In Her Own Words: Natalie Varela - First Race Sub 19, Grade B-

Aug 30, 2016

Race week. This weekend I ran my first race as a high schooler at the Maverick Stampede. I was kind of bummed at first because i wanted to run the Martin County Under the Lights meet, to test myself against Nicole Matysik and Tsion Yared, but as luck has it that race was canceled due to weather conditions so we headed out to Archbishop McCarthy for the race.

The course was interesting. It contained three uphill inclines on each of the 2 loops, throw that in with the soggy conditions due to the rain, and it became pretty challenging to say the least. I started out kind of quick hitting the first 2 miles at 12:05 and everything was looking good to hit my goal of breaking 19 minutes for the first race of the season.

Once again this was a new course and I was kind of depending on the people on the course to guide me. To much thinking to do right. So on the final 800, I'm in the lead and overshot my mark by about 15 meters on the soggy part of the course. Now with the soggy conditions and my spidey sense failure ,my goal is in jeopardy.

With 300 to go I hit the track for the finish and hear my dad screaming you have to go if you want to break 19:00. I'm shot. The hills and the mud have left me drained. 18:43 and still 100 meters to go I dig deep one more time and head toward the finish. I cross at what I believe is 19 flat. My dad tells me it was 18:59, but he always exaggerates in my favor. I don't even bother to check the time. At the awards ceremony it's 18:59. I broke 19:00 the hard way.

First race of the season grade I give myself a B-. I still need to improve to challenge the big guns at states. You know who I'm talking about. Overall, it was a good race the course was fun it had a little of everything. I'm looking forward to running here again. Next time I'll know where I'm going. Note to self get to any new course early and jog through it. Lesson learned.

Week 12 Training Log

Monday 8/22

1 mile warm up. 4 mile tempo run 1 mile cool down. Felt good cant wait till saturday.Hope weather holds up.

Tuesday 8/23

5 mile easy recovery run , strange enough don't feel tired or sore from yesterdays workout.

Wednesday 8/24

Do a little speed work ,run 8 x400 at race pace. With 1 mile warmup and cool down. Breezed through it feeling strong.

Thursday 8/25

Decide to take it easy today 4 miles slow. And some stretches as always at the end of the work out. Stick around the park and hang out with my friends from Ferguson and lourdes, while dad talks to the coaches . This is a tight running community and we get along great and help each other.

Friday 8/26

Not much happening run 3 miles or so to stay loose for the meet tomorrow.

Saturday 8/27

Fight to the finish to break 19 minutes 18: 59 not what I expected but i'll take it.

Total miles: 26 including race