Several thoughts from Several days...

So, I haven't been able to blog about workout for quite a while...so I thought I would just do a few shorter thoughts about several days in the recent past...

Friday: I was really not feeling very good on Friday. It was the day before the Lake Padden race, and I was pretty nervous that my cold was not feeling any better and that now I was getting nauseated from running just 15 minutes! But what I am remembering most about that afternoon is actually a great feeling of peace and contentment - not the anxiety or anger that would normally come from such an experience the day before a meet! But the thing that made the difference that afternoon was Doris. When I returned from my 20 minute run 30 minutes later (I had to stop and walk for 10 minutes 15 minutes into the run from my head/stomach freak-out), I was feeling like hell. But there was Doris with nothing but positive words and cheery encouragement. She reminded me that this wasn't Conference or anything, so if I felt really badly tomorrow, I would be okay to rest; and, she reminded me that I would undoubtedly feel better tomorrow and be nice and rested from my light day today! Knowing that Doris was confident in the situation really helped me relax and feel like no matter what happened, everything would be okay.

Sat: ...and everything was surprisingly MORE than okay. Saturday morning was BEAUTIFUL. We all got into the vans and proceeded to sleep our way up to Bellingham - all except Kate and Suzie, our valiant van drivers! Kate's generosity really saved me, I think. We were supposed to switch off driving half way, but instead, I fell asleep and Kate continued to drive the whole way. Even though I had been feeling pretty sick when I woke up, I was feeling a lot better by the time I woke up from my hour and a half nap! thanks Kate! I warmed up, pumped myself up with some music (which also really really helped, I think), and decided to just get out there and see what happened - at least make it into a tempo-ish workout if my sickness was making me not feel strong or energized enough to really race....

well, God just answered prayer and worked a little miracle. I had an amazing race. Probably one of my best cross country races ever. It was a lifetime PR (by close to 20 seconds, I think...) and even more than that, it was easy! It actually felt like the easiest 6k I've ever run! My mind never wandered or got negative, my stride felt smooth, my legs only felt heavy right near the very end...it seemed like the shortest 6k ever! (well, I guess it was, time-wise =)

I felt so inspired by God's providence during that race. Because I had just gone into the race with no expectations about my own strength, knowing I had to totally rely on God's strength, I was able to just relax and run. That whole process just allowed me to run "with freedom" like Erika always talks about. Freedom and joy. It was a fun race!

Part of the fun was also running with Natty during the hill section before she ran away from me - that little speed demon! She was so inspiring to run next to and then to chase as she stretched out her stride and kept powering ahead. Even just as another runner in the race, I could tell that she was loving being back racing again, injury free. It was a beautiful thing.

Hearing the stories of everyone's experience around the lake on the cool down and over chili was also a beautiful thing. It seemed like it was a pretty darn good day for most all the falcons =)

and the weather! have I mentioned the weather?! it was the most perfect you could hope for! cool but not cold, sunny...a perfect fall racing day.

Sun: Another GORGEOUS fall day! I had a beautiful run at Discovery/"necker's nob". Because of church schedules and me sleeping in (I really needed to though. it helped me get over my cold!!), I didn't get to run with any teammates, which was disappointing. However, I was able to run with my ipod playing worship music and really just make it a Me-and-God run where I could think about praising God through my running and by enjoying the beauty of His creation.

Mon: Whole Foods grand opening party!! Jane, Jessica, Kate, Natty and I went to go get some free dinner!! super fun.

Tue: Even though it had been cold on monday, tuesday morning was actually surprisingly warm! We kept feeling these warm breezes, too! It was very strange...but also much appreciated. Not everyone was there, as some people do tuesdays at 11am, but the group there did a great job. We did Ravenna hill repeats, but this time we made them a mile by going up the gravel path, through the tree, out to the sign, around the backstop, and across the path over to finish on the other side of the other grassy area, near three small trees. I think all us ladies did either 4 or 5. Jane and Jess were running with the guys, and Natty, Kate, and I made a nice pack, and Mary and Kelsey were able to run together. It sure was great to see Kelsey back out there, running up the hill and rockin' it! I am so glad her knee is feeling better! I was able to have a great workout today, personally...and I was really really excited about it! My stride just felt super good...like..almost best ever kind of good. =) and I was able to run faster every mile (except the fifth/last, but it was just two seconds off from the fourth!). Woo-hoo! now that I remember what it feels like to run really really well, I can start praying for that same feeling for everyone next week at GNAC!!! ahhh!!!! =D