Morning- Woke up feeling good. Ate a good breakfast. Drove over to the meet. I was feeling good, but I was really nervous for some reason, which I am usually nervous at all... But My goal was to qualify for state. So I was aiming for 1:06, 1:08-:09, 1:08-:10, and 1:06. I warmed up 2.5 miles and felt ready. I was the only one racing in the morning so the boys warmed up with me to get a morning run in.
Checked in, got my sticker. And than went to the center of the field. And did agilities, and a couple of stride outs. I was a little worried that I am too much for breakfast on the warm up, but I just ate the right amount. And I watched the first heat go. Some nice times. Then I was up ready to go. I was pre-ranked 5th in my heat as a 4:42.01. So I was hoping the front pack would push the pace a lot.
Race Report- I started out really bad this time... Everyone was pushing, and elbowing. I got cut off like 5 times in the first 100 meters... But I just worked my way up to the front mid pack. And I came by the first lap at 1:07 (goal was 1:06). But I started to work my way up, just getting into a good position, but there were tons of guys all over the place. And started to lose focus for a little. Like I would go on, and off. I would push a nice, strong section, than back off, and die off. Then start it up again. This race was one of those ones. But the 2nd lap came around a 2:18 (1:11). A little too slow (goal 1:08-:09). Started to feel like I was doing bad, because there were tons of guys in front of me. But than I came around the back stretch, and got my speed going again. Pushing past a few kids. And then came around at 3:30 (1:12). Too slow. But I told myself I had to push hard to get state time!! I was right on pace! But I had too push a hard 1:05 in to the finish. I started to speed up, but my kick was nothing... It was just a strong finish.... But I started losing focus again on the back stretch, and than the 200 mark. I got refocused, and pushed it in hard, finishing the race at a 4:38 (1:08). Last lap was strong, but not what I wanted... I didn't have a kick really this race... But it was a great race to start out with! I P.Red by 4 seconds! :) WOOT WOOT! Happy for that! But I didn't get state... But I will get it at BYU this next weekend! I am even closer than I thought I was! Just have to answer the call ALL the way next time! Good race for sure! I now know without a doubt I can get state now in the mile, and the 800! :)
Waited all day for 4x800.... I was the first leg. I really felt good till about 5ish. I raced at 6ish. But I warmed up a little. I think I need to warm up more...
4x800- I took out slow... The first 10 meters, 3 guys started sprinting by, and that kinda blew my confidence down the drain.... But than I ran the first 200 in 29-30ish, which is a slow start. And I just got passed by more kids. That even got my confidence down even more... But I didn't know my first lap... But it was bad like a 1:05. And then I didn't start racing till about 300 meters left.... I passed all the guys that passed me, but got us in 4th. But I finished with a 2:08 (1:03).... That was the WORST 800 I have ever raced! EVER! But I felt like it was all my fault that we didn't break the school record... We were off by 0.3 seconds! Some of other guys didn't do their best, but good have done a little better. But me.... I run 2:02's, sub 2! Not 2:08 junk! Oh well. Moving on from it! I was pretty P.O.ed about it on the ride home. But Coach said that's the old Matt! Talking, the talk, not racing, the race. The new Matt races, the race, and doesn't talk, the talk! So I am keeping it the new MATT way! :) | 