Well, I might have learned some lessons today. No matter what kinds of lessons they were, I've gained experience.
After getting home at 11 after going and watching on thursday, I got everything ready as fast as I could, ate my pasta dinner, and showered. When I got to bed it was already past 12, so not optimal. I think I slept pretty well nonetheless, and I had a good sizeable nap on the bus up then next morning, which left at 7 am. When we got there it was just like Boise all over again, I had around five hours until my race. Considering that, I decided to go on a two mile shakeout, so I left and did a loop around campus on the grass (there was no snow in sight!) and ran around the turf football field a few times. I felt really good and it was nice and sunny and beautiful out.
Chilled out for four hours, watched races, and when I heard first call for the boys 800, I thought that meant it was time to warmup, so I did a mile outside. I got back in and got everything I needed and headed down there. I got to the check in table and found that they had already checked everyone in! But luckily I found someone who checked me in late so I wasn't scratched. Then it was just a matter of time. I didn't pay too much attention to the other races. I got on the line (I was #2) and they said on your marks but then made us stand up. Then we got started right after that. I almost slipped starting but I got back on my feet fast. I ran super hard the first 50 meters to get to the front, and a kid almost got in front of me but I sped up, and didn't even make contact with him. Came through the 200 in 29, still in front. Came through 400 in 60. I started feeling it about 350m in. Watching my race video, I started to tighten up at 500 meters. I was imagining myself on an outdoor track and where I would be. Guy passed me with 200 to go, and got a gap on me, but it didn't get any bigger, it was just maintained for the rest of the race. Last 400 was 65, split into a 33 and a 32. I made the mistake of looking at the clock on the last stretch and that probably slowed my time down. The clock was off so I thought I ran high 2:04, so I was really hopeful about making finals. When I was walking away my quads and hammys were hurting once again, that only seems to happen after running an 800.
They misplaced our sweats, so me and a bunch of other guys from my heat were looking for them for awhile, but then we were told where they were. I watched the rest of the heats, then went on a half mile to a mile cooldown, then came in and checked results. I looked at the names right below the qualifying line first and I immediatley saw mine, the second one down. Yep, I missed finals by two spots. I instantly felt really terrible, and dissapointed. I ran outside and ran to the other side of the arena at like 5 minute pace. I was mad. Got back to where our stuff was and it was first call for the medley. So I got ready and soon we were waiting for it to start. I geuss I felt okay before it. I was just ready to blow off some steam. Indorr Medley goes 400-200-200-800, so I had to start running earlier because the baton was coming in faster. When I got it we were in second to last place with last way behind. I got it and sprinted to catch up with Davis J-team (J-TEAM!!) and a green uniform. I used alot of energy trying to catch them and ran a 59 or 60 my first 400. Than I started to blow up and they pulled away. I felt sooo tired, I just couldn't go faster. I ran like a 2:11-12 split, it was really bad. Still matched my 800 time from USU haha. Cooled down about 2.5 miles and I was done.
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