A Step Back

Tonight didn't go as planned.

I had the unique experience of my mind not up to the task of handling a tough race.  I got to 1200 in a slow 3:10-3:11 in a weird race, and got incredibly negative and just pulled off.  DNF

D. N. F.

Three letters that are shameful in distance running. 

So now I have to build myself back mentally to be able to handle these racing scenarios again. 

I feel that I've been off mentally for quite awhile, but the question of how to fix it is a question that I do not have the answer to. 

I somehow need to get out of my own head and just freaking race.  I need to get some confidence, so I can get to the line and know that I can handle any pace, any scenario, any race.  Do I tweak some workouts? Just race more?  Do yoga?  I don't know.

I hate that I feel like a head case now, I don't think I've ever had to deal with this before. 

Running for yourself is different, after doing this for a team all my life, finding that last gear to do it solely for yourself is much different.  I want to do well, I want to succeed, I want to throw it into 5th and come screaming into the home stretch.  So what's the issue?

I need a coach, this much I do know.  Someone to help answer these questions, someone to help erase this doubt and get me out of my head. Someone I can trust.  It just has to be the right fit. 

All I can hope is that this step back will lead to a bigger step forward in the future.  I tried to obey Coach Russel's 30 min. rule, but I'm still reeling a bit and trying to decode this mental roadblock. 

I'm working on it, just gotta look at the big picture.

Nicholas Hilton: The Moderately Talented Distance Runner

Race #2

Race number 2 of this fledgling season is slated to go off tomorrow at 6:20 PM PST.  It will be my second attempt at the 1500 meter distance this year, and I'm pretty freaking pumped for it. 

The heat I'm in is pretty stacked, to say the least, check out the heat sheet below to see some of the names that will be in the race.  (Note Boaz Lalang who has a 3:35 PR, nbd)

Heat Sheets ---> http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/asu/sports/c-track/auto_pdf/2012-13/misc_non_event/2012asufinalheats.pdf

But, I go in not nervous, and not intimidated. I just want to run my race, be smart, push the 3rd lap, and hopefully break 3:50 for the first time. 

I was definitely race rusty the last time out, and I think, mentally, I'll be sharper this time around.  The main goal is to just keep progressing as the season wears on, the more I progress, the longer my season will be. 

For me, this season is really just a re-introduction of track racing and getting back in the competitive state of mind.  I've been away from it for awhile, and I really want to focus on getting that mental edge back into place for the next 3 years. 

Just gotta keep my eyes on the real prize, 2016, plug away, and try to prepare myself the best that I can.  

In the meantime I'm gonna enjoy the hell out of this shorter stuff, and fall back in love, once again, with track racing. 

I'll update tomorrow on Facebook and Twitter (@Nackhilton) pre-race, and post-race from Tempe. 

Catch you on the flipside.

Nicholas Hilton: The Moderately Talented Distance Runner

One Race, One PR

I can't express in words how great it felt to be back on the track.  Nothing feels as good as lacing up the spikes, feeling that adrenaline pump before the gun, and taking off down the track towards the first turn.  I feel like a brand new person.

3:52.38.  PR.

I honestly felt pretty good in this race, came through 400 in 61, 800 in 2:03, and 1200 in 3:05.  Didn't close great, but I made my biggest mistakes on the third lap.

I was still feeling good on the third lap, but didn't move up because I was a bit boxed in, and wanted to make sure that I didn't die hard in the final 100.  This is a mistake I won't make again, because I know I have more in the tank.

Results for the Race can be found here --->  http://www.thesundevils.com/sports/c-track/stats/2012-2013/resultsfriday13baldy.html

Hamstring felt pretty good all day on the warmup, during the race, and on the cool down.  Definitely a good sign, hopefully as I work on it it'll feel a little better every day.

I'm really looking forward to my workouts this week, and a 1500 again on Friday.  Its track season and I couldn't be more pumped!

 List of 2013 goals through 4/27:

1. Feel good and bust some rust on the track: CHECK
2. Break 3:50: PENDING
3. Get accepted into the Mt. SAC Invitational: PENDING
4. 3:48: PENDING
5. Get Accepted into the Penn Relays OD Mile: PENDING
6. Sub 4:05: PENDING

Nicholas Hilton: The Moderately Talented Distance Runner

Back on Track

Today is the day where I start my track season.

After a solid 15k last weekend, 47:30 on a tough course.  I'm ready to move to the fast stuff.  Tonight I open with a 1500 at the Baldy Castillo Invitational at Arizona State. 

I've been nursing a bit of a hamstring issue the past few weeks so training hasn't been ideal.  But I know I'm strong, and I'm confident in my speed. 

I'm not going to lay out specific time goals for tonight, cause honestly, I have no idea whats going to happen.  Its a strong field, and I just want to run with confidence and finish hard. 

This season is about getting fast.  So its time to get fast. 

I'm definitely nervous.  The last time I stepped on a track to race was at the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championships. 

So, I shall try my best to go into it with confidence, and walk out of it with my head held high, ready for my next race. 

I was born ready.

Nicholas Hilton: The Moderately Talented Distance Runner