BYU Running

This uniform has carried me through many a cross country and track race where everything hurt and I wanted to step off the course or catch that girl in front of me, then the next one, or I was passed over and over and over again; or I glided past the finish line insisting I could do it faster; or finished struggling to even make it off the track. So cliche, but blood, sweat, tears - all went into this uniform. There was the time I ran the entire race with my teammate, Darbs. We attacked each rolling hill and pushed each other forward. And there was when I was spiked on lap one and finished out my mile with blood dripping down my shin (happened many times actually). There was breaking the 4 X 800 record that one time freshman year. There was going out way too fast and running backward on the last 100 meters. There was turning the corner on cross country nationals, wondering if I was in last place, and hearing my teammate come up behind me and give me a push, telling me to run with her. I finished that race and turned around to see if I had been dead last. I wasn't, but that fact that I even wondered. And this is why I am so happy to hold my uniform and remember how wonderful, how horrible, how defining that time was for me in my life.

A note about nationals

So I was running in the national NCAA cross country meet. It was cold and wet. I was trained for this kind of thing. I was ready. Everyone was fast. I was fast. (I had to remember that one.) The course was hard. I was almost 3K into my 6K race. This was where I planned to serge. My heart was willing. My legs were trying. But I was falling behind. I could hear someone coming up behind me. "Right here, Mike." I heard my teammate Rachel say. All I had to do was stay with her. Here comes the hill. "This is my favorite part." She reminded me. Draw from her strength, I thought. I remembered why I was doing this crazy thing: it was for them. The six other runners our there battling with this race. They who put their whole heart into this sport that we love. It was because there is something so real, so raw, so...well right now it was so painful. I finished that race, turned around because I thought I was in dead last. I wasn't. I kept walking because that was all I could do to keep from falling over. Sure I have raced better, but I wasn't disappointed. That race had created me - like every race does. And I had crossed the finish line while giving everything I had left. That is racing.

Let's all make a little more


       "Concord from Discord"

Maybe all I do is run, but that is not all I think about.

McDonalds??

If you have been driving around Chicago any time recently, or any time at all for that matter, you may have noticed the McDonalds smack dab in the middle of the freeway. Legitly is the medium between the westward bound traffic and those going east. Why was it there? Don't ask questions. Who wouldn't stop for an oreo mcflury at 9:30 at night post-race?

We are sooo happy. (I mean, who wouldn't be?)

I love my Team! because we are not individuals runners, but one complete unit. Alone, we are just tearing up grass and kicking leaves, but together, we are champions.

Run lovin'

I don't actually know these girls. I hope they don't mind that I am using this picture. The thing is, my heart goes out to them. This morning I helped out at a high school invitational. I had the best job - working the finish line. This includes handing out water cups, making sure people keep moving and stay in order, and passing out the congratulations. It seems to happen anytime I volunteer, but I realize or re-realize, I am not there for them, they are there for me. Looking into their faces I saw courage and real heart. They put it all on the line, for themselves, for their teammates, for the pure love of racing. Slowly, with each step, each finish, each practice, each race, these girls are creating themselves. They are changing the world.

And then there are those sweet moments. The moments I live for. The two girls from opposing teams, one to the other, "Best sprint I have ever seen!" A boy to his teammate, "Dude, I seriously don't think I could have done that without you." Two girls supporting each other, breathing heavily in the shoot. The kid who comes in last and sprints with all his might. That is heart.

The thing is, racing, it's just like life.

Cross Country Camp

Sooo...whenever the end of August runs around, I usually have, well, lots to do before the new school year starts. Cross country camp can all too easily feel like one more thing on the list. It's not optional, so Monday morning after meeting after meeting after meeting, I hopped in the vans with my teammates and rode my little running legs up to park city for the week.
Now I wish I could describe what it is like to be on this team, but I can't. Trying doesn't give it justice, but try I will anyway. It is like being surrounded by thirty four sisters who would do anything for you. They honestly treat you like family - the whole enchilada of give and take. Real opinions come out. But the best part is not only do we lift each other physically and socially, but spiritually. Being around these girls brings be closer to Christ as I watch their examples.


Here we are making bead key chains. I love these girls. This is why I run.