I dropped out of tonight's race because I fell off pace after the first 1600m and decided I would save something for another chance to qualify next weekend. I'm not happy with my choices tonight. Going into a race with the attitude that I'll drop if things aren't going well is unacceptable. A race needs to be do or die, you're either going to make it happen or you won't, and I was not in that mentality. When the pace got tough, I chickened out instead of facing it and doing what I needed to hit the time. And I know better than to race like I did. I've just forgotten some things in the frustration of injury. I went through 1600 in 5:00, which was a little slow, but still acceptable. From the splits I was given, I hit 76, 76, and 77 over the next 3 laps, and that's when I decided to drop. Those splits weren't accurate, I came through 2400m in 7:31, and then ran a 77, so I was maybe 5 seconds off pace. This was manageable if I'd been there mentally. The pace hurt, but I know it was my brain and attitude holding me back. No doubt it was in my legs to make it happen tonight. Ah well, I can't beat myself over it forever. Just have to learn my lessons and move on. I'll race the 5k again next weekend to get the conference qualifier.
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