Friday, May 27, 2011

Going to Nationals!

Okay, so I made it.
I'm going to the National meet in Des Moines, Iowa June 9th or so..
But man, was it one crazy race to get there!!

The whole day was spent mentally preparing for the race. I knew I would have to get in the top 12 and stay there, so that's just what I did.
When the gun went off, I jumped in the pack and stayed around 10th place.
The first couple laps were a bit fast, and by the time we got to the mile mark around 5:19 pace, the pace slowed down tremendously.
I guess the girls didn't want to wear themselves out too fast..
Anyway, the race went on going much slower than I expected, and we just kept trucking on at like 5:30 something pace per mile. (Too slow!!)

I moved into third by mile 4 (It's a 6.2 mile race, btw), and I stayed there until we had 1000 or so meters  (less than a mile) to go.
I knew that I wasn't in a good spot, though. I don't have much of a kick, and I knew it would come down to a foot race. I was just too scared to take the lead :/
So the last lap and a half I see a whirlwind of girls pass me.
I'm trying so hard to sprint as fast as them, but my legs just don't have what it takes.
I split my last lap at a 75, and my last mile was sub 5:15. Still, though, it couldn't hold off the others.

I'm bending over at the end trying to count the girls ahead of me. Top 12 go to the final round of Nationals. I count 10 girls. That means I'm #11. Okay, that's okay. I'm gonna go.
My trainer and I look up at the scoreboard and nervously await as my name moves farther and farther down on the list..
Eventually it pops up with my place and time. #13 Haley Greenwell 33:52.87.. (Not exactly sure on the milliseconds, but I do know that I was .17 away from 12th place).

"Noooo!", I cry. "I've worked so hard.. I worked so hard.."
I proceed to go up to the tent to change out of my spikes while having a little pity party..
5-7 minutes later!!! my coach & trainer come over to me and tell me that they think the scoreboard was wrong. They think I got 11th. They must have counted two lapped runners.
Whaaat!
So this is crazy. We spend the next few minutes trying to get everything straightened out, and it turns out that I actually was 11th.

Things I learned from this: Now I know that I can't leave it down to the last few laps. I have to make it hard in the middle. If I have to lead, then so be it. But I'm going to make Nationals an honest race.
Also, the funny thing is that my life wasn't over even though I didn't make it. Yes, I was really disappointed, but I actually thought back to what I had blogged that day about being happy with my best. And hey, that was my best. I set a new personal and school record. I ran with heart. That's all I can do. Even if I hadn't made this final round, I would have found happiness within myself.

Ahh it is so awesome to be able to settle for accept your best and not expect perfection. Seriously.
This post is all frazzled because I wrote it so speedily cuz I gotta go to the track meet to cheer on teammates now, but I just wanted yall to know how I did.

I never would have made it this far if I was as miserable/sick as I was this past summer/early fall with ED. I wouldn't have been strong enough, mentally or physically. To know that I can accomplish all that I have lets me know that I never need to return to anorexia as a means of coping with my life again. I can do anything I set my mind to, all with God's help, and yours. Thank you all for being so encouraging and supportive. I love you so much.

<3 Haley

18 comments:

  1. Good job girl! I actually went on the results web site last night and saw that you made it and was super proud :).

    Oh and I was also super proud that you beat the runner from Clemson. Just because I'm a University of South Carolina girl :).

    That was definitely an awesome time... congrats on it being a PR and school record too. You are super tough mentally and should definitely be proud :)

    A.L.

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  2. I KNEW IT I KNEW IT I KNEW IT!! I KNEW you could do it Hales and I am SO proud and happy for you!!!! Seriously, this has made my DAY!! That time makes my head hurt to think about it's so fast, and a PR AND a school record?! SO AMAZING!! Honestly I am BURSTING with pride!! Haha I was really nervous/excited for you and couldn't wait to hear how you did!! :D

    Too right God is doing AWESOME things in your life! LOVE YOU you amazing girl!! <3 <3 <3

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  3. Congratulations Haley :) So proud of you and those mile splits are amazing! You seriously just gave me confidence for my race today. Thanks girl!

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  4. You are so amazing Haley, I'm so glad you made it to the final round :)

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  5. Oh my goodness, congrats!! I just have to say that I will probably be seeing you at meets in the future. In fact I probably saw you at a few meets already, especially Ole Miss. :) You are incredible girl and are so strong to be a collegiate runner and have a battle with ED. You can overcome ED and it will make you an even stronger runner and person. Just know you have the support of many especially fellow competitors like me :) Except there's no way I can compete with you lol

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  6. Congratulations! I just knew you would do it!!!! I also wanted to say that I love your new haircut. You are absolutely gorgeous both inside and out. Keep on doing what your doing! I'm sending big {{{HUGS}}}

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  7. Never doubted you would make it for a second. Nice job, lady.

    Enjoy yourself! Homestretch :)

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  8. CONGRATS HALEY!!!!!!!!! YOU DESERVE THIS!!
    xxx

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  9. I AM SO PROUD OF YOU HALEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ahhh this is incredible!! you areSUCH A STAR and huge inspiration!

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  10. Congrats!!! I loved how you said you have accepted that you GAVE YOUR ALL in the race instead of settling for it because you really did give your all. I'm proud of you! <3 and hugs!

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  11. Haley -you rock girl!!!!! That's all I have to say :)

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  12. CONGRATSS!!! I can't not IMAGINE going that fast for 6.2 miles. That's crazy. I admire you so much!! I wish I had read this before my race today.. I was in the same boat of "I just need to get this place". Luckily it worked out for both of us!

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  13. I am so incredibly proud of you, Haley!!!!!! You rock, girl! Congratulations!!!! <3

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  14. That's amazing!! I'm so happy for you, you absolutely deserved a place!xxx

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  15. Raaaaah **pounces**
    Love you xxxxx

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  16. what a story! so much excitement and drama! OF COURSE you made it though. I feel lucky to "know" such an accomplished runner. Truly amazing (uhhh, you think a 5:30 mile is "too slow"!?!?! wow. just wow)

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