Keeping Pace with Sarah Thomas
5/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field, Cross Country
May 2, 2014
Reduce the error, improve performance: this is what we have been focusing on during this entire season. Error is inevitable when it comes to track and field, but minimizing the error will improve your performance. This is important to note as the SEC Outdoor Championship quickly approaches. With every event that we compete in, whether at practice or at a meet, we focus on improving our performance from the last attempt. It is the time of the season that everything that we have been working for begins to come together. It is time that we meet all of the expectations that we have been striving for all season. We have been working hard on the track at practice and at meets.
The biggest meet that the track team went on this season was the Mt. SAC Relays in Walnut, Calif., two weeks ago. The competition there was nothing less than the best. The team was put on a stage of professional athletes and nationally ranked teams. It is an honor to get invited to such an elite competition, so we were certainly honored to be a part of it. This meet helped build confidence. Knowing that we were able to compete among the most elite athletes showed us that we are a capable of performing--and winning--our events even against the strongest competition. Even though being a part of the competition alone had its positive effects on the team, it was even more important for us to rise to the challenge and compete at our very best.
The Mt. SAC Relays was like a simulation of SEC Championships. Just as there was a demand for us to rise to the competition at Mt. SAC, there is a demand to rise to the competition at the SEC Championships. It is important to remain focused and not crumble under the pressure. Mt. SAC introduced us to the stage that we will be performing on during the SEC Championships. Now we will not be surprised by any distractions or unexpected emotions that come with competing with the best of the best.
This weekend we travel to Mississippi State for the Jace Lacoste Invitional. While this could be considered a "tune-up" meet, it is equally as important as any other meet this season. This meet is like a last chance to get our performances as close to perfection before we go to the SEC Championship. The last few meets have had a strong role in preparing us for competing at the championships. There is no doubt in my mind that my teammates will meet and surpass the expectations of the coaches and the expectations that they have for themselves.
