Notes
I was told during race strategy that I’ve never done something big or died at the line and…well, you already know how I feel about proving people wrong. ;)
We are always supposed to think about our best track race during visualization. I feel like I don’t really have one of those, so this time I had tried something different; Instead, of reminiscing about a race from the past, I envisioned how I wanted this race to pan out. I pictured the type of race I've always dreamed of having but hadn’t yet had. I went into this race with the belief- no, not the belief- the knowledge, that I could hang onto that front pack. I attached myself to the back of the front pack and for once I just wasn’t scared. Every time they moved (and there were A LOT of moves in this race), I just moved with them, as if it were an expectation. I just kept repeating to myself during the race “Why not me?”. I felt like I truly RACED today (I don’t know what the hell I've been doing for the past 6 years, apparently NOT racing?!) and I actually had a lot of fun doing so. I don’t even really remember the race except for the fact that I was having fun and grinding at the same time.
I never thought I’d be the runner to have a breakthrough race like this. I don’t really know what I did differently besides believing in myself, putting myself in a good position from the start (except for the first lap lmao), and as Spitz would say, did “something stupid”. There isn't really any deep meaning or some ultra epiphany I had; I feel like I just sort of went out there and made shit happen. I was absolutely over the moon with my time and know that there are some things I can work on to make it even better. It feels awesome to finally have a race that shows how hard I've been working! And now I have a race to think about during visualization!
As upsetting as that 3k race was, I think THAT was the race that made this one happen. That race showed me how fast I can run even when I screw it up. That raced showed me that I can hang onto runners that I once believed to be out of my league. That race showed me I am better than I thought I was. I was mad about not getting as many opportunities to compete, but I realized all that matters is that I take full advantage of the opportunities that I am given.
And as always, just grateful to be out there with my chicks I will likely only have one more race this indoor season, but who knows, if I make it super badass, there may be another ;)
PS speaking of 3k's, I PR'd in the 3k again in this 5k. 10:22. Suck on that, Mia Rampton!