Woke up to snow- it's going to be a cold race! We ran a mile shake out before breakfast then headed to the course. Usual 2 mile warm up, potty break, strides, team cheer and prayer. I felt good and was ready to race so we could go to Nationals (we all had our rats for nats!). First start, I got out well but someone fell so we had to start again. My second start was about the same- we had practiced a fast start then settling into a pace. That is exactly what happened and for the first time I was grateful for the fast starts we had practiced. The first big loop, no one wanted to take the lead. We were all in a group, kinda sitting and waiting. Sarah and Dre took it at about the mile and I was close behind them. As we hit the two mile, just like coach had predicted, the Colorado team finally moved up and the whole race took off. In that moment, I hurt and mentally decided not to move with. That hurt my place later. I snapped out and was sticking with the girl next to me. Before mile 3 I was really hurting, but heard Lindsey right behind me. Nicole, Sarah, Lindsey and I were all together at that point (Dre was ahead) and that was our top 5 and we needed to beat some girls. I followed Linds as she started moving and passing people. It hurt but I finished 22nd. Personally, I hurt and was tired. I placed further behind than last year which is a bummer. However, our team was 3rd which was our goal! We have done everything we can to qualify and now we wait. After lunch, it took a long time to get home. We all gathered in coach's office and watched the FloTrack predictions. This is probably one of my favorite moments thus far in collegiate running- They announced one by one the teams going to Nationals. Before announcing the 31st team, they announced the first two teams not going. FINALLY, #31 team was BYU!! We all screamed, started crying and flippin out. We will know for sure tomorrow if we are going! Quite full of energy, we finished 5 miles cool down ending at Coldstone to celebrate with ice cream.
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