Breaking Forward.

For the past 3 weeks that I had been running with the team I had felt like I was caught in a slump. First came the 2 mile time trial where I finished in 10:56. I was frustrated to say the least. What resulted from the time trial? Cramped up calves for the rest of the weekend. I felt like crap physically and mentally. I knew I could run faster. What was wrong with me?

Then came practice itself. I struggled to keep up with the team through even the easy runs. Yet somehow I would have great workouts. I ran a pretty good first workout with the team. Hill workout and I stuck with the top guys. Then came the next day. 5k tempo run. I was way behind on the warm-up but as soon as I toed the line for the tempo something in me changed and I was able to run without hurting. Everything flowed perfectly during workouts.

First race came. Fullerton Open. I ran with the mindset of not dying out. The consequence? I ended up running extremely slow. I ran a 29:14 on that course. Good for a number 5 but not good enough for me. I knew I was faster than this. I didn't want to be a crutch for the team. I knew the 1-5 split came to me. I was our number 5 and if I ran slow the split would grow.

The following week I ran like crap for every run except for one. That run? Another workout. Mile repeats. It was 6 in the morning and it was sprinkling. It was a gloomy morning and it was us and the park. The workout was simple. 1 mile, then another, then a 1.5 mile, then a mile, then a last mile. Due to my showing at the last invite my pace was selected to be 5:45 for each mile along with my teammate Bradley.

I laced up my flats and began the workout. Me and Bradley cross the 800 sat 3:10. Way too slow. We have to pick it up. It was pretty tough to negative split on that terrain. Long wet grass and mud puddles throughout made it hard to run fast. I finished my first mile repeat in 5:55. I am clearly not warmed up.

Then comes the second mile. The pace quickens but not by much. I cross the second one at 5:51.

The 1.5 mile comes and the pace quickens there as well. I was feeling better throughout this one. I was catching the front group. Somehow I was not feeling it. I wasn't tired. I tried switching up with Bradley on this one. I took off first 400 and then he lead the next 400. Once we got to the 800 I took off for my turn and I ran alone for the rest of it. I knew I had enough energy to pick up the pace and not feel strained. I finished it within range of the top guys.

Coach approaches us and asks us if we felt up for 2 more because he was wondering if he should cut it down to only 1 more mile repeat. I say I'm ready for two. I knew I had something coming in the last two.

The third mile repeat comes. I am feeling much better on this one. The pace feels more like a cruise rather than struggle. I did the same strategy as I did on the 1.5. I took the lead from the 400 and then switched but halfway through I just decided to take off. I had a lot left in the tank and wanted to try for reaching the top guys. Their pace was 5:30. I finished the repeat at a 5:39.

The last repeat was next. I decided to stay with the lead group for the whole time. at about 800 I make my move forward. There started to be a gap between the top 4 and I wanted to close it up. I did just that. Matt took it with me. I finished the last one in 5:29.

Coach was pleasantly surprised. I knew this is where I was supposed to be at. It was time to step up.

The next day coach offered up a challenge to me in front of the rest of the team. The goal for the top 4 was to stay together through 4 miles. Then there was my name written on the board with the challenge stay with them through 3 miles. Even if I died out I would still run okay. It was just a test.

The second race of my college season had finally come. U.C. Irvine. We had run the coarse as practice and there was not going to be any surprises.

I began my warm-up. I was running pretty well. My ankle was no longer hurting. I actually felt perfect.

We lined up. It was time to race.

BANG! The race went out. The race was huge. 200 people in the race all fighting to get out fast. The race got out extremely fast. I passed through the mile at 5:15. I was supposed to pass through at 5:30. I was going way too fast but I had to keep going. I dug myself into this so I had to hold on. We come up to the hill and I hear my friends name yelled out. *GO PAUL!* Paul was my teammate on my club team. He runs for A.P.U. now. I quickly pass him. I was not going to let him beat me again. I pass through the 2 mile at 10:50. I am running a bit slower due to the hill but I am determined to keep going. Then comes the 3rd mile, I pass through at 16:25. Ahead of pace. I am still feeling relatively alright. I keep going and start to see Matt and A.J., whoa I'm actually in the mix. I pass through the 4 mile at 22:05. I am running with 3 Occidental guys and a Pomona Pitzer guy. A SCIAC dual. I approach the last incline before the finish and the 3 Oxy guys, Pomona guy and Paul overtake me. We come to the final stretch and I maintain my spot. I pass the finish and the time shows


27:33.3

1 minute 41 second PR.