Miles, Mind, Mothers, and Mucus.

You want to hear what I did today?

You will think it's crazy.

Well. It is.

I spontaneously joined the BYU-Idaho Cross Country Team.

I don't know what I was thinking!!!!! I HATE running! It's awful and painful and non-competitive and lonely and you get shin splits and sometimes your feet hurt and flexibility decreases ten-fold and it takes up much too much time. Plus one of my greatest fears is trying to exercise but having a really full bladder and peeing my pants in a long-distance run.

My first run with the team was today. 6.2 miles + not enough water + 30 mph winds = mucus. Lots of mucus.

Mulan puts me to shame with her mucus-spitting abilities. I seriously had some saliva hanging from my mouth for 30 seconds. That may not sounds long; but it was. It was also my first impression to the team of my gumption and spirit. Maybe that will turn into my new nickname. Mucus. Teams have nicknames, right?

I'm actually quite proud of this accomplishment though. If I tried running 6.2 miles 5 months ago I would be dead. Seriously. Before I left today my roommate kept reminding me "Mind over Matter, Shelby. Just recite scriptures to yourself and then say 'Mind over Matter'".

So, as I fell behind the entire team and got lost at a drive-in in the middle of the desert, stomach cramps started acting up and a mild headache ensued. I just look at the sagebrush blowing past, pushed my wild hair from my face and said "Mind over Matter, Shelby. Mind over Matter."

I think my mother would be extremely proud of me. Let's just say she's the one who instilled my great fear of peeing my pants while long-distance running.

Speaking of mothers. I never did tribute mine on Mothers Day. I decided to come back for the weekend to surprise her! I figured the best gift I could give her would be my presence. So I hid in a bin on my porch and had my sister ring the doorbell. When my Mom approached I jumped out and yelled "HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!". I think her silence, then slight "Oh!......Shelby!", must have been a good thing.

I've realized while in College and Florida that mothers rule the world. Especially my Mom. I love her with all my heart and soul. She has taught me to be ambitious and loving and organized and spiritual and social and....to not pee my pants while running.