Hi! Can you believe that the 2015 cross country season is already more than half way over? I know I definitely can't! It’s been a while since the first time I posted, and I hope that in this time you’ve been running fast, meeting your season goals, and most importantly, having fun!

Last weekend my team and I traveled to Pre-States in Tallahassee. However, it was a little different for me this year. Due to my commitment to being on Senior Homecoming Court, I chose to stay in school Friday for the pep rally and attend the homecoming game Friday night instead of driving up to Tally with the team Friday morning. I really wanted to compete at Pre-States, because it was my last one ever, so convinced my parents to drive me there through the night after the Homecoming game concluded. We left around 10:30pm and got there around 5am. It was quite the adventure! I was hoping to get back into the 18's on this speedy course, but ran through the line in the high 19's. Although I was disappointed, it's important for us seniors to remember that this is our last year running cross country in high school. Sometimes, even if we don't perform the way we want, we need to take a step back and enjoy the experience, the fun times with our team, and most importantly enjoy running every race, even if it's not our best. And that's exactly what I did! That night, after driving home for 6 long hours, I attended my very last homecoming, and it was definitely a night to remember! Overall it was a great weekend and I’m glad I was able to balance time to create amazing memories with my teammates at Pre-States and amazing memories with my friends at Homecoming.

This weekend we did not have a meet, which was a nice opportunity to have a full week of solid workouts and a chance to rest up for the state series. Our next race is the LCAC Conference meet this Tuesday at Estero Park. It will be the last time I will ever have to race up that monstrous hill and leg-murdering sandpit. But I do have to admit that it is slightly bittersweet for me, because I’ve been running at Estero Park for years!

Before concluding my blog, I have a very exciting announcement to make! Through all of the craziness of senior year, I am so stoked to announce that I have verbally committed to run for the University of Alabama! I could not be more excited to pursue this amazing opportunity! I am definitely one who stresses about everything, including applying for colleges and running fast times for college coaches to see. Stress definitely takes a toll on the mind and body, and I'm so relieved that the weight of my college decision has been lifted from my shoulders! From here on out it’s all about running with a free mind, and enjoying the last few races of my high school career.

I wish everyone the best of luck and health in the upcoming weeks of the state series. States will be here before we know it! I’m so pumped to finish the season off with a bang, and I hope you are too.