(photo Byron Horter)
Thoughts on Kettering Firebird Invitational
October 1, 2016
It was a nice cool day with a breeze. The ground was wet because of a week of rain, but other than that the day was nice. Lakota East arrived at the Firebird Invitational by 7:30 or so and we set up camp right near the start line. The guys began to warm up our usual mile and a half warm up at about 8:50. The team stretched and we got out onto the course for drills. At this point, the course was a tad muddy and damp from the previous races. However, come race time it didn't matter, and at the gun I darted to the front. I wasn't very aware of my mile splits this race because I didn't look at the clock. My goal was to take the first two miles out hard and cruise the last one in. I went out in a 4:40 first mile feeling pretty good, despite the hill that led to the one-mile marker. The second mile was more cross country styled with the hill at the end and creek crossings in between. These parts of the geography definitely slowed down my momentum, but I came through the two mile at somewhere around 9:40. Then I cruised in on the last mile which proved even harder than the two before it because at this point I was isolated from the field and the crowd. I came through the line at 15:40, and wasn't exactly satisfied. I would've liked to run in the 15 teens at this meet and break the course record if possible. I am looking to put this race behind me as my team and I reach GMC's in two weeks and hopefully look to drop my season best dramatically in front of a home crowd.
(photo Byron Horter)
Moment of the week: My moment of the week goes out to my little sister Danielle, who was able to break 20 minutes for the first time at Kettering which puts her 17th all time for girls at Lakota East. It was definitely a confidence boosting race for her as well as the girls' team, who placed 2nd among a strong field. They look to keep on getting better for GMC's and beyond despite the adversity they've had to face this season with injury. Now that they are all healthy, they look to put in a solid week of workouts before GMC's. I'd also like to shout out the East Boys for our 6th place finish among a quality field. I think we all realize we have work to do, but we are still getting better and developing as the season goes on. Thanks also to my big bro, Dillon who came down from the University of Toledo to watch us run.
