So classes are finally off to a start and our schedules have already filled with things to do. The excitement of my first year at college definitely hasn't worn off yet. And after these first few weeks of college, I've discovered it really is as awesome as everyone claims. With all the food choices (like quinoa and cheesecake frozen yogurt) in our buffet-style dining halls, free concerts, pre-showing movies, and team BBQ's, isn't it obvious why college is so great?

Laurynne making her collegiate debut.

What has probably taught me even more that I must learn to rely upon and take care of myself, has been running and competing at the collegiate level. All college runners were once star athletes in their hometown, but as soon as they reach college, they're just one of the many talented, determined, and dedicated runners on their team. At first it feels like, as a freshman, we have to prove ourselves not only in practice, but even in races! Wow, what a shock that can be when you realize that it's a million times more difficult to stand-out in the world of collegiate running as it was to reach stardom in high school. It's certainly a humbling experience, especially when you try to beat experienced college racers. Nothing has proved this point better to me than the recent Stanford Invitational. While I cannot be more happy and proud of how well our team performed, I am also disappointed with how I raced.Over-excited, anxious, and ignorant, I tried, like in high school, to lead the race, but this was short-lived, and I soon dropped back to place fourth. I finished knowing not only that I had gotten my butt kicked, but also that if I had been more patient and modest, I could have contributed more to my team. So, maybe I was ashamed of my performance, but my team's strong win was enough to give me a sense of happiness and satisfaction at the end of the day. With this new lesson learned, I am anxious as ever to redeem myself in our next race at Pre-Nationals!

It's the beginning of a new life -- a new team, a new training program, a new group of friends, and a new home! The nerve-racking depart from the safety, comfort, and familiarity of home to the unfamiliar, mysterious, and exciting world of college has been phenomenal in all aspects.

Luckily, we had two weeks of altitude training and team bonding at Mammoth before the start of school to form strong friendships between teammates and coaches that will constitute the heart of our support network during the school year. The trip got off to a good start with solid efforts from all our upperclassmen runners who raced at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. While training at altitude and saying goodbye to family proved to be difficult, the challenges brought us together and taught us to rely on and trust one another.

Mammoth running camp consisted of much more than just running though; it was two fun-filled weeks of team meals, bear encounters, skits, meetings, hikes, ice baths (in the cold creeks), movies, gossip girl, and card playing.

Now we're back on The Farm where there's a lot more oxygen and plenty of activities for all us freshmen to do during orientation. All of us freshmen were welcomed enthusiastically by the Stanford band with the annual band run in which the student body runs around campus at night from dorm-to-dorm in eccentric attire while yelling dorm chants and dancing to the band's music.

Even though the transition from high school to college has felt overwhelming at times, it is definitely worth it for all the excitement and joy of finally being on the Farm and training with the team!