So. Today I was kinda just sitting at home, trying to figure out what to do before the race. I was nowhere near in race-mode. But I wasn't nervous.. Which was kinda nice. Generally I have to be dragged by my hair to the starting line. (Kay, not really. But it's not super far off.) We got to Cedar, and I realized I was kinda excited. I'm glad we got in such a good warm up, cause that got me ready for it. At the starting line, I was just spazzing out. I was jumping and smiling and laughing.. I was just so happy! Then we started the race and I got out really well. I didn't get boxed in at all, and I kinda started in eighth-ish or so. Then I started passing girls til I got up into fourth. I stuck right there.. I didn't want to settle, but I didn't want to pass Aimee so early in the race.. I figured I could stick with her and figure out what to do from there. She and a Hurricane girl started getting farther ahead, and I didn't go with them. I think I was just too scared to start out too fast. So I stuck in with a Canyon View girl. We went back and forth, passing each other at different times, but I could tell I was feeling stronger than her. My mom said to keep one positive thought in my head, and the only thing I could think of was 'I feel good. I feel good. I feel good.' over and over and over. Just before the last little lap, I passed the Canyon View girl and told myself there was no way she was gonna beat me. Coach told me to reel in the Hurricane girl.. I know I could have, but I didn't. I wish I did. But I didn't feel good enough at the time. My stomach just kinda hurt. But I ended up taking third.. The Canyon View girl never passed me again. I felt pretty good about the race. It was definitely a good confidence booster for the season.. Which I am way excited for. It was way cool to watch all the girls run and do so well. We are gonna have such a good (and fun) team this year! | 