snowy, everybody has to park their cars at the bottom of the hill and walk up. Whenever somebody drives up it for the first time, they always make a comment about how steep it is.
Since I am already bored with running around my neighborhood, I decided to do hill sprints....up my hill. I've wanted to do this before, mainly during the summer when training for xc but somehow doing hill sprints up my hill in 90 degree weather didn't sound fun. Mainly I've wanted to do it just to see how many I could do. Since it was a wonderful bright and sunny 47 degrees outside (perfect running weather) I decided today would be a good day to try out the hill. Although the most I've done was two hills but there's always a first. My younger sister only thought I could do two while my mom didn't give me an exact answer but she said I would do what I was determined to do.
First hill: 2:22. Over 418m that are flat that would be terrible, but this is a hill with over a 30% grade at some parts. The first one was okay, but it was only the first one.
Second hill: 2:35. This hill was hard mentally. They all were really but this one was one of the hardest. I was repeating to myself things like "dedication. commitment. hard work". I kept thinking that if people saw me they would think "oh wow, she's so dedicated. Only someone really committed would do something weird and hard like that". That kept me going not only through this hill but also the others.
Third hill: 2:43. For some reason, this hill seemed to be the hardest physically. I don't know why but it seemed really hard to make it up the hill.
Fourth hill: 2:40. Climbing hills got easier. I sprinted the last part of the flat part of the hill just to get a better time but this hill just seemed easier.
Fifth hill: 2:30. I decided this would be the last one so I sprinted the first part, which wasn't really the smartest but I wanted it to be good. It turned out to be the second fastest, partly because I sprinted the end. The steep part of the hill was really hard because I was going faster but it was still a good hill.
The run report was mainly for me to look back on once I do the hills again, because I will do them again. This run was less about the physical aspects, although I got a wonderful anaerobic workout in. Instead it was about motivating myself and making myself run my hill. To look at it and say I can do that again instead of resting and stopping my workout short. My hill is all about motivation and the mental part of running although there is a physical gain. Just because it made me feel so good, I think I might add it in my weekly workout. This way I will be able to feel better about running and motivate myself.
BELL RINGING
On Saturday my mom and I volunteered to ring bells for the Salvation Army outside Walmart. I've done this before a couple of years ago but this time it wasn't snowing or windy and definately not as cold.
Volunteering is great but what really stuck out during this experience was who put money into the bucket. Moms with children, especially if they were young were the most likely to give money. Usually they'd give it to their kids who would run up to the bucket but were not tall enough to put the money into the bucket. We got to see a lot of adorable kids this way though. Dads were less likely to give money but there was a significant amount who let their children give.
The moms weren't really a surprise, but I was thinking that women would be more likely to give then men. The opposite was true however. Young single women would just walk on by, usually on their cell phones, without even looking while other women with their husbands would glance....and then walk on by. Older women were more likely to put money in, and start up a conversation, but I expected that.
What really surprised me was how many young single men gave money. Most of them just gave the change from their purchase on the way out and then seemed embarrassed to acknowledge our thanks. They'd glance back and maybe nod, and then walk away fast like they didn't want anybody to see them. I have no idea why, because they should be proud of giving money.
There were a lot of random groups of people or a specific person that stood out for me. One such group was the Viking wearers. Every single person wearing some sort of Viking appearal gave money. One guy wearing a Vikings jacket gave money when he came in and came out. True, there were only four people in this group but none of the Packer wearing people gave. None. I really only paid attention to this because my dad has instilled in me the idea of Viking greatness, but it still stuck out.
The strangest person that gave money was a young guy wearing an maroon Iowa State marching band jacket. Over his long dark hair he was wearing a green plaid fedora. I don;'t remember how much he gave us, I was just surprised that someone looking like that would give money.
A guy in his late thirties gave money on the way in and on the way out. Then he bought a pop and gave us the change. He didn't look like the type of guy to give money yet he gave more times than anyone else did.
I'm not trying to tell a story with a moral or anything but I really learned a lot while ringing bells. The people I expected to give usually just walked on by, while people, such as the man wearing wearing coverall bibs whose hands who looked like he had been fixing something dirty, gave money. It really showed how you can't tell what a person is really like based on appearance.
Volunteering is great but what really stuck out during this experience was who put money into the bucket. Moms with children, especially if they were young were the most likely to give money. Usually they'd give it to their kids who would run up to the bucket but were not tall enough to put the money into the bucket. We got to see a lot of adorable kids this way though. Dads were less likely to give money but there was a significant amount who let their children give.
The moms weren't really a surprise, but I was thinking that women would be more likely to give then men. The opposite was true however. Young single women would just walk on by, usually on their cell phones, without even looking while other women with their husbands would glance....and then walk on by. Older women were more likely to put money in, and start up a conversation, but I expected that.
What really surprised me was how many young single men gave money. Most of them just gave the change from their purchase on the way out and then seemed embarrassed to acknowledge our thanks. They'd glance back and maybe nod, and then walk away fast like they didn't want anybody to see them. I have no idea why, because they should be proud of giving money.
There were a lot of random groups of people or a specific person that stood out for me. One such group was the Viking wearers. Every single person wearing some sort of Viking appearal gave money. One guy wearing a Vikings jacket gave money when he came in and came out. True, there were only four people in this group but none of the Packer wearing people gave. None. I really only paid attention to this because my dad has instilled in me the idea of Viking greatness, but it still stuck out.
The strangest person that gave money was a young guy wearing an maroon Iowa State marching band jacket. Over his long dark hair he was wearing a green plaid fedora. I don;'t remember how much he gave us, I was just surprised that someone looking like that would give money.
A guy in his late thirties gave money on the way in and on the way out. Then he bought a pop and gave us the change. He didn't look like the type of guy to give money yet he gave more times than anyone else did.
I'm not trying to tell a story with a moral or anything but I really learned a lot while ringing bells. The people I expected to give usually just walked on by, while people, such as the man wearing wearing coverall bibs whose hands who looked like he had been fixing something dirty, gave money. It really showed how you can't tell what a person is really like based on appearance.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
NICKELBACK HATERS
So as I'm (sort of) studying for my finals, I happen to make my way onto youtube and iTunes and begin to read the comments about the new Nickelback CD. I try to avoid doing this because there are usually only 2 kinds of reviews- the people who hate Nickelback for all the same reasons or the people that love them but nothing in between. I respect some of the reviews that don't like it, I don't like some bands although I usually don't write hateful reviews. The ones that really bother me though, are the ones that don't give any reasons or just use the same reasons that've been used over and over. Usually when I wear my Nickelback shirt from the fabulous concert I went to, people feel the need to come up to me and lecture me on why Nickelback is a terrible band and they are ruining music. I don't know why people do this, obviously the only people who can make me believe that are the band itself, plus it's incredibly rude. So I'm going to try and disprove the repetivitive reasons that people use to justify their hating of my band. It's not going to make anyone change their minds probably, but it will make me feel better.
1. The number one reason everyone uses is..........all their songs sound the same. I have no idea how many times I've heard or seen this but it's used a lot. First off, it's not a good reason. If Nickelback suddenly changed their sound and sounded different, I probably wouldn't like them. It's true with all bands, you like them because of the particular way they sound and you don't want them to change. If you listen to almost any band out there, there songs will probably sound similar, although not the same. But that's why people listen to them.
The people who say this have also obviously not listened to all their songs, or even one of their albums. There are 3 distinct categories that their songs fall into, which is more than most bands have. The rock songs are usually not played on the radio which is why people dismiss Nickelback as sounding all the same, because they don't bother doing a little research before insulting. About half their album is always rock songs though while the other half is either upbeat but not hard rock songs or the ballads. These are played more on the radio although I can't figure out why people think they sound the same. Especially on this new CD, there is a distinct difference in the types of music they play.
2. Another reason that is frequently used is actually by previous Nickelback fans that "were there from the beginning" but now can't stand the band because all their songs have become "radio friendly". True, Chad's voice isn't as rough as it was in the beginning but since I'm not a huge rock fan, I like them better now. There are lots of people complaining that "they need to restore the balance from hard rock and the ballads". If I look at the list of songs correctly, there are 6 rock songs out of the 11. That seems like balance to me, although maybe I can't do hard math like that since learning trig. But I really don't like when people insult my band with something that isn't true.
And the "radio friendliness"? Because getting your songs played on the radio is terrible. Everyone would rather be in an obsure band with a weird name that is only played on select random websites. No one wants to be a multi platinum award winning band that has millions of fans and currently has the number one album on iTunes beating out Beyonce's. But seriously, a lot of their songs are not exactly something you would hear on the radio. Sure the songs on the radio become big hits but that is because people actually like them. A lot of people say nobody likes Nickelback, "you can't call that crap, music or art". There must be people who like them though because there songs and CDs become popular. But wait, nobody likes bands that everybody likes.
1. The number one reason everyone uses is..........all their songs sound the same. I have no idea how many times I've heard or seen this but it's used a lot. First off, it's not a good reason. If Nickelback suddenly changed their sound and sounded different, I probably wouldn't like them. It's true with all bands, you like them because of the particular way they sound and you don't want them to change. If you listen to almost any band out there, there songs will probably sound similar, although not the same. But that's why people listen to them.
The people who say this have also obviously not listened to all their songs, or even one of their albums. There are 3 distinct categories that their songs fall into, which is more than most bands have. The rock songs are usually not played on the radio which is why people dismiss Nickelback as sounding all the same, because they don't bother doing a little research before insulting. About half their album is always rock songs though while the other half is either upbeat but not hard rock songs or the ballads. These are played more on the radio although I can't figure out why people think they sound the same. Especially on this new CD, there is a distinct difference in the types of music they play.
2. Another reason that is frequently used is actually by previous Nickelback fans that "were there from the beginning" but now can't stand the band because all their songs have become "radio friendly". True, Chad's voice isn't as rough as it was in the beginning but since I'm not a huge rock fan, I like them better now. There are lots of people complaining that "they need to restore the balance from hard rock and the ballads". If I look at the list of songs correctly, there are 6 rock songs out of the 11. That seems like balance to me, although maybe I can't do hard math like that since learning trig. But I really don't like when people insult my band with something that isn't true.
And the "radio friendliness"? Because getting your songs played on the radio is terrible. Everyone would rather be in an obsure band with a weird name that is only played on select random websites. No one wants to be a multi platinum award winning band that has millions of fans and currently has the number one album on iTunes beating out Beyonce's. But seriously, a lot of their songs are not exactly something you would hear on the radio. Sure the songs on the radio become big hits but that is because people actually like them. A lot of people say nobody likes Nickelback, "you can't call that crap, music or art". There must be people who like them though because there songs and CDs become popular. But wait, nobody likes bands that everybody likes.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
DARK HORSE
To be a true fan of a certain band or singer, I think that you have to like two consecutive albums. The true test of my Nickelback fanness happened on November 18. Because it's finally here. After the two long years since I became a fan when the single "Far Away" came out, the new Nickelback CD I've been waiting for is finally out. I haven't bought it yet, although it's been a day since November 18. I'm planning on giving it to myself this weekend as an early Thanksgiving gift. I can't wait until Christmas to get it. So even though I haven't bought it, I'm going to go ahead and review it based on iTunes samples and Youtube.
1. Something In Your Mouth: This song is disgusting. But it's okay if you don't listen to the words and ignore the chorus. The rest of the song is actually okay as long as you kind of tune the words out. Other than that it's incredibly gross but not terrible.
2. Burn it to the Ground: This is my favorite rock song on the album. It's awesome. I really like the guitar beat in the background and the chorus is contagious.
3. Gotta Be Somebody: Love this song, it definately makes the top 3. It is a great first single and from the beginning to the end it's great. The lyrics are awesome, they will appeal to a lot of people, and I think it is going to be a hit. Even the haters sometimes admit this song is okay. It will also make a good running song.
4. I'd Come for You: This is a great song. Second best on this album in my opinion. Good lyrics, good music, it has everything. It starts off great without the drums in a more acoustic feel. It's another one of those power ballads that Nickelback rocks at so I think this will also be a hit.
5. Next Go Round: So basically the entire song is terrible except the chorus which is still not the best. It gets slightly better towards the end, but this song is really bad. I expected better.
6. Just to Get High: I like most of this song especially the guitar solo except for when Chad does this weird voice thing. It's just too weird and doesn't sound good. The rest of the song is pretty good.
7. Never Gonna Be Alone: I absolutely love this song. It's one of the greatest songs ever. I loved it in the first two seconds, the beginning is perfect. I have listened to this song over and over and I still love every part, even though it's stuck in my head. It's so fitting that the greatest song of this album is number seven. It's like the "Far Away" (my favorite song ever) of this album. If this is not a huge hit, than I don't know what will be. Somebody mentioned this would be a good song for weddings and I've decided that at my wedding this song will play because it's beautiful. This song is Nickelback.
8. Shakin' Hands: This song is terrible. There's no good part of this song. The lyrics are immature and gross, the music isn't that great, they are bringing up Disney princesses in this terrible song, it's not good. This might be the first and last time I listen to this song.
9. S.E.X.: It's not as bad as the one before it, but it's not good. Once again with the lyrics, they are a little bit graphic but beyond that, it's not a bad song. It has a nice beat but the lyrics have that shallow teenage boy thing going on again. I think Nickelback is having trouble growing up.
10. If Today Was Your Last Day: I like this song, it's pretty good. I like the lyrics, they're inspirational, and it sounds cool. It's one of their power ballads, which I love so this is one of my favorites.
11. This Afternoon: It's a little too country but it's not bad. The chorus is my favorite part but I don't particulary like the beginning. I like more of a rock sound, but I think it's okay as an ending to the album. The people talking in the background gets annoying too.
Overall, I think this CD was better than "All the Right Reasons". Although Dark Horse has more bad songs than the last one, it also has more fantastic songs. People who were fans of beginning Nickelback may be a little disappointed, because there are more ballads on this CD and the Nickelback haters will still not be happy. I am happy with this album though and I think most people will be.
1. Something In Your Mouth: This song is disgusting. But it's okay if you don't listen to the words and ignore the chorus. The rest of the song is actually okay as long as you kind of tune the words out. Other than that it's incredibly gross but not terrible.
2. Burn it to the Ground: This is my favorite rock song on the album. It's awesome. I really like the guitar beat in the background and the chorus is contagious.
3. Gotta Be Somebody: Love this song, it definately makes the top 3. It is a great first single and from the beginning to the end it's great. The lyrics are awesome, they will appeal to a lot of people, and I think it is going to be a hit. Even the haters sometimes admit this song is okay. It will also make a good running song.
4. I'd Come for You: This is a great song. Second best on this album in my opinion. Good lyrics, good music, it has everything. It starts off great without the drums in a more acoustic feel. It's another one of those power ballads that Nickelback rocks at so I think this will also be a hit.
5. Next Go Round: So basically the entire song is terrible except the chorus which is still not the best. It gets slightly better towards the end, but this song is really bad. I expected better.
6. Just to Get High: I like most of this song especially the guitar solo except for when Chad does this weird voice thing. It's just too weird and doesn't sound good. The rest of the song is pretty good.
7. Never Gonna Be Alone: I absolutely love this song. It's one of the greatest songs ever. I loved it in the first two seconds, the beginning is perfect. I have listened to this song over and over and I still love every part, even though it's stuck in my head. It's so fitting that the greatest song of this album is number seven. It's like the "Far Away" (my favorite song ever) of this album. If this is not a huge hit, than I don't know what will be. Somebody mentioned this would be a good song for weddings and I've decided that at my wedding this song will play because it's beautiful. This song is Nickelback.
8. Shakin' Hands: This song is terrible. There's no good part of this song. The lyrics are immature and gross, the music isn't that great, they are bringing up Disney princesses in this terrible song, it's not good. This might be the first and last time I listen to this song.
9. S.E.X.: It's not as bad as the one before it, but it's not good. Once again with the lyrics, they are a little bit graphic but beyond that, it's not a bad song. It has a nice beat but the lyrics have that shallow teenage boy thing going on again. I think Nickelback is having trouble growing up.
10. If Today Was Your Last Day: I like this song, it's pretty good. I like the lyrics, they're inspirational, and it sounds cool. It's one of their power ballads, which I love so this is one of my favorites.
11. This Afternoon: It's a little too country but it's not bad. The chorus is my favorite part but I don't particulary like the beginning. I like more of a rock sound, but I think it's okay as an ending to the album. The people talking in the background gets annoying too.
Overall, I think this CD was better than "All the Right Reasons". Although Dark Horse has more bad songs than the last one, it also has more fantastic songs. People who were fans of beginning Nickelback may be a little disappointed, because there are more ballads on this CD and the Nickelback haters will still not be happy. I am happy with this album though and I think most people will be.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
THANK YOU
Thank you veterans for protecting our country and our freedoms and allowing us to live in this great place. To all the troops overseas right now, thank you and come home safely. To the National Guard members, thank you for being ready. Thank you, members of the military, for being willing to risk your life for us. We appreciate it. For the people who have served in the military in the past, thank you. Without you, we wouldn't have the great country we have today, and many others not in this country would not have their freedom.
A special thanks to my dad who served in the air force before I was born. I'm not quite sure what exactly you did, but you went to Guam and got those cool boots and matching bag. It makes me proud to say my father served our country. Without you being in the air force for those 4 years, I wouldn't be here. Thank you for serving our country after those years, as a member of the National Guard. I hope you had a great Veteran's Day and many people thanked you.
Another special thanks to my grandfathers, who both served in Korea. You were willing to risk your lives and protect not only ours, but other country's rights and freedoms. I may not know a lot of what happened to you there, but I know it was dangerous and that it was brave. Thank you for serving our country because without you, and people like you, we would not be able to live here. I'm proud that both my grampa's served in the military. Thank you for all you have done.
I know I've said it many times, but thank you veterans. A lot of people don't realize what you men and women have done for us, but I hope that today many thanked you and shook your hand. You make me proud to live in this country and you have my greatest thanks.
A special thanks to my dad who served in the air force before I was born. I'm not quite sure what exactly you did, but you went to Guam and got those cool boots and matching bag. It makes me proud to say my father served our country. Without you being in the air force for those 4 years, I wouldn't be here. Thank you for serving our country after those years, as a member of the National Guard. I hope you had a great Veteran's Day and many people thanked you.
Another special thanks to my grandfathers, who both served in Korea. You were willing to risk your lives and protect not only ours, but other country's rights and freedoms. I may not know a lot of what happened to you there, but I know it was dangerous and that it was brave. Thank you for serving our country because without you, and people like you, we would not be able to live here. I'm proud that both my grampa's served in the military. Thank you for all you have done.
I know I've said it many times, but thank you veterans. A lot of people don't realize what you men and women have done for us, but I hope that today many thanked you and shook your hand. You make me proud to live in this country and you have my greatest thanks.
Monday, November 10, 2008
REMEMBER WHEN
Instead of running the usual short route around my neighborhood today, I ran to my old elementary school and ran around the trail there. I've run there since graduating obviously but not extensively. It's only around .3 miles a lap so it can get boring doing the same thing over and over. Whenever I've done more than two laps there, there has always been someone with me. Today I was alone as I ran around in the 40 degree weather. I didn't wear my headband so my ears are still recovering.
I was surprised about how focused I was during my run. It all seemed to click as I ran around the trail. I had finally found my rhythm for at least part of my run today. What really got me though, was how emotional it was. I mean, I wasn't bursting into tears or anything but at different points along the trail, I remembered all that I had done there.
The trail was basically the start of my running career. Without it, I might not be running now. That was where I learned how much I love running. Sure, we didn't do much running but it was so much fun. Once I got older, I used to run the trail during recess just because I wanted to. We had to run/walk a lap everyday before recess and I always ran it. Sometimes I'd run two or three laps. One day, I decided I would run the trail for the entire recess, around 30 minutes long. I made it 9.5 laps, beating the boy who thought he could beat me by .25 a lap. I had only told one friend about this but it had spread during recess and the guys were always cheering my oppenent on. I was congratulated after I accomplished this though, by both girls and boys.
My running career didn't start out in recess though. It started out in gym. And this is where it gets embarrassing. Our gym teacher brought our class of kindergarteners to the trail for the first time. She made us all sit in the grass off to the side while she explained how we'd run a lap around this trail for almost every warm school day the rest of elementary school, or something like that. Everyone was really excited, so we all jumped up when she said we could finally run our lap. And me, being the talented runner I am, took about two steps, tripped and fell on the trail. My hands were all scraped up but my knees took the worst of it. Both of my knees were incredibly scraped up and started bleeding heavily. I still have scars where this happened but I still can't figure out how I scraped myself up this badly. It was only a gravel trail and I had only taken like two steps. I think I started crying when this happened, it must have hurt a lot. My gym teacher told this boy in my class who had just started running to take me down to the nurse's office. So this boy, who still goes to my school although I don't talk to him, walked with me down the hallway while I had blood running down both of my legs. I don't remember much about that, except for the fact that I got these huge bandaids for each of my knees, they covered basically the whole knee. I thought they were pretty cool. The nurse called my mom and said she could take me home, because I was a hurt little kindergartener. This was only the second or third day of school, but as you can see, my running career didn't start out the greatest. Everytime I passed that spot on the trail though, I remembered that day.
Another point, further on, made me remember a day in gym where we had outdoor relays. This was the first, and last, time we did this. Everyone was really excited though, because we got to pick out teams of four. Despite being the fastest girl in the class, and able to keep up with the three fast boys in our class, I wasn't immediately talked to by any of the girls when we were deciding our team. I was a shy little girl, and still am, so I didn't have many friends, but since this was a running event, which I excelled it, I thought I had a chance of getting on a good team. The three fastest boys in my grade had formed a team and were in the process of choosing another member who would make sure they would win. When they came over to me and asked me to be on their team, I was delighted and surprised. These were the "popular" boys and they often ignored me because I could beat them. Once we formed a team and then we, of course, won the relay by more than 100m, all the girls were angry at me because I betrayed them by choosing to be on a boy's team. It was okay that they never asked me and would rather talk to boys than me but it was not okay for me to assist them in winning. It didn't matter though because the boys all gave me high fives.
This post is getting really long but I still have so many more memories I want to add. Most of them have to do with beating various boys in my school while running the mile. When we ran it in 1st grade, I received a time of around 9 and a half minutes, beating everyone but 4 boys in my combined 1st and 2nd grade class. By fifth grade I had gotten my time down to 7:09. (No, it's not weird I remember all my mile times in elementary school.) One time when we were running in gym, probably just a lap, we had to run on part of the extended trail to the gym. I was running with this boy, who I desperately wanted to beat, who probably felt the same about me. He had refused to let me pass on the trail, moving to the same side I was trying to pass on (I have many memories of this, it was incredibly annoying, but now I can totally beat those boys so I forgive them, mostly). We were around 100m from the gym when the boy noticed his shoe was untied. I started laughing and he tried to stop me from passing him. But this was more of an open area and when his shoe fell off with around 20m to go, I beat him. I was laughing hysterically after this while he had to put his shoe back on. It still makes me laugh.
I have many more memories but this post is getting a little bit too long. It's a little weird how 5 laps around your elementary school trail can make you remember so much. I still like that small gravel trail.
I was surprised about how focused I was during my run. It all seemed to click as I ran around the trail. I had finally found my rhythm for at least part of my run today. What really got me though, was how emotional it was. I mean, I wasn't bursting into tears or anything but at different points along the trail, I remembered all that I had done there.
The trail was basically the start of my running career. Without it, I might not be running now. That was where I learned how much I love running. Sure, we didn't do much running but it was so much fun. Once I got older, I used to run the trail during recess just because I wanted to. We had to run/walk a lap everyday before recess and I always ran it. Sometimes I'd run two or three laps. One day, I decided I would run the trail for the entire recess, around 30 minutes long. I made it 9.5 laps, beating the boy who thought he could beat me by .25 a lap. I had only told one friend about this but it had spread during recess and the guys were always cheering my oppenent on. I was congratulated after I accomplished this though, by both girls and boys.
My running career didn't start out in recess though. It started out in gym. And this is where it gets embarrassing. Our gym teacher brought our class of kindergarteners to the trail for the first time. She made us all sit in the grass off to the side while she explained how we'd run a lap around this trail for almost every warm school day the rest of elementary school, or something like that. Everyone was really excited, so we all jumped up when she said we could finally run our lap. And me, being the talented runner I am, took about two steps, tripped and fell on the trail. My hands were all scraped up but my knees took the worst of it. Both of my knees were incredibly scraped up and started bleeding heavily. I still have scars where this happened but I still can't figure out how I scraped myself up this badly. It was only a gravel trail and I had only taken like two steps. I think I started crying when this happened, it must have hurt a lot. My gym teacher told this boy in my class who had just started running to take me down to the nurse's office. So this boy, who still goes to my school although I don't talk to him, walked with me down the hallway while I had blood running down both of my legs. I don't remember much about that, except for the fact that I got these huge bandaids for each of my knees, they covered basically the whole knee. I thought they were pretty cool. The nurse called my mom and said she could take me home, because I was a hurt little kindergartener. This was only the second or third day of school, but as you can see, my running career didn't start out the greatest. Everytime I passed that spot on the trail though, I remembered that day.
Another point, further on, made me remember a day in gym where we had outdoor relays. This was the first, and last, time we did this. Everyone was really excited though, because we got to pick out teams of four. Despite being the fastest girl in the class, and able to keep up with the three fast boys in our class, I wasn't immediately talked to by any of the girls when we were deciding our team. I was a shy little girl, and still am, so I didn't have many friends, but since this was a running event, which I excelled it, I thought I had a chance of getting on a good team. The three fastest boys in my grade had formed a team and were in the process of choosing another member who would make sure they would win. When they came over to me and asked me to be on their team, I was delighted and surprised. These were the "popular" boys and they often ignored me because I could beat them. Once we formed a team and then we, of course, won the relay by more than 100m, all the girls were angry at me because I betrayed them by choosing to be on a boy's team. It was okay that they never asked me and would rather talk to boys than me but it was not okay for me to assist them in winning. It didn't matter though because the boys all gave me high fives.
This post is getting really long but I still have so many more memories I want to add. Most of them have to do with beating various boys in my school while running the mile. When we ran it in 1st grade, I received a time of around 9 and a half minutes, beating everyone but 4 boys in my combined 1st and 2nd grade class. By fifth grade I had gotten my time down to 7:09. (No, it's not weird I remember all my mile times in elementary school.) One time when we were running in gym, probably just a lap, we had to run on part of the extended trail to the gym. I was running with this boy, who I desperately wanted to beat, who probably felt the same about me. He had refused to let me pass on the trail, moving to the same side I was trying to pass on (I have many memories of this, it was incredibly annoying, but now I can totally beat those boys so I forgive them, mostly). We were around 100m from the gym when the boy noticed his shoe was untied. I started laughing and he tried to stop me from passing him. But this was more of an open area and when his shoe fell off with around 20m to go, I beat him. I was laughing hysterically after this while he had to put his shoe back on. It still makes me laugh.
I have many more memories but this post is getting a little bit too long. It's a little weird how 5 laps around your elementary school trail can make you remember so much. I still like that small gravel trail.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
BRRRRR
I've been running this week, only taking one day off. Thursday I set a new PR on one of my 2 mile routes. Friday I took a break because it was sleeting and I had basically raced myself on Thursday. The past two days I've done 2 miles but it's a little bit different from the beginning of the week. For one thing it's 32 degrees outside and it's been snowing off and on since Friday. During the middle of my run yesterday I started to repeat this quote to myself, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just soft people" by Bill Bowerman. I chanted it to myself when the wind made my cheeks go numb today.
I've ended my first week of training and it's gone pretty well. No major aches or pains and my hamstring feels a lot better. It still feels a little sore when I stretch it sitting down, but when I run it doesn't hurt anymore. The inside of my knees have hurt a little and it makes me feel old, like I've got arthritis or something. It's probably just from starting up running again.
The cold has bothered me more than it usually does this week. I usually love running when it's cold but now I remember all that comes with it. A constantly runny nose, sore throat, chapped lips, dried out hands from not wearing gloves, and always being cold after your run. The chili I'll have for supper might warm me up. I like this better than the 70 degree weather we had earlier in the week though. Except I think I'll miss my running tan that has started to fade. Sure I might have looked dorky wearing flip flops with my white feet but to me, my running tan says dedication.
I was thinking a lot about the upcoming track season during my run today. I've improved a lot over the summer and I think I can be pretty good if I don't hurt myself. One thing I'm going to do different this winter is make sure I get all my miles in. Last winter we had all that ice so I skipped a bunch of days. I'm going to run every day I possibly can, no matter how cold. Ice can be dangerous but I think I will be able to work around it. I'm also going to keep doing my core workouts. I did them during the summer but then I slacked off once xc season started. I'm going to do them all winter so I will be in shape for track. This includes the pushups I've incorporated into my workout. I might actually get arm muscles.
My HOPE sign has yet to go up in my room because I'm trying to figure out where to put it. I love it though, I think it's going to make me faster.
I've ended my first week of training and it's gone pretty well. No major aches or pains and my hamstring feels a lot better. It still feels a little sore when I stretch it sitting down, but when I run it doesn't hurt anymore. The inside of my knees have hurt a little and it makes me feel old, like I've got arthritis or something. It's probably just from starting up running again.
The cold has bothered me more than it usually does this week. I usually love running when it's cold but now I remember all that comes with it. A constantly runny nose, sore throat, chapped lips, dried out hands from not wearing gloves, and always being cold after your run. The chili I'll have for supper might warm me up. I like this better than the 70 degree weather we had earlier in the week though. Except I think I'll miss my running tan that has started to fade. Sure I might have looked dorky wearing flip flops with my white feet but to me, my running tan says dedication.
I was thinking a lot about the upcoming track season during my run today. I've improved a lot over the summer and I think I can be pretty good if I don't hurt myself. One thing I'm going to do different this winter is make sure I get all my miles in. Last winter we had all that ice so I skipped a bunch of days. I'm going to run every day I possibly can, no matter how cold. Ice can be dangerous but I think I will be able to work around it. I'm also going to keep doing my core workouts. I did them during the summer but then I slacked off once xc season started. I'm going to do them all winter so I will be in shape for track. This includes the pushups I've incorporated into my workout. I might actually get arm muscles.
My HOPE sign has yet to go up in my room because I'm trying to figure out where to put it. I love it though, I think it's going to make me faster.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
YES WE DID
I am now the proud owner of a HOPE sign. I am also a proud member of this country who have decided they want change and have elected Barack Obama for president. The front page in our newspaper was way better than the major newspapers however.
The HOPE sign is sitting in my living room and I didn't even have to steal one. My lovely mother asked one of the neighbors if I could have it and that wonderful neighbor gave it to me. She had two HOPE signs and was even willing to give them both to me. What nice ladies my mom and neighbor are. I am so excited that I finally have a HOPE sign. That way I won't have to rely on others to keep their campaign signs up.
Also I am really excited that Obama won. I still don't really believe it. I guess I knew that he probably would but I am still kind of shocked that so many people voted for him. Others must agree that he's the right candidate at the right time. We are taking a chance electing him president, but I think it's a chance we need to take. The U.S. has a history of taking chances and of change so maybe it is what we need.
I thought McCain's concession speech was very good. I think that when he said that it was not our but his fault he lost, he was wrong. It wasn't his fault he lost, he probably could have been elected at a different time, but he just wasn't right for this election. I respect him a great deal and agree that what he went through as a POW makes him an American hero. That doesn't qualify you to be president but it does make you admire him. True, his choice of Palin for VP was a terrible decision and I didn't agree with many of his policies, but I admired the grace he had while admitting defeat. I also admired him for stopping the rude booing during his speech. (Although even McCain was cheered in Chicago.)
I think Obama's speech rocked. It was one of his best and watching him speak in front of the American flags made me love my country. I liked how he referenced the 106 year old lady and what events she had lived through; it made me realize how much we have changed. I also liked the "yes we can" part, I was chanting right along with the crowd. Obama really is an amazing speaker. I am also proud of helping support Obama in this historical election that helped break one of the final racial barriers. I would have loved to be standing in that crowd in Chicago or in DC or in any other place where they had Obama parties. But most of all, I'm proud to support Obama and want to thank him for supporting me by giving out those HOPE signs.
The HOPE sign is sitting in my living room and I didn't even have to steal one. My lovely mother asked one of the neighbors if I could have it and that wonderful neighbor gave it to me. She had two HOPE signs and was even willing to give them both to me. What nice ladies my mom and neighbor are. I am so excited that I finally have a HOPE sign. That way I won't have to rely on others to keep their campaign signs up.
Also I am really excited that Obama won. I still don't really believe it. I guess I knew that he probably would but I am still kind of shocked that so many people voted for him. Others must agree that he's the right candidate at the right time. We are taking a chance electing him president, but I think it's a chance we need to take. The U.S. has a history of taking chances and of change so maybe it is what we need.
I thought McCain's concession speech was very good. I think that when he said that it was not our but his fault he lost, he was wrong. It wasn't his fault he lost, he probably could have been elected at a different time, but he just wasn't right for this election. I respect him a great deal and agree that what he went through as a POW makes him an American hero. That doesn't qualify you to be president but it does make you admire him. True, his choice of Palin for VP was a terrible decision and I didn't agree with many of his policies, but I admired the grace he had while admitting defeat. I also admired him for stopping the rude booing during his speech. (Although even McCain was cheered in Chicago.)
I think Obama's speech rocked. It was one of his best and watching him speak in front of the American flags made me love my country. I liked how he referenced the 106 year old lady and what events she had lived through; it made me realize how much we have changed. I also liked the "yes we can" part, I was chanting right along with the crowd. Obama really is an amazing speaker. I am also proud of helping support Obama in this historical election that helped break one of the final racial barriers. I would have loved to be standing in that crowd in Chicago or in DC or in any other place where they had Obama parties. But most of all, I'm proud to support Obama and want to thank him for supporting me by giving out those HOPE signs.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
YAY OBAMA WON!!!
Congratulations Mr. Barack Obama on becoming the 44th president of the United States of America. You achieved what all your supporters knew you could. Thank you for giving us hope and inspiring us to become involved. Good luck on your new job.
ELECTION DAY!!
It's finally here. Election day. I don't have an Obama shirt to wear unfortunately but I've seen many so far. The McCain shirts seem to be missing though, or maybe they are just lost among the sea of Obama clothing. I have a big peace sign on my shirt to represent the peace that Obama stands for and it's blue so I'm representing the Democrat part. Since it says Philadelphia, I'm also encouraging Pennsylvania to vote for Obama.
It really seems like it's gone by fast. Like only a couple weeks ago, a bunch of possible nominees were walking through the snow trying to get our votes. As much as it can be annoying (especially those stupid phonecalls where McCain tries to spread lies), I think I'm going to miss it. There will be nothing to bet on at Hubdub, nothing to argue about, no more inspirational HOPE signs. I'll have to find something else to occupy my time.
Election day is very important. Everyone should fufill their duty to this country and vote. The candidate you vote for is only the second most important part, the most important is getting out and voting. Even Starbucks wants you to vote. Go get yourself a free coffee if you like that kind of stuff, although I don't happen to like Starbucks (I feel like the only person sometimes),
I hope Obama wins and I wish him the best of luck. He has shown that he has what it takes and is ready to lead this country. So good luck Mr. Obama.
I did however go running yesterday. I only ran for 19:05 but I was very tired afterwards. After doing some ab workouts, I was about to fall over. It's weird what only a week and a half off can do to your fitness. Today my calves are extremely sore and tight. I really need to stretch them against a wall, but I don't want anyone looking at me strangely. I already walked down a hill backwards and received looks from the 2 or 3 people out raking their leaves. I wanted to tell them that it was good for my hamstrings but by focusing on that I ran into a pile of leaves and almost fell over. My neighbors were all watching me do crunches in my front yard too.
It really seems like it's gone by fast. Like only a couple weeks ago, a bunch of possible nominees were walking through the snow trying to get our votes. As much as it can be annoying (especially those stupid phonecalls where McCain tries to spread lies), I think I'm going to miss it. There will be nothing to bet on at Hubdub, nothing to argue about, no more inspirational HOPE signs. I'll have to find something else to occupy my time.
Election day is very important. Everyone should fufill their duty to this country and vote. The candidate you vote for is only the second most important part, the most important is getting out and voting. Even Starbucks wants you to vote. Go get yourself a free coffee if you like that kind of stuff, although I don't happen to like Starbucks (I feel like the only person sometimes),
I hope Obama wins and I wish him the best of luck. He has shown that he has what it takes and is ready to lead this country. So good luck Mr. Obama.
I did however go running yesterday. I only ran for 19:05 but I was very tired afterwards. After doing some ab workouts, I was about to fall over. It's weird what only a week and a half off can do to your fitness. Today my calves are extremely sore and tight. I really need to stretch them against a wall, but I don't want anyone looking at me strangely. I already walked down a hill backwards and received looks from the 2 or 3 people out raking their leaves. I wanted to tell them that it was good for my hamstrings but by focusing on that I ran into a pile of leaves and almost fell over. My neighbors were all watching me do crunches in my front yard too.
Monday, November 3, 2008
WHY I LOVE OBAMA
I am going running today! For the first time in more than a week. It's been strange to have all this energy and to be able to run up and down the stairs countless times (not that I did this repetitively because I was bored or anything....). My hamstring only hurts when I twist my leg so I think I'm going to finally start running again even though its incredibly warm at 74 degrees. It's NOVEMBER, it's not meant to feel like spring. But apparently we're supposed to have snow on Friday so it's all good.
What I'm really excited about is election day. I'm going to make all my last minute Hubdub bets and finalize my election day outfit. Sure, I'm not a real American because I'm supporting Obama but I can still get excited. I'm also going to watch SNL tonight because it's one of the greatest things about this election (all presidential SNL skits can be found on Huffington Post, which is the only reason I go to that site).
But this post is really about why I love Obama. Or why I support him. So here is five reasons I love and support Barack Obama for president.
1. Obama will lead us into the future. He supports clean alternative energy instead of offshore drilling. I think that we need more hybrid vehicles and alternative energy like wind, solar, etc. power. He and Joe Biden also agree that global warming is man made and needs to be reversed. I think that Obama has the right ideas to help fix global warming. We won't need to worry about other things for the future if we don't have a planet.
2. Obama represents the American dream. I think we all know his story now, just like John McCains. He grew up on the south side of Chicago being the son of a single parent.....eventually going to Harvard and becoming a lawyer to fight for the less unfortunate....etc. etc. He came from the bottom and now he's almost at the top. Obama worked for what he is now and didn't have any connections or special privileges. That is the American dream. By becoming president, he would be an example of how there still is an American dream and it still happens. Many immigrants and people of other countries would look at our country and see that we still are a good country and that you can still achieve things here. Obama actually represents the hope of immigrants and people everywhere.
3. He has the coolest campaign slogans and yard signs. They are way cooler than McCain's and possibly the best ever. How can you go against "Hope" or "Change". No wonder McCain's beginning to steal it. Those words are even more important now, because hope and change are what people want and need. Plus those HOPE signs inspire people, like me while running.
4. Obama is willing to talk. He has stated before that he will talk to the leaders of other countries personally. McCain thinks that this is wrong. I don't really know why, I've seen pictures in my old history book of Reagan hanging out with Mikhail Gorbachav (who has an awesome name). Reagan achieved a lot in foreign countries. I think that lack of talking is part of what got us in to this huge mess. By actually sitting down and talking there will be less misunderstandings, more agreements and compromises, and more getting stuff done.
5. I got to shake his hand. This is not the greatest reason but I think it would be pretty awesome. I didn't actually shake his hand, the shake part wasn't there but my hand was in his hand. Granted he was just reached out his hands and whoever was there took it (I took some else's handshake) but I also go to here him talk. There wasn't crowds of 100,000, we didn't chant, and no one was holding up signs. This was in the beginning of his campaign but it was still very inspiring.
I do have more and I was going to write more and possibly make it 10 reasons but in the midst of writing this I found out Barack Obama's grandmother had died of cancer. Now I think cancer is a terrible disease, it's one reason I wear my LiveSTRONG wristband. But this is Obama's grandmother who raised him and was very close to him and supportive of what he has done. It makes me very upset with her not able to live until at least Tuesday or Wednesday and be able to see the results of the election (when I heard she broke her hip, I was hoping that she would make it until her birthday at least). I think that this shouldn't happen to either one of the candidates, McCain or Obama. If Obama wins, what a bittersweet victory it will be. How will he even be able to concentrate on the election without one of his closest family members. If I could was able to talk to Obama right now I wouldn't ask him about the election, I would give him a hug and tell him how incredibly sorry I am. Because he doesn't deserve this. Even McCain realizes this. I think many other people feel sorry for him too, I was getting teary eyed while reading this article. So I offer Obama my condolences and wish him the very best in this election. We need his leadership, guidance, and most of all, hope.
What I'm really excited about is election day. I'm going to make all my last minute Hubdub bets and finalize my election day outfit. Sure, I'm not a real American because I'm supporting Obama but I can still get excited. I'm also going to watch SNL tonight because it's one of the greatest things about this election (all presidential SNL skits can be found on Huffington Post, which is the only reason I go to that site).
But this post is really about why I love Obama. Or why I support him. So here is five reasons I love and support Barack Obama for president.
1. Obama will lead us into the future. He supports clean alternative energy instead of offshore drilling. I think that we need more hybrid vehicles and alternative energy like wind, solar, etc. power. He and Joe Biden also agree that global warming is man made and needs to be reversed. I think that Obama has the right ideas to help fix global warming. We won't need to worry about other things for the future if we don't have a planet.
2. Obama represents the American dream. I think we all know his story now, just like John McCains. He grew up on the south side of Chicago being the son of a single parent.....eventually going to Harvard and becoming a lawyer to fight for the less unfortunate....etc. etc. He came from the bottom and now he's almost at the top. Obama worked for what he is now and didn't have any connections or special privileges. That is the American dream. By becoming president, he would be an example of how there still is an American dream and it still happens. Many immigrants and people of other countries would look at our country and see that we still are a good country and that you can still achieve things here. Obama actually represents the hope of immigrants and people everywhere.
3. He has the coolest campaign slogans and yard signs. They are way cooler than McCain's and possibly the best ever. How can you go against "Hope" or "Change". No wonder McCain's beginning to steal it. Those words are even more important now, because hope and change are what people want and need. Plus those HOPE signs inspire people, like me while running.
4. Obama is willing to talk. He has stated before that he will talk to the leaders of other countries personally. McCain thinks that this is wrong. I don't really know why, I've seen pictures in my old history book of Reagan hanging out with Mikhail Gorbachav (who has an awesome name). Reagan achieved a lot in foreign countries. I think that lack of talking is part of what got us in to this huge mess. By actually sitting down and talking there will be less misunderstandings, more agreements and compromises, and more getting stuff done.
5. I got to shake his hand. This is not the greatest reason but I think it would be pretty awesome. I didn't actually shake his hand, the shake part wasn't there but my hand was in his hand. Granted he was just reached out his hands and whoever was there took it (I took some else's handshake) but I also go to here him talk. There wasn't crowds of 100,000, we didn't chant, and no one was holding up signs. This was in the beginning of his campaign but it was still very inspiring.
I do have more and I was going to write more and possibly make it 10 reasons but in the midst of writing this I found out Barack Obama's grandmother had died of cancer. Now I think cancer is a terrible disease, it's one reason I wear my LiveSTRONG wristband. But this is Obama's grandmother who raised him and was very close to him and supportive of what he has done. It makes me very upset with her not able to live until at least Tuesday or Wednesday and be able to see the results of the election (when I heard she broke her hip, I was hoping that she would make it until her birthday at least). I think that this shouldn't happen to either one of the candidates, McCain or Obama. If Obama wins, what a bittersweet victory it will be. How will he even be able to concentrate on the election without one of his closest family members. If I could was able to talk to Obama right now I wouldn't ask him about the election, I would give him a hug and tell him how incredibly sorry I am. Because he doesn't deserve this. Even McCain realizes this. I think many other people feel sorry for him too, I was getting teary eyed while reading this article. So I offer Obama my condolences and wish him the very best in this election. We need his leadership, guidance, and most of all, hope.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
MY HOPE SIGN
I really can't believe it's less than a week until the election. It seems like all the candidates vying for the presidential nomination were just here trudging through the snow. What will everyone talk and argue about once it is over? This presidential election has done more than affecting people's conversation, it has also affected my running. Not directly affected the actual running part but I have been inspired to run fast. So this is the story of how Obama has helped me run fast. (This story has a total bias because I love Obama. Now if McCain did the same thing as Obama, I still wouldn't support him but I'd like him a lot more.)
Obama has supported my running since February when track started. To get on the trail we usually run on, my team has to run about 3/4 mile to actually reach the trail. During this 3/4 mile there is a large hill. it doesn't seem too big when you drive over it or when you run up it on the way to the trail, but on the way back, especially after a long run, it seems huge. It is longer and possibly steeper on that side, but after 6 miles a huge hill isn't very fun. If you are running to the trail, at the bottom of this hill is an Obama sign. It's one of the inspirational HOPE signs. That means that when you are almost done with your long run and you see this big hill when you are tired, you also see a HOPE sign. Beginning in February, when this HOPE sign when only half this sign appeared over the snow, I was inspired by this sign. Before that track season I used to sometimes walk up parts of the hill because I was tired. When that campaign sign was there, I looked at it and hoped that I could make it all the way up the hill.
I began making a wish on the sign every time we passed it on the way back from our run. It was always running related, something like "I hope I can finish this run strong" or "I hope I can make it up this hill". This might sound sort of creepy because I was making "hope" wishes on a campaign sign in someones yard but I didn't walk up that hill during track season. When I made it to the state meet only a year after I wasn't able to run 6 miles without walking, my mom gave me a picture of a HOPE sign in part of her good luck wish.
During the summer I only ran by the sign once but the sign was there for me in other places. When the great floods came and the water went down, I found a flooded house that had a HOPE sign out front. They had to have put it up after the water came because there was no way that the flood could move a house but not a flimsy sign. To see this house all dirty on the outside, it was sad to see the HOPE sign sitting next to flood debris.
When cross country started this year, I had improved a lot and gotten a lot faster, but the HOPE sign was still there. I was so happy to pass that on the first day at practice because I had missed it. During the summer I had ran a route that had at least 10 signs along it, but since it was all flat it just didn't have the same feeling. Seeing the sign at the bottom of that hill made me charge up the hill and finish my workout strong just as I hoped I would. I walked up the hill once when my shins were hurting but I walked on the other side of the street, on the less steep side, on the other sidewalk because I would not walk past my sign or that side of the hill. I didn't walk up that hill for 2 seasons. Seeing the HOPE sign made me believe that I if I hoped and tried hard enough, I could run up that hill and finish practice strong. That inspiration always worked even as I passed the McCain/Palin sign towards the top of the hill.
At the beginning of October, the sign was just gone one day. I noticed it on the way there and for the rest of the run I was upset. On the way back while passing the spot were the sign once stood I made a "hope" wish. For the rest of the season, I made a wish when passing by the spot were the sign once stood. I don't know what happened to it, if the people who lived in the house no longer were Obama supporters, if it was stolen, or if it just went away one day. No sign replaced it's spot but you can still see where the HOPE sign once was. I know it wasn't always going to be there; after the election it would probably be taken out no matter who won, but I wanted that sign to finish the season with me. It had watched me improve and I had grown attached to my HOPE sign.
I know I could have gotten a sign to put in my own yard, but once Obama chose Biden, the HOPE signs kind of disappeared. I still want one even though the election is almost over. I probably wouldn't put in in my yard, but instead hang it in my room as inspiration. I always told myself that after the election I would steal that campaign sign, although that is very unlikely because I'm not that type of person, but it was MY sign. It had helped me run fast, faster than I have ever run before. I don't think they make them anymore because almost no one has them in their yards and I can't find one, but I still want one.
Not only has Obama inspired me with his campaign signs, but because he inspired the "Yes We Can" video, he has indirectly inspired me again. During hard sprint workouts in the heat, I would chant to myself "Yes we can, yes you can" as I ran the repetitive route. It helped get me through many workouts and after watching it yesterday, I find it still inspires me.
Even though elections don't always bring out the best side in people, they can still be inspiring in the most unusual ways. I am an Obama supporter but not only because of his campaign signs or his videos. That is part of the reason though. He has helped teach me that you achieving something great starts with a little hope. (Sorry for this incredibly long post that's the size of a small research paper, but I can't help it. Obama has just given me so much inspiration.)
Obama has supported my running since February when track started. To get on the trail we usually run on, my team has to run about 3/4 mile to actually reach the trail. During this 3/4 mile there is a large hill. it doesn't seem too big when you drive over it or when you run up it on the way to the trail, but on the way back, especially after a long run, it seems huge. It is longer and possibly steeper on that side, but after 6 miles a huge hill isn't very fun. If you are running to the trail, at the bottom of this hill is an Obama sign. It's one of the inspirational HOPE signs. That means that when you are almost done with your long run and you see this big hill when you are tired, you also see a HOPE sign. Beginning in February, when this HOPE sign when only half this sign appeared over the snow, I was inspired by this sign. Before that track season I used to sometimes walk up parts of the hill because I was tired. When that campaign sign was there, I looked at it and hoped that I could make it all the way up the hill.
I began making a wish on the sign every time we passed it on the way back from our run. It was always running related, something like "I hope I can finish this run strong" or "I hope I can make it up this hill". This might sound sort of creepy because I was making "hope" wishes on a campaign sign in someones yard but I didn't walk up that hill during track season. When I made it to the state meet only a year after I wasn't able to run 6 miles without walking, my mom gave me a picture of a HOPE sign in part of her good luck wish.
During the summer I only ran by the sign once but the sign was there for me in other places. When the great floods came and the water went down, I found a flooded house that had a HOPE sign out front. They had to have put it up after the water came because there was no way that the flood could move a house but not a flimsy sign. To see this house all dirty on the outside, it was sad to see the HOPE sign sitting next to flood debris.
When cross country started this year, I had improved a lot and gotten a lot faster, but the HOPE sign was still there. I was so happy to pass that on the first day at practice because I had missed it. During the summer I had ran a route that had at least 10 signs along it, but since it was all flat it just didn't have the same feeling. Seeing the sign at the bottom of that hill made me charge up the hill and finish my workout strong just as I hoped I would. I walked up the hill once when my shins were hurting but I walked on the other side of the street, on the less steep side, on the other sidewalk because I would not walk past my sign or that side of the hill. I didn't walk up that hill for 2 seasons. Seeing the HOPE sign made me believe that I if I hoped and tried hard enough, I could run up that hill and finish practice strong. That inspiration always worked even as I passed the McCain/Palin sign towards the top of the hill.
At the beginning of October, the sign was just gone one day. I noticed it on the way there and for the rest of the run I was upset. On the way back while passing the spot were the sign once stood I made a "hope" wish. For the rest of the season, I made a wish when passing by the spot were the sign once stood. I don't know what happened to it, if the people who lived in the house no longer were Obama supporters, if it was stolen, or if it just went away one day. No sign replaced it's spot but you can still see where the HOPE sign once was. I know it wasn't always going to be there; after the election it would probably be taken out no matter who won, but I wanted that sign to finish the season with me. It had watched me improve and I had grown attached to my HOPE sign.
I know I could have gotten a sign to put in my own yard, but once Obama chose Biden, the HOPE signs kind of disappeared. I still want one even though the election is almost over. I probably wouldn't put in in my yard, but instead hang it in my room as inspiration. I always told myself that after the election I would steal that campaign sign, although that is very unlikely because I'm not that type of person, but it was MY sign. It had helped me run fast, faster than I have ever run before. I don't think they make them anymore because almost no one has them in their yards and I can't find one, but I still want one.
Not only has Obama inspired me with his campaign signs, but because he inspired the "Yes We Can" video, he has indirectly inspired me again. During hard sprint workouts in the heat, I would chant to myself "Yes we can, yes you can" as I ran the repetitive route. It helped get me through many workouts and after watching it yesterday, I find it still inspires me.
Even though elections don't always bring out the best side in people, they can still be inspiring in the most unusual ways. I am an Obama supporter but not only because of his campaign signs or his videos. That is part of the reason though. He has helped teach me that you achieving something great starts with a little hope. (Sorry for this incredibly long post that's the size of a small research paper, but I can't help it. Obama has just given me so much inspiration.)
Saturday, October 25, 2008
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3
One of my downfalls is High School Musical. I don't care if people don't like it or think it's dumb. I don't care if it's main audience is 10 year olds (which is so not true). It's a fantastic movie and it makes you believe that anything can come true. High School Musical 2 was good, but I didn't like it as much as the first. It just didn't feel the same. But I've been super excited for High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Probably more excited than I should've been but the previews and commercials just made it look so good. Plus the music videos/previews they've shown on Disney Channel made it look fantastic.
So today I got to see High School Musical 3 and it was amazing. The people weren't all 10 year olds there either. I wore Wildcat colors (it isn't that creepy) to the movie and wore a white sweatshirt so I could do the part in "Now or Never" that they do in the music video. They didn't do that in the movie though which was a little disappointing. It really was a great movie. We've come a long way from High School Musical 1, that's for sure.
This movie was really a love story. It made you believe in fairytales, that there really is that perfect guy and that everything would work out. All the songs in this movie were pretty good, my favorite might be "Can I Have This Dance". The part in the movie is just beautiful.
I also think that Troy is the cutest in this movie. I think that the third one is the funniest. There are some parts where you just have to laugh, like when they are in the tree house or when Rocket Man shows up. "The Boys are Back" song is pretty cool too, I liked the little kids that looked like Troy and Chad, they were cute. Then there are parts which you wish would happen to you, like when Troy shows up in the tree to dance with Gabriella for the prom or when they dance on the roof in the greenhouse. The opening scene was a little dramatic but I think it fit the movie. I also liked how they went farther into Troy and Chad's friendship and how Troy wasn't the cool strong guy or a jerk, but that he was vulnerable. There were parts that I almost started crying at too. When Gabriella says she's not coming back, when Chad is playing in the gym and Troy comes in, and of course at the end, because it was the end of the last High School Musical movie ever. Just knowing that this was the first and last time I would see High School Musical 3 (and Troy) on the big screen, I tried to soak every little thing in, I wanted to remember it all. It fit that this one was on the big screen in the theaters, it was so cool. And who wouldn't want to see Troy on the big screen.
If you come into the movie with the preconcieved notion that it will be bad then you probably will just make fun of the movie. True fans will love it and it might just win over some undecideds. From the mesmerized look on my younger sister's face, who had been waiting for this day for a long time and actually counting down the days, I knew that most will love the movie. I absolutely loved it but you just can't help it. This might even be the best one of the trilogy. It certainly was a fantastic movie.
So today I got to see High School Musical 3 and it was amazing. The people weren't all 10 year olds there either. I wore Wildcat colors (it isn't that creepy) to the movie and wore a white sweatshirt so I could do the part in "Now or Never" that they do in the music video. They didn't do that in the movie though which was a little disappointing. It really was a great movie. We've come a long way from High School Musical 1, that's for sure.
This movie was really a love story. It made you believe in fairytales, that there really is that perfect guy and that everything would work out. All the songs in this movie were pretty good, my favorite might be "Can I Have This Dance". The part in the movie is just beautiful.
I also think that Troy is the cutest in this movie. I think that the third one is the funniest. There are some parts where you just have to laugh, like when they are in the tree house or when Rocket Man shows up. "The Boys are Back" song is pretty cool too, I liked the little kids that looked like Troy and Chad, they were cute. Then there are parts which you wish would happen to you, like when Troy shows up in the tree to dance with Gabriella for the prom or when they dance on the roof in the greenhouse. The opening scene was a little dramatic but I think it fit the movie. I also liked how they went farther into Troy and Chad's friendship and how Troy wasn't the cool strong guy or a jerk, but that he was vulnerable. There were parts that I almost started crying at too. When Gabriella says she's not coming back, when Chad is playing in the gym and Troy comes in, and of course at the end, because it was the end of the last High School Musical movie ever. Just knowing that this was the first and last time I would see High School Musical 3 (and Troy) on the big screen, I tried to soak every little thing in, I wanted to remember it all. It fit that this one was on the big screen in the theaters, it was so cool. And who wouldn't want to see Troy on the big screen.
If you come into the movie with the preconcieved notion that it will be bad then you probably will just make fun of the movie. True fans will love it and it might just win over some undecideds. From the mesmerized look on my younger sister's face, who had been waiting for this day for a long time and actually counting down the days, I knew that most will love the movie. I absolutely loved it but you just can't help it. This might even be the best one of the trilogy. It certainly was a fantastic movie.
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