Act like a horse, be dumb, just run.

I actually did a warm-up today, one lap around the track.  I should probably get into that habit.  I went on an easy 5-miler out to Green Springs with Ruth and Nikki J.  We were going at a pretty slow pace and I stopped at the golf course clubhouse and at a couple of lights.  I wasn't feeling really mentally strong today until the turnaround point and then I started getting into it.  When done with the run I did nine 100 meter striders.  After that I lifted weights... I would log that but I don't know what the machines are called or how much weight I was actually lifting.  So today was pretty nice; I guess its kind of a prep day for speedwork tomorrow.  I'm going to be running in spikes for the first time, so that will be interesting. 

Pain. I ran in spikes for the first time today and now I have to walk like a penguin.  I did a 400 m warm up with Amanda, then strapped on my spikes and started on some 1000 meters.  My times:

1- 3:40

2- 3:59

3- 3:57

4- 3:57

5- 3:51

We did those plus a 400m jog in between.  I felt like I was pushing on most of the repeats.  I usually fly on the first repeat of any set probably just because I have the most energy then.  That was also my first time running in spikes and I was trying to learn how to run in them.  They pulled me right up onto my toes (thus the aching calves) and I ran the first one like that, but I couldn't keep it up for the other ones, so I would save toe running for when I needed an extra push.  It was a little disappointing getting 19 seconds slower on the second one but I felt like I was doing okay, especially because I never did worse than the second repeat.  The wind was blowing pretty hard which made it a little more difficult, but helped when it was behind me.  It was blowing hardest on the last repeat, but I was working harder so I got faster (which upped my esteem a little bit).  We were supposed to do a 3/4 mile cool down but I forgot and just went home. 

a.m.- Met Ruth and Amanda up at the school for a morning run.  Killer pain in my calves.  I jumped out of bed this morning (because I have a bunkbed and have to jump off) forgetting how bad my calves hurt.  Not such a pleasant thing to wake up to.  I ran a lap warm-up and then we headed out for Arctic Circle (3 mi).  I ran with Ruth most of the way, my calves eased up a little while running.  We ran a little slow on the way out and then got up to a more decent pace on the way back.  The blister I got yesterday popped when I was running back but almost done. 

afternoon- Anaerobic threshold on Dogpound run (4).  Ran a warm-up up to Harts with Nikki J. and Ruth.  Ruth headed out on the threshold run first, then Nikki, and I was still waiting for my mind to will me to go.  I started it out pretty decently, even though I didn't feel really fast.  I caught up to Nikki J at about the Relief Society Building, after that I didn't really have anyone to try and catch up to, so that made the run a little trickier because I had to keep checking my pace.  At the dogpound I was at about 12 minutes something, which is about a minute or so faster than last time.  My finishing time was 17:59, 16 seconds faster than last time.  I must have slowed down a bit on the hills, but overall I felt the run went okay and I'm pretty happy with my time.  After that I jogged back super slow to the school, and then sat on the turf and checked out all my new blisters.  I have two decent sized ones, and two toenails are coming off. 

Easy run day before the race tomorrow.  It was supposed to be a 35 minute run, but I went running by myself during seventh period and got started a little late so I cut the run short so I could be back before practice started.  I ran for 26 minutes, and it was painful. I just ran around the neighborhoods by the school and it was neat just being able to go wherever I wanted.  My calves were still killing me today and so it was hard to even want to go running.  When I run fast I can't really feel my calves, but on this easy run I could feel them like none other.  I stopped once to stretch them out a little.  Overall I liked just being out by myself and being able to go wherever I wanted.  That kind of freedom is nice after so many course runs and track work. 

I don't know what was up with this day.  I ran the 1600 m in the second heat (I think?) out of three.  My calves were still aching but they felt a lot better so I wasn't even too worried about my race.  I think I should have been a lot more worried because I did 9 seconds worse than last time.  I tend to run a lot harder if I am nervous anyways.  So the first lap of the mile went by really fast, in about 1:18, and I got out in front and it felt really good, but I didn't hold it and I fell back a lot in the second lap.  Nikki J even passed me once and I was ashamed because I knew I wasn't pushing it hard enough.  So my second lap was crap, and my third and fourth laps weren't much better.  I needed to focus more on my pacing and plan out the race before hand.  There was also a bit of wind, especially on the last leg of the fourth lap.  That might have brought up my time a bit, but overall I think I just wasn't into it mentally and I wasn't running it smart.  I walked off the track disappointed and embarrassed, and I didn't do even close to my best.

I did a lot better today than I did yesterday.  I first ran the 3200 m in the second heat.  I tried to plan it out a little bit beforehand because I thought that would be a good idea after crapping the mile yesterday.  I ran this race a lot smarter.  I started out okay and then got into a settled (but pushed) pace pretty quickly; my thoughts were to get into a spot and work my way up from girl to girl.  My plan didn't work out the way I wanted it to because I ended up running in a pretty big gap.  I did work my way around one girl and then I kept my eyes on the next girl that was about 100m in front of me for the rest of the time.  I ran the mile in a decent pace but I didn't push it too hard because last time thats what I did and I died on the fifth lap.  The fifth lap was good to me this time and I felt like I was going at a constant pace for most of the race.  I had a hard time pushing it in at the end because my legs were sore and worked and I just didn't feel like I had enough energy to sprint.  Overall it was a good race, improved by 17 seconds, but I still feel kind of disappointed that I'm not faster than I am.  I know it is kind of a harsh thought but I feel like I am one of the slow girls and I am very unsatisfied with myself. 

The 800 was sort of an adventure... I haven't run this race since I was a freshman so it was kind of a new experience.  Ruthie gave me some pointers on how to run it before the race started and let me wear her racing flats.  I ran in the first heat (slow heat) and I took the lead from the start.  I ran the first lap fairly fast and felt myself slowing down after I started coming around the second time.  I kept telling myself to push it harder because I had less than a lap left, but I my distance-running self didn't like that idea.  I kept trying to speed it up but it was hard, especially because my legs still felt a little overworked.  I got passed right about at the start of the last 100 meters and ended up second in my heat.  I wasn't really disappointed in this race but I sure wasn't proud.  I didn't really know what to think of my time and walked off the track thinking, "hmm that was interesting".  It was fun just jumping in and running it but I still feel unsatisfied with myself.