2011 SAA T&F Series 1 (A problem i encountered and how i managed to solve it)

It was my first time taking part in a 400 meter race and I was nervous because i was scared that i won't pace myself correctly.Luckily i knew that i was going to run with people whom i knew so that calmed me a little as i can always follow their pace.I tried to relax 30 minutes before my race started but to no avail.15 minutes before my race started,my coach told me to aim high and not think you are going to do things which will lead to your disadvantage.(falling down,not pacing yourself correctly)

That 15 minutes passed and i thought to myself that it was time to disgrace myself by being last but i thought about what my teacher said again and i changed my mentality and instead i aimed high.Then a man asked us to set up our starting blocks and wait behind it after you have finished.'Ready!Set!GO!' I ran the first 200 meters following the pace of the guy in front of me.I was doing fine until the somewhere around the 300 meter mark.The person whom was currently in first position was a few meters in front of me so i decided to take bigger strides.Unfortunately,i was not able to as i think i was still affected by my last leg injury.Even so,i did not give up.I ran as fast as my legs could go at that moment.I finished 3rd in my heats and i think i was overall 8th position out of 16-19 people.I was delighted with my result as it was my first try and i won more than 8 people whom which could have took part in this event before and was experienced.Believing in myself was how i overcame the problem while i was there.