MSSPP Track and Field, by Hannah (April 11, 2015)

This year I was given the privilege of competing at States for cross country, competing at Zones for two running events, and competing at the State level track and field meet. For cross country, I placed 11th at States for a 4 kilometer race. After I completed the cross country season with the race at States, I signed up for the 800 meter and the 3000 meter.  I do not enjoy the 3000 meter as it is always much more challenging. I do enjoy the 800 meter more though, as it is less challenging and I can go faster.  I then began to train for track and field. This involves running intervals and also doing timed kilometers during practice as well as running much on my own. This training, though tedious, can be very fun and enjoyable as it prepares me well for the Zone and State meets.

In addition, this year I am in the U18 category, so it is much more scary to compete and train. The first race I did was the 800 meter.  This is a race that I have never done at a State level before, so before my race I was very nervous.  I had a half day of school before the race so I was even more nervous leading up to my race. Even more, during lunch before my race a guy asked me to JSB (more on that later).  So overall, that day was a very crazy day.  Before my race I was nervous.  It was only me, another girl from Dalat, and quite a few local girls, but due to an issue with registration, the other girl from Dalat was only allowed to run for time, not placing.  In addition, I was running against girls that had beat me when I was in the U15 category.  So after the gun went off, I paced myself nicely behind the fastest girl.  After the second lap, I was able to pass her and gain a significant lead.  I was really happy to win the 800 meter for my Zone, especially since I had not run that at Zones before.  For my second race, the 3000 meter, I was not as nervous. I have done that race every year since I came to Dalat.  I knew that it would be extremely intense as always, and it was. That is why I was very glad to do much, much better then I did last year.  I got a much better time and placed much better.  I was happy to get third. So I am very excited to qualify for States in the 800 meter and get a good placing in both.

At States, the following week, I competed in the 800 meter heat.  I had a great time and had a wonderful run after a half day at school. I did not make it to the final because I merged too early in the heat resulting in a disqualification.  I am glad though that I was able to set a PR and prepare for next year in track and field.  I came in at 2:56 for the 800 meter.  This is a time that, before all the training I've put in, I never thought I could run.  It was one of the fastest times out of all the girls competing for state champ. So therefore, the disqualification showed me that I was more capable than I thought I was.  In addition, it taught me that I need to be very careful to listen and pay attention while I am racing and playing sports to do what needs to be done and not break rules.

City Stadium - the stadium I competed at 

Sunrise before my second race