Notes
This was one of the best races I've ever had. I'd have to rank them, but definitely top 3.
The whole setup this week was to race to win, because I expected to be in the front of my heat seedwise. When the heat sheets came out I was 16 out of 20 and for a good while I kind of changed my race expectations to just settling for a PR, I didn't think that I could toss my hat in that ring. Slowly as we warmed up, I thought that if I could beat a couple people I didn't think I should be close to, it would set me up well at conference if I see myself closing on someone who is outright better than me on paper. I also wanted to kick really frickin hard this race to prove that I can, because thats where I've struggled the most in races, finishing them.
That being said, here is a recap of the race:
Nasty headwind on the homestretch, hella tailwind on the backstretch.
I got out in about 5th to last, kind of where I expected to be, but it felt pretty comfortable. I was halfway between tucking in behind in the wind and going out into lane 3 because I felt too quick to just sit. We went through 400 in 68 and 700 in 2:00, at this point, when there was 750 to go, a gap opened up in between 2 people in front of me, and I instinctively threaded between them and just started moving past people, I didn't really think about the wind and with 400 to go I was in the front 5 and just took the lead and here I absolutely went to the well. I knew the backstretch was freaky fast so I tried to notch down another gear here, but some guy had better flat speed than me, and when I came around the corner with 150 to go, Addy was on my shoulder, and he just had more to give than me. I really gave everything else the last 100m and held off whoever else was behind me and finished 3rd overall.
I took about 2 steps after the line and my legs gave out. I had to have Micah support me while we walked because my legs could not support me. It took a couple minutes for me to be able to walk and I hobbled, and before we started to cool-down, I felt like I was going to vomit, so I went over to the trashcan, but really tried to not throw up because I didn't want my body to think that it was going to be a normal thing. The cooldown really sucked, but in a satisfying way where I knew my body didn't have anything left to give that race. my first 2 miles were 8:50 and 9:01, so I stopped and gave it a good 15 minutes before I ran again. Me and Leb ran out by the warmup loop, found a neat lil trail and just talked about our races. It was a good time. He put himself out there and ran well too, and I take pride in that. We also talked about racing post-collegiately, but I shouldn't think about that too much yet, I still have a lot to do at this level. Man I freakin love this team so much. Addison, Leb, Jim, literally everyone. Jim especially. The man TORE HIS FUCKIN HIP LABRUM and is SO FREAKIN DETERMINED HE RACED TODAY. He ran a 4:45, and to be honest I don't think if I was in his situation I would have even thought about racing, but I respect the absolute hell out of him and that might be the most badass thing I have ever seen. His post race analysis brought tears to my eye.
I've said alot this log so I'm gonna wrap it up now. Peace out.
Jim's PRA:
As sad as being done with running makes me feel, I'm glad I got to go out on my own terms. This race was so hard. My body completely rejected the idea of running, I literally started dry heaving 500 meters into the race lol. My hip didn't really bother me, but Al said my stride looked off, so thats not surprising. It got pretty bad after the race, but that's what happens after every run. I wanted to stop running so bad, and I knew nobody would question it cause of my hip, but I couldn't do that to my teammates or to myself. I knew if I got to 800 I would finish, so I just kept going. I think if it hadn't been so fricking windy I could have run a lot faster, but whatever. I have experienced so much in college running, and I would love to have had it go differently. But at the end of the day, life isn't fair, so I have to be the one to create the value out of the experience. SO MUCH SUCKED, but there are lot of positives running brought me. I will miss this team so much next year, and who knows what the future of running is for me. I want to thank every coach who ever taught me anything, or ever believed in me. I would not be the runner or man I am today without it. I also want to thank every teammate I've had. Anyone who ever pushed me in a workout or race, or encouraged me after a bad one. Thank you to anyone who ever kept me company in the stupid depths of a pool or lake, or during the mind numbing monotony of the bike. Thanks to everyone who laughed at my dumb jokes, and put up with me in my bad moods. I love all of you so much, as you guys are one of the highlights of college running for me. I never accomplished what I wanted to, but at least I made some damn good friends. Keep grinding, for yourself, and for me. If you can learn one thing from me, NEVER FUCKING GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS. You are all so capable of greatness.