Recovery

My hamstrings were sore all weekend, and my legs were just dead today. We ran to Sugarhouse park and did the state hill 5 times, each was a little over a quarter of a mile. Then we ran over to the other hill along the road and did 4 400s up it and to a certain light post. Then we got water and went over to a new hill which was much shorter but pretty steep. After doing that one 4 times, we did the beginning hill 4 times before running back. I considered going with the boys up to Wasatch Blvd but my legs couldn't take it much longer so I went along 19th east with Nate, Andy, and Anders. Once we turned down Sunnyside is where I couldn't keep up with them anymore, and I hit 10 right at the light by Guardsman. Once I got to the track I got a little OCD about my mileage, so I did a grass loop and a track lap to get to exactly 11, slowly with a horrible sideache. I really hate this pollution.

For our morning run today we got to run in the rain. We went along 13th east to U street, up to the cemetery, up Death Hill to 11th Ave, and did our Shriners run back. On the way to the cemetery I kept up with Tomy and Chris, but died on the hill. I ran alone until the alley, where Dakota and Faysal caught me and I ran back to the track with them. Along 13th east not even a mile into the run, I tripped on a sidewalk bump and skidded on my tummy, getting my white shirt filthy! I scraped my right knee and hip, and my left thigh, elbow, and pinky. Now my whole left hand is swollen and I can't move my pinky.

Today after morning practice I went home, slept for 3 hours, went to school for an hour, came home for 2 hours, went to the running store, and got new shoes. Fun, right? My hand feels a little better but Mom says I should still wear the brace. Anyways, for our afternoon workout we did 1 mile warmup and 1 mile speed changes. Then Patrick, Anders, and I led the stretches and then we all did another lap. Then we did 800s until we were done, but I kinda like it when we don't know how many we're doing. We ended up doing 3, and I got 2:54, 2:56, and 2:55, each with a lap recovery. Then we did 400s, and we did 4 of those, I didn't know that though so I was able to hit 80s each time. Then we did 4 200s, and I got 35, 36, 36, and 35. I was pretty happy with the workout because I was hitting my times! I did 3 grass laps cooldown to get to 13 exact for today. I really love my new shoes!

Today as soon as we got to the race we all got T Shirts honoring a Clearfield Coach who has cancer, which made me really like this race because I felt like we had a huge team with everyone racing in neon green. None of us had time to warmup or do strides, so it was right to the line and BAM we're off! I went out kinda fast with a Clearfield girl, but not as fast as I usually go. I didn't know the course so I let her lead the first lap before gapping the next 2 laps. I didn't go too hard for the race on Friday, but I averaged a 7:12 pace. I cooled down with Sarah S and Emma around the school to be at 4 miles for the day before playing on the playground. BBQ time!

Today in the morning we ran up Sunnyside to Foothill over to 9th south and down into the gulley. We did a lap in the really dark gulley and I almost tripped several times. As if I'm not beat up enough already, I tripped again last night and evened out the damage from Tuesday. Anyway, then we ran back to the track and did 3 chase 300s and 2 grass laps.

This afternoon we did a track lap then headed up Sunnyside to Foothill, down to Guardsman, and to Sunnyside park. We did 6 strides and then 3 laps of speed changes, marked by flags. Then we ran on Guardsman to 5th south, down to 13th east, over to 8th south, and back to the track.

Today when we got to Park City I took the JV girls on a warmup to see the course. After about 7 minutes we turned around and went back to our spot. Later when it was time for Varsity to warmup, we went along the course as before. On our way back we had to run alongside the JV boys race, so we had to run in a line and I jokingly said "Firemen!" But then Bill took me seriously, so we did firemen. I did several strides at the start because we were standing there for FOREVER. Finally when the gun went off I started out way too fast. I went up to be in a pack of top 5, but once we were in the middle of that first hill on the trail is where I felt lactic acid coming into my legs and the altitude was getting to me. I tried to stay strong, and I would have parts of the race where I would say to myself "I can't. NO! I can!" and do speed changes depending on how my body was feeling. I honestly hate that course, it's never flat. It's gradually uphill, then a little downhill, but then it climbs up again. I tried to pick up my kick but I felt like I was running away from a really strong vacuum. Nobody passed me though. Overall, I hated this race and I'm glad it's over.

This morning we went to the Hallmans' cabin for a run and a play day. We ran up the road, then down this really rocky path to a little trailhead. We ran on the trail for a while, and it kept on getting super uphill. The way back was better, but once we got off the trail it was pretty much another uphill climb back to the cabin. Then we had some yummy French toast and had a great day!