Warmed up 15 minutes with the team - too early - then got ready for the race. Race times!! Took off too fast with the pack (3:19 at 1k and 5:29 at 1m) and was feeling pretty tired already by then. Attempted to keep up the pace, but ended up with a 5:52 on my second mile. By this time I was feeling really hot, dead and wanted to be done. But, I kept focusing on my race goals and stayed consistent on the long uphill, then pushed the little downhill onto the curvy part of the course. I'd pushed so much previous that I was pretty sure I couldn't keep it up for the rest of the race, but I just decided to push until I totally died. Turns out it was a good strategy! Third mile was a bit slower, but still sub 6! 5:58-ish, and heard a coach yell that the girl right in front of me was in 100th place. Excited, with 1k to go, I stuck with my plan and started my slow acceleration to the finish, and started passing lots of girls! As I kicked on the longest straightaway EVER, I was pretty sure that I was going to run out of gas. But I made it and got an awesome PR and place - I improved my finish from 2 years ago by 54 seconds and 96 places! 6k PR by 42 seconds too! So sweet! Cooled down for 18 minutes cheering on the guys and running on the course.
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