Blogging it

It has been a moment since I have shared a post and a quite a few things have happened since then regarding my track and field activity.

I had my first track meet on a Saturday, the Milo Relays in Montego Bay, in mid February where I ran a leg of a 4×800.  I went in hopeful but rather unaware of what the outcome would be.  The last race I ran before this time was at the end of June 2010 that ended up being more like a training run.  I found myself easily falling back into track meet mode, but after competition it was evident that getting into race mode was going to be a whole lot harder.  I split 2:20 and even with being out of competition for so long, I wasn’t satisfied because I know I was at a point where my training was indicating I had more in me.

The day after, with about 4 hours of sleep, it was time to head out to Manchester to participate in a cross country race.  I contemplated talking my way out of this on many occasions- I have always been told my racing pattern is based on speed not endurance, I had a track meet on the other side of the country the day before, I barely got any sleep, I have not participated in a cross country race since I was about 16.  But I stopped thinking and decided to feel.  I went up against two runners who did not take any years off of running, and who had a whole lot more cross country races under their belt.  Nonetheless, I put out effort and placed second and started feeling so much stronger in my workouts after this.  What a weekend that was to get things cracking.

Since then I ran two competitive 400m races.  The first race was more to my liking- running out, floating and giving it all coming home.  After receiving feedback, it was apparent that I was too easy running this race and the next race had me executing differently.  Trying to be less conservative in the middle, I found myself tightening up at the end and at the end of the meet I had the urge to master consistency and strategy. 

I was entered to run the mile relay at Gibson Relays.  My mind played games with me all week approaching this race.  I was hoping the cross country race earlier in the season was the only race that was going to require to me to go over 800m.  I ran it, placed third in a meet record race, and now I have a mile time that I can use for future reference.

With some confidence emerging, I ran my first open 800m running quite relaxed, but still a bit too reserved.  I ran the race as a build up, trusting my coach’s insight that there is no need to worry too much about the beginning but the end is where execution is to be concerned.  I also placed 3^rd here running 2:09 behind a winning time of 2:03 and second place of 2:07.  I was okay but still not satisfied with my performance as I couldn’t find what I felt like I was digging so deep for when driving home.

I am around people who obviously see something in me that is lurking and I have to step up when I am called to.  I was squeezed in 800m at the Jamaica Invitational 2011 at the last minute.  I was up against Kenia Sinclair, Korene Hinds, Hazel Clark, Neisha Bernard-Thomas, Phoebe Wright, Karen Shinkins, Heidi Dahl and Molly Beckwith.  So this was my baptism racing with the big guns.  All these names can be paired with Olympic and World Championship performances and national titles.  And there was me.  I believe I had psyched myself out too much to perform at my best.  I know it only takes one race to make a difference.  I disregarded sticking to my race strategy and ended up running based off of the speedy group.  I clocked 2:12 at the back of the field and have not really felt bothered by the end result of a race up until now.  The winning time in the race was 1:58 by Sinclair of Jamaica, and I’m disappointed that I didn’t make use of the world class field and place a good time, or run a good race.

A week later, I have had to let that go.  If it’s one thing, there is consistent improvement in my training so I know that it is a matter of patience before my time comes.  Today I run my third open 800m and I’m looking forward to it because I have so much more to prove.

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