Sorry I haven't blogged in a while.  The last couple of weeks have been kind of hectic in terms of figuring out classes, schedules, and also trying to get an afterschool program I help run up and going.  I'll try to blog more regularly because I know there are so many people reading this blog (sarcasm emphasized).  So, what I've been thinking about lately is the subtle (or perhaps not so subtle) length of the cross country season relative to other seasons and the strong urging to really start racing a bit too early into the season.  Cross is deceiving.  Like indoor and outdoor track, cross country begins after coming back from an academic break.  Indoor track starts following a winter break and outdoor track gets going (for the most part) once coming back from spring break.  However, the difference between cross and the other two track seasons is that you get back from summer break and still have about three months to go before the important championship races (especially national's).  Whereas for indoor and outdoor track, the amount of time that lies between the beginning of the season and the end is much more reduced.  Comparatively, the team would be just starting their track seasons at this time (after we've had three weeks or so of cross country training under our belts).  However, after having three or more weeks of workouts (I've lost count), I think the team just wants to race but this is when you have to probably keep the larger picture in mind and remind yourself that there is still a long way to go.  This is probably the most difficult part of the season because everything is sort of in limbo.  You have some solid workouts under your belt so you just want to race and see where you're at-- get a baseline gauge at least.  But, then you realize-- oh, that's right-- we have so much time left and you just have to hold back, be patient and train with prudence.  I won't even try to lie-- I wish national's were in just a few weeks.  But then you have to smack yourself and say, no Elise, just calm down and be patient.  Use the extra time to be smart, make sure you're lifting,icing, taking iron supplements, and overall nurturing your body to ensure it will make it through and be in top form until the end.  That's all for now.