Qualifications

During the indoor track season, the team competes in only a few meets. These 'meets' are actually not even meets because no winner is declared; they are just a time/place for teams to run and get times that are fast enough to qualify for the MAC indoor championship. This is the purpose of the entire season, to run fast, qualify, and then compete at MACs and hopefully win. In the meet this past weekend, held at Haverford College, I ran in the mile and was 8 seconds away from qualifying :( I still have more chances to qualify at the upcoming meets but I was really disappointed and hoping to make it that day. I am very determined to meet my goal now and get my time down, which I feel I will be able to do since I have two solid weeks of training and speed work before the next opportunity to run at a meet. It is really exciting watching your teammates run and make the times because they are so excited and it is better for your team at the championship race. I will keep you updated once I run in the next meet!! Wish me luck!!

Africa

From early on, world hunger has always been something that has bothered me. I know you're probably chuckling right now because it sounds so cliche and like I'm in the Miss America pageant, but it really is something that I care about. When I turned 16, I made a goal to myself that as soon as I got my first job, I would sponsor a child from Africa. I did just that. Her name is Madjadoum Miyal and she is from Chad, Africa. I selected this specific girl because we share the same birthday. She is 8 years younger than me and I really liked that we would have this one thing in common. I sponsor her through the organization, World Vision and have never regretted it once. We write letters back and forth to each other and I send her little packages with items such as school supplies, playing cards, balloons, and other fun kid things. She lives with her parents and siblings and is fortunate enough to go to school. She enjoys reading and playing games with her friends and helping around the house. I love the fact that we can communicate with each other and share little items about our lives.
Another goal of mine that I set was to go to Africa for a missions trip. I have not accomplished this goal yet but I have some trips in mind that I need to financially get prepared for. One trip is over Christmas break of this year and I am really getting my hopes up. My parents are unsure about this because traveling is a major concern of theirs which is understandable, since I would be traveling alone for a decent amount of time before I meet up with the rest of the missions team. I worry about this too, but I also am willing to take the risk because this is something very important to me. My parents know that this is a passion of mine and are very supportive, just a little leary. Once I graduate college, I think I will do missionary work during my summers off from teaching. I have gone on missions trips before and they are so rewarding and going to Africa would be so amazing because I can see first hand the real poverty and see how God's love and work can transform lives. This has always been a dream of mine and I know it always will be.

Running

One thing that I love to do is run. Running gives me the opportunity to be by myself and think and also stay in shape. I ran cross country in high school and I run here at Etown. I love being a member of the cross country and track and field team because it is so nice to be doing something you love, with people who share the exact same passion.
Running by yourself and running in a group are two very different things. When you run by yourself, you have the freedom to go anywhere you desire and you are more aware of how your body feels along with your breathing. When running with a group, your mind gets distracted to what other people are saying and just the fast that you are not alone. The run goes much faster because you are not focusing on your breathing or any little aches and pains you may be having. It is also nice having the company because you really bond with your teammates when you're all running in the same weather conditions and terrains.
I personally enjoy running in a group much better because I remain more motivated when I have other people to accompany me. Over breaks, we have to run at home and I get so bored because running feels like a chore then, rather than something fun. I get such a sense of accomplishment once my run is over. I feel like I will always be a runner and love the fact that I can transport myself far away by using my own two legs. Many people negatively remark about running and I can understand where they develop a dislike for it, but if they would run with a team and have a goal in mind, they would realize how rewarding and good for you it is. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the Etown running teams and to be able to run in general and enjoy it :)