Today, I was running on fumes. Saturday we competed in the St. Thomas Invitational hosted by St. Brendan. I was a little hesitant and worried going into the race. I'm never one to lack confidence, but Wednesday night I came down with a stomach virus. I was absent from school on Thursday so my parents could monitor my food intake. But as the saying goes you train to be the best you can on your worst day.
This time we got there early and were able to go through the course. This a new course so i didn't know what to expect. It's a two loop course that takes you through different types of terrain.
The gun went off and i sprinted to to the lead hoping some of the big kickers would follow as they did in King of the Hill. No chance. No one bit on that strategy. So far so good as I have about a 20 meter lead after the first 800. Then i started to feel my stomach cramp up. It had been sore since Wednesday, but I kept it a secret from my dad in fear he would pull me from the race. I only confined it to my training partner Jordan Shapiro the day before.
So what now? Chicken broth and Pedialyte over the last twi days can take you just so far.That's the worse feeling in the world , race just started and you know it's not your day. I fight through it and extend my lead to 15 seconds at the mile. I'm in shock when coach Batista tell me the mile split, 5:50. .Am I really going that slow? Last week I hit 5:34 over a hill.
I try to stay calm, new strategy. I pick up the pace and try to hide as I go through the turns in the wooded part of the course. If they can't see me they don't know I'm struggling. It works as I increase my lead and decide to push the pace even more at the halfway mark. With about 1 mile to go I'm really struggling, but I keep telling myself it's almost over. I hear my dad tell me only 200 to go. I dig deep and find some kind of a kick as I head down the straightaway.My stomach is in knots as I cross the finish line. 18 :38. Not what I wanted but not bad considering the circumstances and the slow start. So far I am 3 for 3 this year. I'll take that any day of the week .
As far as rating the meet, I give it an A. The course was challenging but fast this has to be the best marked course I've ever raced on .There were hundreds of tiny red flags every 7 or 8 feet outlining the course on both sides.They really put the time and effort into making it a runner friendly course.The team trophies were spectacular and every category got one all the way down to middle school. They consisted of a bobcat on rock mounted on a wooden stand representing the STU mascot. I think this meet will really take off next year. I know I'll be there.
Well, next up is the Flrunners Race of Champions where my streak is in real jeopardy. Let's see how that works out.
(Last year Natalie won the girls invitational race with a time of 18:44.20 that would have placed her 10th in the Race of Champions.)
