Morning- Woke up at 4:30 A.M! Went over to Coach's house so we could drive clear out to Enterprise to race a 5k. We drove up, I was pretty tired... And wanted to sleep... So I took a little power nap. And felt good after that. We warmed up like a quarter mile... Because we got there, like 10 minutes before the race started! And they loaded up the buses and went up to this canyon. And they left us!! Because we were using the Jong. haha. But we were freaking out, because the race started in 4 minutes, and we didn't have a ride all the way up the canyon! But this guy that was helping gave us a ride up. Like fast! His truck only went 80 MPH like maxed out. And was going 75-79 MPH! Really pushing the car! His car was shaking, and I was super nervous! This was the kind of aderaline I needed before a race! :) Anyways.... Now that I told you all that... Race Report- Goal for today: Stick on Abel, and Byron the first mile, and hang in there as long as possible. And push till the finish. I started out super fast, because I thought Abel, and Byron were going to take out at a dead sprint like last time. But I calmed down into the pace. And the first mile flew by like crazy! But I just had to focus on staying on them. Stay on them Matt, stay on! So I did until about a little before the mile marker. And I fell back 30 meters... But first mile was 5:20ish. And I felt like I was pushing the first mile pretty good. And now I thought 2 miles left I can do this! Kyler, and Colton were also racing this race. Kyler was with me for most of it. But I slowed down a lot on this next mile, but I kept on trying to keep a alright pace. Not like die out... So I kept on pushing the pace every 0.15 of a mile, or so. Kyler fell off me about 1.7ish. And I kept my eye on the leading truck, and said, "Keep close!". But I was alone basically. Kyler fell behind 30-50 meters. And I had to push the pace myself. I really hate having no one pushing the pace with me... But I would throw little surges in, and push for sections. Then before I knew it. Mile 2 was done! 1 mile to go! 5k's are sooo short when you break them down! I can do one mile. I really tried to push this parth hard, but nothing crazy happened, until Colton just starts flying by me at like 5:10ish pace. I went with him. But sadly he died out quickly, and I softened the pace too... But that got me going again to finish. After running a few minutes in my mind, I thought 800 meters! That's my race! So I picked it up. And with a real 800 meters left. I really tried pushing, and pushing. I could tell I was going harder, because the pain level went up ALOT! But I was worried I couldn't hold that pace, but I told myself. To just trust it, and go! So I did. You don't know how far you can go, until you try your best! I re-learned that this race! I kept on pushing till the end. I didn't really sprint to the end like usual, but just kept the same pushing pace at 800 meters... If I could have sprinted I could have taken off a few seconds! But the course was 3.15 miles. I was very pleased with my placing, and time. 17:48 for the 3.15 mile course. Most of it was down hill. It's not a P.R. But it was a really performed race for what type of year it is for me. My three mile split was around 16:47-16:55. That's not too shabby. Average pace was 5:39. That's actually pretty dang good for me right now! :) So I am happy about that too. And I got 3rd overall, and got a medal. That was pretty cool. And made me feel like I actually accomplished something, and even got me really motivated for XC this season! Because I forgot what it feels like to medal. It makes you feel good, atleast me! :) Things learned from this race. Trust it, and go. You don't know, until you try. And stick with the top boys a little longer. Things to work on is keep the pace going harder each mile. And get back into serious racing shape! This was an amazing race! And I was super positive, and happy after! That's another good thought! Afternoon- Went on a afternoon run with the team. Just an easy 3 miles. Went by fast, but just was super hot today. Was about 106 on the dirt, and 110ish on the road... Soo HOT! But felt good after, and good to get in. Ready to roll for rest of the week! :) | 