It's fun. . .when you're done.

So, this morning I woke up at the crack of dawn and prepared for half an hour of torture. In other words, I went to race at the Tallahatchie 5k this morning.

The hills were mountainous, my breath was short, my lungs achy, my feet sore, my calves burning. . .you get the picture. It wasn't pretty. My thoughts throughout? 'Another hill?' 'Why do I do this again?' 'This is a sick sport. I can't imagine anyone enjoying this, except maybe the mentally deranged?'

But end it finally did. I did experience some feeling of accomplishment. It feels good. When it's over. Now I can think I did that. I conquered those hills.  Cheesy, yes. But comforting. (But of course, for the sake of avoiding public humiliation, my time will not be posted.) I trained for a week. So you have to understand that I wasn't expecting much. I'm okay with my time, it just was by no means impressive. I didn't place, let's put it that way. I didn't place but I got to see Jonathan awarded 3rd and Katie 1st in their age groups!! In honor of their super speed, they received shiny, white tiles. (Seriously, who was in charge of awards this year??) Exciting stuff, nonetheless.

After the race, we stayed for the festival, went to the coffee shop, and I did a little shopping with Bessies #1 and #2 in downtown New Albany. All in all, a fun day.

Soccer. Is. Exhausting.

And we had to do hill work. I thought I was done with that...

Pretty much soccer is cross country PLUS more work. Phooey.

Ouch.

Getting Back Into Shape: Day 1

Sharpest side splints ever-- sweltering heat-- aching legs-- lightning-quick pulse-- tomato-red face-- pounding heart-- huffing-- puffing-- unable to complete sentences-- aching legs-- repetitiousness--
Yep, that's day one alright.

On the bright side, there were some very pretty white trees blooming in the fields. Although I can't say what kind. On the other bright side... wait, there is no other.

Spartan Cookout

After the Race for the Unborn on Saturday, the Johnsons were kind enough to have the whole team over to their house for a cookout. Here are some highlights. (I had to pick only some of the pictures, which is really hard for me. I just want to add them all!)

(Old barns are really great. Especially this one.)











And, everyone must know that today - October the 27th - is my dearest friend, Katie's, birthday. And I wish her the best birthday ever! Love you, Katie! :)

The Race for the Unborn 5k

Everyone has to come this Saturday! Here are the details.

MC Invitational

It's all so wonderful; that sick nervous feeling you get in the pit of your stomach the morning of the race (or in some cases, the night before), the sinking feeling when you get to the meet/race and realize it's reality...it's really here, and you're really about to run this race, the loud ear-ringing gunshot that's almost as loud as the sound of your pounding heart the second your legs begin to move, the dry-mouth and aching lungs before you even reach the 1 mile mark, the gut sensation you get when you realize you're not even half-way through the race and you already want to keel over and die, the crushing weight you feel when you glance at the next hill knowing you'll have to find the energy somewhere to make it up that hill, the aching muscles, the hoarse (and harsh) screams of the angry coaches, the inaudible murmurs of the crowd as you pass by them, the huffing and puffing sound of your lungs when you reach the last stretch of the race, the way you have to clutch and grasp for support from anywhere or anyone when you finally cross the finish line and you can't feel your legs, the cold water rushing down your too-dry throat, and the pats on the back after it's all over. And the best part is, I get to do it all over again next week! Yippee. I'm trembling with excitement, honestly.

And, contrary to my strong convictions, I didn't die. God rules over all things, He's in control: before, after and, yes, even during the race.

Well, I don't understand how so many actually enjoy this...but I do feel great after it's all OVER! This weekend at the Mississippi College Invitational, the Spartans girls varsity team took 2nd place in the 1a-3a schools! Julie, Danielle, and Catherine all placed in the top 15!! We even got this awesome plaque.


...We enjoyed it while it lasted, since they're taking it back now and giving it to Corinth, who was 3rd. At least we got our picture with it and were recognized as 2nd. Ah well, life goes on.

And it's always neat when people ask you where you're from and what school you run for and you tell them you're homeschooled. Most of the time, the response is "Oh" and this blank stare and then they don't really say anything else. But then after the race we can say, "Yeah, you just got beat by a homeschooler." But we wouldn't, cause that would be mean. Just for future references, never underestimate homeschoolers. I mean, look at Tim Tebow (who, by the way, I just found out was homeschooled, thanks to Mrs. Mary Jo). I'm sure there are countless others as well...I just can't seem to think of any at the moment. Anyway...

GO SPARTANS!!!

Chickasaw Trails

The Spartans ran through the Chickasaw trails today. The weather was really perfect (until the rain REALLY came down and the lightening struck, but that was later) -- a light misty rain -- and we ran through the shaded trails, so it stayed nice and cool. It almost reminded me of a rain forest. Almost.

As I ran through this "rain forest", I was struck by the beauty of God's creation. He made all of that and He controls the rain and the clouds. This marvelous God -- the God who created all things, who knows every star by name, who made the sun and the moon -- this God is my God. What an amazing God we serve! My God who knows all things has stooped to not only know me but my God loves me. He has died for my sins. He ALONE deserves my love, my attention, my every thought, my every breath. Oh that I could love Him more! He has given me life, can I not now live this life solely for Him? Corinthians 5:15 (I won't write this out because it's in my 'About Me' section, so you can read it there...and, if you don't know it you could always learn it :)