Victory Run

    Guess what I did today? I ran 4 whole miles! I kept my brace on, but I did it! However, my left leg was totally compensating I think because it started hurting and cramping up pretty badly. So what did I do? I took an ice bath. Some of my other teammates joined me - it's good team bonding! (but that's not actually why they joined me...they were sore too) Ah! Ice baths are so dreadful. But they really do help me feel so much better! 15 minutes of being in 35 degree ice water = days of muscles feeling much better. It's worth it. But believe me, when I'm first slipping into that icy water, I do NOT feel like it's worth it. I literally screamed when I submerged myself in the water today. Ah. Ice baths...it's a love/hate relationship for sure.

Team bonding in the ice bath! Jacey, Kelli and [Me].

The Crutches Like to Party Too!

    The weekend arrived and I was kind of nervous that I would just feel lame because it's hard to have fun with crutches...however, the weekend was still super fun! Acting class was very entertaining and it was fun using my crutches as props in an exercise similar to charades. On Friday night I went to an Elephant Shortcut concert, followed by a dance. I only stayed at the dance for about half an hour, but I didn't let my crutches stop me from dancing! Except dancing on one leg is a little more difficult than using both legs, and I got tired really fast. On Saturday I went with the team to the cross country meet on a Civil War battlefield in New Market, VA. It was really cool and even though it was disappointing not being able to run, I had a good time cheering the team on. When we got home, after I did physical therapy and took a nap, I went to a luau at the Institute followed by a surprise birthday party for my lovely roommate, Delaney Gustafson! This morning I got a call at 7:30 from Patrick. He was really sick and did not feel able to come to church, so he asked me to teach the Sunday school lesson again...I prepared for it in thirty minutes, but I think it went really well and the spirit was so strong! It's been a good weekend. :)

Spencer and I both got injured on the same course! It's not exactly fun being injured, but at least we're in it together!

Spencer and I enjoying the Elephant Shortcut concert with our crutches

My team :)

The vistor's center at the New Market Battlefield

Ice bath! (the bubbles make it look warm, but don't be deceived - it was 40 degrees!)

Delaney and I :) (DG squared)

My New Best Frenemies

Hello! Meet my new best frenemies:

Their names are Bob and Amelia Crutch. They have been extremely helpful, however they are also a pain in the...armpit. We're getting to know each other quite well!

Why am I being accompanied by the Crutches, you ask? Well, you see, at cross country practice yesterday we were running up on Mount Pleasant when suddenly I heard a loud noise that sounded like a landslide. Sure enough, just about 40 meters in front of me, a giant boulder was rolling toward one of my cross country teammates! I don't know how I did it, but some super awesome fast-power energy surged through me and I sprinted ahead just in time to push my teammate out of the way of the tumbling boulder. Unfortunately, the boulder rolled right over my ankle and it started swelling up and I went to the school nurse who introduced me to Bob and Amelia and then wrapped my ankle.

Not a bad story, eh? Nah, none of that is true...well except for the swelling up part. And the running on Mount Pleasant. The name is deceiving though, because it wasn't actually very pleasant. I was just running along on a rocky downhill trail, chatting with my friend Leah about Antigone and Socrates when I just stumbled over a rock in the path. I heard a loud 'snap' that sounded like cracking a stick in half, a sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I collapsed face down in the dirt. You know those times when you get hurt and you want to cry, but you don't, even though there is a giant lump of tears in your throat? Well that did not happen. Instead I just cried/moaned/screamed as if it were a natural reflex. I did not even think about it, and after about 40 seconds I realized I should probably stop crying and saying things like "I don't want to be hurt!" My teammates pep talked me and then kind Patrick carried me about halfway back to the beginning of the course where we sat in the van and I elevated my foot while Shelbi (who had stayed at the vans because she forgot her shoes) and Patrick took turns holding a cold water bottle against my ankle that was beginning to swell. When we got back to the school, I went to the trainer, Amanda, and she examined it, iced it, wrapped it, and gave me the Crutches.

Today was fun then, hobbling around campus! I feel truly blessed though because so many people have been so kind and willing to help me and give me rides. Right now we aren't sure of the status of my ankle, but the swelling has gone down and it is feeling a little better today than it did yesterday. I won't be able to run the race this Saturday, but Amanda says we'll try to get me running again in time for next weeks race. I'm counting my many blessings though, because I truly do have many and I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there for me.

Oh, and Bob and Amelia say hi. :)