It was rough and I am disappointed with how this race turned out. Looking back, I see things I can change and learn from. Mile shake out in the morning, rest all day, then 2 mile warm up and time to go. I was on the front and got a great start.... in the front. I was leading. That was fine but we hit lap 2 and no one was coming. I panicked. I was slow from where I wanted to be and came through the mile at 5:20. I knew I wouldn't hit my goal and tried to switch the mindset to "just race". Lap 7, a girl moved up by me and I pushed with her for a lap then settled in as the group came. I hung on to that pack but I was struggling. 2 mile was 10:22. I hung in, hung in and they picked it up and I got left. I felt like I had no second gear to kick into when it picked up and couldn't pick it up to kick. I ran much slower and was 10 seconds behind first place. Looking back, I wish I wouldn't have expected it to go fast. Everyone wanted to sit and kick to score or win. I don't do very well racing like that (clearly, I ran pretty even 5:20's the whole time). I wish I would have been more prepared to lead better and try to win. I felt blind sided and panicked. I haven't led a race since high school and I lacked the confidence. I told myself "I can't lead a whole 5K" and that hurt me real bad for the race. Cool down 2 miles with team then 3 miles on the treadmill at the hotel after dinner.
| 