Timpview Relays

          Yesterday, about 3 hours before the Timpview Relays track meet started, I found out I was running in it. Usually this wouldn't be too much of a problem - I've actually started to like track meets this year! Except there is a problem - in the past 20 days I had run maybe 5 or 6 times, and now my coach was wanting to put me with 3 of the fastest girls on the team!
          I was going to turn it down of course. I hadn't really run in the heat, I was drop dead tired from choir tour (that was an exciting adventure that I will hopefully be writing about sometime soon!!), I was pretty dehydrated, and my homework was piled up above my head. But when he told me that if I didn't run then 3 of my teammates couldn't....well, I found myself agreeing somehow.
           Luckily I worked it out to get there a little later - in other words, I drove myself to the meet. My mom helped me look it up on Google Maps, and I quickly wrote down directions as I ran out the door. Thank goodness for Google Maps! I don't know if I would be able to find my way anywhere without it! As I was driving, sometimes I didn't know where to turn. I guess I am pretty unsure of myself sometimes, always second guessing which street I am really supposed to turn on. After many prayers and a few U-turns, I found my way to the track. I know there were definitely some little miracles helping me!
          I barely showed up on time to run to the bathroom, somewhat warm up, then get myself to the bullpen. When I looked over to the stands, I saw my Grandma standing there, ready to cheer me on :) It definitely made my day; even though I felt like I was going to fall over part way through the race, it was nice to know I had someone there who was ready to cheer me on.
          It reminded me of another race, the Bulldog Invite during the cross country season, where I also felt like I was going to fall over from exhaustion. Somehow, I found myself near the front of the JV pack, running shoulder to shoulder with my teammates in the falling rain. I won that race. Still not sure how that ever happened, but I think the rain pumped me up, as well as all of my family cheering me on. My Grandma was especially great - she was all over the course, telling me I looked strong, that I needed to go faster, that I was doing great. I think she probably ran at least as much as I did!
          Although I didn't do anywhere near as well as I did at the Bulldog Invite, it turned out so much better than I ever could have imagined. I was only about 12 seconds off my best time - pretty much incredible considering how much running I have done recently!! I was pretty far off my teammates times, but my coach was just grateful that the others could race.
          I am so grateful that the Relays turned out better than I thought. It was still not an ideal afternoon, but I know I was blessed to help out my team.