coach holt, Steve, James, and I warmed up on most of the course so i could see how it went. then we got back and got changed and ready for the race. As i was putting on my newly made "trail shoes" i saw that i had left one spike on the left shoe from last XC season and couldn't get it out, so i ran with it.
Mile 1- 5:20, started out solid but didn't seem too fast. i didnt really know what pace to go so i just stuck with Nephi, Steve, and Holt. this part of the course was the flattest part and it seemed to fly by. at the end of the mile Holt whispered something to me but i couldn't hear him so i just went a little faster and it seemed to satisfy him.
Mile 2- 5:16, this was mostly down hill... but it was steep steep down hill. this is where Nephi fell off and as we came to a cattle guard they had a water station and i went to grab on and ended up knocking over both of the guys waters and me and steve could help but laugh. this kind of killed my momentum for a bit. still felt good but tried to be careful cause the trail was full of rocks. coach gave me some advice during the race that helped a lot.
Mile 3-6:32, this part was most of the hill back up out of the canyon or whatever its called. i really felt like i struggled at this part, like everyone else, and i just wanted to stop and walk but i could see coach behind me and that drove me to keep going. it was quite a climb though. i think at one point i was going 8:30 pace. but i hit the 3 mile mark at about 17min which is what i was shooting for a normal 5k so that made me happy.
Mile 4- 6:35, as i reached the top of the hill i turned to find more up hill which i should have known considering i had just ran the course before i raced it. i could feel holt breathing down my neck so as soon as i clipped over the last hump i stared my big push for the last 800 and reached the end in 23:41.
cooled down 2.3 with Steve, Holt, and James. and saw a pet goat in someones yard. then went to the awards where i got 50 BUCKS! to the running center. i was sad that they were fair and unlike enterprise's 5k they only give you one award for winning and take you out of the age division prizes.
stretched and rolled really good when i got home. Glad i could get in a race and felt this was a good overall week. no major pains, need to stay healthy | 