Blake Bennions running

3 miles and then 3 more of ultimate frisbee, it was fun, we should try soccer next time! I will do 4 miles later, I'm thinking before work because I might be exaughsted after work. Work can be stressful, it's an easy job, but other things make it a big pain. I need to do 10 miles per day this week plus extra some days to make up for a 4-5 mile day on Thursday. I really hope USA wins today, but I don't trust our forwards to get plus in the lead.

4.4 before work, I wanted to watch the game while I ran on the tread mill but the front desk person never switched the channel after I asked, however, the run felt really good. I actually had a really good day at work, I had a good time talking with coworkers, and I found out that a cute girl at work runs 20 miles each week, only other coworker that runs at all, so that made me happy! So yeah, good day!

8.8 up at alta today, good pace, not too hard, not too easy. I think I will do another 3 before going to work. I am excited for this years races, I think I will do some very good things. I think our team has the potential to be 3rd in the state, but everyone else is getting better and getting new leaders, so we need to fight for it. I think if we have a phenomenal season, we could take 3rd at Nike southwest, if everything went right, but we would still almost certainly be denied an at large bid. It's still a goal that is very much worth working towards and fighting for. 3rd in the state and in the southwest would satisfy me. And who knows, dhs abd afhs aren't immortal, one year they will fall to another team, lets at least give them a scare! I'm not going to think of anyone in the state as better than me, hopefully our team can pull off something incredible this season.

2.7 before work, researching this years competition inspired me to go run, it was hot! It looks like  lone peak and westlake will be good competitors this year, despite both suffering heavy loses. Copper hills looks like 2nd at region, and 6th at state. I think I'm going to suprise people with how much better I do. I also think a much improved Ashton will suprise people, and read and Zach are good new additions to the team. We need to work hard this year, I know we can win a few meets this season!

I decided to concentrate more on racing well tomorrow over mileage. I did a couple striders on the run, I felt smooth and good. I saw Matt walch when I went to register. He asked if any other alta runners would be at the race, I said yes but probably not Kramer, he said he was disappointed because he wanted to have someone to compete with, I will have to change his mind about Kramer being the only competitive runner at Alta. I was sad to hear that the great Louie Zamperini died, I just finished reading "unbroken" on Monday so that's crazy! He did a lot of amazing things and he changed so much, his story is so inspirational! I was hoping I might be able to see him sometime, but I'm just glad I was able to read his story and be blessed by having his example. From what i read he was truly devoted to running, a great role model!

I think it shows my development as a person that I actually found the race his year, but I barely made it for the start. I parked half ails away, ran kind of fast to the start line and the race started 20 seconds later. Lots of slower people jumped in front of me and it took me a while to move out of them. Once I did I ran with Jared Croft and Albert for a few minutes before making a move to get closer to 2 westlake jerseys, I got closer but didn't pass them. I was in 4th for a while, then Pineviews coach passed me, he was suprised to see an Alta runner who wasn't Kramer or Brayden that far up in the race. I felt good and was getting a little tired, Jared passed me and I guess someone else did too, then when Johny from Hillcrest was passing me, I asked for time and distance, thinking I should start my kick soon (I left my watch in the car while I was rushing). He said 1.92 and 10:35. This suprised me and I slowed down, running the last 1.18 in 7 minutes. Way too slow. No one else passed me except for Albert in the last 100 meters, he beat me by 2 seconds. It was a good race for about two months away from the first meet of the season. I will beat him at draper days. I plan on running low 16:00 at draper days. Matt Walch missed the race, but I told him he might be able to train with Alta, I need to ask Coach Murphy though. Matt just graduated high school and is trying to walk on to BYU, and he doesn't have anyone to train with at Brighton so maybe he could train with us. I had a good time, and a fun experience, gully time trial Monday? Draper Days is going to see a new Blake Bennion!

5.2 miles later on, first two with my brother. 8-10 tomorrow. 

Went for a small run before work, just over 3 miles. It was so hot! Not very enjoyable. I will do a 5 or 6 mile run tonight. Lethargic day, I have to go to youth conference next week but hopefully won't miss any of practice besides possibly Thursday, I will be running plenty on the trip, alongside a rive. One day will be a 12 mile run.

Warned up 1.5 and the ran 9 miles in the gully. I ran with Coach Murphy and kind of Ashton. It was a good run, I liked the pace and we ran a really big hill I had never run, that was interesting!  I need to get Chase to practice. I also passed my AP US History test, I'm really happy about that! It's my greatest academic achievement of highschool up until now, maybe my only one haha. I'm grateful that I had two great teachers for the class, all the homework and the packet of death really payed off! Since I've already run over 10 miles today I will probably just relax (besides work) and do some core.

3 miles around the region course, 8 hill sprints, 30 mins of ultimate frizbee, my team won 6-5! No run at night, my knee started hurting earlier in the day so I rested it.

We did the first Alta time trial in about two years. Last time we did an Alta time trial I was close to last, this time I won in a comfortable 25 second lead. I was a little conservative going up to the campground, 2.7 miles uphill can be very long if you burn out. I was fine, I could have gone faster. I was still a bit tired when I got to the top and it was time for the flight downhill. 37:03 is an ok time, next time I plan on running under 35:00. I want to race the gully, hopefully on Monday! And then draper days 5k is that Saturday, if I pace correctly, wear a watch, warm up, and do my best. I know I can dip into the 16 minute range. The goal is to run 15:40s at highland. This week will probably only be high 50s for mileage. Also a 10k is in the near future for me, that will be very interesting, but first I am thinking about draper days. I ran just over 2 miles with my brother at home, I was going to do that at night but he wanted to do it then, I was tired. But when the run was at level ground it felt good. Good training day, time to get ready and go on a river rafting trip.

I've been blogging for the wrong days this week. I went to flaming gorge for Thursday-Saturday. I ran Thursdays run around a campground, up a trail, and around some parking lots. Not bad, 80 minutes of running, so I will just say 10.5

A little over 80 minutes of running. I ran over dam and a police officer pulled me over and said I couldn't run on the dam, I guess there's no more dam running for me! I found a new trail and then went around a campground for the last 15 minutes. Also had some fun river rafting. I will just say 10.5 for the day, probably more.

The group did a 3 mile hike this morning, so I ran the trail 3 times. I also got lost for a while at the beginning and ran probably 2 miles or so trying to find the trail. I ran witha girl from my ward for a little because we were both trying to find the entrance, which was a fence. Again I will just say 10.5. Glad to be home, I've had my elevation training week for sure, alta time trial and the 3 runs at 6000 feet, not bad considering elevation is exponentially hard on your breathing. i read that sea level to 5000 feet is the same as 5000-7000.

After a good day of rest, I am feeling really good. I ran 10 miles with Davis in the gully, the longer gully with 4 laps at the park and we also ran that huge hill that adds on another mile. I didn't feel shut up hill at all, after 3 incredibly hilly 10.5 mile runs in flaming gorge at elevation, hills don't really seem hard, besides that huge hill, that one was a little tough, it would have been harder but we ran it pretty easy, going into a speed workout followed by a time trial, I thought we should save up a little energy. It's going to be a really awesome week!!! Draper Days, first 5k in 16 range? Maybe we can go to kneaders afterwards.

3 mile warm up and then 6x400s on grass with a downhill, I ran with Kramer and Davis was just a little behind. Kramer and I would barely edge each other for first at the cone until the last rep when he finished a couple meters ahead, just one or 2. It was nice to train with Kramer again, I'm happy I was able to hang with him the whole time even if he's not in good shape right now. It was a good workout for me, and it was fun to get a good speed workout in after two months of pure mileage, my aerobic base is going to be numer 1 this year! Maybe not literally, but it's going to be good! Tomorrow at the Alta time trial I won't have competion so I will take a big risk and try to go sub 7:00 pace up the road. Kramer said he ran 30:00 or something so 37:00 is unacceptable! My car also died when I stopped at work to get my water bottle, but my brother came and helped start it up. Apparently it had problems yesterday, so that would have been nice to know haha, I will do an easy 4 tonight.

later- I went to the gym with my brother and did an easy 4 miles, about 7:30 pace. I was planning on doing them later but there are advantages to this like 1. I can relax and not have to worry about anything he rest of the day 2. More rest before the time trial. Also, a college coach emailed me today, I had never heard of the school but I was happy about that! 

Better than last week, just by a little. I didn't have anyone pushing and motivating me. I really could have done better if I had gone faster at the campground and on the way down. I really needed to get to a bathroom on the way down too. But not a bad run, I will do another 3 miles or so right after work. I had a good time, running is the best part of the day, I am excited for Draper Days!

later- 1.5 easy miles.

AM- 8 flying 40s with the team, it felt good to do some sprinting. I had a pretty good time.

PM- 5 miles, also easy but there were some hills. Tomorrow is easy to prepare for Draper Days.

Easy 4 pre-meet miles. I was sore today but should feel great tomorrow. My plan is to run 5:25 for each of the first 3 miles, maybe a little faster for mile 3. I will start my kick towards the end of mile 3. That should get me a time around 16:30

I got to race early enough to do about a mile warmup and some striders. I started out a little faster than I had planned but I was still behind everyone from alta and corner canyon. I found myself next to Sasha and decided to see if I could stick with him. I passed people one by one, I got up to Albert and he stuck with me for a while and then passed Davis. I could hear 2 people right behind me, I wasn't sure who they were, I thought Albert was probably one of them. Later i found out it was Sasha and another runner. I accidentally turned into the wrong place during the last mile and Sasha followed me, probably added a few seconds to both our times, sorry! But I got back on the right trail and Sasha and the other runner passed me. I started realizing that the finish was close but I hadn't started my kick. When I passed my Coach he told me I'm a high school runner and should be kicking a lot harder. That really helped me be motivated to start my kick, I gave it all I had, passing both Sasha and the other runner. I was kicking pretty well and I saw another runner sways ahead, I targeted him as my goal and really put everything into my kick, I barely caught him a few meters before finishing. It was awesome racing with so many experienced runners, I learned a lot about how I should be racing my 5ks. I finished in the top 10!!!!!!!!!!!!! And 3rd for my age group!!!!!!' Wow, too bad I didn't stay to get my awards. Hopefully they will mail me whatever I won.

I decided to rest Saturday after racing, primarily my ankle. I set my alarm for the 5:55 at night so I slept until 9:30 this morning. I really wanted to do the double gully but I will do it Saturday instead. I felt good today.

Either my alarm clock didn't go off, or I woke up and turned it off. Apparently I wake up a lot during the night, sometimes even talk to people and don't remember it in the morning. So who knows, anyways I woke up at 8:57 and jumped out if bed and got to practice as soon as possible, I missed the first half mile of the warm up but I made it up in between the warm up and the workout. We did 4 miles to warm up and then 4x800m. The repeats felt pretty easy, I think the last 1 or 2 were tougher. No clue how fast they were, but I think I kept pretty consistant. They felt good, kind of hurt going up the hills. I'm doing the Deseret News 10k. I don't know what to expect but I will have fun with it and try to run a good time. Also I will have to set like 4 alarms in my room to make sure I get up at 5. We did a 2 mile cool down to finish the workout.

Two easy premeet miles

It's a PR. I can taste sub 40:00. I could've done it today. I got the bridge at 12:40 and then it took me until 28:44 to get to the sign that marks two miles left. That middle 2.35 was what I need to work on. I didn't push myself like I should have on the road. But it is a PR so I am a little happy. Running the gully time trial has put motivation back in me and cleared my head, I'm alright, I'm going to do great this season. That kid from Jordan who somehow beat me at Draper Days is gonna get trashed next time I race him. Next two days are long runs with Matt Walch that will put me at 51 for the week.

10.5 around Brighton area with Matt Walch, it was a completely new route further south than I usually run. It went by pretty fast, it was a nice run! Tomorrow we are doing the double gully. Next week will be back to normal for my training, this week I managed to get the training in but I missed all but one team workout, which I feel terrible about. Lots of core today!

Double gully with Matt Walch, we didn't do the little trail at the end of the longer gully but we did extra at the park to make up for it. This was a tough run, first long run of the season over 10 miles so its nice to get that find with. It felt good but I was very tired the second time. This will make me a much better runner, especially for the 5k, I think next Saturday we will go to Liberty Park and do 15 or so. Next week has no excuse to not be a 60+ week, no pre-meet days or anything, and after next week I will finally be done with my job and that will make two a days a lot easier. I'm getting pretty excited for school and cross, I'm going to make honor roll every quarter! And I'm going to be up there with the leaders in all the races, I'm going to prove to myself and everyone that I am good at cross country. This season means a lot more to me now that I've trained so much for it.

7 miles of the longer gully run plus a quarter mile waiting at the top of shut up hill. We took shut up hill a little hard, I wasn't really hurting but a lot of people really dropped off. Chase came to practice for the first time today. Davis said Coach Murphy told him we are doing 400s tomorrow, I guess 6. I will ask about it. I have cones so I can set up the course. 3 miles later.

Later- I had decided against doing another run but I ended up running 1.25 to the library and back, I took a shortcut.

We warmed up 3 miles on the region course and then did 8x400m at a fast pace, 400m walk/jog between each rep back to the start. We did 4 up and then 4 down, I made sure the ones going down hurt just as much as the ones going up. It was a good workout, also fun. I think it's a responsibility of mine to run fast, because if I run faster, everyone else will too. That will motivate me in races. I put in a mile from the jogging in between the 400m reps and then I did a two mile cool down to finish. I might do a 4 mile fun tonight, or maybe a bike.

One mile warm up followed by the Alta long run with 8 laps at the campground. Ashton kept up with me the whole time and we picked up Read for the last 4 laps and back to the parking lot. It was a very nice run, about 50 degrees and kind of foggy and it cleared up a bit later. Davis was too sick to run today but he still came and helped carpool. On the way down Ashton, Read and I talked about becoming a better team and increasing our chemistry and closeness. We need to become a team family and run for the team. We will work towards that, I believe that could be the difference between 5th and 3rd place at state this year. And i dont know if theres a point in going to Nike SW unless we take 3rd at state. The Jupiter Peak Steeplechase on Saturday is making me nervous, I've never even run 16 miles so racing it is going to be really intense. I know it will help me improve significantly, I'm excited! I think my plan might be to stick with the leaders until I drop off, I looked at the results and the fastest time last year was at 6:57 pace. So I think Coach Murphy is pretty likely to win. I might do a longer run instead of premeet on Friday, I don't know. 

Flying 40s on the track. Davis and Ashton didn't want to do them for some reason so they took some of the team and did there own thing. This team chemistry thing is going to be very hard and most likely fail. The way I feel about things is that whoevers fastest should be the captain, that's how every team I've been on has done things. That's what makes sense to me. If someone beats me at Highland on our team, they can be the captain. But if Kramer was here, or Andrew Brewer, or someone like that, they would be the undisputed leader. I'm not as fast as those guys but I think if I earn the spot, it should be mine. If I don't, I have no conflict with that. And so far this summer I have won every race/time trial and dominated every workout. Well I will do my best for this team, and I will do my best in every race and I will work with those willing to work with me and highly regard their opinions. And if some refuse to respect me or value my opinions, I'm  sorry they choose to be that way. I might be being selfish or dramatic about this but I feel like its pretty straightforward and some people are just trying to bend it for their own selfish reasons. Whether I'm captain or not, I feel like some people on this team will never listen to or respect me, or at least one. I am very happy that Coach Murphy is coming back.

Later I did 3 easy miles. Tomorrow will be a 5 mile day and then Saturday will be about 18-20 with warm up and cooldown so I will be at 60 for the week.