What happened yesterday in my race was both frustrating and
liberating. My previous race was not how
I foresaw my 800m season opener to go. I
believed I was in great shape and my race would prove it. Talk around my group was pretty optimistic
about times but it all seamed attainable. However, it came crumbling down with
a 1:49.3.
This week I took my race to the Mt. Sac Relays where I was
in the Olympics Development 800m section.
I’ll be honest it was hard to not dwell on the past, but that’s what
this level is all about. Being able to
roll with the shitty ones and come out on top.
My game plan was simple. RACE!!
Stop worrying about time and just race.
What I thought were 12 guys in my race turned out to be 16, which is a
lot for it. We started as a two lane
waterfall start, which is rarely fun for anyone. I got out mid-pack…STUPID, and did whatever I
could do find openings and move up. At
every point I wanted to go, someone was there blocking me. It’s difficult to pass in someone in any race
at this level, but it’s even more difficult to do it in lane 3. Pretty much the entire race was 3 lanes
wide. I finished a disappointing 8th
with a 1:48.2.
Yes, it is a frustrating time, and a frustrating
performance. But the entire race I felt
good. I had energy to kick (too little
to late with 80m to go). My mistake was
simple; I got out too fucking slow. I’ll
just be honest, I raced that first 200m like a bitch. Watch the vid and see. I should be getting to the first 200 around
25.0 - 25.5, which I was around 26ish. I
should be going through 400m around 51 - 52, which I was 53. Then watch the race…3 lanes wide. I try to
step out on the back stretch and move, but with 6 guys in front and more beside
me, it’s freaking hard. From the bell
lap, I knew I fucked myself. I tried to
find the gaps where I could, and managed a solid manoeuvre on the homestretch.
But it wasn’t perfect. I wanted to fire
the thrusters at 200m but am boxed in. I
remember thinking about my decision at the end “wait till the guy beside me
goes past or slow down and go around?” I
slowed up, and then started to go wide, when the inside opened. Man oh man, I
love it when that inside lane opens up. But it was just off my timing. I felt strong finishing and was confident I
could have maintained another 100m. What
this means is go through a little quicker and there’s my 1:46. Today was a 1:47 effort. I know it and I felt it. It doesn’t show it on the books, but I know
where I’m at. What this shows is
progress. Anyone who talked to me after
my first 800m knows I was just baffled at what happened. Least this time I can pinpoint.
Too much of my thoughts are about times, and to some extent
it has to be. I’m chasing the Olympic
standard which is a set time, but focusing on that single entity is
unrealistic. I need to focus on what I
can control, and that is how I race. I
can control how fast I go out in the race, when I make a move, and how
confident I go into the race. Work with
what I can and the rest will follow. Either
way I love this shit!
Next week I take time away from my individual running and
head to Philadelphia for the Penn Relays.
I’m representing Canada on one of our Relay Teams. My confidence is back and I’m hungry to
race.
HELLS YA!
I'm in the Orange top inside lane
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