Submitted by Amber Hines
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2006
Ten hours of riding in a car through wet, messy weather. We came through Montgomery, Ala. right after a tornado touched down by the interstate. If we had come through any sooner, we would have been right in the middle of it. The tornado had already passed but the destruction was evident. I was amazed to see huge interstate signs and telephone poles snapped in half. The path of the tornado was clear through the felled trees and bent signs. The traffic was very slow in that area. I was heartsick to see a car smashed into the guardrail next to the median. I pray that the driver was uninjured, but the scene did not look hopeful. A tractor trailer was also in the median with a smashed front end. Hopefully, the huge frame of the truck protected the driver. We were very blessed that we came through that section of interstate at the time that we did. The rest of the drive was uneventful, but we were all very thankful to reach the hotel until we noticed that it was situated between two construction sites. My faith in the Best Western was restored when we reached our rooms. The view from our front door was magnificent. The ocean scenery was breathtaking, especially at sunset. As far as my thoughts toward the impending race, I began to visualize the run, especially the start. But of course, when at the beach, you have to eat plenty of seafood. I highly recommend Peg Leg Pete's.
Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006
Jayce, the first male runner on our team who also made it to Nationals, and I began preparing ourselves mentally for the race. Coach (Dennis) Johnson took us to the course to run. As I ran through the course, I noted several things. I paid attention to trouble spots, like mud or slippery sand, turns where I could get an inside advantage, hills (more like anthills since this is Florida), and the start and the finish. The start was my main focus. I knew with the level of competition and number of runners that I had to get a quick start or I would get boxed in between the girls. We start on a large field that narrows quickly (about 100-meters from the start) to the size of a road which then winds into the woods. It is very difficult to pass people in the woods with the volume of runners. I did a few sprints from the start to get a feel for what the race day start would be like. All of my training led to this one meet. I was as physically prepared as I would ever be. My distance training and speed training created the strong base that I had going into the national meet. There was nothing else left to do but to prepare for the start and visualize the race. The rest of the day was devoted to walking on the beach and just general bumming around. It was nice to be away from the college class atmosphere (very nice to be missing organic chemistry). We had an opportunity to relax and allow our minds to wander from academia and the impending race. One little side note: Coach decided that it looked like…and I quote…that I had "a raccoon tail attached to my head." I HAD long hair, but alas now it is cut short and layered (and thus more aerodynamic with less wind resistance?). He tried to get me to spike my hair, but I refused unless he wanted to go with a bald look for himself. That night we began "carb-loading" at Carrabba's.
Friday, Nov. 17, 2006
We woke early like we would for the next day's race to go to the course around 7:30 am for a dry run. The weather was fairly warm and the wind was calm as compared to the previous day that was cold and extremely windy. We were hopeful that the same weather would be present race day. I ran through the course again, reviewing the hot spots and my strategies. I sprinted from the start four more times and then ended with a sprint to the finish. I was not very nervous for the upcoming race. I felt ready. My training was completed until the next day and all I had left to do was relax and concentrate on the start. One of my teammates and friends joined me on the trip for support and company. We discussed the race, chattered about "girly" things, and walked along the beach with my parents. I have to admit as the little dork that I am, I studied for some of my classes too. A pre-meet tradition for our team is to go to Olive Garden for dinner. We shared a nice dinner and several of our teammates called to wish us luck the next day. Jayce, Mary Katherine, and I watched Cars and then headed to bed early. I prepared my things for the meet, packing clothes and shoes and such. I'm very forgetful so I have to check at least five times to make sure I have everything. While in bed, I visualized the race. I couldn't believe that I had even made it to Nationals. I would not have made it if not for God giving me the talent to run and drive to work hard, my parents for their support and encouragement, my teammates or my coach. I did not do this on my own. God has looked out for me throughout my entire life and running career. I owe all I have to Him and my family. I was so thankful to be given this opportunity to run with phenomenal athletes.
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006
RACE DAY!!! I woke early excited and ready to run. I have a weird race day routine. I drink coffee and lots of water and eat a PB bagel. We left at 7 a.m. to get Jayce to the course early for him to warm up. I stretched and ran a little while Jayce was warming up. The race day festivities were an amazing if not comical sight. Several teams had supporters painted head to toe in school colors chanting and cheering and running around. The painted kids ran circles around each other screaming their team's mottos. I was in awe of the start of Jayce's race. It looked like a stampede of sprinters. As the race progressed, Jayce settled into a PR pace. The leaders looked smooth, as if running were completely effortless and graceful. The closer I came to the start of my race, the more nervous and excited I became. I knew from Jayce's race that I was going to have to go off the start at a sprint and try and maintain pace. My dad and I warmed up together. It was comforting to run with him since we've run together everyday since I was in sixth grade. Standing on the line, my nerves calmed and I looked around. There were so many runners getting ready, each one the top of their team or the top team in their region. Each one was focused and ready to race. With my Bible verses written on my calves to remind me of Who watches over me and to give others and myself encouragement, I stepped to the line with 200 other girls to wait for the gun to start the race. Everyone took off like a shot and I sprinted along with the others. The path narrowed quickly, packing 200 girls together. One fell in front of me and I nearly tripped over her. I hit the mile at 5:40, faster than I ever come through. I started around the 40th spot, but quickly dropped to 60th as several girls swiftly passed me. I hit the second mile at 11:40, rivaling my high school two mile PR. I managed to hang on to 94th and finish with a 6,000-meter PR of 22:24.
Conclusion
I felt honored to be able to run with so many excellent runners. This is an experience I will always cherish. I thank God for this opportunity, one that I may not experience again. I thank my parents for supporting me at every race I have ever run. I thank my teammates for their support and friendship. Finally, I thank my coach for his patience in dealing with my hard headed finagling to run more in workouts and for his encouragement to reach for Nationals at the beginning of the season. When I get up in the morning, I will begin my preparations for my next cross country season.