Darts,
Thanks to those of you that showed up and worked hard this week. We have such a great group! I'm so impressed by those of you that are running on vacation and FSY and doing all of the things that are going to help you all be the very very best you can be. Please keep sending me your miles! We've got some fun prizes coming up!
Some of you know I ran the Spartan this week. It was HARD. I've done it before, and I was excited to try it again. I felt really good in my marathon a few weeks ago and feel like my running fitness is pretty good right now so I was feeling pretty confident about the race. My upper body strength hasn't been quite as good since my shoulder accident last year, but I was hopeful it would be good enough. The race started and I felt AMAZING. They had us start in waves so I really didn't know where I was in relation to all of the other women, but I knew that I was ahead of all of the women that I started with. I was moving well and passing tons of people. The race is 14 miles with almost 5000ft of elevation gain (like running up to the top of Snowbasin twice--literally) and has 30 obstacles. They put about 10 of those obstacles in the last half mile. I made it to mile 12 or maybe even 12.5 feeling great. But around that point, I started to feel HORRIBLE. I felt dizzy, nauseous and my heart rate was through the roof. I didn't even know if I could finish. When I was at my very worst, I was at about 13 or 13.5 miles and we had to carry a HEAVY bucket a long way straight up and straight down a hill (this picture is deceiving- I swear it was 4x this long).
I had quite a few people pass me during this time. It was so discouraging. I wanted to cry. I wanted to quit. (Have you ever felt that in a race)? It took me SOOOOO long. But I got to the bottom of that dumb bucket carry and I saw my sister-in-law Haleigh! That was enough of a morale boost to help me continue on. She followed me, cheered me on, and took pictures. 
It literally saved me.
It literally saved me. I ended up placing. (You can never control who is in the race, so placing doesn't always mean anything, but I was happy about it nonetheless). Sometimes you feel amazing, sometimes you don't, but there are always things to learn! Grateful for another race and another experience.
Did you know that there have been studies done that show that you feel less pain when you are in the presence of a family member or loved one? I FELT that yesterday. Have you ever wanted your mom, dad, or sibling nearby when getting treated for a broken arm, or going through something else painful? I've been thinking about this fact this week. This is what we are as a TEAM. We are the FAMILY that is there for each other when things get hard, whether in a race, practice or just in life. This is why building TEAM unity is so dang important in cross country. I believe this is why my TEAM at BYU was so good. We were incredibly unified and close (if you ever see me with any of my old teammates, you know). When you care about someone or something more than yourself you are able to push harder and dig deeper. So, HOW do we build unity and camaraderie? How do we become a family? I think one way is doing hard things together. That is what practice is. I think another very important way to build TEAM bonds is through the in between moments. The stretching or playing spikeball after practice, the swimming in Farmington Pond, CAMP and RETREATS. So, while my job isn't a professional party planner. It IS super important we do these things because that's how we become a TEAM. If you are able, I hope you will prioritize camp this year. I promise you won't regret it.
One more cheesy thought. Today I went to Sam Lundberg's farewell and also Brandon Geckler's homecoming (from their LDS missions). I saw so many Darts, current and former and my heart was just so full as I saw so many of you all in one place. I love those old alumni, I love the new group, so fun to have such a long line of Davis greatness. I truly have the best "job."
This Week
We have the boys retreat this week! Girls, you are on your own on Tuesday and Wednesday. I will be leaving out of town on Friday and won't be back until Tuesday of next week. Sweat is also out of town, but hopefully Sister Yates and maybe Anna Larsen (hoping she can help a little this summer)!! can come to Vita next Monday.
Camp
July 29-Aug 1
Marsh Lake Campground
$200
I sent an email out to those who are invited to camp (those who have sent miles in). If you weren't on that email, but want to go to camp, WE WANT YOU THERE. Please reach out to me. As mentioned above, I believe camp is really really important for building TEAM unity and I feel that anyone that wants to be on the TEAM in the fall, should try to go if they can. 
For those of you going, please venmo $200 to @davisrunningclub and fill out the waiver ASAP. I would like to get numbers finalized as soon as possible.
For those of you going, please venmo $200 to @davisrunningclub and fill out the waiver ASAP. I would like to get numbers finalized as soon as possible. Des News 10K
Please let me know if you'd like to run the Des News 10K. If we get at least 3 girls and 3 boys we'll compete as a TEAM in the high school division . So far I have: Izzy Cram, Eliza Knechtel, Jonas Clay and Luke Baughman running. (And me).
Register My Athlete (RMA)
It is time we start getting ready for the season. In order to participate in a High School Sport, you will need to get on RMA and do all of the paperwork. This needs to be done before our first race on August 14th. Athletes (grades 9-12) that are planning on competing for Davis Cross Country need to complete Register My Athlete. If you already have an account, go add Cross Country and all other sports you are planning on trying out for this school year. Here is the link to the website.
FRESHMEN, list Davis High School as your school (not the junior high you're attending).
Physical Night
July 21st @ 6:00pm
An easy/inexpensive way to get your physical done is to come to Physical Night.
We Love Coach T
I want to do something for Coach Timothy to thank him for all he has done for us over the years. I'd love to have this done by the time school starts. (We should do something for Hyde as well). If anyone has any ideas (including parents) and wants to help me on this, please let me know. 
Fundraiser
We had another fundraiser push and had a little success so that is good. I am hoping for a little more, please reach out to more businesses and individuals if you get the chance.
- Businesses can fill this form out HERE.
- Individuals can either donate to @davisrunningclub venmo (for club and out of season activities) or to DSDgives for in season expenses.
We appreciate anything.
See you tomorrow!
Coach Jami
Running is the best! I can take you the most amazing places. One of the highlights was the moratorium alumni run that I've done ever since I started coaching. Once you graduate you can come with me.
) I know we can do a little more here as well.