Kent schools has been an important race in my diary all season because I have had a lot of feelings about doing well in it. Last year (blog post here) I came 10th and I then went on to the schools inter-counties, where I then missed out on English schools selection. Last year I was able to say 'I have next year,' however this year is my last year of school, so it was my last chance. This gave me an element of pressure that I placed onto myself. I didn't want to dwell on this and I felt my nerves didn't really effect me that much. Anyway, moving on from all this chit chat and I'll explain how the actual race went. Setting off in the morning I knew we were going to be in for some pretty poor weather, after the forecast said 100% chance of rain from 7am to 2pm... I wasn't too amused by this. On arrival the rain was on queue and we all sat in the car with not much motivation to get out, it was pretty miserable. I made a dash to the registration to avoid the rain and then I was straight back in the car. Finally there was a point where I needed to get out, I combined my warm up with walking the course to allow for the minimum time in the rain. By the time I found myself walking to the start line, I was pleased to say that the rain had eased off a little. I whipped my water proof off at the last minute as the whistle went for 2 minutes remaining. Standing on the start line I started to focus in on the race and what I needed to do. Senior and inter girls were running together which made it challenging to know where you are amongst your own age group. The gun went and everyone went off extremely fast, I did try to go with it but I knew it was just too fast and unsustainable, so I just focused on getting into my own rhythm. When we reached the first small uphill, I tried to work my way up the field and I continued to do this throughout the race. After the first 2km lap of two was done, I knew I wasn't where I wanted to be in the field, although I didn't have a clue what place I was in the senior girls race. On the last 2km lap I really just tried pushing on and giving it my best shot. The very wet conditions led to really muddy fields and it felt like the mud was sapping all energy from my legs. Coming into the last 200m of the course, I knew someone was coming up behind me. At this point I didn't know what age group they were in so I really pushed right to the end and I found some mental strength here that I've never really used before... I think because the possibility of english schools selection meant so much to me. I crossed the line in 3rd... I actually couldn't believe it. I had been running around the course just hopeful of top 4 in order to gain automatic selection for english schools. To come away with a medal was just out of my dreams, I couldn't believe it, I really couldn't. The race definitely took its toll, as I struggled to stand up and try and catch my breath at the end... at least I knew I had really pushed it. My two big goals of this year was to be selected for inter counties and english schools, both things I had failed to do last year. To know I will be going to both of these now, honestly makes me so happy. I know I will be buzzing for a while after one of my best ever races but training continues and hard work is still to be done to hit the rest of the xc season with purpose.
I hope all those with school xc champs this week have been successful and any other races or training you have been up to. Love G x
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HelloI'm Grace, a 18 year old runner, and fitness fanatic. Join me on my crazy journey through life, squeezing in an adventure in every second of spare time I have. Archives
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