My First CompetitionI was more nervous of taking the 1hr train journey there then i was at the start of the race, as i could have just stayed and not take the train.
After i take the train, make 1 change before arriving, I catched bus to the stadium it was sunny, a lot of people were there. Also have to note that i got to the stadium about 8 min before the 100m race, so went to the desk to sign up and they said very close to the race starting, so i get my number and go to the track and start my warm up, up and down besides the runners, lol and the guy was telling can you get out of the way, maybe i was distracting the runners in their block, so i was warming up and then i decided to ask afterward like 10-15 min when the race was and they said it was over ages ago, i had missed it, she said while i was parading on the other side of the track 10 mins ago (warming up the near the people in the blocks, they were my age group and it was my race)
...... lol i was warming up next to the startline of the race i was supposed to be in.
now what.....
But, i wasn't going to let it end after wasting rail fare and bus fare just to turn up and miss it, so i asked can i just run with the U17's and just get my time and she allowed me
. The gun sound was soooo loud when waiting but when at the blocks you don't notice it that loud.
So i have finished my warm up routine, in small area, I queue up behind the guy running, and as soon as it was my turn to run, i set up my blocks, never used blocks ever, so there i am trying to adjust my blocks, i know it is 2 steps to first forward foot and 3 step to second back foot, but i couldn't take those foot pads off so i decided to move the enitre block a bit back, then saw the other side was correctly place, i also didn't know what angle to put the foot pad on the block so i placed it at lowest angle about 45 degrees. I go into my block and start my starts to get comfortable with the blocks.
they say on your marks, i go to the blocks, do some tuck jumps, get into my blocks, felt weird when getting into the block placing my feet on the blocks, and waited, not a long wait, thinking, wait for the bang, so i wasn't nervous, i was just concentrating on running my race ignoring the others, at set position and as soon as i heard the bang i just exploded out as best as i could, during the drive phase i experience a small amount of air stride; this is when i stride out i feel my feet reach out but not grip onto the ground and starts to come back a little before contacting the ground, so i had to lean a bit more forward and start running and as soon as i felt it was long enough i come up straight and maintain and float, of course every one was drifting pass me at this point and then i maintain and then finish.
I was wearing track suit bottoms, a t shirt and running trainers, and i held my breath most of the race and relaxed at the end and it was over and i was happy, probably the start wasn't that good the drive phase but was happy with after accelerating and maintaining.
It's kind of strange that i was nervous because it was my first time so i didn't want to mess up but once i am at the blocks, nerves are gone and i just want to run my race as fast as i can and a little excited not noticeable, had to adjust at the blocks to get comfortable position.
So after a while they post the results on a board. so i go up and check, not there yet after a while, the results comes on and i got.
14:41
electronic timing, a bit dissapointed i didn't get under 13s but never mind, i defintely gained some experience and i will be more prepared in terms of warm up and settling and adjusting to the blocks and definitely no nerves and also execute my drive phase more correctly, by remembering to keep a lean to avoid air striding, but not sure what angle to place the foot pad on the blocks.
after i head off back home by bus and then by train.
a nice experience, my first competition i competed in as well as first competition i witnessed.