C Mantz Run

So, I was really nervous for this race, even though it was only with the team, because it was my first race on a xc course and it decided whether you were on varsity or not.  Conner told me I should use my new flats, so I did. I warmed up with Carly because I had no clue on what to do.  When we started we went around the track and as we were almost to the gate to get off the track Coach Wright began running to open the gate which wasn't open.  That first part was mainly a sprint which was different.  I passed a couple of people and I could see the lead pack the entire time, but I wasn't up in it.  After the first time passing the canal, Carly began to slow down and I caught up with her.  I felt bad for her because she hadn't ran at all this past week. I passed her and just kept going.  It was really hard to catch up to the leaders, which I never did, but I just kept running.  This was my first time actually doing the course, so I was glad I wasn't in the front or I'd get lost.  The last time passing the canal, I couldn't hear Carly and I had heard her the entire time since I'd passed her and the first thing I though was 'Carly died' sadly because I wanted somebody who could help me sprint at the end.   When I got to the final sprint I got a little closer to Megan who was in the lead pack, but it wasn't very close.  I finished with a time of 21:31 which I was happy about.  I got fifth on varsity and afterwards all the girls were hugging each other which was new to me, so I just hugged along.