You've got to want it to win it

This morning I met up with Amanda again to do our final workouts before regionals this week!  We did the usual warmup, then split for our workouts.  Mine was 500s.  The goal was to do at least 6, and at most 10.  Recovery was 2 minutes, with 100 jog in that.  Goal pace was high 70s for the 400 split.  My times were 1:35, 1:33 (I definitely was feeling better than last week!), then I got into more of a rhythm and ran 1:36, 1:37, 1:37, 1:37, 1:37, 1:36.  After the 7th one I really didn't want to do one more... but I made myself do it anyway, and did my best to maintain the rhythm I had going.  I did a few backwards laps on the track for cooldown while I waited for Amanda to finish her workout, then did the same warmup route and back to the locker room.  Tim worked on my calves and shins, they are much better than last week!  And then my hamstrings, IT, and quads a bit too.  Then I took a 15 minute ice bath, the last few minutes with Amanda :)  We leave for Austin tomorrow :)  I am really excited and ready for this race :)  I am ranked 25 right now, and the race will be run in one heat.  Time to get into the race ready mindset so that I can go after one of those top 12 spots!  

This morning I went to Liberty to start my run from there.  I ran down 500e to 3300s, then up to 700e and back to Liberty Park, and then a lap around the perimeter to get to 8 for the day.  7:04 average pace :)  Flying to Austin tonight.

This morning I went running with Amanda, Bekah, and Kep on the trail by the river.  We did about half hour, then Amanda and Bekah and I did strides.  

1 mile shakeout run on my own this morning before breakfast.

With about an hour before race time I started my warmup with Bekah.  She did the first ten minutes with me, then I did another few minutes on my own.  They wanted us by checkin a half hour before, so I took my spikes and went up there for strides and drills.  About ten minutes before we were supposed to start they lined us up and let us on the track for strides.  They lined us up on the line, but then they halted the meet for 20 minutes while they went and got us hip numbers!  Biggest waste of time :P  But I made sure to keep doing strides and drills while waiting.  Finally they lined us up.  I was on the inside of the outer alley.  Going out there were a few girls from my alley who went ahead of me, but I just relaxed since the race was not to be won or lost in those first 100 meters.  Joining up with the girls from the first alley I was in pretty decent position.  It felt relaxed, and I was towards the front of the pack and on the inside.  The first lap split was about 85, then we were almost 3:00 through 800!  The pace picked up then, and I think the pack had a lot of 87s.  I stuck to the inside and didn't worry about moving to the front of the pack, the race was plenty long for moving up later.  There was a lot of shuffling within the pack, but I stayed on my feet the whole time.  The first mile split was 5:56!  But as long as we were all in one pack I was fine with that.  The next 2 miles were about the same, and we were still in a pack until we reached 11 laps to go.  Then some girls broke away, and they broke hard.  About half the pack fell away then, myself included.  I was one of the girls strung off the back, and could see the string of other girls who had done the same and the lead pack.  From this point I knew that my chances of nationals this year were gone, but I was determined that at least I would catch some of the girls in front of me.  With 10 and 9 laps to go I really wanted to quit, but I made myself keep going.  When it got to 8 laps and less I was able to make myself pick it up a bit (or maybe I was just able to push so that I would maintain my pace and not slow down) and battled the girls who tried to pass me and to close the gap on girls in front of me.  With about 3 laps to go I was passed by the leaders (my first time ever being lapped during a track race... but for 6 years of track I did amazing keeping it off until now!) and pushed a little bit as I could hear more of the girls passing by.  When I saw one of them going into the final lap the same as me I was disappointed that I had thought she was just one of the leaders, so I just let her pass me without a fight :P  I finished the last lap and was so grateful to just have finished the race!  Especially with the heat it was a big accomplishment!  And all 48 girls finished :)  For cooldown I did about a mile and a quarter.  I am happy for the way I ran this race, staying with the pack was what I needed to do.  If I had gone to the front and pushed the pace I am sure the pack would have come with.  Looking at the results, there were 15 seniors ahead of me, so that is comforting for next year :)   

This morning I went running with Amanda on the river trail.  On our way back a guy named Chris joined us for a bit.  I finished with laps on the track to get to 5 while Amanda did her strides.

This morning I went running in the rain!  I ran over by the track and then made some loops around campus, and then back to the hotel to finish at 5 for the day.  My calves and hamstrings are sore.