#AmplifyFFA

It was dark and early when the bus, full of FFA members, rolled out of the high school parking lot at 6:00am. We were all tired, but excited.  We were headed to Louisville for the 88th National FFA Convention.

At 8:00am, the members of our chapter entered the first session and learned, from our national FFA officers, what it meant to "Amplify" and boost our impact in the community. By 10:00am, we had listened to the great motivational speaker, Dr. Rick Rigsby, and were inspired to grow in our character. By 10:30am, we were truly beginning a day at convention.

Some of the chapter members before session

FFA members from across the nation find their seats for session.

We visited booth after booth learning about agriculture and speaking with college reps. FFA members from all over the nation were running around, creating a sea of blue jackets.
 My bag was overflowing with free items and my stomach was full of candy and free samples of food from across the country. (The Wisconsin cheese and Florida orange juice were my favorites!)   

Taking a fun picture at the University of Tennessee booth

By 4:30pm, my feet were hurt from walking in my black dress shoes all day and I was exhausted... That is, until the hypnotist show began! It was probably the funniest live show I have ever seen (maybe second, behind last year's show). I laughed and danced and by 7:30pm, I was ready to walk into the last session. My "crew" and I danced to the opening music and clapped along with others to congratulate the Stars over America award winners.

Rocking it out before the last session

The chapter sung as we walked back to the bus at 9:30pm. I boarded with a smile, enjoying the last bits of a great day.

This is National Convention.

#AmplifyFFA

My XC Experience

In a nutshell... (the LARGEST nutshell in the history of the world!)

My Cross Country career started in 4th grade. My mom was a great runner in high school and my cousins were the stars of the current team. I wanted to be like them... but I "couldn't." I thought I stunk...so I quit.

In 5th grade, a boy in my class was talking about how good of a runner he was on the XC team. He announced his mile time to everyone and I flippantly told him that I was faster. He replied, "maybe you used to be, but you quit."  Man oh man I was angry. With competitiveness coursing through my veins, I inwardly committed myself to the next season.

My memories of 6th grade are blurred. However, I do remember that, because I was driven, I improved so much from 4th grade. I begged my coach to let me run varsity (3.1 miles/ 5k), unknowing that 6th graders couldn't. The team atmosphere was also very good. It was a large team and we all encouraged each other.

7th grade year was my best year yet! I was goal oriented and driven. I was able to compete with the middle school boys and some of the high school boys. I ran varsity all season and beat my PR (personal record) almost every race. The team was still large and encouraging. This was the first year I loved cross country.

Some of the middle school girls after a race

Because it was my last year to be eligible for middle school races, my coaches registered me for 4ks throughout my 8th grade season. It was upsetting because I knew it would hurt my 5k time, but I was able to place highly and medal most middle school meets.

Me with my runnin' cousins!

9th grade was the beginning of terrible. I entered the season encouraged. I was officially a part of the varsity team and I could not run middle school.  I came close to a PR when I ended my season early with a leg injury.

This wouldn't have been so heart-wrenching if there was a team to be surrounded by. Our large number of runners had dwindled to less than 10... and no one enjoyed being around each other.

The absolutely disgusting and slimy team atmosphere carried into my 10th grade year. No one on the team had the drive to run. Our terrible runs matched our terrible attitudes. I didn't know if I would come back for my last two years.

Oh, the effort...not. Apparently I was "dying."

Before I made the decision to quit, I decided to pray. I asked God to help me love running again. I asked Him to help the team to enjoy running and being around each other. I knew God could do these things, but I had NO idea how it could happen... until it did.

It all happened so fast! We got a new coach, several people from the last year's team quit, and several new kids joined. Our new coach is attentive and willing and, when we have a day off or a weekend without a race, the team comes back saying, "oh I missed you guys!"

Varsity Girls! (The boys don't really like pictures)

My only issue in this junior season is another leg injury. *Starts to cry.* During a race on a bad course...

Yes..this sign is ACTUALLY from the "bad course."

 I started limping and it felt like something tore in my leg. After the race, I tried to walk correctly and I found it impossible. It felt better the next morning and, because I had sinus issues and a hurt leg, my coach told me not to go to practice. The next day, Thursday, was hard workout day. After warming up, my leg felt fine and I had a good practice. However, when I was cooling down, I heard something in my leg pop. I freaked out and stopped running for a bit; then I slowly finished the last half. Luckily, for some unknown reason, practice was called off for Friday. (Two days off in one week... and right before a race... whhhhaaaaatttt??? This never happens!)

When I woke up Saturday morning, my leg felt stiff. I limped during the warm up and was hoping that, like Thursday, it would feel better after it got warm. I told coach that it was sore and she told me to only do what I could handle. I started the race and felt great up until the 1 mile point. I kept trudging until I got to a hill (the ONLY hill in the entire race!) and it hurt REALLY bad. But, I was NOT going to stop on a hill! People would be like, "Oh, she is so sissified that she won't even run up the whole hill!" Oh no! I got to the top of the hill. I ran. And cccrraaackkk, just below my knee. I stopped. I cried. I trudged myself across the tall grass to find my coach. I think my pride was hurt more than my leg. I have NEVER dropped out of a race before. It was an ugly cry that just wouldn't stop. I couldn't control it! The tears just kept coming!

I went to the physical therapist after a week of limping like a zombie. I began to do exercises and my leg felt 75% better. I was released to run very easily for short distances. I did okay at first but then I started overcompensating for my bad leg and limping. It hurt again.

A couple days ago, I found out I have a stress fracture.

Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

That's how I feel.

But, on the bright side, I won't be on crutches long and I will probably get to run at the regional race! (Lord willing!) With my supportive team and my friends and family telling me to keep on my crutches, I know the healing process won't take too long. I know there is a reason that this has happened to me. Through this whole situation, I have remembered the verses:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

"Rejoice always!

 Pray constantly.

Give thanks in everything,

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus"

Even through the injury, XC is bliss. God answered my prayers and I just want to praise Him. I love to run. I love my team. My team loves to run. My team loves each other. I love cross country. I love God!