This week I competed in my schools Thames Valley athletics championships, where I competed in both the 3,000m and 1,500m. Luckily both of these events were spread across the day allowing me to recover enough to still give a go effort in both.
The 3,000m was first and this is what I was focusing on between the two. So wasn’t worrying about leaving energy aside. I started the race with a couple girls holding to the back of me which worried me at first but I held my pace consistent not going harder knowing to stick with my own pace, and doing that was a good choice because after about 2 laps I had dropped them and continued to pull away each lap that went by.
This year I felt different in my races and was also told that this year I look more like a runner not just someone running which is an achievement for me as it’s what I’ve wanted since I started. When I ran I felt strong and felt strong throughout the whole race with no real point where I struggled like I went to hard, but still by the last 400-800m I needed to start giving it the last push of my energy.
Next I will be competing in the Waikato Bay of Plenty championships which is 4 zones coming together. I’m going to just race the 3,000m and will have more competition surrounding me so will push me harder throughout. Racing is helping me see the progress I have made in many ways and I’m excited to continue to see this continue to improve.
– Jessica Bray
[Congrats Jess, she is very humble after winning her 3,000m she then ran (and won) the Senior Girls 1,500m which was ran concurrently with the Senior Boys’ and she beat all but two of the Senior Boys. In the 3,000m she ran a PB of 11:21 beating her time from last year by over 30 seconds. – Coach Ray]