Stello's 2005 Season…So far...
Winning the 2005 PIAA Cross Country State Championship was an honor I dreamed of having last year when my soccer team fell short of a trip to Hershey with a chance "to get the chocolate" with a loss in the state semi-finals.
Over the summer I built up my mileage while running basically alone in South Carolina. No hills, lots of heat, and no one to train with- I was happy to arrive at preseason practices with my team.
I focused on training and racing with a positive attitude. I did not let "the little things" interfere with my performances. I used to have lots of superstitious rituals before races, and I used to overly concern myself with the girls' records that would be racing. This year I attacked every race with confidence, competitiveness, and calmness.
After the District 1 Championship there were lots of hype, predictions, and expectations concerning the outcome of the state championship the following weekend. Instead of becoming swept up by all of the pre-race "chatter" I simply allowed myself to be aware of my biggest competitors, but I did not let any news, such as the results of the other district meets, take away from my confidence.
The week prior to states became a true balancing act between maintaining focus and intensity and also trying to avoid sleepless nights and mentally fatiguing days due to over-analysis of the upcoming race. The key was to stay focused, but not over-focus; to stay excited, but not too nervous; to stay intense, but not overwork. During practices I would picture the state course and my competitors running with me, racing me. I continued this racing strategy for the Mid-East Championship, the Foot Locker Northeastern Regional Championship, and the Foot locker National Championship races.
The Mid-East Championship gave me the opportunity to meet other cross country runners of my graduating class and other coaches/association directors for both cross country and track and field in Pennsylvania. The race was also a perfect training tool to maintain a strong racing mentality over the stretch between states and regionals. I highly encourage next year's invited seniors to participate in the meet because it is a chance to compete against runners from other states and to get to know some of your frequent local competitors.
When it was time to travel up to the Bronx for regionals, I again knew there were predictions for the top ten, but I did not let them affect my race, except by letting the positive predictions give me confidence. I simply ran my race – out quick- good rhythm- strong kick. My position in the race was constantly changing, so I made sure I kept a head count to keep track of what place I was in. When I approached the final half mile I unleashed a kick I did not even know I had and managed to make my way to sixth place. It was time to hit the beach!