Business in the Front

 This past weekend I got a chance to rep the Red and White at the Penn Relays.  I was on a Distance Medley Relay (DMR) team. It goes 1200m, 400m, 800m and 1600m. The field was 2 American teams, Australia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco and 2 Canuk teams. The two Canuk teams; Team Red and team black.  Myself, Mike Robertson, Geoff Harris, and Pete Corrigan were Team Red.  Red was known as the “B” team.

I was the 1200m leg.  Yes, that’s right a whopping 400m longer than my event.  It’s a bit of a different relm for me, so yes I was nervous.  I’m coming off a 3:50 1500m time (terrible) and stepping on to the field with guys who’ve run 3:35-3:38 as 1:44 800m guys, basically a bit out of my element.  So if you caught the race on NBC and saw my face, yes I was a little FREAKED OUT! 

The gun went and I went to the back. Sit and wait, that was my plan.  To be honest most of the race is a blur.  But I do remember thinking “don’t get left behind”.  I knew at any moment these boys were going to change gear and I didn’t want to be a step behind when they did, so with a little less than 400m to go I made a move and swung wide to lane 3 and started to move.  I went hard and with 100m left tide up, and held on to hand off in 5^th. 

Ya, I’m a little upset about the placing.  I mean I hate losing. But running against the top and to only have them barely pull away from me, I’ll take it.  Team Red was suppose to be a write off and I was barely 1second away from the “A” team for Canada and 2 from the rest of the field. Against 1500m runner an 800m stuck right there.  I think I’d be more worried if I was a 15 runner… I could make excuses like “I was boxed in”, or “I fell asleep for a second” or “I had to swing wide” but why?  I know I pushed hard.  I made the decision to go when I did and I think I made the best move possible.  I took control of the race to kick when I did. I just didn’t have enough in the tank to hold on. 

I got arrived in to Flagstaff, AZ for the second year of altitude training.  Rumour has it, that it’s suppose to be easier each time you go back to it.  I’ll just be honest I went for a 3 miler and that fat kid feeling came right back.  My heart rate came up and my chest burned.  Oh Flagstaff.  

Either way, its time to get focused on these next couple of workouts then my next race.  I’ve heard too often now the phase “just need to take care of business”.  I’m tired of being an afterthought.  Time to start focusing and race!  Time to put myself in contention for the Olympic standard. 

-Smitty out-