Track Blog #5 – Exhaustion to Exhilaration

By Brenna Cohoon

Less than two weeks ago, I wasn’t sure how the rest of my indoor season would unfold.  I had to take a few days off from training due to some soreness in the back of my knee.  Thankfully, this was not a big issue.  Things improved quickly, and last week, I returned to training.  I gained some valuable perspective in those few days I missed and found a new, refreshing appreciation for running. 

Practice was going well, and with each day that passed, I felt myself growing in confidence.  I stopped overthinking, thought positively, and trusted that everything was okay.

Heading into Top Times, I was nervous, but it was nothing I haven’t felt before.  The few days of training that I lost because of my leg didn’t seem to matter.  In fact, it wasn’t even a thought on my mind.

I mentally prepared for this meet by thinking back to my experience at Top Times as a freshman.  Back then, I was just happy to have qualified in the 3200 Meter Run.  I came out of the race with a 4th place finish, completely surprised by what I accomplished.  I was happy to have qualified last year, too, even though I had a slower start to my season.  Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to compete, as our bus got stuck in awful traffic caused by an accident due to the snowstorm that took place that day.

Although I was competing in both the 3200 Meter Run and 4x800 Meter Relay, my initial focus was on the 3200.  I would be able to focus on the 4x800 after I finished racing in the two mile.  I was ready to get out there and compete to the best of my ability against a talented field of runners.  I was fortunate enough to be able to warm up with and compete alongside one of my teammates, Melissa Weidner.  I remember feeling a bit lost my freshman year with no one to turn to as the butterflies in my stomach started to flutter.  I didn’t have to worry about that this time.

When that gun went off, adrenaline took over my body and I got out to an early lead.  I was prepared for other girls to challenge me, so I tucked behind my fellow competitors as they passed me in the beginning.  I had everything planned out: I was going to stay behind the leaders for the entire first mile, then push that final mile with all I had left.  However, my plan quickly crumbled, as I was concerned about getting out too fast.  Instead of falling back, I should have stayed in the front.  But I didn’t.

I struggled for the majority of the race, fighting the voices in my head telling me to settle instead of fight.  I came back a bit in the last 400 meters or so, determined to finish strong.  Even if I didn’t have the race I was hoping for, I wanted to display the grit that my team always strives to portray. 

I finished in 6th place with a time of 10:52.42.  It was definitely not my best race, but it wasn’t my worst either.  I didn’t have much time to reflect right away, though, as I had to get ready for the 4x800 Meter Relay.  I spoke briefly with my coaches to confirm that I should still race in the relay.  I knew that I would feel sore, but this was a double that I ran at this same meet my freshman year.  If I could do it then, I trusted that I could do it again. 

I just needed to take some deep breaths and push away the tears that so badly wanted to pour down my face after a disappointing two-mile race.  Between my hope to finish in the top three and my goal to achieve my overall personal best, I fell significantly short of my personal expectations.  I had one more chance that day, one more chance in the entire indoor season, to prove myself.  I was not letting that go to waste.

I got the opportunity to pull off my spikes and jog around the gym for about five minutes before I did some dynamic stretches and put my spikes back on.  I then headed out with my relay team (Olivia Duax, Becky Versaskas, and Becca Diddia) to do some quick strides and race!  The entire break I had between both races was around 20-25 minutes long, but honestly felt like it lasted only a couple of minutes.

I was excited yet anxious watching the first three legs of the relay take off.  Like my teammate Olivia said later in an interview, I had so much faith in each of my teammates.  For me, the concern came in when thinking about my own leg.  I don’t think that I’ve ever anchored in a 4x800 Meter Relay before, especially in such a massive meet like Top Times.  What if I lost a lead that my teammates worked so hard to achieve?

Olivia got us off to a fantastic start at 2:22.8, handing off the baton in about third place.  Becky followed with a strong 2:21.5 that moved us up to first.  Becca came next, running an exciting PR split of 2:21.2.  When I received the baton in second place, my goal was to close the gap between myself and first place.  The first lap didn’t feel that exhausting.  However, I felt the lactic acid that had already filled my legs from my first race really kick in during my second lap. 

From the sound of footsteps, breathing, and cheering, I could sense a couple of girls gaining on me.  I remained in my position, urging my heavy legs to keep moving.  Just two more laps, I thought to myself. 

The third lap didn’t feel much different than the second.  By this point, I was tired, and my goal changed to just trying to maintain our spot in second place.

The last lap was where the chaos erupted.  As the bell rang, I fell into fourth place.  I felt guilty having fallen back so far after my teammates poured so much effort into our hope to win.  All of the DGS supporters were screaming like crazy, because it was still a pretty close race.  I heard my coaches and teammates motivating me, and with the last 100 meters or so, I found another gear that I shifted into. 

I remembered races where I kicked fiercely at the end.  I recalled workouts where I sprinted at the conclusion of the final rep.  None of this was much different than what I had to do in this race, right in this moment.  I knew that I have done well on tired legs before, so how was this much different?

I needed to fight for this.  The very least I could do was engage in an all-out sprint to try and take first.  If I fell short, I would still have the support of my loved ones.  So, I fought.  I ran like I never have before, finishing with my teammates in sight.  I wanted to do this for them.

Crossing that finish line first was pretty surreal.  I was smiling as I crossed the finish line because my teammates were 20 feet away waiting for me. What a way to end a run.

My teammates crowded me immediately, hugging and screaming.  I was still in shock of what just unfolded.  We were ecstatic about what our team just accomplished, but the day was only getting started. 

I had the privilege to watch more Lady Mustangs compete in five other events and soak in the whole experience of attending this meet.  It is a special experience getting to see the best track and field athletes compete against each other before everyone comes together again at the outdoor state meet. 

Now, we move on to outdoor season.

Photo Credit ©2019 Laura Duffy