Notes
2nd dual meet of the season. At the RLTAC, against Randolph- we lost. I ran the 1000, along with Christian, Pat, and a bunch of other Pembroke guys. Our goal was to sweep against Randolph- I figured that this wouldn't be too difficult, given the notoriously low quality of their distance guys. Individually, I hoped to run a faster race than last week. I figured that given the times from last week, I could compete with just about anyone in the league, and so was angling for a victory in my heat.
I was happy with the quality of the field in our heat. Along with the 11 Pembroke guys and Randolph's 3, there were guys from WH and NQ/Q. Among the Whitman-Hanson guys, I recognized Tyler Sullivan, Nate Stephansky, and Pat Ryan, all of whom I knew were very good runners. Although I knew that they were doubling back from the mile, I still expected them to run a solid time- my goal, however, was to go after it and compete. The WH and NQ/Q guys started in the barrel, while us and Randolph were on the main starting line. After last week's slow start, I wanted to make sure I took the lead right away this time and kept a good pace. I started on the far right side of the line.
When the gun went off, I got right out into first place. I wanted to get out hard, but still feel reasonably relaxed and controlled. I expected that the WH trio would beat me to the break line, but to my surprise I was still leading at the end of the first lap. I continued to keep up the pace for the second lap, beginning to wonder if the WH kids were actually in the race. I came through the quarter in 65, which felt fine, and is a good pace to be at. Finally, on the back stretch of the third lap, Sully and Nate passed me. I was actually so convinced that they should be ahead of me that I put up almost no resistance to them passing me- probably a mistake. However, I kept in mind that my goal was to compete, and although taking the race out was a start, I wasn't through yet. I stuck right on the pair for the rest of the lap. On the fourth lap, I made a move, passing Nate and getting right behind Tyler. As we entered the bell lap, I was really thinking that I had a shot at getting Tyler, one of the League's top runners. I tried to make a move, but he surged away over the last lap. With 100 to go Nate passed me as well, and I dug down to try and stick with him to the end. The finish line was a mess, as we happened to be lapping kids at that time who were all over the place.
I ran 2:50.6, which is awesome. It is a PR for me, and I am pumped that it came so early in the season. It is also only a second off of DIII qualifying time- that second could have come from the messy finish alone. I am really confident that I can make DIII's for the first time, and am now hoping that I will get to go to Dartmouth. I think that based on my time today, and the fact that I beat Christian (who is definitely going) that I am deserving of making the trip.
In regards to my race today, I think it shows that racing to compete can lead to good times and mental focus. After today, I am ranked 6th/7th in both the League and DIII (for what it's worth). I plan to continue to get out and go for it against tough contenders. I think that I am definitely capable of running both sub- 2:49 and sub- 4:50 this season, which would set me up nicely for the spring.