Frustration...

Another Dempsey meet, another bus ride home disappointed...

This past weekend, I completed at the UW Invite. Again, I attempted a run for the 3k/5k double conference qualifier, and yet again, I fell way short. Unlike last time, which I can blame on the poor race tactics I exhibited in the early stages of the race (I'm learning that it's not important to take the lead from the gun), this time I can blame a poorly timed and managed cold... Yes, all through the week I could feel it coming, and yet, I didn't try to fight it until the morning of the race. The result? All the strength and energy I had hoped would be available for my race was used to combat the cold, and since no help was given to my body, come race time, I was already exhausted. The first 800 went by well, then my teammate, whom I was working with in the race, made a move, I was slightly boxed in and by the time I had a chance to follow, my body said, "Nope!" The rest of the race, well, it's history. A 2-second PR, but still not the time my training indicates I should be running.

So, what's the plan? Well, after thinking I'd have the weekend off from racing, my coach decided to throw me into the mile at the University of Idaho this Friday. Also, I am coming to believe that my streak of consecutive days running (I don't know exactly how many days, but it's a lot...) may be catching up to me, so this week is a down week. Get some rest for my legs, then try some short and fast racing. Hopefully I can get a mile PR (ran a 4:24 1600 in high school) and some much needed rest. Then, I am hitting up the 5k at the Husky Classic the following weekend and earning myself a conference qualifier. If I feel up to it, I may even go for the 3k qualifier again another day.

Disappointed? Absolutely. Discouraged? Never. Motivated? Even more than before. It's just another day in the Trail of Miles and Miles of Trials.