Notes
I only met my "easy goal" of breaking 26 by running a 25:55, but that is still like a 50 second PR that I do not know that I would have gotten if I had given up on breaking 26 at the 5k Mark, which I passed around 21:50. At first, I thought for sure I could not break 26 with such a slow 5k (which is actually a fast 5k, considering that was my 5k PR earlier this season). Instead of keeping that negative thought, I decided to push for a PR regardless. I was dead at the end, but coming into the finish, I saw 25:46 on the clock and tried to find something left in my legs. By God's grace, I had the tiniest spurt that got me in under 26!
I was twenty places off from the top half at 192nd out of 352. But the course was way hillier than I thought it would be. I definitely gave it my all, did way better against competition that I had run against before, and was positive the whole time!
For the first time ever, though, I think I am happy XC is finished and am excited for track. I am grateful that I had run, even while working my hardest, and I am grateful for what God gave me today, and I am grateful for my heart being in a more humble place today than it has been previously.