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All Ohio Championships

September 29, 2012 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
Down at the All Ohio. Meet was on saturday this year, which kinda felt a little odd, but still I have been getting excited for this race the past few weeks. I felt so strong and powerful at PSB, but over the week my legs were kinda feeling a little chunky and I had a few tough tempos, but still, I was ready to give it another go with the pack I have been doing workouts with. The ride down was very relaxing, its always fun to chill on the bus with the team. It was shaping up to be a nice day too. We got enough food on the way down luckily, I was a little worried about that. The open race guys were the last race of the day, so we walked around, checked out the course, and just tried to chill out for a while before warmups. This involved many pee breaks in the corn fields...

Went on a nice warm up on the lower loop, legs were feeling very tight and achy. I feel to the back quickly. NBD. Once we got back, we had a lot of time to stretch out and go get the potty situation figured out. Managed our time and made it to the line with a good amount of time. We kinda planned to go out in packs. I was looking for 5:20 for the first mile, then try to hang around that for the rest of the race. We had a big group that was looking for that. I felt ok on the striders and right before the race, stomach was alittle upset (I was kinda hungry). I felt about as zoned in and ready to race as last week, not nervous but happy because I was here doing what I love. Gun went off and we went out hard. I quickly got pushed back behind the top group, the people I wanted to keep pace with. I sensed it was probably a little too fast, so I hung at my pace and knew confidently that people would swing back and we could settle in. That didnt really happen... Went through first mile at 5:15, too fast I think, especially the way I have been racing this year. It didnt phase me though, I began to start inching back toward Drew (since I could see his mohawk over everyone). Alex was with me and we started surging up the hill, where I made my moves last year en route to a strong race. I wasnt feeling great, but Alex was really moving up on them. On the down hill, I lost contact and felt bad about it. I started to struggle until we took the turn to the 3 mi mark, and I pushed it up to get back tot he pack I should have been with. I think i PRed the 5k went through at 16:30 for the 3... It was close. Good pace if I kept it up should come in right around 27. I wanted to break 27, and I wonder if that thought was in the back of my mind and I let it slip through. Almost immediatly after the 3 mile, I started to hyperventilate. That never happens to me. I started to loose my breath, and essentially couldnt breath. It was very painful, and I felt like stopping to catch my breath. It was all very weird, started as I was heading up hill. Nothing seems to provoke it though. I thought to myself I cant let this fuck the race up though since I had a lot left though. I took a bunch of deep breaths as I slowed down considerably. Luckily, I was at my favorite part of the course (the hill) and I really started to throw down the hammer. I know since I went so slow in that 30-45 sec interval, I had a lot left to finish up. I saw Benny D up at the top of the hill (forgot that he passed me) and just started pushing it. I ended up passing a lot of people, and made it back to Tony, Drew and Mercer right after the 4 mile mark. I really wanted to be done, and finished decently hard. I was kinda alone for some segments, But I used the hills to close the gaps then ran tough on the flats. Came in at a not so stellar time, decently far behind Wyatt and Abdallah. This race had very positive elements though. I started out conservativly and eventually made it back up. I had that weird episode that could have ruined the whole race, but I flipped the switch and turned it into a motivator to catch up. I know I could have had a faster time today if I had stuck around with people from the beginning, but I feel like I didnt have the best "pack" it up race today. Still, shows my progress as a racer and runner, because I know a few years ago I would have bitched out and ran a 29 something. It was pretty tough to do it, but it is the only option, and I felt comfortable realizing that and executing that today.

Fucking tired when I finished though. Didnt get that cramp like last year. I did a few cool down laps with Dong and Paul, not a full 2 miles since calves were tight and legs were sore. We walked over to the awards and saw some legit representation. I am actually very proud. Talked about the race with Drew then rolled back over to the tent. No one else followed, so we just started eating...

Essentials: Stretch, roll

Very light essentials. I feel pretty sore. The bus didnt have water and we all got really thirsty. Ill have to rehydrate now. Got a Mellow Mood Bob Marley tea at the rest stop which was sooooo chill... love it.

Excited to execute the next part of this season. Today wasnt necessarily a "fun" race, but I still did what I had to with the shit that was thrown at me, and I am pumped up as always. I love this.