Notes
Championship season 3k TT on the track, this year with EVERYONE in. Was pumped for this, goal was to just hang onto some guys and get dragged to a fast time, certainly faster than last year. THOUGHT I could break 9, but was definitely not convinced since Paul/Brian didn't last year. Was very relaxed, confident, and excited in the time leading up to it though, it was all in good fun and I wasn't nervous. Cool, rainy night under the lights, but good conditions.
Race went pretty much perfectly. Started off in the middle, pretty quickly the top 4 guys had broken away and I was right towards the front of the chase pack. Came through 400 in ~71 and 800 in ~2:24, so right on. Our group started to string out and I stayed calm and moved up on the outside as I felt people slowing down. Tyler and I rolled up on Brian and I think I took the lead for our group w/ 3 to go, a little anxious that it was early but was feeling good. It was the right move, we kept the pace honest as it had to be. Came through 2k in 6:02 maybe so I knew we had to close hard, I think Steve and Brian came back and passed me. Originally I had wanted to make a strong move with 2 to go but I wasn't mentally prepared for it so I just told myself to keep myself in it for one more lap. Stayed right on the trio of Steve/Brian/Colin going into the final lap and then was able to just run hard all the way in.
Not a badly ran race at all but I think it's fair to say I had more in me if I was in the 3k groove.
Pretty PUMPED about this performance. 2 seconds faster than my PR from probably my best ever track race, and 17 seconds faster than my TT last year. Must have been a good strong final k, like 2:55. All this while not being in "3k shape", two days after a workout, with a lift this morning. Definitely a GREAT launching point for track! Last year, I ran 9:14 in the TT, then GAINED like 8 lbs and ran 8:59 in track (15 sec improvement!) If I keep my weight the same and improve by the same amount, could I be pushing 8:40? Ha! Hard to say but certainly won't count myself out!
GREAT performances all around at the TT, last year my time would have been 4th/5th, this year I was 7th! Beyond psyched for regionals...