Notes
So late to logging this, but looking back on the race I am pretty pleased with it. I think the biggest lesson nationals can teach you is that you have to run the race that is given to you. Those Chicago and Washu girls have beaten me every time this season, but they (besides Kiera) tried to run their own race and it backfired. I had no business beating those Chicago girls, but they waited far too long to make their move. Ella Behrens totally overthought the race and got negative in the middle. All 3 were physically capable but mentally not in it, and that's why I love nationals- It doesn't always come down to the most physically fit person. My strength has never been the miles I put in or a controlled form, but in the fact that I'm not afraid to match a move when it happens and I don't throw in the towel when I fail to match a move. I smiled and stayed controlled for the first part because I knew being relaxed and confident would set me up for a good second half. I ran with kiera the whole time which was a blast! I was nervous going into this race because I knew that I would be battling those same girls I ran with at WASHU, which was great until the very end. I knew I would have to make my move before it came down to a final kick, so when one Chicago girl took off with about 5 to go, I knew I had to do that too. I passed Kiera again going into the last lap and just held on as best as I could. I held everyone off to finish 6th.
Not to be cheesy, but the main thing going through my head was to run this for my team. I talked to coach Newsom the day before and told him that it would be totally fine by me if the team couldn't stay for my race. After all, it was at 9:50pm at night, and people had their own races to think about. In my eyes, it's a team sport, which yes means cheering people on but it also means thinking about whats in the best interest of your teammates too. I'd rather have them get their sleep so they can perform at their best the next day. However, Coach Newsom said "Shae. We are STAYing to watch you perform. Nothing will change my mind". So lowkey, my main motivation was to do well for him and the team because I was not about to make them all stay just to watch me crap the damn bed.
And they didn't watch me crap the bed, but it was all thanks to them. And not in a cheesy way, but in the way that having everyone there cheering me on every single lap made me smile, which made me relax, which made my form stay controlled during a fast pace, which gave me the confidence I needed to know that I was capable.
The other thing going through my head was something I was told after my indoor nationals race. The words were "Getting 9th place? You might as well have not even been there". It doesn't take a scientist to figure out who said that, and I don't think they meant it in that way, but I'll still never forget it. I knew I couldn't let that happen again. I didn't want to let anyone down. No one was staying to watch me get ninth place.
No one is probably going to read this anyway since its been like two months haha, but if anyone ever does, just know that there is still so much importance in "being there". My "bad" day was one of the main reasons that this day turned out so well. There's a lot of lessons to be learned from races that don't always go your way. It sucks to learn the hard way, but learning the hard way is sometimes the best, most effective way. Thinking about it now, it's also a good reminder to use the things people say as motivation rather than as a beat down. I ruminated over indoor nationals and the feelings of disappointment for way too long. I hope others can just learn and move on rather than hold on to the guilt for so long.
okay time to get off my soap box.
happy with this race. definitely hungry for more. i want a school record.