View Workout (Liam Albrittain)

Return to Log

DCCXX

November 8, 2014 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 50s, biting wind

Comments:
We had a great day at DC/MD Private School Championships, but got second to Good Counsel. As for my personal performance, I have wanted to run significantly faster all season, but for now I'll take 12 seconds faster than MACs (feeling less exhausted at the end) and 28 seconds faster than last year. I have no second thoughts at the moment about running regionals, however. The temperature itself was not that cold, but the wind blew on us all morning, making it seem so much colder. The warmup did not serve its function that well--at least not until we did our three-minute tempo to fully loosen up. I didn't feel the freshness I was hoping for on the line, but placed confidence in my knowledge of the course and ability to get into a rhythm. When the gun went off, I felt myself moving faster than usual, not wanting to run with Jackson the whole time and run my own race. But as we came around the first high ground and descended into the valley, I knew that would not be the case. By the mile mark, where I heard no split, I saw a pack of three Sidwell guys and a few Good Counsel runners. Further ahead was none other than Joey Gaines, looking fast and relaxed. I integrated myself into that pack, taking the next left turn quite tightly and cutting my left shoulder on some thorns. The Sidwell guys remained ahead but Jackson had now added himself to the mix. Frankly I don't remember where I passed Joey, but soon enough, before the two-mile mark he was gone. Berenson stood by the gravel path, exhorting me to reach the other good counsel guys while Todd stayed just three steps ahead. I made it a goal to reach the Quakers by the two-mile mark and was breathing down Sam Blazes' neck in the woods, but he ran the next downhill better. I confidently ascended the banked hill and put in a few fast strides, but Sam ran the next downhill better than I did. I smiled and enjoyed the scenery for a moment then decided I should refocus and not get down on myself. Having heard no splits, I was somehow almost certain that I was running slower than I had at MACs. With Sahil and Anthony cheering for me, however, I tried to push that out of my mind and authoritatively passed Blazes on the last hill. Now I pushed the next downhill slope, passing the second Sidwell guy (Christian Roberts) who beat me last time. Coming through the straightaway, I actually became conscientious about my arms and thought back to the 400s on Monday, making sure nobody passed me. I kicked by two more in the last 100m and just outstepped my teammate in the last 10. Simonson's speech last night summarized a valuable lesson from this season: that cross-country is A SPORT, a hunt and at its best, meant to be fun. Thinking that way during races has helped me a lot during the past two months. Congratulations to the girls team on their DC/MD championship! Their race was admirable to watch.