This week I am running a big 3200m race with some of the top guys in the state. I was just pushed off of the state qualifying list. I have run 9:49 (5400ft) this season and in order to make it to state (my goal for senior year) I likely need to run around 9:38 or faster. In my 9:49 effort I got out of the main pack and ended up running by myself which caused me to slow down dramatically in the last 1600m. My race this weekend has a ton of runners ranging from 9:10 to 9:58. How do I convince myself to stay in the pack and hold on as long as possible for laps 5,6, and 7?