Notes
An interesting first race in my collegiate career at Wheaton. Coach Bradley wanted us to race methodically rather than stupid, which makes perfect sense. We were assigned packs, and supposed to hit a designed pace (5:45) for the first 3 miles then rail the last 2. Had a great day to race, course was nice, overcast but not raining. Sprained ankle early in week and felt I needed to be cautious about it still so was careful on the turns and rough terrain.
Gun start was so anticlimactic, didn't even realize race had started. We kept it controlled, unlike other teams who bolted out of the gate, settled in to 5:46 for first mile, me and Kent Smith leading our pack. 2nd mile was good, passing some of the fools who started so quick, 5:37 second mile, started getting tired in the 3rd mile but cranked a 5:43. At the 3 mile mark we were allowed to go. Alex Holle and Phillip Meyer both took off, and my legs felt exhausted, wanted to go with them but couldn't. Fought my way through a tough 5:37 fourth mile but felt toast. Last mile was a mental mile but pushed hard and went 5:04 for the last mile, which was sick (even though last mile is .03 short). Had one of the best kicks of my career ever at the end, me and another guy neck and neck 150 meters out, both great kicks and he got me but still one of my best kicks. Overall time was 27:45, which is great, better than I expected, but I would have liked to be with Holle and Phillip, who were 30 seconds faster than I was. Next race though. Felt good about place on the team (11th out of the 25 who ran), and excited to race with this same tactic. Got to see Griffin Brunk after the race as well.