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DC States

November 2, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 50's; Sunny

Comments:
I’ll start by saying that Running logs these days are a saturated market. I won’t attempt to impress anyone with length, as I know I’m not capable of writing 4075 words right now or ever. I will try to keep it short and leave deeper reflection for later on in the year.

The past 48 hours have been an emotional rollercoaster of sorts. Secret Pumpkin + movie night was the best one yet but I was really sad to think that would be the last one. Plus, states, like MACs, is a course that I hadn’t run since Freshman year because of Appendicitis as a Sophomore and a stress reaction as a Junior. I kept thinking back to all of the memories I have made on this team and just how special this group of people is to me.

Conditions for today were not ideal. Weather was perfect, but the mud mixed with it being mismeasured offered for an overall imperfect race. But that is the essence of cross country. In the fall, we train ourselves to be all-terrain vehicles of sorts. I don’t remember much about the day before the gun went off, just that the JV races set an amazing tone for the varsity races. Litty, Amelia, Benji, Ana-Sophia, Natasha and others had phenomenal races, which were all inspiring to watch.

The race began terribly crowded and somewhat fast, leading me to hold myself, Corbin, and Charlie back before we all moved together in the latter half of the first mile, in the outer reaches of the field. The S-curve was tough to maneuver before the second mile began. The mud got pretty bad here, but I kept thinking back to the workout we did at Norwood park last week, which reminded me that Cross Country is all about imperfect terrain and how you negotiate it. The second mile went by quickly before the daunting third mile fell upon me and I fought with every bone in my body to kick early (before the willow tree) and get up to the Gonzaga/STJ guys in front. Crossing the line was a bittersweet moment. I thought back to how I felt 3 years ago on the same course, very different to how I feel now.

Today is not the end-all be all. Winter and Spring track lies ahead, plus the time trial this Wednesday, and so do victories in the conferences and state in the years to come. So, so, so, so, so proud to be a bug today and always. Ran good.