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Rorie's random thoughts and a race reflecton

September 4, 2009 (Night)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: a little warm, but great other than that

Comments:
I've been thinking a lot lately about my place on this team, especially since Nate quit. It's my senior year. I've been running cross country every year since middle school, but I still can't get a solid hold on varsity. I decided recently that if I want to get that solid hold on varsity I need to work my butt off. I remember the other day I told coach "fun's over." A little voice popped into my head saying, "If you're not having fun, what's the point?" I pushed that thought to the back burner of my minds stove, but it's been simmering there since then. I wasn't expecting much from yesterday's race because I'd been working so hard all week long. But when I finished the race and heard my time I was angry. Not just disappointed but angry. Then I realized, I'm not having fun. Running is so much an unbelievably mental sport that if I'm not enjoying myself mentally, my body won't be enjoying itself physically. Granted there's times when you're body isn't enjoying itself, but when you keep a 100% positive mental attitude and push through it, you're so much happier than you would be if you didn't. I lost sight of that this last week and I think that's what happened to Nate. I think in years past he overworked himself and forgot to have fun. That's what made him lose his passion for the best sport in the world. I just want to encourage everyone to have fun. Always. It's real easy to have fun when everything's going smoothly, but try to have fun even when it's not. Work through the pain, but work with a song in your heart and a smile on your face.

'Nuff said,
Rorie

Oh yeah race reflection.
Mile 1: feelin' strong and pretty pumped. Me and Sam chatted for a bit about how there is no lone wolf in the tribe, but we warriors hunt as a pack, but then he left me in his dust.
Mile 2:A little sore but chuggin' through it (like a train). Closin' gaps and passing people.
Mile 3 (and the end of mile 2): hatin' it. I had such a bad side ache that would not go away. There was this orange kid (orange jersey) that kept trying to pass me. Every time he tried I would match his pace and hold it till he gave up. Then one time he came at a moment of weakness. my side was killing me and I didn't feel like trying to match his speed this time. (it was right in front of his team's tent too. Pretty embarrassing.) From then on it was down hill (not in a good way) I was hurtin' bad and I probably slowed down a lot. then a blue jerseyed kid came up beside me. I matched his pace and muttered something like "good job dog." he said something encouraging back and we ran together for a while. He was pretty encouraging and told me that we could get that orange guy guy on the track together and other positive things. I grunted acknowledgment. We were approaching the end of the race so I started to pick it up a little. I was sorry to see the blue guy go, but glad that I wouldn't have to fight it out with him. Somewhere on the track I passed the orange guy back.When we were closing on the last 100m he tried to pass me once a again. I don't think I would've known if he hadn't bumped my elbow. I kicked it in gear and refused to let him pass me. Somehow I stayed ahead and beat him. I owe a lot to that blue guy. If I ever find him again I'll be sure to tell him thanks.
My goal: to be honest, I didn't have a goal. It was kinda just show up and see how I do. Maybe that's why I couldn't think positive.
Things I did good. I held off that orange guy for a while and got him back at the end.
Things I didn't do good. My mental was crap. I gotta start having fun and thinking positive.

More 'n 'Nuff said,
Actually signing off this time,
Rorie