Lakota East sophomore, Dustin Horter, participated in and was highlighted in our Saucony Flo Summer Training Blog. Saucony Flo Summer Training Blog. We do not often have the opportunity to blog during the XC and track seasons, but Dustin has agreed to provide us with his thoughts on his races on a weekly basis throughout this season. In this, the tenth of the series, Dustin comments on his race in the OHSSA D1 State Championship at National Trails on 11/7/15. Dustin was third in the boys D1 race with a time of 15:14.40 finishing just behind Sr. Gavin Gaynor of Hudson who ran 15;13.80. Of note, this was the fastest 5K race in Ohio history with Sr. Andrew Jordan of Watkins Memorial running a new Ohio #1 time of 14:54.
Thoughts on the Race at National Trail Raceway- State 11/7/15
The day was absolutely beautiful; hardly any wind and no rain, with a temperature of about sixty degrees come race time. Even though I was all alone with just my number two man, Vince Gallioto to train with all week, I felt ready to go. State week, in the aspect of practice, is always the hardest week of training in my mind despite the shortening of mileage and excitement for the upcoming race. I began to warm up with my coach, Adam Thomas, on the course for a mile and a half warm up, did stretching in East's team tent alone, and began my drills along with strides. I had finished the last of my drills with ten minutes to spare for extra drills. I guess that just showed how antsy I was for the race to begin!
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The gun blew off and all those thoughts faded away. My legs were very loose and generally,
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I felt great on the first mile, which might not have been such a good thing. I went out about 10 seconds slower than I had anticipated going out before the race (I was actually shooting for somewhere in the high 4:30's). I had to stick to what I had though at that point, and the pack of guys was still rather large,
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so I maintained on the field only to have Jordan bolt on his strong move at about the mile and a half mark. I have to give the kid some massive credit though, he had a well thought out plan and executed it perfectly, responding to the still rather fast first mile.
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I saw Jordan go and I was hopeful I could catch him until he took off in the forest and it was Gavin Gaynor and I battling it out for 2nd and 3rd.
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I made a weak move at about the two and a half mile mark coming down the hill to the finish line (something that needs work this off season). I left Gaynor too much room to strike and take the second spot coming into about 400 meters to go.
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Gaynor put up his final stand in the last 100 meters and I put up mine as well, but he was too far away when I finally started gaining the speed and momentum I needed to pass him. Both Jordan and Gaynor had great performances. All the other guys coming in were about 10 seconds or so behind Gaynor and I. I shook hands with a lot of the competitors and then went over to see my coach, family and friends who had come to support me. Third wasn't too bad after all, but a decent performance this year doesn't mean I'm less hungry to get the gold next year. I give God all the glory for my race and with His help, I will be back next year!
Special Moment: I had a fun time with the Top 16 individuals afterwards, just talking about the race and congratulating each other. I now have a feel for both ends of the "podium spectrum", having gotten 14th last year. I didn't feel much of a change from the way I felt last year standing on the podium, but I did feel satisfaction in the fact that I had achieved my goals for the year and it seemed like the other competitors were excited to be where they were too. I was very happy with my performance overall.
Another cool thing that happened at the meet is that my elementary school PE teacher, the one who exposed my talent for running and had us run "the mile run" in gym class every semester, made an appearance again after watching me at Troy. Jim Bodden got me started in running and track and has had everlasting support for me as a student and an athlete. Mr. Bodden was definitely a role model of mine as a kid and he conveyed to me what it was like to strive to be the best I could be, regardless of the outcome. It was so great to see Mr. Bodden and his wife spending their time to support me, a former elementary school student, doing something I love and work hard at. Thank you, Mr. Bodden!