Notes
Nationals!
We had been told about the Hershey course and hills all season long but honestly not as bad as I thought it would be. Certainly a difficult course though.
Warm up was good. Heather was there!!! We tried to convince her to take Allison's bib and do the same thing she did last year haha. My calves were feeling actually pretty tight and painful on the warm up so I was a little worried but I felt pretty relaxed and ready to go.
The plan was to start out with Emma conservatively and run the race together just like we always do. But then the race started and there were so many girls and it was so hectic. Almost like an Augustana start. So I saw Emily sprinting away and didn't even know where Emma was :( I sprinted after and past Emily and knew the course was going to narrow quickly and I didn't want to get stuck behind a bunch of girls. More than anything I wish I could have run this race with Emma stride for stride like we have been this season. First mile was like 6:15 which I know is too fast for the course we were on. But I was feeling good and powering up the hills. So I kept going. I think I did a good job of not being afraid of the downhills and just opening up and using them to get a little extra speed burst. Not a fan of all the gravel and rocks on the course though. I just kept trying to move up and move around girls. Breathing felt good, it was a beautiful day, and I felt very in control. Shout out to everyone cheering on the course. My favorite by far was Megan right after the 5k yelling things like "come on! This is what you worked for! GO get it!". I had no idea I was so far up in the race until the 4k when another team was shouting out places and I heard I was in 35th. I just stayed tough and told myself I could get my goal of being All American if I just started moving now. Got to poop out hill and powered up it. I was feeling nauseous at the top though- I think from all the hills taking a lot out of me. This is where a lot of the boys were cheering and I knew I couldn't let anyone pass me so I just stayed tough and hung on to this Michigan state girl. Kicked to my best ability while feeling nauseous and I think I passed at least 1 or 2 people. I came through the finish took two steps and then gagged like I was going to throw up (but I didn't!!). But I knew I was All American and couldn't believe my time and place. I'm always surprising myself. I really didn't expect to do as well as I did. I am very very proud of my season and all the hard work that went into it, my marathon, and nationals. One of the best parts was Frintner coming up to me, picking me up and hugging me and saying ALL AMERICAN! Finished in 23rd or 23th as my medal says and a time of 23:50. Women placed 9th and men placed 4th.
A special shout out to Captain Emma B: I'd like to thank you for being such a wonderful captain, friend, and roommate. I've never had someone who could pace and work with me so well in a race and I'm really going to miss you next XC season. I know you didn't get all american and weren't totally happy with your race but you've got a lot to be proud of. You were an excellent captain, made it through the season ehh mostly healthy or at least being very tough pushing through pain, and finished nationals this year. My season would be nowhere near as successful or fun without you.
Now for track season!