I've decided to join the cross country team.

There are three levels and my group is called "Fast". 

The other groups are "Faster" and "Fastest". But hey, at least I made it on the team!

I absolutely hate running and I think my body or skin or pores simply don't understand what it means to release heat. It's a problem. My face gets SO red and my cheeks are on FIRE, but there's ZERO moisture. I know, it's weird.

To prepare for this day, I "ran" 2 miles on Sunday night. It was a nice cool night and I "ran" longer than expected. Originally, I planned on 1 mile, then 1.5 didn't seem that bad. And after a break, I decided two more laps was going to be a good idea. My mile time was 10 minutes. Not horrible for someone who hasn't jogged since, I don't know, May? Needless to say, I was quite sore and stiff.

At today's cross country practice, "Repeat Hills from Hell" was on the agenda. "From Hell" is my own addition. First was a 1/2 mile warm up, then "Dynamics" which are strange stretches and leg swingings. I thought, "Hey, this isn't too bad. Maybe I should be in the "Faster" group!"

I've never been more wrong in my life. 

The plan was to run at 80% up the hill, then jog lightly back down. I have no idea how much I gave going up, but I certainly was not about to "jog" down. I needed to walk. I also need to breathe and focus on not puking in front of the team.

I wasn't dead last to do the repeat hills, but I definitely showed them what it looked like to finish.

Like I said, I hate running. But, for the sake of my health (physical and mental), I can't find any other way to exercise unless I know people are expecting me. So there you have it. My teens are going to say "Madame, are you coming to practice today?" and I will have to show.