View Workout (Ben Yavitt)

Return to Log

Washington and Lee/ VMI Track Carnival

March 25, 2011 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Comments:
First outdoor meet of the season at W&L/ VMI. Tried to catch some nice weather, but it was cloudy and chilly. Kinda windy too. NBD ive been in worse.

Woke up kinda late. Got a good nights sleep. Chilled at the hotel for most of the day, watching TV and doing Ochem. Took the bus over at 2, chilled there at the dinning hall (all alone, it was kinda weird) then prepared for a warm up.

Warm up out around the town and through the campuses. Very nice little town. Wandered over to VMI, they were practicing drills on the front lawn, felt intruding.

Got back just in time to get my stretching underway. Used a lot of biofreeze since I was feeling it in my knee yesterday. Stretching went ok, trying to find a roller was a pain. Had to borrow one from the W&L 4x400 girls... Did a few run throughs over hurdles. Coach talked me up, we had the plan down. Sounded good to me.

Got to the line. There were a lots of people (23? 24) biggest race I have been in. Id have to say I was intimidated by the 20th seeding. I was in the back. Race went off, but was called back because the timer didnt start. Was basically another strider. Once it actually started, we started rolling. Got good position, then at that point I lost track of where I was in the race. Didnt exactly have the same mentality as at BW, but I think it helped me through the race. I did not break down and fall hard. Went out a little faster than I should have. Paces were good until the 4-5 lap, ducked under 80, surged for a good last 800 though, caught the pack infront of me and made up a lot of places and finished in 8th with a PR. I saw 10:06 as I crossed the line, thats what I feel I raced. Also a 40 second college PR, and a 40 drop off seed time. Turning heads.

Water pits were atrocious. Barriers were good, wasnt intimidated, only f-ed up a few of them, but I feel the acceleration was good. Those seconds I need to shave off could come from the barriers, and having someone to stick with in the middle laps. Thats where I hurt the most. I saw the UR guy up there, and really shouldnt have let him out of my reach. Still scoring and getting a PR is what I want. This race showed that I am back, and I remember why I love racing. I am in the hunt for helping out the team at conference, and I feel like I owe it to them.

Did a cool down around the same area with Cindy and Brooke as they warmed up. Really I wasnt feeling that tight in my knee. THe adrenaline is the best pain killer. My legs are sore, the good sore, and I can safely say that. Did hips, back on the infield, then stretched and Iced. Then stuck around cheering on the massive PRs that showed up today. Dang! Got back to the hotel late. Planning a little run tomorrow before the long bus ride. Sunday is gonna be swim then all HW...

This was a good performance. Each practice will get me closer to what I need to reach that next level. I am loving the return to racing. This is what I have been waiting for, and I am ready for more.