I'm a junior in my second year of running. Last year I was absolutely terrible and ran 22:44 after being out half the season.
This summer I actually trained (~300 miles in June/July) building from 20 (track) to 40 mpw.
Now in season, I've been having really bad performances - 21:30, 18:49, and 20:30 for my first 3 races and it's due to my mentality and toughness. The first ~1.5 miles I have always lead people going low 18s every race, but then I slow down and get passed. I don't try very hard to keep up with them, and honestly just let it happen most of the time. By mile 2, I generally slow down a crazy amount if my teammates get out of sight (2nd race they didn't.) My 20:30 I came in the 2 mile at ~12:10 and then did the last 1.1 in 8:20.
I've tried different things prerace- taking the night before serious, or just relaxing. I'm not sure what to do for mentally pushing through. I go into the race wanting to beat some of the guys on my team really bad, and tell myself to not let them pass me or keep up if they get on me, and I do this well until ~1.5miles in. Any general tips on how to change your mentality for race when you start feeling weak?
Thanks.