The Longest Run of my Life

On September 28, 2008 at 7:30 in the morning I began what would be the longest run of my life, both in time and distance. It was my first ½ marathon. I knew it would be hard and fun, but little did I know to what extreme I would learn the word "hard". Amongst family and friends I began with little thought of what would go on in between me and the finish line. Only one thought was in my mind… I WOULD finish. If I had to crawl, I would. So I began…. And here is what went on.

Mile 1 – Could we start out any slower? Frustration began to well up in me as the minutes ticked by following the start and still I hadn't moved an inch. Finally people in front of me began to move and a smile slowly crept across my face. "Here it comes" I thought. Boy oh boy…. I was in for it. I ran past my family and friends. So nice of them to be here in the cold I thought, then I laughed knowing that in about 5 minutes there would be no cold. There were people as far as I could see in front of me, but I didn't look back because there weren't that many behind being that I was in the back. The cool, crisp air was so invigorating and I grinned as I saw many breath clouds in front of me. THIS IS SO COOL!

Mile 2 – I always know this is my hardest mile to run, but never have I seen mile signs creep by so slow. What am I doing? I have over 11 miles left…. Crazy. Water up ahead, praise the Lord, now I feel much better. I round a bend in the road and there way up ahead are the Larsens and the Balvanzes. Oh they timed their encouragement well. My pace increases and I smile as I run past. Thank the Lord for friends. We wind around streets and still no 3 mile sign. I never end up seeing it.

Mile 4 – I just had water at Cornwall park…. Life is glorious. I could run forever!!!! Oooh I am crossing the guide and see a huge sea of people running in front of me. I run faster and begin to pass people. We are now at the harbor and the sun is glinting off metal everywhere….ouch, oh what I would do for a pair of sunglasses. Then I see my parents and sister, oh I love them. My speed increases again.

Mile 5 – My nose is running and I am super grateful for the handkerchief in my pocket. I go to wipe the sweat off my face there is none. Satisfaction in myself creeps into my head, that is until my hand goes to my hair and I sheepishly smile. My hair is soaked and dripping, did I think I wasn't going to sweat? Oh no, the first big hill. I have run this before in a previous race, not cool. There is my family again, they are cheering. I can do this! Then they are driving up next to me and mom is asking how I am. I am fantastic then!!! I run next to them up half the hill.

Mile 6 – I am almost half-way done. So if I am this far already and I feel this good I should just run the whole marathon. Pride goes before the fall! There is another hill, a killer hill. More water!

Mile 7 – Big hill to Fairhaven. I ran this going the opposite direction and it was cool. Going uphill is not. My pace begins to drag. I am hot, hungry, and running with no one. The Larsens drive by and Mr. Larsen is yelling out the window. Perfect timing again! I run faster, then hear somebody call my name. I turn around and there is Kristi and her running partner Missy. I run with them for ½ mile till they go use the restroom. I pass a girl who looks my age.

Mile 9 – Just had water again! Feel much better. Now I am running with that girl. She knows me. Down the hill we go and through the Village Green. She walks, I keep running. Another hill. By the way, I hate hills just now. Now we are on the trail and up ahead is the turn offs for the full and ½ marathon. I turn and head up still another hill. This one is long and there is a guy half way trying to blow a horn or something and it sounds horrible. Up we go and I feel like I am making no head way. We get to the top and there it is!!! 10 miles!

Mile 10 – Down the hill and I feel horrible. I am hungry and shaking. The view is beautiful and I am revived. I am determined to make it. I grab a cup of water and a cup of Ultima (electrolyte water). I gulp down some Ultima and groan at the disgusting taste. Determined I swallow another gulp and then throw the horrible stuff in the trash. No way am I finishing that. Slowly we wind back to the Inter-urban trail. Then something looms ahead. A hill, but in my mind it looks straight up and down. The tears gather, I can't do it. Then a picture of the finish line flashes in my head and verses from the Bible begin to come to me. I start up it, but am I really moving? Finally the top! Praise the Lord. Some other runner passes me and asks me something but I have no clue what they are saying. Down the ramp to the board walk.

Mile 11 – A sign on the waterfront says "Life is short, running makes it longer." I agree whole-heartedly. Across the train tracks and we missed the train!!! Yeah!! Then the trail… keep running. Misery and pain sweep through my body.

Mile 12 – I am insane… completely insane. Running is wrong. An lady in her 70's passes me. Hmph… nice try. I pass her, but feel horrible. Keep running. Water up ahead.

Mile 13 - Down a hill! People are saying I am almost there. But they have been saying that since mile 6. I don't believe them. This will never end. The girl I have been running with decides to sprint the last bit. I round the corner and see the arch of the finish line. Waves of pain begin again. People are walking toward me that have already finished. I get really irritated at the slowness of their pace, can't they see I am running. Move out of the way. I cross the intersection and have about 300 yards or so left. Then I go all out. Everything else is a haze, I barely see my friends and family, I just hear them. I am almost there…. The pain grows, my sides ache, my breath comes in gasps. Then I am through the arch. In what feels like another world, my timing chip is cut off, I am handed a medal, a water, I hug the girl I ran with. Mom comes, Mrs. Larsen comes, I smile… I AM DONE!!!

2:25:35 and 9 out of 14 in my division but hey its over!So there is my long story… Hope it brought a smile to your face. I can't wait for my next run!!!

Moment in Time

Rain trickling down the gutter, a little bit of gray light sliding through the slats in my blind, and a slight strain of music coming through my sister's door. This is how I woke up on my last sleep-in day before school. Before me lay a year of work, fun, and learning. As I lay there curled up in my warm blankets with my head nestled in a mound of pillows I thought on the year past and the year to come. The challenges, friendships, experiences and trials.... what a wonderful school year I had. Yes, there were days of misery, days when I wanted to give up, and days when I felt all alone. But because of these days the days of joy, fun, laughter, success and learning were still greater. The realization of how totally blessed I was and still am washed over me like a big wave in the ocean, as I lay there, content...
The year ahead? Well only the Lord knows for sure. I have an "idea" as to what it might hold, but it is only and idea and I get to wait and be surprised. The "idea" is more school with harder classes, new friends, new trials, new experiences of God's grace and faithfulness, and so many other things. Suddenly though as I lay there... the contentedness began to vanish as my mind played through all the trials, all those miserable times of no sleep and bad classes. "Not this year please Lord" I cried out. But the peace came again as if the Lord said "My child, did I not bring you through this past school year? Did I not show myself to you in new ways? Did you not learn great things about your heavenly father? Did you not make new friends and create deeper relationships with your other friends? Did you not truly enjoy the challenge?" Then I was content again....
The future = unknown. God's plan = perfect. He has never yet failed me nor will He ever fail me. This coming year is in the hands of One who never makes mistakes!!!
2008-2009 school year here I COME!!! The Lord is with me and I am excited for every challenge ahead!!!

Random thoughts....

I just feel like writing... I don't know what. Something.
1. God is good! All the time... good times, bad times, mountains, valleys, happiness, sadness, life, and death.
2. School starts in 4 days. Cool! Actually maybe not so cool.
3. My horse is amazing! So beautiful and amazingly smart.
4. Working for WCC has been so much fun and will continue to be pretty cool.
5. God has blessed me with marvelous piano students!
6. I cleaned my room today and am quite happy with the fact that I can now walk in my room without jumping from the doorway to the bed. :D
7. I am going to miss my Sarah... life just won't be the same. It is amazing how one person can affect your life so much.
8. Running is fun and boring. End of story.
9. Only 2 more days left to scoop horse poop. PTL!
10. Need to play piano more.
11. Friends are such great blessings. I love how the good ones are always there for you and ready to listen and give encouragement and how you can do the same for them in return.
12. I can't think of any more now. Good night. :D:

Serenade of the Seas

The most amazing trip of a lifetime! Spending time with my cousin, sister, and grandparents. Seeing God's creation and enjoying the people that God has placed in my life! :D

Royal Caribbean - Serenade of the Seas

Our home for a week!

The Solarium

Pretty awesome!! This is in a ship!

Melissa and I on Formal night!!

These are all watermellons that are carved out!!

Hubbard Glacier!!! It is sooo beautiful! The blue ice and the calving!

Humpback Whales in Juneau!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anthony (waiter), Emily, Me, Melissa, Holly, and Ylie(assistant waiter)