Breakthrough.

The week leading up to my second race this season was a week of proving to coach and to myself that I was ready to race again. Coming off a disappointing performance at Cal Tech, I was on the bubble of not racing because the coaches wanted me to heal up completely. I was stubborn. For me then thinking that I was not ready to race angered me.

At practice I was caught in my own little world as soon as I started running. I didn't make it through the first workout of the week. I was too tired from school. Wednesday came and I got dropped halfway through the run. I turned at 22.5 minutes and something clicked. I was entranced by the trail leading back to school. The pace quickened for me. I passed by teammates without a single word. It was just me and the trail. Part of it was my frustration of still not knowing if I was going to race or not. I no longer needed to tape up my arches. I was good. While everyone else joked around during the strides, I was still caught up in my own little world.

Thursday was my first indication that I was ready to race. It was a 4 mile tempo run along the dam leading into our two mile time trial route. I felt comfortable throughout the workout, following the pace that they told me. I was tired soon afterward but I felt great. I finally really finished a workout. 2 weeks of running and I was finally getting into the groove.

I learned something that day as well. I have to learn how to run in a pack. That has become my flaw in my running now-a-days. Friday came and I took the front of the pack. I stuck in the front and forced myself to run there until I felt comfortable. I felt good through the run. The strides went well through the pouring rain. I was ready to race. Coach had me set to run the mile.

Friday began as a crappy day. I couldn't find my debit card, my headphones, etc. I was not have a good day. I stopped thinking about how annoyed at was and just relaxed to my music. For some reason I didn't think too much about my race. I knew it was coming but mentally I was in another place. I kept myself calm knowing that I was as ready as I would ever be. I was extremely optimistic as I joked around saying that I wanted to skip the 4:40's.

The weather began to get rough. Rain began to pour down hard. Wind was annoying as well. Sounded like it was going to be an interesting mile. I got through the warm-up and I laced up my spikes. It was on. I was seeded as 4:36.

I walked up to the 1600 line when the official tells us, "This is a real mile." We stepped back to the mile line and the gun went off. I felt pretty good coming through the first lap, it was about a 69. Then I began to push forward and began to lead for a bit. I came across the second lap at a 2:20, I was pretty on pace. I was overtaken for the lead and now my teammates were passing by. I made myself hold on. It was just a lap and a half and it would be over. We came across the bell lap at 3:31. As the my time in this race began to dwindle I knew it was time to push through my fatigue. We hit the last 200 and I began to sprint past two of my teammates. Finish time was 4:43. 10+ second best.

Looks like this is going to be an exciting season.

I told one of the guys in my dorm about it and said I had a lot of fun. His response, "Cris is actually liking track?!" Yes, yes I am.

Saturday was a great day to be a leopard. Distance guys did work. Marcus winning the 200, 4x1, and 4x4. Adam, Michael, AJ, Mike, and Eric having great performances in the 800. Sean having his best race as a ULV runner, finishing with a 66 last 400 to win his heat of the mile, Alex and Alberto having a great race and Matt breaking 4:50 as well. Everyone worked hard evening running that tough 4x4 in the pouring rain right after the mile!