Something I learned about today’s race.

An 8K race is totally different than a 5K. Distance-wise, obviously, but for other reasons as well. You have to adopt a new mindset and brace yourself for both physical and mental pains which you’ve never felt before. Instead of seeing it as one big race, think of it as a series of distances, and constantly tell yourself, “Okay, I made it through this mile, let’s see what happens in the next mile, I’ll try to pick off some more kids, I’ll follow that green jersey, etc.”

I was fortunate enough that today’s course at UMASS Dartmouth was relatively flat, and the weather was perfectly cool and cloudy. My time was 27:27. I was afraid in the beginning I wouldn’t even break 30, 0r 29. I guess I’ll keep working at it. Who knows, maybe I’ll break 27 by the end of the season. It’s only my first race. We’ll see what happens.

At the field house of the sports complex at URI, there’s a board outside the track coach’s office detailing the week’s workouts, meetings, and races for the weekend. The race list usually lists the rooster for who runs that day. It just so happens that there’s a race this Saturday.

And I saw my name on that list.

So my first 8K is on Saturday. This is a huge milestone for me. Just getting the chance to race just one race would be an accomplishment for me, but now it looks like I’m gonna make that accomplishment.

Time to see if all those summer miles paid off.

So, it’s been a crazy couple of days.

I finally filled out and submitted all my NCAA compliance forms, and now I’m actually running with the cross country team at URI. Running! With them! It’s a wonderful feeling, but I must say how humbling and, at times, scary it can be, too. These college athletes run a lot more, and at a faster pace than any high school team could. Getting your ass kicked at each practice by these guys (not literally, running-wise I mean) lets you know that you’re once again at the bottom of the barrel, a newbie, a freshman.

But, the coach and varsity runners are all very nice. You just have to make sure you don’t screw up your paperwork, and run hard every day. The practices have consisted of, so far, a 3-mile tempo run and an 8-mile run with some speed work thrown in. It doesn’t look like I’ll be competing in any NCAA varsity race anytime soon, but I don’t mind working my way up through the ranks. It will take a while, but I’m just glad to have this type of experience and opportunity.

Today I competed in a local 5k race with some of the other freshman in town. I got 16:58, a new PR. I’ll keep at it.

So my first day of college ended successfully.

After moving in, I walked around campus and took these photos to give you a better idea of what the place looks like. In a couple days there will be an informational session with the coaches and team, which I’m sure will go into detail about tryouts, practice, and competition. Then on Wednesday I officially begin classes. Plus I’ll need to find a work study job on campus to earn spending money. All these things can add pressure and stress, but you just need to manage time as best as you can and always put the books first. So keep your fingers crossed that all goes well!

Right now I’m running light and easy to keep my body and legs fresh for whatever may come this upcoming week.

My last day of practice at Sandwich concluded with an excellent 4-mile tempo run.

It feels weird, frankly, knowing I’m moving on into the unknown. It still hurts leaving behind the old team, but I will always support them in their gallant efforts at state and regional recognition. Seeing so many new freshman on their team, with hidden talent waiting to emerge, gave me feelings of hope and optimism. In a way, I am so much like the newbies on the Sandwich team. They will have much to learn about this sport, as will I if I make it on the college team. Being at the bottom of the barrel is a humbling experience, but no doubt it will be beneficial in our endeavors. We need to gain experience before we can make real progress. I wish the Sandwich team well.

Tomorrow is the big move-in day. Hopefully I can update this blog in the meantime.

Today marked the first day of Sandwich XC’s seasonal practice. Being there with old teammates brought back old feelings of nostalgia and good times. They certainly have a tough running season ahead of them; they must try to hold onto Sandwich TC’s title of state and league champions, and with competing teams like Marshfield, Pembroke, and Bishop- Feehan, they must work overtime to ensure their title.

I feel like all of us have our own personal goals and aspirations, as well as goals regarding the whole team. My old teammates certainly want to score big wins, but they also have personal records they want to break as well, and for the seniors, this could be their last chance. For me, I just hope to make it to the URI team and have some kind of positive impact for their season. I feel as though I’ve trained as hard as I can without wearing myself out or reaching a peak. Only the future holds the answers. I feel I’ve reached a set of crossroads that will either lead me to success or failure.

It will be a bittersweet last week of summer practice. I hate to leave my old team behind. But I know they’ll keep the Sandwich TC legacy of victory alive.

I have exactly one week left of summer before move-in day at URI. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t anxious, or nervous, but I’m certainly not unprepared for the start of cross country tryouts. I will definitely post pictures of the campus, track, and maybe what the dorms look like on here.

On a different note, another track workout done today, a few thousands at 5:15 pace.

There are only about two weeks of summer left, which means only two weeks left to squeeze in some last miles and workouts before I try out.

The nervousness and anxiety is finally now starting to get to me. Before, college only seemed distant, but now it will soon become my new life, and I’m hoping I can handle the transition.  Not only that, the pressure to correctly demonstrate my ability in front of the coach feels more and more heavy. I can no longer simply hope for a place on the team, I have to earn it.

Yesterday was a grueling 13 mile run. The air was not as humid as I thought it would be, I guess Autumn must be around the corner.

Here’s a test of adding pictures. This is one of a hilly run called the “Hills of Death” that is very popular with Sandwich runners.

No one said making this team would be easy.

Besides staying in shape, there are a lot of specific details you must hammer out before you’re capable of trying out for a college team. They include registering for the NCAA, paying the fee, having your sport accepted by the NCAA, receiving a registration code, and even having  a sickle cell test done on you.

For the hardcore athlete, these tasks seem trivial in the long run, for the team is the most important goal. I’m not complaining about the steps you have to take to try out, but I am saying that this team requires strict commitment and dedication, in every aspect of your life.

Anyways, I went for a tempo run tonight, and the feeling of gliding across a dark road, feeling as if you’re light as a feather, is amazing.