Columbiana Clipper Cross Country 3K

This was only my second time running a 3K. The only other time was the last time I ran this exact race back in 2020. My primary goal was to beat my 2020 time and get a new 3K PR. Given where my fitness is now compared to six years ago, I felt confident that a PR was possible.

Because of ongoing construction near Columbiana High School and Middle School, the course was modified this year. The starting area was shifted to an adjacent property, though most of the familiar trail remained as I remember it.

Like most cross-country events, it had a wide open start that quickly tapered down into a narrow trail. I pushed hard out of the gate, but found myself caught in a thick pack of runners right as we reached the trail entrance. Knowing I had more speed than the group immediately around me. I spent the first minute on the trail trying to get through the bottleneck, dodging around runners to get out into more open space as the pack thinned.

Once I cleared that initial crowd, I got into my pace. For most of the remainder of the race, I was passing runners. Only a single runner managed to overtake me after that early section. Even though it’s just 1.8 miles, the effort felt really rough. I was breathing heavily throughout and using every bit I had in me. My heart was pounding the whole time.

As the trail looped past the start line and headed back toward the track, the field had thinned out significantly. There was one runner maybe about 15 seconds ahead of me, but no immediate pressure from behind.

I checked over my shoulder a couple of times, a habit I try to avoid so I can stay focused strictly ahead of me. Coming out onto the track for the final stretch, I gave one last glance back and saw nobody behind me. I still poured everything I had left into crossing the finish line and nabbing a new 3K PR… by 2:16!