View Workout (Ben Yavitt)

Return to Log

UAA Championships

October 29, 2011 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
UAA Championships at Montrose Beach in Chicago. Woke up pretty darn early, but I got a good nights sleep. Breakfast went fine too, and we headed over to the course to get there early. Chilled on the way over, Coach talked about keeping it simple. We got there before most of the teams. Sat around on the bus, walked around the park. Saw Paul right when they got there. Havnt seen him in a while, let alone running... The weather was decent, kinda windy. It looked like it was going to be pretty fast. Legs felt fine on the warm up no aches and such, a little tired from the nervousness I think.

Stretch and spike while the girls were finishing. Fans were pouring in and it started to look like the big time show. I remember how I felt at outdoors before the race. First off all I was sick, but I was thinking to myslef "I made it, that was good enough". I didnt feel prepared. This time it was different. I felt like I belonged. I have put in the work since then, and I am moving up more. I felt like I could compete with this conference. A much better feeling, but shows how hard it is, and that work still needs to be done.

Race went out, the small group converged quickly, and we started weaving into the turns. Our group was all mixed up, people were everywhere. I went through first mile at 5:10 maybe, but didnt care. Noticed Newby and Standish right next to me, and I knew I wanted to be with them. Newby took off WTF, he ran real slow a few weeks ago... I had Standish in my view for about 2 miles, right on him, then all of a sudden he was gone, and I was alone. I trailed a Chicago, CMU Emory pack for a while, kinda feeling like I was in no mans land. I ended up focusing on those CMU guys soo much that I lost track of Peter and Paul, who I should be running with. Terrible place to be, and I suffered for it. That was my fault. That part of the race was not competitive. Its tough. The hill was taking a lot out of me, and at some points I was alone and felt slow... Not what I wanted. Saw Kintner and an NYU kid that beat me outdoor, and tried to bring it in in that last mile. Caught a few people , but Paul was just too far ahead. I didnt get him he beat me by like 3 seconds. Just like old times... 61 place, slow time because the course was long. Coach said take off 45 seconds because of the add on (Lacrosse games...) Couldnt really stand at the end, but it was an odd feeling, because I know i wasnt competitive the whole time, but I was still tired from racing. Didnt reach those goals I set out (Beat CMU guys, top half) but I did exceed my expectations from how I felt after outdoor. I felt like I was a pile of crap, didnt belong. I held on for a while in a 8k. If I can stick with those guys for 2 miles in a 8k, I can beat them in a steeple. Nuff Said.

Cooled down and people got to cool their tempers. I was kinda out of it, letting everything sink in. There were goods and bads with this race. I didnt necessarily have that fight I have had at some other races, but I went in in a situation I could have shit big time, and I tried to hold my own when it got bad. Dec. Stretched, talked a little with team, then we got a sweet spread that the parents and fans set up. awwww yeah.

Now we got work to do for regionals. I know who I need to run with and how I need to run. A larger race would be good. I am running for that scoring spot. If I wasnt, I might as well be on that sideline. I dont care who gets it, as long as its up there. We are in this together. Thats why cross is a team race, and I beleive that.