Notes
(watch timed, official time from coaches was 16:38 flat) Time trial on the state course after the varsity race. Made the decision to try and challenge myself to run with faster people in this race and see if I could hold on. Got out fast, and ran with Bobby through the curve and along the finish straight. Caught up to Luke Liu sometime around the the finish area. Formed a solid group and came through the mile in 5:20 (close to a 1600 PR if converted). Kept with the group through 1.5, and Joey joined us sometime before the 2 mile. Heard coach yell 11 minutes so based off that my 2nd mile was in 5:40. Last mile was a blur, in a ton of pain, and just trying to hold on. Caught John with ~ 800 to go. Group dropped me on the little downhill before the finish stretch and I couldn't stay with them. Probably could have had a better kick if someone had been with me in the last 200 though. Last mile 5:39. Also was on the verge of a cramp for the last mile, but thankfully it didn't affect me and only hit me after I finished. Need to work on my pre-race eating strategies. Pretty happy with my race today. Snagged a nice 9 second PR, even with an east to west breeze that might have cost us a few seconds, and challenged myself to run with people I don't usually run with. Kinda disappointed I didn't stay with the group when they surged though, I once again mentally gave in that they would drop me in the final stretch before it even happened. I need to have more confidence in my ability to close races. Definitely something to work on for track. On a side note I was more focused on the varsity race today, and therefore not panicking about mine. Definitely a lesson to try to come into races with a little less anxiety in the future. Also no pain above the knee.