Sunday, February 8, 2009

Track Meet - Pentathlon

Friday I competed in my first Penthatlon since high school. There were ten girls from 4 different colleges (Two colleges of which were small Division 1 schools, while I compete in Divison 3).

Warm ups for hurdles went well but the official who was starting the race rushed me through the set (the official says on your mark and we get into the blocks - he isn't supposed to say set until all the girls stop moving) and I didn't have my hands placed and he said SET. The gun went off and I attacked the hurdles - and apparently I attacked too much because my trail leg (my left leg) hit the hurdle and it messed my steps up. I was pretty upset but I somehow still managed to run a faster time. Interesting....

Between events for Pent, we are given 30 minutes (at the very least). High jump was next and just like with Hurdles I looked great in warmups but once we started competition I just couldn't seem to get everything together. High jump is all about making sure to jump up first and then arch your back and finally kick your feet over the bar. Each time I managed to forget one part of that and so I didn't jump as high as I wanted.

The third event was shot put - which is probably my favorite since I have been throwing since 8th grade and it is basically the reason I got into Pent in the first place. I haven't been throwing as far as I wanted and my steps have been off. I ended up placing third in this event which helped me gain points on the girls ahead of me.

You might be wondering what I mean by points. Well Pent is 5 events and so we complete each event for a distance or time, etc etc. Then each distance is scored and we are given a certain amount of points.

The fourth event was long jump. I was feeling good - not tired at all but somehow I just wasn't jumping as far as my PR. My coach was there - the multis coach (we call him that because he coaches the girls and guys for the multi events like Pentathlon, Hepthalon, and Decathlon). It was hard because he was telling me all these things to do and it felt like I was just thinking too much.

The final event was the 800m! Now the girls always seem to complain about it - I just do it because we have to do it and really it is quick event. You are running for less than 3 minutes! I was in 9th place going into the 800m and I was looking for a PR. As soon as the gun went off I jumped into second place and just sat on the lead girls butt. I could hear my coach yelling to me and encouraging me.

I stayed in second until one girl made a move with about 250m left. I should have followed her but I didn't and that was a mistake - but I learned and next time will be a little better. I ended up taking 3rd place in the 800m and running a PR. Heres a list of results:

55mH - 10.31 seconds
High Jump - 1.38m
Shot put - 9.88m
Long jump - 4.40m
800m - 2:38.05 (minutes:seconds)

My final points was 2533 which is very close to my seed value (which is all my best attempts/runs from all previous meets). I guess I am pretty consistent but I just need to do better. I came in 9th overall which was disappointing but I guess I deserve that because I haven't put the time into all my events like I should have. Its like my coach said - I have gotten out of this what I put into it. I need to put more into this so i can finish this season without regret. Hopefully in the next two weeks (before the state Pent competition) I can improve and preform better.

This whole Pent thing might be hard to understand - i take for granted everything because I have been doing it for so long. Thanks for reading - I am actually thinking about getting outside for a run this afternoon since it is nice and sunny.

14 comments:

Nicole said...

good job! its georgous outside, i too am considering a run outside!

Marlene said...

I think you did awesome!! I can't imagine how taxing it is to compete in five different events one after the other. And if I remember correctly, you had very little notice that you would be competing in the Pent this weekend.

AMAZING JOB!

Marlene said...

(Love the new look, btw!)

Brian said...

Goood Job!!

Marci said...

I love the new look! Thanks for explain the pentathon thing, I for one am clueless. Great work!

Aron said...

wow that just all sounds very intense to me :) great job!!!!

X-Country2 said...

Sounds like a great meet! Hopefully you made it outside for a nice run. :o)

(Cute new layout)

tfh said...

Your blog looks great. I think you did a great job Friday, esp. since you haven't competed in Pent since high school, coming in close to seed value and everything. Sounds like an intense day!

Chic Runner said...

You seriously kicked butt! Way to get out there and attack all parts of your events. I would die after just one race so say to keep going and I love the new layout :)

Melanie said...

I think you're amazing. I have mad respect for anyone who is able to compete in more than one type of event like you do!

Felice Devine said...

Great job! I hope you got out for the run.

Marcy said...

I like the new look! Very nice!

CONGRATS on the pentathlon performance! Dang girl, what don't you do? ;-)

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

WIth so many events piled into one, i say you succeeded no matter where you placed. Good work!

Lauren @ Sassy Molassy said...

PS-love the new layout. so cute.