Andrea's Running Page

So, I'm just going to pretend that I have posted a journal entry within the last two months -- I've been running during the journal entry dry spell -- but I've just kept a written record of my miles.  I'll try to pick up right where I left off.... 

I got together with a group of friends for some good ol' fashioned speed-work at the Cottonwood track.  The weather conditions were ideal: mostly overcast with a few raindrops, and the sun peeking out on occaison.  I was impressed with the turnout last night -- there were 8 of us (Tracy C., Traci H., Tracy A., Natalie, Jason, Kat, Johnny, and me - plus, Craig showed up as we were wrapping up our workout).  Craig, those are some silly-looking shoes!!  Maybe I'll get some to try 'em out. 

 And now for the important part -- the speed work breakdown:

We warmed up for a mile and a half around the track and stretched out a bit before we began the tough workout.

6x50s -- Natalie and I hung together on these and we were right around 8-9 seconds.  I love these short quick sprints!  Next week we're gonna warm up with some ladders on the cushy Astroturf -- FUN!

4x800s -- Natalie and I hung together on these, too. She's awesome!  She keeps me motivated to push harder (gotta love that friendly competition).  We ran them between 3:05 and 3:13 (obviously, the first two were faster).  And we didn't throw-up, but felt like we should!

1x400s -- this was just for good measure.  It was fun at the end of the workout to give it all we had left.  Jason and Tracy A. were clippin' at our heels the whole time.  It was fun and painful at the same time! 

We cut our cool-down a little short (only a half-mile).  And I stretched a bit while I was watching TV. 

SNOW!!!!  What is up with that??  What was supposed to be a nice June run up in Big Cottonwood Canyon was hampered by the white stuff.  But we still loaded the team up in the big van and headed up to Brighton for some Brighton Loops. I was pretty well shocked by the number of people that showed up (and stayed for the whole workout!).  There were at least 15 of us (I'm trying to remember everyone that was there; Coach, of course, Craig, Jason, Marie, Natalie, Alicia, Amber, Maggie, Tracy C., Tracy A., Christina, Alan, Jennifer, Traci H., and Miriam -- sorry if I missed anyone!). 

Coach Bill had planned between 8-14 intense loops around Brighton (~9000 ft) but due to the road conditions, we cut it short.  I think we went a total of 8 loops, including our two lap warm-up.   Natalie and I started out really strong on the first two or three intense loops, pulling ahead but always to be passed by Craig -- finishing around 6 mins on each loop.  After we both felt a little bit sick'ish, we pulled back a little bit and stayed with the group.   Oh wait, we might have done more than just 8 laps because we went once or twice around for a cool down, too. 

The snow was brutal -- it caked up on my eye brows and lashes.  Can you believe I actually wore shorts under my pants because I thought I'd get too warm?  It makes me laugh to think that I brought sunscreen and bug spray to share with everyone.  Thanks to the person that placed licorice on the road -- that was my motivation to keep running!  

And the highlights of the run were the red-headed woodpecker that we saw (staring back at us), and our conversation about MMA on the ride home.  We had hoped for more miles but the snow just wouldn't have it. Great times!!