Its like I hear the gun a minute too late...

Cross country season has come to an end for 2009.
And man we had a good run.

This past weekend I participated in the AGSI cross country Nationals in Guelph. It was a very well run event (yes, the pun was intended :) and I was really surprised at the number of competitors out there.
I ran the junior race, which was for anyone born 1990 or later, and we had a huge field. I think it was about 160 girls! I have faced these numbers before at the high school championships, but with a bit more organization at the start. At OFSAA, every region is given their own cozy little box where there is lots of room and comeraderie. Not here!! I had to fight for a spot on the line, and luckily my team mate and good friend Domi saved me a patch of white strip.
After warmup and strides, before I knew it we were off and racing. The start was very agressive. I saw girls fall, girls elbow others, hands flying, hips checking, ponytails (literally!!) being pulled by other girls... There was no mercy! I had never seen this before, but I guess there is a first time for everything!
I had my usual brutally slow start...and by the 1km mark I wasn't in the top 100. There was no room to pass after the initial sprint, and for a moment I had to think to myself; "You can either go now and give it, and try to make up as much lost ground as possible, or just sit right in and ride the rest of the race out."
I knew that the last thought wasn't even an option, so I picked it up, ran through some bushes, over some tall ferns and small trees, and pushed to the front. By the second half of the last 2.6km loop I had worked into the top ten, and I was running a faster pace than the leaders. There just wasn't enough time or enough ground, and in the last bit I managed to pass two more girls and climb the last hill to the finish.
I was moderately satisfied with my race, and I did qualify for the worlds team. I didn't run much for the last couple weeks or truly prepare for this race, but it just kills me to think that, had I had a good start and been up with the leaders, I could have battled it out for the National title.
The worlds team will travel to Trinidad and Tobego as well as Poland in March. Declaration is mandataory by december 3rd, but unfortunately I don't think I will be able to attend. I have to focus on my goals and be smart with the races I choose...racing in march and then again in may is alot of travel and alot of coin!
Anyways, I was really excited to see some of the great runners out there. Shaaf, Ahmed, Meg Brown, Carson, Bairu, and our own Mr. Whitfield. It really was a great day!!