It was raining all morning and I had hope that we would be running in overcast. We didn't get overcast but at least it wasn't super hot. There was a bit of wind but it was all good. This was a difficult race because we were the only NAIA school there. There were some fast runners. Going out at a 78 split already puts you in the back. I was actually in last place for the first 5-6 laps. I worked hard to keep my splits at 78 or under but it became very difficult. I ended up catching up to the guy in front me and chilled behind him for almost a lap. That probably wasn't the best idea considering he was going slower than what i wanted. At least I wasn't last place at this point. The bottom line is that track racing is very difficult to me. Especially with the 5k distance... It is all a mental game. As you run around the track you are constantly reminded of how much you have left and how fast you are going. As you come around the first 200 meters you see the number 12 telling you that you have 12 laps of torture ahead. Then after another 200 meters you have your coach yelling out your splits. It is almost as if you have two checkpoints per lap and it kinda makes you go crazy. You cross there and he yells 78 and you think, "Ok, I just need to hold this pace. I can do that." Then it becomes extremely frustrating when he calls out 80 and you felt as though you had only sped up. At that point you come around the turn to see 6 laps left to go and it takes everything you have to not stop. Then you see 5, then 4. You think, "One mile left!" You try to motivate yourself with the distance you have left and thinking of the workouts you have done but sometimes it just doesn't work. You think, "I could just stop right now and all the pain would go away." You don't though... Runners can't stop. It's a pride issue I guess. Perhaps it's just the ability to delay gratification for something better (finishing the race) Runners finish so it's not really an option unless your injured. But that thought does cross your mind. Then you see 2 then 1 and you try to speed up for fear that that guy behind is going to catch you. So much pain. The finish is a great feeling but the time can be frustrating. I am not a big fan of track racing. It's been a fun experience but I would prefer road races. Figured I would share my thoughts on what Kara Goucher calls the "Oval of Torture." Someone special came all the way from Salt Lake (This meet was in Logan) to see me race. It meant a lot :)
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