State today. We got to the course at about one and Jamison, Lil' Warner, and I went and found a bench on top of the hill that we could watch the races from. Right before 4A boys started we went for our warm up so we would be ready this time. The first time the gun went off I went out pretty hard and got decent position, but then they shot the gun again and called us back. The second start I didn't go out as hard and got pushed back a bit and was in about 50th at the top of the first hill. On the top section I just kind of settled in and slowly passed people as oppurtunity would allow. Coming down the super steep hill I almost got taken out, but was able to retain my balance and move past some people at the bottom. Zack Jacklin didn't pass me until we were right at the bottom of the big hill which I found discomforting, because he usually passes me about 800 in so I was worried I went out too fast. Coming down the hill I got into position with the pack of dudes I was planning on running with for most of the race beforehand. It was Joe, Jacob Chase, Lil' Warner, Colton Rimman, and Josh Ward. We stuck together for the next mile or so and coming around the parking lot on the far side we dropped Lil' Warner. I was feeling really good until we came around the lake for the last time, and my legs just wouldn't move faster. Some of the guys took off and I was left in no mans land until we hit the track, where I got passed by a couple people. I got 15:57 which I was decently happy about, but I got 16th place which was a bummer since I was in 9th coming around the lake. The main takeaway I got from this race is that I need to be a lot stronger mentally from about 1k out. I dont remember the last time I passed somebody in the last 400, which is not a good thing. Lil' Warner had a really bad race and finished in 16:02, which was 17 seconds slower than last year. Our team got fifth, which was about where we expected to be so it was good. Also from what I can tell I am the fastest ever 16th place finisher on the state course, which is kind of cool.
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