Dumby

This week has definitely been one of the most stressful weeks of the semester.  I think there is some kind of teacher code that says last week of school-slam on all the projects, presentations, and papers possible.  But it's okay!  Because it is over and I survived.  


To top it all off, this has also been one of the most stressful social life/worst boy experiences weekends of the semester.  It's Murphy's law.  I've accepted it.  


So naturally, I was feeling very low and spending all my time venting to my roommates, sitting around doing nothing to fix it.  Then it hit me--I was being so dumb.  I was miserable because I was only thinking of myself.  As soon as I realized that, I remembered the car air freshener I had bought for my friend Avery. 


Previously in the semester, some boys in our ward had pranked her by putting popcorn in her car.  Now, months later, her car still knocks people out with the awful smell.  So I bought her an air freshener.  The moment I started thinking about making her life better, I stopped thinking about mine, and I felt a 180 degree turn around in my feelings.  


What I've learned: The moment my focus turns to how to make someone else's life better, all of my problems seem to be solved.  I hope I never forget this again.

Hurricane Arizona

This weekend we traveled to Tempe, Arizona.  You should be jealous of the 80 degree sunshine, right?  Wrong.  The sun was there the day we arrived and the day we left, but the day of the race was 30 degrees with pouring race and 100 mile an hour winds--basically.  But it made for a memorable weekend.


The weekend would have been memorable anyway, because I had to run my first full steeple chase.  That is one crazy race!  Twenty girls all trying to jump over barriers with a water pit on the other side and sharp metal things strapped to their feet.  No wonder I love this race.  


The rest of the girls raced really well, too, despite the hurricane Arizona.  I have a very impressive team, one that doesn't stop at any excuse for a bad race.


The trip was great, with a little sunshine, shopping, and Olive Garden--you can't go wrong there.  And no matter where we are, my teammates have a good time.  

Next race is Mt. Sac, one of the most beautiful places on earth.  I will know today if I am racing there or next weekend, here in Provo.  

First Sunburn of the Year

This weekend I ran my first ever Steeple Chase... and I had the time of my life!
For those of you who don't know, the Steeple is a 2 mile hurdle race, with 5 hurdles per lap, and one hurdle you jump into water... Ya and I voluntarily choose to run this.  Bring on the sanity tests.  


But the even crazier thing... I LOVED it.  We flew to USC this weekend, and I was able to run my first, and then my coach made me run the 1500m a half hour after!  Crazy man.  But I was actually really happy he did, because both races went really well and I had so much fun.  Turns out he does know some things after all... 


Coach only had me run the first half of the Steeple, as he does with all first-timers, because it's all about getting the technique down first so we don't hurt ourselves.  I get to run my first full one in two weeks at Mt. Sac.. I'm really excited!


But the even better part of this weekend... GENERAL CONFERENCE.  
I love General Conference.  It was so neat to see my teammates making an effort to listen to conference on their phones, showing how important hearing the prophet is, even when not convenient.  


I got back late Saturday night (not too late to not play some fugitive in the pouring rain..) and woke up early Sunday morning to drive to Salt Lake to get in the standby line for conference tickets.  And we made it in!  Conference was so beautiful.  The messages were truly inspired and the music was breathtaking.  I am so grateful for a living prophet who can see what we need to hear straight from the Lord.


And poor Sarah, a 9 hour date to General Conference with a lovely freshie.  Gotta love 'em.


Needless to say, its been a great weekend.  Finals are coming up, summer is almost upon us... Bring on the sunshine, bring on the good times!

Thermometer Box

This weekend I did not have a race, I had something better.  My brother was accepted into BYU for the fall, so he wanted to make a campus visit and see what college life is really all about.  My dad and brother drove down on Saturday and are spending the weekend with me.  


They got in around 4pm Saturday afternoon, and we went straight to eat because I have a 17 year old brother.  Then we went grocery shopping and my brother got really excited because he decided to make us dinner the next day (tonight). 


Finally we got to the fun part--Provo Beach Resort.  It was couple central since it was 8pm on a Saturday night, but we escaped them and went bowling.  But this wasn't just any bowling.  These lanes were a little less than standard, so pins would fall over after nothing hit them.  It was pretty entertaining.  

Then we went to dinner around 10pm--Pizza Pie Cafe!  But I made the mistake of having my brother tell me funny stories after I had finished a buffet-size dinner.  My stomach hurt so bad I thought I was going to die.  My brother is the best story-teller ever (not unlike Sarah Edwards) and he has done some pretty dumb things... (also not unlike Sarah Edwards).  We loved reminiscing of the good ol' days. 


Today they came to church with me and met all my friends, and tonight we're having a games night with all my best friends.  I'm so excited, and I'm going to make my brother tell all his funny stories, including the time he punched a thermometer box (which I now know is called a thermostat) and the time I scared him while he was holding a vacuum over his head...  


Needless to say its been a great weekend, and tomorrow they are coming to see what college classes are truly like, and then its back home.  I'll be devastated.  But luckily I'll only have to wait until next fall when I'll be able to see my big little brother daily. 

"ELROD! It's ELROD!"

First outdoor race this weekend! In sunny San Diego.

This weekend was crazy.  We were in california for less than 24 hours, and were in three different states twice in two days.  

We left Friday evening at 4pm and our flight was delayed with a layover in Vegas, so we did not get to California till after 11pm Provo time.  Luckily for me, my race was at 9:20 the next morning, so I didn't have time to stress.  It was to bed and up the next morning and onto the track.  

The race was really fun.  I ran with KDA (who won!), Lindsey, Kathryn, and I.  It was Lindsey and my first track 5k, and we ended up running nearly all of it together with a finish of around 17:40.  Our coach was really happy with all of our races, which has to be the best feeling ever.  

Then we just had the rest of the day to play!  Lindsey and I were put in charge of filling the rental cars with gas--so much fun.  We got to drive around San Diego, windows down, music blasting.  

We came back to the meet and cheered on our teammates for a little while after.  Sarah Edwards had an awesome race, basically equivalent to her New York 1000m.. which we all know she is a champ at.  And then it was to the beach!  The sun and sand felt so good, and it was the perfect grand finale.

But back at the airport, one final funny moment happened.  The team has been trying to figure out Coach Shane's middle name for years.  We know it is "E", but no one would tell us any more.  But in the airport, a woman comes over the intercom, and says "Can we please get Shane, Patrick? ... Shane, Elrod Patrick?"  KDA turns around and shouts, "ELROD!  It's ELROD!" and all the girls start cheering.  The whole airport started laughing.  SUCCESS!

Home it was at 1am after almost every wrong thing could have happened, but at least I was with my best friends.  There were delays, problems with the busses, construction, and snow, but we all had a wonderful time and were happy to go to sleep that night!

Next race is the STEEPLE! Ah!

But first, my dad and brother are coming into town next weekend... CAN'T WAIT! 

When Upon Life's Billows

Today was the Holy Sabbath, and our Relief Society lesson was on happiness no matter our circumstances in life.  I felt that tonight, I wanted to do my post on the things I am most grateful for.  This list in literally never-ending, but here are a few that come immediately to mind:

-My knowledge of my relationship with my Savior, that I can follow Him and not fear anything in my life because I know all I go through in my life is so He can make me eternally happy.

-My family that is always present in spirit.  My mother is the most nurturing and caring woman I have ever known, and expresses her love in every act and word.  My dad is the rock in our family, never changing in his devotion.  All my brothers and sisters, especially my little brother Rob, my best friend in all the world.

-My friends who constantly make me laugh till my stomach hurts.  And always seem to know exactly what I am thinking.

-My blessing to be at BYU and the limitless opportunities and doors being opened while I am here.  The ability to learn from great professors and peers.

-Music that helps me in every emotional state.  

-Sarah Edwards.

-Running that has taught me just about everything I need to know about life, and is one of the greatest joys I have.  

I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good

It all started the night my friend got two garbage bags full of popcorn in the front seats of her car.  I knew I had to get involved.  No one messes with my best friend like that.


My friend Avery was in a prank war with an apartment of boys in our ward that all began with a drop of methleyne blue in a pan of brownies.  The boys retaliated with a bag of popcorn tied to Avery's door that would explode upon opening.  Avery cleaned up the popcorn and put it back in their bath tub.  This is where the car came in.  Avery picked up the popcorn and handed it over to me.  She gave me what she thought was the door code to their apartment.  I went to their door while they were home teaching, and the code didn't work.  I tried a couple variations and it still wouldn't open.  Finally, in a last ditch effort, I tried a random code--the door opened.  One of the happiest moments of my life thus far.  I poured all the contents of the garbage bag into their fridge and booked it out of there.

Two days later, I woke up with fruit loops EVERYWHERE.  The best part was the bowl and spoon with milk sitting in the middle of the mess of my living room.  At least it looked pretty.  Now we are planning diligently to get them back.  We stole their mail key today, but because a mailbox is government property, we have to be slightly careful.  We're planning on doing something good to their car... They better watch out because they already know we are up to no good.  

My Favorite Things

Having a "Favorite Things" list is essential.  As taught in the movie Sound of Music, this list can help through all the bee stings and the dog bites.  So here is a list of a few of my favorite things.

The first time driving in spring with the windows down.  Towels fresh out of the dryer.  Sleeping in.  Long runs in the early morning.  Laughing so hard you cry.  Watching a chick flick.  Successful first dates.  Making eye contact with a cute stranger.  The smell of rain.  First kisses.  Long talks with your roommates.  New shoes.  Driving fast.  New songs.  Chocolate Milk.  Sliding down the stairs in a sleeping bag.  The first snow before Christmas.  Seeing a loved one after a long absence.  Getting an A on a hard test.  Chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven.  Cold milk.  Pie shakes.  Cereal.  Playing pranks.  Finishing a good book.  Reading the Book of Mormon.  A hug from my mom.  Late night talks with my little brother.  Walks on Sunday afternoons.  Summer nights.  Star gazing.  Swim suits.  Bare feet.  The ocean.  Birds singing after a long winter.  Old memories.  Friendships that will always last.  Having a new crush.  Getting a sincere compliment.  Quickly making a new friend.  Winning in a game of cards.  Hearing your parents are proud of you.  Soft blankets.  Sunday naps.  Feeling the Spirit.  Candles.  Pumpkin pie.  Painted fingernails.  Dress shopping.  Spending all day in the sunshine.  Going to the temple.  The movie Sound of Music.

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens...  

N E W Y O R K C I T Y

Part 2
Saturday morning we woke up early and raced.  This race is fun because of how close everyone is to the track.  It's a little 200 meter track, with 2 stories of people all around, cheering.  The race went pretty well, and then we cooled down near the Washington bridge (which we ran across last year).  


I spent the rest of the day with Kendy and Candace.  We had lunch, went shopping (IN A SIX STORY FOREVER 21!!!), and came back, prepared to spend the rest of the night watching chick flicks on TV, pretty much exhausted from the whole trip.  But then we got a text from KDA inviting us to go to the top of the Empire State Building.  Our sense of adventure did not fail us.  It was already 11 o'clock and our curfew with midnight, but luckily we were with our coach, and he extended it.  We walked all the way past Times Square to the Empire State Building, and as soon as I walked in, I couldn't help but think of Elf.  Anyway, apparently there is usually a really long line to go to the top, but we walked right into the elevators.  The top was so beautiful.  The clouds had just parted, and there was 100 percent visibility.  But the most fun part was the wind!  We would jump straight up, and the wind would push us back two feet.  They had to actually close off part of the balcony because it wasn't safe since the wind was so bad.  It was so much fun, and I'm very glad I went, instead of lying in bed watching chick flicks.  


The next morning, we got to sleep in and then go to church.  My favorite part was the ward chorister.  We decided he must be an ex-broadway star, because he sang twice as loud as the entire congregation combined.  Not what we expected from a little 5 foot, 80 year old man.  


After church, Cho invited us to her friend's house for lunch.  On the way home, we had to find the trains home all the way across town, and we made it!  We finally mastered the subway system.  Just in time to go home...


Then, sadly, it was time to pack up and head to the airport, which was crazy in and of itself.  There were soo many people, and I don't think the airport was ready for 50 girls all needing their passes at once.  But we made it onto the airplane and back home to Provo by midnight, 2 a.m. New York time.  Needless to say, it was straight to bed.  


Thank you BYU track for a wonderful time again in New York!  Great job on all the races and I am so excited for a great outdoor season.  

A Feeling Even Better than Jimmer

This week we had a funny assignment from our teacher to buy something for a stranger and blog about their response.  My first reaction was--no! I will not buy something for a boy.  I am not that kind of girl.  But as the week went on, I decided to do it at the basketball game against Utah this weekend.  My friend James and I discussed buying something for someone in the line behind us, or sending candy to another isle.  But then it struck me--who would appreciate this the most.  A bright-eyed little boy.


So at half-time, James and I went into the food court area and got in the cotton candy line, and by the time we got to the front, there was a family of four or five little kids behind us--perfect.  I moved in close to whisper to the young man selling the cotton candy that we wanted this biggest bag of cotton candy to be given to the family behind us.  He seemed very intrigued and agreed to help.  So we paid for the candy and then ran off to stand by the doors and watch.  The mother spoke with the salesman for a moment, and then was given the cotton candy which she handed to her daughter.  The daughter took it in both of her arms (the bag was almost as big as she was) and held it close to her as she walked off, cradling it like her baby.  It was one of the most precious and rewarding things I've done--especially at a basketball game.  

N E W Y O R K C I T Y

PART 1
So this week's adventures were in the great NYC.  We left Wednesday morning at 8:45 a.m. so this made for a crazy Monday and Tuesday, but it was definitely worth it.  Our flight was about 4 hours, but the whole process took almost 10, and we finally arrived around 8 p.m. NY time.  And of course being the distance runners we are, the first thing we did was go running-- IN CENTRAL PARK!  It was awesome.  We were pointing out all the Elf and Home Alone references; yes, we're mature and in college.  Then five other girls and I found out they aren't kidding when they say New York pizza is the best.  We went to a little place called Angelo's and it was soo good.  Then it was off to bed, one day down, four more to go.


The next morning we woke up and went running in Central Park again.  After our team meeting, we found the NY Temple and did baptisms- it was amazing.  The temple was so beautiful and the workers loved talking to us.  It reminded me how grateful I am to be on such an incredible team with the best teammates I could ask for.  The rest of the day was spent doing little random things until that night.. LION KING!  A few of the girls and I went to Olive Garden (my favorite) (Original for NY, I know...),  and then we went to see Lion King live on Broadway.  It was breath-taking.  The costumes were dazzling and the singing was incredible.  Rafiki stole the show.  Then we stopped at McDonalds (another original place) because Kendy can never satisfy her sugar craving, especially among most teammates who eat sugar once a year.  


And today after our run, I went walking around with Michaelanne to find used book stores and NYU (which she kept calling NAU and everyone looked at us like we were crazy).  P.s.  For all of you who don't know her, this is a very Mike thing to do; it was great.  We were surprised to find NYU looks just like the rest of New York; there isn't really a campus.  But it was fun to see!  And we are now masters of the Subway system.  We were very proud of ourselves.  Then we came back to the hotel to do homework and watch the DMR.  Our team did so well.  We are qualified for nationals and along with the three-way 5k PR, our meet is going splendid.
OH! And not to forget Sarah (she follows this and would kill me...), a new Armory 1000 meter record!  (She broke her own from last year, by 3 seconds!)  The rest of the girls ran so well and Sarah will be extra cheerful during her Cheer-Meister duties for the rest of the trip.


I am now sitting in my bed writing this, trying not to think too much about my race tomorrow morning.  I race 11 a.m. in the mile, and it will be great.  I am trying to keep a positive attitude.  It really will be a lot of fun; I love racing.  Wish me luck!  Goodnight cyberspace.


P.s. More adventures and pictures to come.

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE

SEATTLE is one of the most beautiful cities on the earth.  It was green, and fresh, and the weather was so clean and a wonderful contrast to the snow of Provo.  And the meet was great.  I ran my first 3k of my life, and it went pretty well.  Candace ran a superb race at 9:46 and I was a little behind at 10:01.  That is averaging 5:20 for two miles.  So I can go faster.  But it's a beginning, a very good place to start.
Some of the highlights include...
     -Going to Pike's Place
     -Scaring half the girls on our cool down run
     -seeing the beautiful campus of U Dub
We had some great adventures, eating as much pasta as we could handle, getting our traditional ice cream after the race, and having our teammate bonding post-race time that didn't really happen.. but it was the thought that counted.  Another wonderful weekend with my team family!
Next week we are off to New York City!  It will be wonderful with Time Square and Broadway, Bagel shops and Canal Street. 

This week we did not have a race, but we did have something great... Christmas in the locker room!  We got new shoes, one of the greatest parts of being on the BYU track team.  And this time there were some really cute colors!  There were lime greens, indigos, purples, and when I saw the pair I could have, I audibly gasped.  Teal and lime green!  It was the prettiest pair of shoes I had ever seen.  The other girls screamed when they saw them.  (It is a little sad how happy we get over new running shoes...)  And Mike got the same pair!  We always talk about how we're running partners, so it was perfect that she was the one who got the same pair.  They're good luck for the start of a great season!

Next week we're off to Seattle!  It was my favorite race so I am so excited.  And it will be my first 3k!  A little scary but I can't wait.

She Thinks My TRACKtor's Sexy

This weekend we had our first race-- in Pocatello, Idaho.  It was great to be back in the 208, but as soon as we entered the arena parking lot and saw tractor upon tractor parked, I knew I was in for a weekend of teasing.
We had driven down the night before in a big bus, about 3 and a half hours, and then stopped at Golden Corral for dinner.  We went into the grocery store nearby to buy our lunches for the next day (Mike and I combined our per dium to share a lunch) and then headed to the hotel.  Nichole (Chole) Clark was my roommate and we got into a looong talk about boys and how similar a few of our relationships are.  It was great.
The next morning we were off to the arena and each had to wait until our race came.  I raced in the mile with Eddy, Candace, KP, Chole, and Lacey.  My race wasn't the best, so I have had a very reflective weekend, learning what I can from this experience.  But the cool-down run after quickly helped me forget.
We often do picture runs and cool down with our cameras, taking as many fun pictures as we can.  These have been some of my greatest memories on trips, especially our pier run in Seattle.  Here we jumped in as many tractors as we could, got devoured by a very nice looking tiger, and turned their ISU tiger paw into a cougar.  Thank you girls for helping me learn and grow through this whole experience of BYU Track.
And my parents were able to come! I have the best, most supportive parents I could ask for.  They drove 7 hours in one day just to see me for a few hours, and I had the best time with them.  They always love me no matter what and are so encouraging.  I am so grateful to have them as mine.

"You learn a line from winning, and a book from losing."

My Team, My Family

Who knew I would get 33 new sisters when I came to Brigham Young University?  Through the hard practices and the chocolate milk, the long flights and the sight-seeing, picture-taking, side-splitting cool-down runs.  These girls are the best friends I could ask for.  Every one brings a special aspect to our team and is the reason why I run: Katy Andrews (aka KdA), Lacey Bleazard, Kate Bowen, Megan Chipman, Kendy Christensen, Nichole Clark (or Chole´), Sarah Darbs, Candace Eddy, Sarah Price Edwards, Maren Hansen, Stephanie Jensen, Bethany Krumen, Rachel Lange, Mike Laurent, Cecily Lew, Maddie Lowder, Whitney McDonald, Dre Nelson, Nikki Nielson, Lisa Olander, Katie "Palm Sauce" Palmer, Millie Rapp, Liz Ricks, Stacey Slight, Mckenna Smith, Lindsey "I love Kevin" Sowards, Katie Swanson, Ashlee Thomas, Kelsi Tippets, Kathryn Vidmar, Amy Witt, Loren Wynn, Sarah YingYang.  I love them all.

    
We have had some of the greatest times...  From our trips to the beach in San Diego to visiting Touchdown Jesus at Notre Dame, having the team over for dinner at my house to watching a shootout show in Laramie, Wyoming.  There always seems to be atleast one person laughing, and usually it's extremely contagious.  Our addiction to the Cheesecake Factory, taking pictures on runs, and the dirt trail... I wouldn't give up this experience for anything.