Blink - by Revive

13.1 again

On Sunday, the 6th of June I ran a race... my second half-marathon and my first race without my family. I left town on Saturday in the early afternoon with a car-full of backpacks and two of my friends from school. The race was on an island, hence the fact that we left on Saturday. Being that we are "poor college" students we were going to camp that night. But not only that, we were going to walk those 4 1/2 miles, heavy laden with all things camping and running and food.

Needless to say we provided many a quiet laugh and broad smile in the people we passed through the day as we took the ferry and walked around town. To see 3 girls, bent over with backpacks about ready to burst and every sort of thing imaginable hanging from them is rather comical. My friend Ashlyn was asked many times about the large pan that would frequently swing back and forth on the back of her rather large and cumbersome backpack.

To make a very long and tiresome story short, we ended up staying the night right by the ferry and the start of the race in a backyard of some very nice people who took pity on us. It was a much easier and more entertaining adventure than previously imagined.

But, I shall now commence to write about the real highlight of our journey. The actual race..

And so here are my thoughts along those 13.1 miles...

Mile 1

I am feeling rather like a pro... this is my hmmm, well 7th real race. Ok, once I counted it didn't seem so impressive. lol We wind through town. Still lots of people around.

Mile 2

Not so cool. If I have to run 11 more miles... uh oh. It always takes too long to reach the mile markers. My friends begin to leave me. I am not going to fight it. I am my own type of runner! I will run my speed... which is slow speed, but no matter. lol

Mile 3

Just starting to wonder what idiot signed up for this race. There is no way I can do it. But then, the fear of DNF next to my name motivated me.

Mile 4

Ah! I have a rhythm now, I am steady and no longer out of breath. Picture time! Woohoo!

Mile 5

This is good. Life is good. Running if good! I AM a runner... I was made to run. At least that is what I was thinking at this point in my life.

Mile 6

Almost half-way. Hills... lots of hills. Had to walk one hill... only the one hill.

Mile 7

Will the hills ever stop!?!?!? My legs are kind of tired. I just ran by lavender fields, so very pretty. I got water too.

Mile 8

Of course this mile marker is right on a ginormous hill! Ouch! The pain!

Mile 9

Just came down a huge hill and the marathon runners are meeting up with us half-marathoners. Its depressing. They have run 5 more miles than you in the same amount of time. *sigh* An older gentlemen gave me a wild rose as I ran past him. He said it was to encourage me. How sweet!

Mile 10

Uphill... the rain is starting to fall. Ran past the outhouse and thought hmmm, I should use it... but no... good motivation to get to the finish line. hehehe

Mile 11

My rear end hurts from all the hills. I am now just a'toodlin' along. Let them pass!

Mile 12

Oh cool! Almost there. Its now steady rain. Some down hill parts. I can see the water.

Mile 13

PAIN! I sprint the last part... I go as fast as possible. Rain and sweat run into my eyes. My legs go numb, my ponytail is flying madly around, I hear cheering.... and then - its over.

Hooray!

Yeah!

Happy days!

Time: 2:49:06.1

My cool cousins...

Us three

When I first started university, I never really thought that I would be able to find some good and true friends. You know the kind that you can do anything with, that kind that love you no matter what, and the kind that love Jesus more than they love you.

But, God was faithful and He blessed me with two amazing friends: Liz and Ulya! Ah, I am not sure how I would have made it through this school year without them. Their joy, love for the Lord, musical talent, and sweet friendship mean so much to me.

What amazing memories we have together too. Being in many of the same classes over the last three quarters has provided us with awesome memories. I love the nights we have spent studying for our history tests... sprawled out on the floor (candy and popcorn surrounded us) with books, notes, and pencils while we endeavor to be studios. Those times of studying always contain many long moments of random conversation, hysterical laughter, or loud yawns.We have spent the night in the computer lab at school as we worked on huge research papers... but during that time we also Facebooked, listened to music, ate candy, and sang the "Coconut" song out loud.

But that adventure wouldn't be complete without a walk around campus at 4:15am as we tried to find unlocked doors, nor would it be right without us finally taking a short nap on one of the practice room floors.

The three of us consistently celebrate seemingly tiny accomplishments... such as juries be done, or history tests or papers completed. But we make each outing a adventure... one in which we always try to do something we have never done.

We have a list... a very LONG list of things we want to do, places we want to go, foods we want to eat, and movies we want to watch... together. Slowly, that list is getting done... but all the while it gets added to.

The three of us are very different.

Ulya is organized, on-time, neat, sweet, caring, and beautiful...

Liz is funny, quick, tender-hearted, and beautiful.

I am... well, we will skip that part.

But then on the other hand...

Uyla worries and therefore I strive to quell those worries.

Liz is late and last minute... and for that I consistently wish her a merry Christmas.

And I am silly, foolish at times, and crazy.

We play piano together, walk to our cars together, eat together, sing together, and study together. I think that people in our department have begun to associate the three of us together. If we go to a concert... we sit together. If we study for a test... we study together.

Even now, I am sitting with them, as the three of us work on our history papers. We are quiet as we type and listen to music. But every once in a while somebody says something... its all part of it. We are sad if we don't see each other for more than a day, and after they return from a weekend home, it feels like I haven't seen them in years. They are the type of friends you feel like you have known forever! I love that about them.

But the best part of this friendship is that we all love Jesus. It is such a huge blessing to me that the three of us can pray together and share our struggles. These two girls have encouraged me and prayed for me so many times over these last 3 quarters. Their encouragement, wisdom, joy, and love have brought me closer to Christ and provided with motivation and inspiration.

I praise the Lord for these wonderful and beautiful women He has placed in my life! And Liz and Uyla, I love you my friends!