Practice

Since I've been here, I think I have already grown a lot as a runner. Yesterday we had a hard practice, but afterward, I felt really good about how I did. We had a certain pace from the time trial that we had to stay at. We ran a 200, 400, 600, 800, then back down. The hardest part was the mile we did after that. We had to run it all together and make it in 6:50. For the faster people that wasn't so bad, but for us slower people, it was a bit more difficult. I wasn't right up there the whole time, but I finished with the pack. We didn't all finish together, so we had to do 50 push ups and 100 crunches. It was hard but good. Today we learned how to aqua jog! It feels kinda funny, cuz we had to wear these weird looking suits and then just run in the water. It was kinda fun though! I can't wait for my dad to come tomorrow! This week seems to have taken forever! Here's one more picture. It's of all the girls on the team. From left: Emily, Olivia, Melissa, Mary, Kelsey, me, Hannah, Bethany. I thought it was interesting that there is a Bethany and Melissa on my team! Those are my sister's names!

Moving in and Cross Country

Since I've been here, I have met some really nice people, basically just my cross country team. It is hard not really knowing anyone though. I have spent a lot of time by myself, missing home. On Thursday, we had a 3K time trial for cross country. I beat one girl by like one second, but I still felt pretty slow. Friday we left for cross country camp in Bend/Sisters. We went on some dusty, but beautiful runs. Each day we ran at least 60 minutes. I can keep up when we do the long slow runs pretty well. It's been hard to be somewhere that I feel like a complete stranger, and not really very outgoing. I know it will all get better once there are more people to meet! Here are some pictures of my room and camp.
Smith rocks in Bend, OR. It was beautiful! Some of the team hiked, but after a hard run me and four other girls stayed back and talked.
From left: Hannah, Bethany, Mary, me. Bethany and Mary are sisters, and Hannah is a freshman. Bethany is the team captain.
My mom and I got creative with the bulletin board! We got a pad of cool paper, ribbon, and some cool thumb tacks, so now I have pictures of everyone I am missing so much up there!

I got my sheets at IKEA. It was a huge store! Lots of fun stuff.

In Newberg

My mom and I just made it to Newberg, OR where I will be going to George Fox University! It hasn't quite hit me yet that I don't live in Missoula anymore. Yesterday, we drove about 6 hours to Kennewick, WA and stayed in a Red Lion. We slept in this morning then had breakfast at the hotel, then drove four hours here to Newberg, with a little detour around Portland. We're going to go get some stuff for my dorm room, and I will move in tomorrow. It's about 90 degrees here and pretty humid...a little warmer than Missoula has been lately! I am really excited about this new adventure, and kinda nervous at the same time, mostly about cross country. But I know that this is God's will, and while I am excited and nervous, I am also at total peace. I know that as long as I trust in God and commit myself to Him every day, everything that happens to me is in His hand. Thanks everyone for praying for me! I'll try to keep this updated as best as I can!

Road Trip!

Well, here I am in Nevis, MN at my aunt and uncle's house. We dropped Erik off this morning at his hockey/golf camp, so now it's just me, Will, and my parents for the next 5 days. The trip here has been pretty good so far. We were supposed to leave Friday morning, but Thursday night, we all decided it would be a good idea to leave that night. We did leave Thursday and I couldn't sleep. We just stopped at a rest stop and slpet in the car. I had no blanket and the windows were open, so I was cold and uncomfortable. I made it through, praise God! The next night we stayed at a campground in a state park outside of Glendive, at the end of the Bad Lands. It was beautiful! I've never camped in a place quite like that. What made it even better was that there was only one other family camping where we were, so it was really quiet. It was amazing looking at all the layers in the rock and I was amazed at how wonderful God is. He destroyed the earth because of sin with a flood, which left this beautiful part of the earth for us to enjoy. Last night, we stayed at my grandpa's house in North Dakota. He had one of his voice students who is 16 sing "Summertime" for my mom as a birthday present. He also cooked us mashed potatoes, meatloaf, and corn on the cob. Last night as we were all talking, my grandpa felt the need to tell me that I had gained some weight since the last time he saw me...I'm not letting it get to me, but I thought it was kinda funny because he just has no tact! And he wouldn't drop it until we pulled out of the driveway! Plus, he thinks Erik is way too skinny...ha! Tonight, we are staying at my aunt and uncle's house in Nevis, MN and will be heading to the campground tomorrow. It's been lots of driving, but I have already finished the book Three by Ted Dekker. It's a great book! I'm looking forward to some more family time and camping. I won't have a computer available, so the next post may not be for about a week. Until then...Tschuss!

HALF MARATHON!

Well, I finished the half marathon in 1:59:15, and my goal was to make it in under 2 hours! My foot has been hurting pretty bad since Sunday, so I hope that isn't a very big deal. It was a really fun race, though! I was suppose to run it with Cindi Parsons, my cross country coach, but right before the start, she had to go to the bathroom, and I lost her. I ended up running it with Lauren and Lauren Morey...surprise surprise! My amazing family got up early and watched us run. It was nice to have the encouragement along the way, so thanks to them! It was a great day!