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Shelby Davidson - Racing is a Battlefield
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I’ve been thinking a lot the past week, and have realized that racing is basically a war. You have opponents, people who are on your side (teammates), things that can bring you down like getting elbowed, kicked, tripped, etc., sometimes either good or bad conditions, blood/sweat/tears, and finally an award for all of your hard work at the end. It may sound extreme, but really it is so true.
Last weekend I raced at the Holy Trinity Invitational, and it surely was a battlefield. I got to race two of the top girls in the state, Julie Wollrath and Bridget Blake, and it was one heck of a race.
 Going into this meet, I knew it was going to be a difficult 3.1 miles for all of us. We all have the same potential, talent, and ability so really the win was up for grabs. I ran a tough race and put up a fight, surging at least six times but they wouldn’t seem to let go. A few times they dropped back, but then they caught back up and that was my own fault- I should’ve just kept going faster, and picking it up. Regardless, near the end of the race Julie and Bridget both started to pick it up and I was just dead. My legs wouldn’t go any faster, so I ended up getting 3rd place. On the bright side, I ran a 17:36 which is a new season best and technically my PR. I ran a 17:36 at Footlocker South Regional last year for a PR, and that race is not for another 5 weeks so that means I have improved.
My team ended up placing second behind Dr. Phillips, which I was also happy about.
This weekend I’m happy to say we don’t have a race. Don’t get me wrong, I do love racing but my legs needed this time off after going to a cross country meet every single weekend for a long time. We have had an insanely awesome week of training, getting in some hill work (yes I know, FL doesn’t have hills so by hills I mean bridges) and other great runs and workouts. Not to mention the weather this week has been ideal for running.
Coming up next weekend, I will be racing in Cape Coast Conference to kick off the start of post-season races. I finally get to face Vanessa Valentine, which also makes it more exciting! I’ve got a new plan, a new attitude, and I am ready to kick it up a notch for these last high-school races of my career.
T-minus 4 weeks until the state meet, and 5 weeks until Footlocker South.
WOO!
Editor's Note- Shelby will be keeping a blog for us this year as she is set to improve on a stellar junior year. Last year Davidson was a Footlocker Finalist and has had one of her best summers of her high school career.
Click here to follow all of her blog posts.
More on Shelby 2011 Katie Caples Post-race interview with Julie Wollrath from Holy Trinity
Post-Race Interview at the 37th Astronaut-Rotary Invitational
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