Getting Ready

MT SAC: This is not just an invitational. This race sets the tone for the rest of the little amount of the season that remains. This is really the last chance we have to find out how we stack up against the rest of CIF--before CIF! Doing well here gives us confidence and helps us through the rest of the season. We have what it takes to do really well tomorrow. And it's up to you to decide if you want it badly enough.

• Mental Preparation--what is it that you want to accomplish?...think about the impact you have on the rest of the team...your position in the race means something...imagine yourself doing great...see yourself picking off people one-by-one...know that your team mates depend on your tenacity and race smarts...make the decision that this will be your best race of the season to date.
• Physical Preparation--eat well tonight, go to bed earlier tonight, hydrate throughout the day tomorrow, eat lightly two hours before your race, drink some water an hour before your race, jog slowly and stretch well...
• Racing--be strong, eager, competitive, brave, resolute...don't fight the pain, but accept it--work through it...

1. the "Valley Loop"--it's easy to run fast because it's flat and you're fresh, but don't make the mistake of burning through it and burning out...stay in contact from the gun...don't sprint for the lead, but stay within striking distance...you need to be ready for the hill.
   
2. the "Switchbacks"--maintain your position on the hill...don't speed up on the hill...only pass people on the hill when they are going slower than you...when you reach the crest, build back to your pace and your stride length...pass those people who made the mistake of running the switchbacks too hard...be aggressive down the hill--
3. it's a long way down before you get to "Poop Out"...the hill here is steep, but it's not that long...remember, don't push faster than your pace...the real race begins behind "Poop Out" hill...look for your team mates who are ahead of you...the closer you are to them, the better the team score...find out who your competition is, and don't lose sight of them...make a decision and commit yourself to begin racing aggressively...don't try to do it all at once, but pass one runner at a time...
4. the "Reservoir Hill" is not as steep as the other two, but it has broken the will of many champions who didn't respect the first two hills...this one's at the end, so you'll definitely feel the hurt...again, deal with it...run the hill like all the others...get to the top and begin your aggressive descent to the finish line...team races have been decided at the top of Reservoir, and all the way down to the finish line...it's really easy to make deals with yourself when you're tired, rationalizing that this race isn't that important...but make it important!!--your team mates will thank you...you aren't the only one who is trying to decide if hurting is really worth it...make this race important...every person you pass makes a difference for the team...EVERY SINGLE ONE!!...keep fighting until you cross that line...

See you at 11am!