Musings before the Hurtin’

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Two days until RSEQ XC Championships.

I’ve been thinking about the race all day, jogging, working out the kinks, feeling loose but sharp. All day my stomach has been churning, so I’ve decided the vent about it here.

I’ve had some solid races thus far. Races I’m proud of, a win, a solid showing in Ontario and a close second to one of Canada’s best metric milers. I’ve also had a rough one, I had to pull out of a race in Fredricton due to a back issue. My season hasn’t been scrapped, on the contrary I think I’m having the best season I’ve ever had. I’ve come along way since I started running with Dawson College, since my rookie year at Concordia, even since I won the 5000m Qc Champ title this summer. I put in some serious training this fall, and came through alive. Coach and I altered my training, playing off my strengths, and its worked.  Despite all the confidence I might have, I know exactly what is in store. I’m up against the 2012 Indoors CIS 1500m silver medalist, an ex olympian, and some deeply experienced runners, five or six guys who are not unlike myself, who work hard like I do, who have similar race times as me. This is wont be a walk in the park. Its literally a sprint through a war zone. The Laval boys have some things to their advantage. They’re racing at home, in their backyard on a course they probably train on quite a bit. They’ll have oodles of support cheering them on, helping them through the physical and mental strains of racing. They’ve already received a lot of attention from local media sharing they’re story of Inter-Quebec University domination. Its pretty cool what they’ve got going.

Sometimes I compare and get frustrated. My school’s athletic media outlets have been embarrassingly silent about the Stingers XC team, granted they’ve had to deal with media scrutiny on the football team and disappointing seasons, we’re having a pretty good one! Priorities always seem to lay somewhere else.

But, dwelling on where support isn’t coming from is useless and counter-productive. I have an amazing team, with amazing team-mates. I have a coach I trust, and who believes I can accomplish what I’ve set out to accomplish. Friends and family that give me foundation and a wonderful lady that keeps me in check.

There’s been a few times this season that I’ve been out for a run, alone, wrapped up in my goals, my training and an overwhelming certainty, an image of me crossing the finish line first, hits me like a truck. I always get all choked up. These moments reflect how much I’m invested in my sport. I want to win. I believe I can.

Its Provincials though.

Two weeks from now, I’ll be psyching myself up for the Canadian University Championships in London, Ontario. I have a history of racing well on this course. My focus is really on CIS, but these two races are the big ones.

Look for results on my Twitter: @HodgeNoel

 

-Ryan