Time flies, and we're already into the last regular season competition before we head to the Conference Championships!
Quite a bit has happened lately. My last post was a good 4 weeks ago. Tallahassee was followed by a very good week of training; it was a lot of fun. As good as I felt, from one day to the next, I was in bed with the flu - I was so sick that I had a Covid test (luckily negative).
The timing of my illness was unfavorable.
At the same time, a hurricane rolled over Florida, Ian. Fortunately, we were out of range and got "only tornado warnings and Tropical storms," meaning the weather was really bad for a few days, stormy, windy, and rainy. However, the hurricane hit the west coast of Florida, which had devastating effects - I only saw pictures. Horrible!
So weather-wise, I didn't miss too much; however, our HOME meet was on the schedule that week. I was really looking forward to that, simply because it's the HOME MEET. Unfortunately, without me in the end :( But the team did a great job representing themselves. Super!!
Well, you have to accept :).
After 7 days in bed and well-rested, I could slowly start training again.
Sooo, now we have arrived at the next race week - crazy.
For me? That will be the last officially regular XC race of my college career, the last XC competition in Florida, and the very last 5k XC race ever - rad. Kind of weird to be honest.
The race was in Tampa, University of South Florida. So we didn't go there until race day.
Friday 10/14/2022
We left Boca Raton at 10:30 am and arrived at the hotel around 2:30 pm. We freshened up, and then we went to the competition location. At 5 pm the starting signal should fall.
The weather was humid and warm - to sweat - as usual. The course took place on a golf field - should be a fast course, or not? No way - large parts swampy, more than soft, and tight turns, left and right throughout. LOL
The starting signal fell, and we hit the course. The straight was fortunately still quite wide - so I had good space and made my way to the front. 2 rounds were to run. In the first lap, I held the 2nd position when I finally caught up with the leader. From behind came another athlete, and we ran a bit together.
Step by step, the high humidity was slowly constricting my lungs, and my oxygen supply was insufficient. What a bummer (my severe covid illness did leave some traces).
No matter, just grind through and into the goal. I still finished 2nd overall. Yay!!!
At the finish line, exhausted, but okay that's fine. :D
Well, my body is still struggling with something, I don't know exactly what the cause is, but I have to accept it. I am one hundred percent sure that time will heal it. You just have to be patient, even if it seems a bit frustrating sometimes :)
The team performance was good. The girls are slowly closing the gaps, and everyone is improving. It's really nice to see the progress - and that's what it's all about.
In 2 weeks, the conference champs will take place in Dallas, Texas. I'm excited to see what's in store for us there.
I am hot!
LG :)
