And the race begins!

Why are you so fast?
I'm told that I'm fast. I think so. It's not easy being fast you know. It's obvious that hard work is the answer to "Why are you so fast?". Running may be boring to people because, there's nothing that you can really gain from it. I think so sometimes, but I see it as a way to lay loose. It's funny what goes through my mind when I run. For every problem or regret that flashes, I push myself away from it. I just want to run away from it all. For every great moment that runs through my mind, I work on the hills. I like hills, but not fully love them. I would rather run off a steep cliff than just a simple hill.

Do you ever get tired of running?
It mainly depends on my mood. I think that sometimes when I'm put down, not in a angrily way, but more of a hurt and sad expression. Here's the point. When something bad happens and it includes me, I can't stand it. It's stuck with me. It's my hindrance. I won't be able to get it off of my mind. Back to the question. Only when there aren't anymore meets or if the sport is ending and we're off to CCS. Right now, I don't want to stop because I've failed to become part of the team. The actual team. I've been fighting for myself too many times. It's their turn. I want to do this for them.

Do you plan to run after you finish highschool/college?
Yes. I plan to run in marathons and such. What I don't plan to do is, join a team. I wouldn't think I would have that much potential to be able to move up further than I'm in right now or later in my years. I'd like to run for various events. Whether it's for the kids or for the cancer patients. You know? I'd like to help the world using my talents. Training as much as train right now, I know I can't be the same through out all my years. So I'm suggesting that I should take things slowly and carefully. I know I would have other priorities, and I know that it wouldn't be as exciting as it is right now, but I'll try my best to have at least some fun in running.




--
Monday September 22, 2008.
I enjoyed working with Daisy throughout all the load phases for the past 2 weeks. It was a challenging task. I know she's so much stronger than me and can really work hard. For some reason I've improved the most out of all the Varsity girls. And most of the girls all in all look up to me. I really appreciate that they do. I hope they all be successful and made the right decision in in Cross Country. I've noticed there weren't as many runners overall in our team this year. Most of probably just got bored of running and got lazy, or some other difficulties. It's ohk, we don't mind. We still work as a team. So on September 22, it was our first Cross Country meet of 2008-09 year. Everyone was very nervous. In races, I don't usually get nervous or scared. I DO KNOW.. that I am scared inside, but I know who's looking down on me guiding me through the course (: BANG, the gun is shot. In front of me there are only simple colors. Red, white, green, blue, yellow. The bodies that I can only recognize were Alex, Tara, and Camille in front of me, and beside me, Daisy. The dust accumulating and stretched out on the course. The dryness swelling up our breathing system. Especially I myself. This is the first hill. I can see as I look up and finish my long strides, a girl in green in the lead. Working hard, everyone seemed to make it up the first 3 hills. Coming down the steep and unleveled hill in the back, we are all scared. Bring the hill down with you. Attempting to take it easy on the downhill, my body refused to take my mind's order and just obliged to take longer strides. Full of relief, I have made it down to the next challenge. Flat. This is where the time begins. RUN THE RACE HARD. Take advantage of the smooth, even ground. Passing runners who've had enough after the hills, I took them down by 6 people. My legs, beginning to heat up. On this next hill, I've kept the rhythm of my steps and my breathing. The combination-- a race. It was around 8 minutes after completing the first part of the course. I am now abruptly ready for the complicated hill that most runner fade away from. I can hear the voices of each team cheering for their runners. "Go INDE!" "Go OVERFELT" "GO WESTMONT!" "You can do it!". All I hear is the roar of accomplishment and success. If you look at the hill from my point, in which having a decent motion towards the hill, you would think "This is impossible". Proven possible. Training here on Saturdays, WORTH IT. Totally worth it. This is my cue. I bring up my legs and arms to a longer stride, body upright, my head keeping a good position, EACH STEP takes me to my destination. Sweating off from the heat, I've made a mistake in wiping my forehead and resulting in losing my tempo. But hey, I learned from my mistakes. While working my ass off, I noticed that Camille has taken shorter steps on the hill. I didn't want to say anything to her because I didn't want to disturb her. So I let Camille be. When I've successfully made it to the end of this large devastating hill, Camille congratulated me and said "Good job Jovey, you can do it", it felt good. After the small talk, there are 2 more hill to go to. Although I've made it through the first task, I now need to keep things steady and balanced. Looking forward, I see a few runner down on the hill being cheered by their teams. HEY! Don't get distracted! Heads forward. As I go slower than my average speed, I take in energy and store it for the next 2 hills. It's a roller coaster, I say. After, again, completing my last two hills, the time is now racing against me. Back to the flat area. And this time, it's actually the whole lap. Round and round, there were less runner to pass. The annoyance at this time was a girl runner, TRYING HER BEST to out run me. Her breathing was way too heavy and she should know best to keep her pace. But hey, it's ohk. I'll do what's right for me. It's not about beating her it's about getting the run in time. Now in front of me, about a few meters, I can see my other teammate, Alex. We've ran off with a short distance in between us. From my ears, I can hear footsteps coming down the steep hill we first ran in the beginning of the race. I'm still looking straight at the ground watching my steps for any cracks or holes to carefully watch my step. I hear the encouraging words from generous deep voices "Come on Jovey!" My head rises to the hot, burning sun. And there they are. Jose coming in, Navrette, Lalo, and Adan. They're depending on me. I'm still pushing myself. LETS GOOOOO! I worked my way up to the last hill. I've now passed an old friend from Overfelt. 3 downhills. Lets go. Bring it on. Up and down and up and down. HERES MY FINAL TASK. SPRINT. Lets go. Opposite from me on the side where the crowd is I can here one of my coaches say, "Come on Jovey! Show them how to finish!" LETS GO.


DONE, exhausted, tired, full of pain, good pain. I'm done, yes.
Time- 23:44 for a 2.7 mile run.
Placed 6th out of 10 against Oak Grove
Placed 2nd out of 5 in MPHS VAR. Team
Placed 16th out of.. a lot, overall