Make that a Double

                June 14^th our Club hosted the USATF Pacific Northwest Track and Field Championships. I decided to race the 1500m and 800m. Levi, Lilyana, and I drove to the meet and arrived with plenty of time for me to warm up. I nursed Lilyana and she cooperated nicely which was a huge bonus. Lately at track meets or road races she gets too distracted to want to nurse before I have to head out to race.

                It was a cooler day, maybe around 60 degrees, with a light wind. I headed out for a warm up and got ready to race the 1500m. I notice I am very easily distracted these days. I did a good warm up jog of 2.5 miles but when it came time to do drills and strides I found myself chatting with others more and playing with Lily in her stroller. I still need to work on my warm up routine and staying a little more focused so I am ready to race.

(1500m)

(1500m)

                The gun went off and I tried to go a little “easier” than I did at my last 1500m at UW but when I crossed the start line 400m into the race I heard the same split as at UW, 72 seconds. However, this time things felt easier. I was more relaxed. About 800m into the race I made a move from 3^rd to 2^nd and kept my eyes focused on the lead girl. I crossed the line in 4:38, good for 2^nd place. The race felt good, much “easier” than the one at UW. I thought I was running slower but crossed the line 6 seconds faster so things are moving in the right direction. After finishing I remember exclaiming to Levi that “I was able to focus the whole time!” I actually stayed in the moment during the race and didn’t let my mind wander. The 800 was schedule for an hour and a half later.

(CNW Elite Women and Mothers. 1, 2, 3 in the 1500m)

                I did an easy mile jog to cool down. I chatted with some friends then headed to the car to nurse Lilyana. She did great again. She must be getting used to this racing thing. After nursing her it was basically time to “warm up” again. I did another easy mile jog. My legs felt awful. I didn’t really do any drills which was a mistake as I should have gotten my muscles fired up and ready to “sprint.”

(Nursing Lilyana between races)

                I toed the line and as much as I hate to admit it, I did not expect much. I could tell this would be more of a workout, just me getting through some discomfort. The gun went off and I felt like it took me a couple seconds just to react. 100 meters in and I felt ^nd with a blistering time of 2:23 (lol, I have split that in a mile before!). I finished with an easy cool down. After the cool down I took out Lilyana’s food and fed her lunch in her stroller while I watched some of my teammates race the 5km.

like I was up to speed. 200 meters in and I was toast. I was hitting the wall for the next 600 meters. It was quite comical feeling. I crossed the line in 2

                This meet was much different than some of mine in the past. I finally let go of expectations and just raced for the sheer enjoyment of racing. I didn’t let little things stress me out. Things didn’t have to go perfectly, but the funny thing is, in my mind everything went great. That’s what happens when you choose to focus on the positive and not dwell on anything negative. You can take the same day and view it through two different lenses; one will result in a negative outlook and the other positive. Nothing changes, just your frame of mind. You have the power to choose.