C Mantz Running

AM-3 easy miles

PM-4 miles on Pre’s trail, then 2x400, 2x200 at 62, 60, 28, 27. Felt pretty easy for the most part. The first 400 was a bit hard to get into it(that and we were told to run 65, so I thought it would be easier. 

AM-3 easy miles

PM-Not sure on the exact distance, but it was over 3.  Went to the track and did strides.  

AM-2 easy miles as a shakeout.  

Race-Warmed up, felt kinda sick to my stomache.  Not sure if it was something I ate or not.  In a gist, the race was terrible.  As we were on the starting line, it didn't feel like a race to me.  I even had less butterflies than for a workout.  I just felt strange.  Anyway, we started, and I got out faster than I had planned(I'm sure everyone did), and tried to get into a groove.  Well, I thought it went out fast, so I should try and slow it down to 68-70s and just try to run a more even-paced race so that I could have the energy necessary to kick.  I stayed behind Rory for a bit as he started moving up, and thought that this was perfect.  A fast start meant a lot of people would burn themselves out, which is exactly what I was hoping for.  Anyway, after 2km or so, I got passed by the guy in last place and was suddenly in last.  I tried to relax and try to stay with him, but then I just couldn't.  I felt really low on energy.  At 3200m, I saw I was still under 9:20 (I didn't think this at the time, but it was likely a slow mile as at 1600m I was around 4:27), and I told myself to just try to run 70s and then people will come back to me. Well, the next 200m wasn't a 35, and I realized that I was going really slow.  I tried to put more effort in, but my body wasn't responding. It felt like a nightmare, where you try to run fast, but you move insanely slow.  I felt so out of energy.  After 13 laps, the front pack lapped me.  I had a water cup in my hand and I held it out for McMillan to take, but he didn't because he was afraid of that leading to a DQ (which I''m still not sure if it would have).  Anyway, a couple laps later I saw Rory and Clayton getting lapped on the big screen (which was super disheartening) and they were 200m ahead of me.  I made it a goal to catch up to them because I thought maybe there was someone from another team that was around them that I could beat.  About at this point, coach told me I was done, and I think this was him telling me to drop out.  I told him before the race I was feeling sick, and he encouraged me to not think about it and to do my best.  These laps from 8 to the end were some of the hardest of my life.  I knew my family had flown to watch me, and my coaches and school had invested a lot in having me run at nationals, and I was going so slow.  It was just a terrible experience to have them watch me as I just tried to finish.  After I just felt so disappointed in myself.  I felt terrible about everything.  It was so hard to see a bright-side of life, as I'd put so much effort and sacrifice into this race.  I kept thinking about the homework I'd skipped because I wanted to get to bed early, and how it was all to race well.  

\ It was a real bitter end to the season.  I had a lot of hope going into this to finish in the top 8, but it's sad to say that I wasn't even within 2 minutes of that. There is a lot to be learned though, and gratitude and humility are part of those.  Now in reflection of the race a couple weeks later, I'm trying to focus on cross country, and keep my head up.  I know that the infection I had likely played a major role in the lack of energy in the race (I've felt that I have no energy to run for almost the last two weeks).  I'm hoping things go better in the future.  

ran with some guys in the morning on pre’s trail and near the track in the afternoon. Noticed a big bump on my back. 

ran with guys on their shakeout, warm up and cool down, then had to run with some of the girls on the team at night because they were kinda scared of running alone in the dark.  I had a big bump on my back that kept hurting. It hurt to walk, sit, not so much to run though. Judd operated on it with a needle, but couldn’t get anything other than blood out. Pain was consistent through my entire hip. 

Didn’t sleep well last night, I kept waking up in pain. Later I thought I’d be good to go for a run. Bad idea. I ran with some of the guys for a bit, but the pain on my back, side, and lower stomach area was pretty bad. Called it quits later than I should’ve. Went to an urgency care in Eugene and got it numbed and they dug pretty deep hoping to find puss, but only a lot of blood. The rest of the day was spent getting antibiotics and laying in bed. Connor McMillan got a get-well card and had a lot of athletes sign it at the meet, even a few on their victory laps. I’m not sure if this effected me in the race at all,  but there’s a chance, although I also think it was something we ate.