Notes
STEEPLECHASE
CDC steeplechase, had to try and defend my title... did NOT! Wasn't sure what to expect, felt off the last week and have done minimal hurdling work since Upstate. Still thought I could run faster than last time out and could maybe even break 10. We got off to a quick start, I got right up near the front but was still gapped immediately by Jesse Coull who was going HAM in his first ever steeplechase. I just figured I would run my own race and that he would hopefully come back to me, I moved into 2nd on lap 3 maybe and there I sat for most of the rest of the way. According to the splits Shannon gave me, after the first 200 my laps were 78-79-80-81-82-83... not ideal. I felt pretty good the whole time, was pumped seeing the time on the clock each time I came around but my hurdling started to break down later in the race, I stepped on maybe two barriers including one I lost all momentum for on the second to last lap. Right at the bell lap an Oneonta guy passed me and I was mentally ready to pack it in, however on the back straight I heard his teammates yelling that he could catch the leader who was dying hard. I looked up, and sure enough Jesse Coull was really struggling... it turns out I had a lot left and was almost able to run him down. It was really hard to kick since I wasn't comfortable enough to hurdle well at speed at that point, so I lost a lot of momentum all 3 times during my final surge. 78.x final lap.
Fun race, pleased that I was able to run a little faster despite my reservations. I definitely think I could have stayed more focused in the middle laps and given myself a better chance of winning / breaking 10... but really, just needed to be better over the barriers than I was today. But happy to have a kick!