Cross Country

Well, mom seems to believe that writing things in blogs is good for you. I guess it probably is. It's almost like a journal. But, anyway, mom thinks I should write about stuff that goes on in my life in my blog. So... Currently, I am training to be on my high school's cross country team. However, while I enjoy running, I am also not very good. So hopefully I'll get better. *crosses fingers* I guess I have all summer to work on it, right? Well, anyway, practices are every weekday morning at 6:30. My dad takes me on his way to work. It's way too early for me, who is a night person. But it's much better than running at noon or something. Every day, we do active stretches at the beginning, and 'normal stretches' at the end. Active stretches include things like toe touches, lunges, high knees, high skips, and things like that. Reminds me of tennis practice. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, we do hard runs. This means several miles of running. And for a long time. The long runs are very tiring. But that's not the really entertaining part. The best part is the easy runs, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Because they're easier and shorter, we also work on strengthening other body parts. So here is a list of our funny exercises: Kick backs: This is just what it sounds like. You get down on hands and knees. With your right knee locked at a 90 degree angle, you kick it back. This strengthens your thighs and rear. Fire hydrant: The more entertaining of the exercises. Same position as kick backs, but you lift your leg like a dog would after it found a fire hydrant. This one also strengthens your rear. Broadway: The more painful of the exercises. No idea why it's called the broadway. Lay on back, legs straight up, lower slowly. When they almost touch the ground, bend your knees and bring them in. Then extend up and repeat. This one is for your abs. It is alternated with Giant Cockroaches: Sit up, and then bring your legs off the floor, curling slightly. You'll look like a giant cockroach. Then you do kind-of crunches all balancing on your rear. Everyone will laugh, so don't do this in public unless you are doing it with a cross-country team. Supermans (I don't see why it couldn't be supermen, I mean, come on!): Lay on stomach, with arms and legs stretched forward and back (well, arms forward, legs back. It'd be kinda awkward if it was legs forward, arms back :D) Then there are two types: alternating superman and normal superman. Normal superman is when you lift up your arms and legs and hold for a long time. Alternating superman is where you lift up your right arm and left leg and hold for a second, and then lift up your left arm and right leg and hold for a second. With many repetitions. Well, I think that's all. Seeing as it's 10:30, I should probably go to bed so I can wake up in the morning for practice. 'Night!