Under 13:00

We just returned from a track meet in Platteville, WI. Although it was small and low-key with only a few teams, I was really nervous. Eckburg put me in the 3K. After both previous 3Ks, I felt they were my worst races. I like the 800m and the 10K. The 5K's good too, but the 3K just seems so middle and uninteresting, monotone or something. And last week I ran a really, really slow and frustrating 3K. So I had to get back at it. 

I was assigned number 13. Eckburg had my seed time as 12:43. Last week I ran a 13:50 or something (really horrible). I was aiming for 51 splits every 200m. It was a great race--I actually felt like I was running (last week I felt like I was still in the pool)--and I kept my splits at about 51. I slipped up in the last K, but I had a decent kick. Karl, our trusty timer and assistant coach, said he was worried about me making it under 13:00, then he saw me pick it up the last lap and knew I made it. I felt strong today, too. 

Final time: 12:55--woo--just under the 13:00 mark. My goal is to get under 12:00 in this race. That would be 6:15 pace I think.
Ally ran a 22:09 5K. She didn't run on the inside line on the corners, which probably added those 9 seconds. She and I are trying to build up after injuries--me, shins; Ally, knees. 

Joe ran an amazing mile--just under 4:30. It was great because he and a Platteville guy were even until about 3 laps to go, then Joe just kicked it up ten notches and flew! 

Lana ran under 6:00 in the mile--a 5:53. That's my next goal. She ran a 12:23 in the 3K last week. 

Nigel threw up right before running the 4x400m. A guy from Platteville running the meet got angry. Jeeze. Then Nigel ran wonderfully. 

Other exciting events today: I made Eckburg a sandwich. He had to go to his grandfather's--GRANDfather's--wedding. I think that's really cool that his gpa is getting married. Anyway, Eck had to leave early so he tapped me to make him a quick lunch. You should know that Eckburg is amazing and runs insanely everyday. He's training for another 100 mile race this summer. And he just had surgery on his esophagus this week! He's crazy. My point is, he'll eat practically anything. So I used two tortilla wraps and filled them with ham, peanut butter, and an entire banana. Maybe with honey it would have been good. Eck has been known to put humus, peanut butter, bananas, and meat on the same sandwich. So, maybe it was good to him. Anyway, I was rather skeptical. 

Becca, my roomie, is in Baltimore this weekend at a conference representing the Jewish group on campus. I LOVE having a single! Man, it's really hard to live with someone for an entire year. I miss privacy, space, and quiet. There's a concert event tonight with about 5 bands, but I kind of want to chill here and enjoy the space. I know I want to go out though. I'm sooo much more productive when I have the room to myself. I don't have to talk to anyone or listen and I don't feel guilty or rude for doing so and just doing homework or reading. Ah. But Becca is great, and it's almost vacation. 

Good day. Time to cut out articles from the past week of NY Times and Wall Street Journals that I wanted to read. This week was crazy--eek! No time! And as soon as I catch up with work--finals. 

Oh boy! 

Ciao,
Marta