First Meet of the season

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Today, in 14 hours, I'll have my first XC meet of the season. I am really anticipating it because it's the last 2 mile race we do (rest are 5ks which I dread) and I hope to beat my previous 2 mile times from August, July, and June. We also got our ranks on Monday, and how I do today determines whether or not I move up or down the list. This summer, my coaches have been telling me to push myself and not underwork just to be with my friend. My friend was on vacation a few times this summer, and I still made the morning XC practices while he was gone. My coaches also said I should make him work harder because while he was off on vacation, I was putting in the work and getting better. When we got our ranks this week, he was two people below me and he didn't understand why. He even commented "what? How am I below you, I am faster?" I really don't like the competition that has developed between us, but yesterday he said one of his goals was to beat me. Personally, I just want to PR. But if there is some kind of underlying completion between us all of a sudden, then today will be the determiner of who wins. I have never been a competitive person, but today I think that all changes.

Good luck to you all in all of your ongoing/upcoming sports' seasons!