Only collegiate cross country runners would gather in a library group study room to watch a live stream of other people running. If you have a spare 29 minutes, I recommend watching.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Celebrations
The Plan:
I am turning twenty two a few days after Thanksgiving when I am back at school finishing up the semester. During the short holiday break, I plan to celebrate by doing my favorite things. One of the best ways to celebrate is to run. A lot.
The last time I tried this crazy idea, I was turning twenty and itching for an excuse to complete twenty miles. So, I did it. Usually I completed my long training runs before my morning classes, which always presented me with the interesting task of getting out of my seat at the end of the hour.
Anyway, over Thanksgiving break, I headed out to the Starkey Park bike path and put in twenty miles in just under three hours. It was exhilarating and easily the best run of my life at that point. Naturally, I wanted to try twenty one miles the next year. I was unable to run at all on my birthday, so I took a nice long walk in the woods instead. It was enough just to be out there again.
Now, I am turning twenty two and ready to run. I want to take on twenty two miles of trails (easier on the legs and hips than roads) with no specific goal time, although I still have an idea of around where I want to finish. I aimed to run the twenty fast. This time, I am more concerned about taking care of my body since the days when I couldn't run a step are still fresh in my mind.
I just want to run farther than I have before. That's all.
Currently on my to-do list:
Buy GU!
And work on a route that allows me to drop bottles of water
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Cross Country
Racing cross country for eight years has given me so much, taught me so much. Ultimately, the sport introduced me to the woods, which has changed my life. The history, landscapes, and meandering trails of the state of Florida will be always play an important part in my life. It has influenced my art and career choices. Cross country taught me to appreciate small victories and not let the bad moments get me down. Some days I am so happy to be moving and running. I remember just a few months ago when each step was a milestone. The sport has also introduced me to the greatest people that I know. It showed me how much I enjoy the act of running, moving through space at my own will, challenging myself, and discovering the fragility of limitations. This year, I have experienced the challenges of racing. I have also experienced the fun in racing for the first time.
I love to run fast. I love to run far. I love the days when I can feel every ache in my legs and the days when the motions are effortless. I love to train and log the miles, but in previous years, I did not look forward to racing. This season, I have had some of the worst races of my life. Part of the process was overcoming the mental aspect of being injured for an extended period of time. I also had to get back into shape- running fast shape. Then, I also had to learn how to race and transfer all of the daily work to the race course. That was the most difficult part for me. It sounds simple, but I had never really been coached on racing. It took some time and persistent coaching, but in the end, I discovered how I need to race in order to be successful.
In the last meet of the season, I finally was successful. It was a beautiful, cool morning. The course was perfect for my hip (fast compact gravel and dirt- not Florida sand), and the trails wandered through a wooded park and past a lake. The morning was beautiful and I was determined to have no regrets. When I crossed the line, I had run my first true cross country PR in four years in the 6k. In the race, I ran the fastest cross country 5k that I have run since high school. I felt like a runner. I felt like I was racing. I felt like myself.
The best news is that I am not done with collegiate racing because the cross country season has ended. For the first time in my school's history, the team is training for a track season. I cannot wait. I'm ready to race, truly race. No regrets.
I love to run fast. I love to run far. I love the days when I can feel every ache in my legs and the days when the motions are effortless. I love to train and log the miles, but in previous years, I did not look forward to racing. This season, I have had some of the worst races of my life. Part of the process was overcoming the mental aspect of being injured for an extended period of time. I also had to get back into shape- running fast shape. Then, I also had to learn how to race and transfer all of the daily work to the race course. That was the most difficult part for me. It sounds simple, but I had never really been coached on racing. It took some time and persistent coaching, but in the end, I discovered how I need to race in order to be successful.
In the last meet of the season, I finally was successful. It was a beautiful, cool morning. The course was perfect for my hip (fast compact gravel and dirt- not Florida sand), and the trails wandered through a wooded park and past a lake. The morning was beautiful and I was determined to have no regrets. When I crossed the line, I had run my first true cross country PR in four years in the 6k. In the race, I ran the fastest cross country 5k that I have run since high school. I felt like a runner. I felt like I was racing. I felt like myself.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Ceramics
I have an unrelenting need to preserve moments of old Florida through imagery. My most precious moments spent in natural Florida stem from cross country running. Being a collegiate cross country runner, I seek old Florida by taking to parks and preserves on foot. Running marries the grand landscapes and ecosystems of the state with the exhilaration and adventure that comes with endurance sports. My art transfers personal experiences, emotions, and sights of natural Florida into a tangible item, essentially preserving the moment. I allow firsthand observations, feelings, and recollection to influence the scenery and subjects as opposed to copying directly from nature. As a whole, my work is a means for me to further connect with the land that I grew up with and capture moments for myself and others.
An artist statement was required within the first few weeks of my ceramic sculpture class. I think that is important to be able to communicate thought processes and intentions in writing, but I will still nervous about turning in my statement because my process tends to be different. I had recently written an artist statement for an application, so I made a few tweaks and handed it in. I wondered if it was appropriate to include running, or if my methods of exploring the outdoors were somehow not appropriate in an formal statement. I have never seen a statement like mine before, but then again, when it comes to art, I've learned it's best to do what works for me and not worry about what other people are doing. I got the grade, and even better, my professor loved it. Hopefully those reading that application will, as well.
Sculpting and carving is a new thing for me, and so far I have enjoyed it. The first two projects of the semester have been the "Slab Shrine" and the still life carving.
The shrine required a container-like form (think shrines from art history) and some sort of conceptual design. I choose to reinterpret the imagery from The Secret River in the three dimensional medium. The slabs of clay were reminiscent of the flat, paper cut-out, 1950s illustrations that I love.
The most recent project was intended to make the class more comfortable with the medium. It required the building of a still life in a box and then carving the objects from life out of a slab of clay the same size. The night before the still life was due, I still had no idea what I wanted to carve. I went on a run the next morning and it was clear: palm tree parts, bulbs, a stick, and magnolia cones. Running fixes just about everything. My box was 9.5x9.5x3in. Creating the textures and negative space was a lot of fun. I'm happy with the composition as a whole and the cones (which were difficult to solve- glad I only put in two).
An artist statement was required within the first few weeks of my ceramic sculpture class. I think that is important to be able to communicate thought processes and intentions in writing, but I will still nervous about turning in my statement because my process tends to be different. I had recently written an artist statement for an application, so I made a few tweaks and handed it in. I wondered if it was appropriate to include running, or if my methods of exploring the outdoors were somehow not appropriate in an formal statement. I have never seen a statement like mine before, but then again, when it comes to art, I've learned it's best to do what works for me and not worry about what other people are doing. I got the grade, and even better, my professor loved it. Hopefully those reading that application will, as well.
Sculpting and carving is a new thing for me, and so far I have enjoyed it. The first two projects of the semester have been the "Slab Shrine" and the still life carving.
The shrine required a container-like form (think shrines from art history) and some sort of conceptual design. I choose to reinterpret the imagery from The Secret River in the three dimensional medium. The slabs of clay were reminiscent of the flat, paper cut-out, 1950s illustrations that I love.
 |
| This one looks better in person, but you get the idea |
The most recent project was intended to make the class more comfortable with the medium. It required the building of a still life in a box and then carving the objects from life out of a slab of clay the same size. The night before the still life was due, I still had no idea what I wanted to carve. I went on a run the next morning and it was clear: palm tree parts, bulbs, a stick, and magnolia cones. Running fixes just about everything. My box was 9.5x9.5x3in. Creating the textures and negative space was a lot of fun. I'm happy with the composition as a whole and the cones (which were difficult to solve- glad I only put in two).
 |
| In progress |
 |
| Finished carving |
Friday, September 30, 2011
5 Weeks
This is the point in the season where I have to work on staying focused. I have been back training with the team for over seven weeks. I miss the woods and solitary runs, but I know that my last season will end in just five weeks. I know that after that last race, I will miss even this time of the season.
I really can't believe this is all ending so soon. I mean, I knew it would end. The day has been marked on my calendar for months. In past years, I wished it would all end sooner. I wanted to run for myself again. I wanted to be free from the pressure and the pain. But now I have truly realized how great this bond is with my teammates. We make it through the hard times together and witness the good side by side. These experiences are shared only by our small group. We will never have this again. Let's make the most of it. Five weeks.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
We're not in Florida anymore
I have very few opportunities to race for my cross country team outside of the state of Florida. In my collegiate career, I will have traveled out of the state for five meets. Last weekend, my team and I ventured many hours north to South Carolina.
The land was beautiful. I had the chance to take in the views the night before the race when the girls and I got in a good five miles on the course. Even though it was nice, it really makes me appreciate where I run at home. I think that most cross country runners have that special place that nothing can even compare with. I certainly have mine. But it is good to experience what other runners love, too.
A few differences:
1. I could have been convinced it was mid-December (Temperatures in the 50s!)
2. Grey, grey, grey skies
3. Everything was a winter brown
4. Dirt
5. Hills...
The course is probably the most difficult race I have ever run, and one of the most fun. Although the start is a slight downhill, the footing is quite different than any Florida race. The hard ground was covered with dips and holes, making the first mile challenging. This front part of the course, a few hills and all, was the flat part of the course, so it needed to be faster.
The large back loop of the 6k race was like a roller coaster. A sandy roller coaster. In the second mile, I took advantage of the longest downhill I have ever experienced. I could not have stopped even if I had tried, so I let the hill take me and tried to make my legs keep up. Naturally, the next mile was all uphill. Gradual and less sandy, this was the place to maintain a constant pace and close in the gaps between other runners.
I knew I was about to hit mile three because I could just spot the wall of sand was peaking through the trees. This hill marked the start of the end of the race. If I could be strong and work my way to the top, it was generally downhill for the rest of the race. I booked it at the bottom of the hill, trying to pass a few girls and put some space between us. Chances were, they wouldn't put up a fight. Then, I worked on staying strong. I remembered the months of the work I put in to get back to this point. Recovery from injury is never easy and it makes us stronger. There is no way I was going to give up here. I repeated that as I climbed. At the top, I felt a sense of relief, but it was no time to rest. I went. Up a smaller hill and back down to the start, I gave it everything I had left.
In the end, I do not know my finish time. The race results were inaccurate because of the primitive timing system and lack of a backup. According to the posted results, I PRed by about 15 seconds, but I am not sure that is true. I guess when I race here again in just over a month I will just have to be even faster and earn a new personal record. I honestly felt strong, even up that final hill, and I know that I will be a better runner in a few weeks.
The land was beautiful. I had the chance to take in the views the night before the race when the girls and I got in a good five miles on the course. Even though it was nice, it really makes me appreciate where I run at home. I think that most cross country runners have that special place that nothing can even compare with. I certainly have mine. But it is good to experience what other runners love, too.
A few differences:
1. I could have been convinced it was mid-December (Temperatures in the 50s!)
2. Grey, grey, grey skies
3. Everything was a winter brown
4. Dirt
5. Hills...
The course is probably the most difficult race I have ever run, and one of the most fun. Although the start is a slight downhill, the footing is quite different than any Florida race. The hard ground was covered with dips and holes, making the first mile challenging. This front part of the course, a few hills and all, was the flat part of the course, so it needed to be faster.
The large back loop of the 6k race was like a roller coaster. A sandy roller coaster. In the second mile, I took advantage of the longest downhill I have ever experienced. I could not have stopped even if I had tried, so I let the hill take me and tried to make my legs keep up. Naturally, the next mile was all uphill. Gradual and less sandy, this was the place to maintain a constant pace and close in the gaps between other runners.
I knew I was about to hit mile three because I could just spot the wall of sand was peaking through the trees. This hill marked the start of the end of the race. If I could be strong and work my way to the top, it was generally downhill for the rest of the race. I booked it at the bottom of the hill, trying to pass a few girls and put some space between us. Chances were, they wouldn't put up a fight. Then, I worked on staying strong. I remembered the months of the work I put in to get back to this point. Recovery from injury is never easy and it makes us stronger. There is no way I was going to give up here. I repeated that as I climbed. At the top, I felt a sense of relief, but it was no time to rest. I went. Up a smaller hill and back down to the start, I gave it everything I had left.
In the end, I do not know my finish time. The race results were inaccurate because of the primitive timing system and lack of a backup. According to the posted results, I PRed by about 15 seconds, but I am not sure that is true. I guess when I race here again in just over a month I will just have to be even faster and earn a new personal record. I honestly felt strong, even up that final hill, and I know that I will be a better runner in a few weeks.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Let's Try This Racing Thing Again
It's amazing how much you can learn about yourself in just over twenty minutes. As much as I would like to skip a write up of this race, I know that I have to reflect on those three miles. It is just one step in the long process of becoming competitive again. This race provided a baseline. I now truly have a place to start.
The University of Tampa's Early Bird Classic is the season opener for much of the state. The 5k held at Tampa's Sydney Dover Trails was the first collegiate cross country race I ran years ago. It was nice to go back once more. I learned a lot this time around.
I learned that I can still ask my body to give me more. I don't have to hold back in fear of re-injury. I can be competitive. I can run a smart race. After everyone was settled from the first mile and a quarter or so, no one passed me. I did not run negative splits, but I kept my eye on those ahead of me and picked them off one by one. Honestly, it felt good to run like that again.
Going into the race I expected to be tired, which was probably by biggest mistake. This past week or so has been rough on my legs. They have just felt trashed. I have been running with caution for months because of my hip injury. Inclines, sand, and banked surfaces, all things that worry me, were waiting for me in the race. And you know what? I did it. The hip is really no worse for the wear.
I am a no-excuses kind of girl. I ran it, I analyzed the problems, and I will figure out how to do better in the future. It's strange how a mediocre race can help me regain the confidence I gradually lost in the past year.
Now for the park: The path at Sydney Dover lends itself for large cross country races. The majority of the trail is wide and open; great for big starts and spectating. A bit of sand and a few inclines makes things interesting and unlike many Florida races that are simply run around retention ponds (seriously). I do not know the layout or size of the entire park, but I believe it is generally one loop just over seven miles long. Being that the land is so open, it gets quite hot in the afternoons, so I recommend morning and evening running. Overall, it is a perfect place for cross country races and I can imagine causal running. But let me tell you, that speed bump of a hill at the first mile mark and in the middle of the second is just mean.
Photos are not from race day. All photos from Biking Florida (great website with directions to the multiple park entrances).
The University of Tampa's Early Bird Classic is the season opener for much of the state. The 5k held at Tampa's Sydney Dover Trails was the first collegiate cross country race I ran years ago. It was nice to go back once more. I learned a lot this time around.
I learned that I can still ask my body to give me more. I don't have to hold back in fear of re-injury. I can be competitive. I can run a smart race. After everyone was settled from the first mile and a quarter or so, no one passed me. I did not run negative splits, but I kept my eye on those ahead of me and picked them off one by one. Honestly, it felt good to run like that again.
Going into the race I expected to be tired, which was probably by biggest mistake. This past week or so has been rough on my legs. They have just felt trashed. I have been running with caution for months because of my hip injury. Inclines, sand, and banked surfaces, all things that worry me, were waiting for me in the race. And you know what? I did it. The hip is really no worse for the wear.
I am a no-excuses kind of girl. I ran it, I analyzed the problems, and I will figure out how to do better in the future. It's strange how a mediocre race can help me regain the confidence I gradually lost in the past year.
Now for the park: The path at Sydney Dover lends itself for large cross country races. The majority of the trail is wide and open; great for big starts and spectating. A bit of sand and a few inclines makes things interesting and unlike many Florida races that are simply run around retention ponds (seriously). I do not know the layout or size of the entire park, but I believe it is generally one loop just over seven miles long. Being that the land is so open, it gets quite hot in the afternoons, so I recommend morning and evening running. Overall, it is a perfect place for cross country races and I can imagine causal running. But let me tell you, that speed bump of a hill at the first mile mark and in the middle of the second is just mean.
Photos are not from race day. All photos from Biking Florida (great website with directions to the multiple park entrances).
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