directions_run Run • May 10, 2025, 1:45 a.m.

There is really no way to sugarcoat things. I raced like a joke and I have been racing like a joke for a while. Bud Mons is the only meet this season that I would consider to be great. With only one more shot at the two mile it is now or never. Whining and crying isn’t going to help me at all and there’s less than a week before my high school career is over for good. What did I do at Bud Mon’s that went differently? I treated the week before very seriously and decided that even though we had a not very serious meet on the Wednesday before, I gave both flop those races significant attention. I feel that this confidence booster helped me going into the race. The race was very simplified. It was me and one other guy, nothing else. I KNOW that the lack of any other factors made a difference. I had an easy job to do that I knew I could follow. At the time I was fed up with my previous performances to the point where I didn’t even think about school during the days before. I don’t think I even opened my backpack on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night. Last year I ran a faster time than what I ran tonight with significantly more stress on my back. I spent the day at school sick to my stomach and with newfound pains in my legs. The good news is, the pressure couldn’t be much higher for this last race. I have one shot left, and there is no opportunity for screwups and second chances. I’m nervous. I’m scared that I’m going to do what I’ve been doing my entire season. If I want a decent two mile season I have to embrace that fear and let it fuel me. I want it more than anything right now. 1. Take this last week seriously, on a level beyond what has been the current level of effort, but don’t be stupid. 2. Simplify the race 3. Embrace the pressure