Notes
Regionals at Geneseo (Letchworth State Park)
Conditions: Partly cloudy. Rainy all week, course has some puddles and soft ground at points (nothing too terrible)
During 7am shakeout I was pretty nervous because I couldn't fall asleep at the hotel. I kept moving around, took me over an hour to fall asleep (got into bed around 10, checked my watch when I couldn't sleep and it was 11:15). Woke up at least twice during the night. Probably just nerves...
Doing strides after warm up my legs were feeling pretty slow and I knew getting off the line would be especially tough today. After the gun goes off, the team to our right cut in our direction almost immediately so and since we were in the middle of the line I couldn't get far left to get around the mass of people. Mary and Alexa caught up to me before taking the hairpin turn into the woods. Really had to tell myself I was too far back and force myself to get a better position. Starting working down the field past the start line and into the gravel path. Had to get by a few large groups that were taking up the whole path, so that was a little tricky. The gravel here is only where I felt the half inch spikes (I'd say it was a good choice for the muddy sections). Coming out of the path I was running alone with my eyes on Maddie (and the group she was in) up ahead. Ryan Millar told me to close up the gap and was the right reassurance at the right time. Right then I made the goal to catch them by the road crossing and put it into action. Passed a few of the girls at the back of the pack (2 RIT girls, 2 Geneseo and possible a few others) Ran next to Maddie and we caught Lisa. Continued working up the slight up hill, running on the grass next to the road where it was firmer. Saw Jaime up ahead and really wanted to close up the gap between us because it seemed like we were running the same pace, but I lost her once she crossed the road and took the turn into the final loop. I could hear people coming and everyone was yelling that I could not let any one by. With about 100m or so to go 1 geneseo and 1 RIT girl caught me. I was pretty upset with that ending because it felt like I could have run faster and I felt like I had let everyone down by letting them by.
After we finished everyone looked really upset and I thought we did really bad, but we didn't! Came in 3rd as a team behind Geneseo and Oneonta!! And we are off to Osh Kosh for Nationals!! I'm so excited. I will have to get a better start (and somehow make sure my legs don't feel slow at the start of the race...not sure why that always happens?) And not get overwhelmed by all the spectators chanting for the first mile because I'm sure it will be scarier than Regionals is.
Splits:
2k split: 7:21.7 (5:56 pace)
Middle 3k: 11:18.1 (6:04 pace)
5k split: 18:39.7 (6:01 pace)
Final 1k: 3:37.0 (5:50 pace)