Blake Bennions running

Thought I'd at least make an entry for my first track race for 2017. I was feeling really sick leading up to the race, I think it was mostly just nerves because I hadn't run a track race in almost two years. I did two miles of warm up and then stretched out. I was seeded last and we haven't really done any speedwork yet so I wasn't sure how this was going to go. I was pretty sure my time would be in the high 4:30's, 4:35 at best. The gun went off and I just tucked in at the back for the first lap trying to hang on, I was feeling pretty good and during the 2nd lap one of the guys started dropping off so I passed him and tried to mantain the gap with the lead pack, after a while another guy dropped off and I passed him too. It seemed like those two both kind of ran themselves out and died. I kept strong and tried to give a little extra the last lap and a half. Felt pretty finished by the end, was really hurting and wishing it was over with 200 left and I didn't let up at all, maybe right before the finish line a little (need to fix that) but overall I felt that was a good effort. There was a gap between me and the pack but all those BYU and UVU guys have been doing speed work over the break so I will certainly close that gap soon. Maybe I could have kicked harder, thats one thing I can do better next time. But to be fair there was no one around me to race and I was pretty dead by the end, but you can always be more dead so.. anyways it was lots of fun and that's a really good time to start out with with no speed yet. Only 11 seconds off my PR. So its looking good, I can make some big strides this season. My body has had 2 years to mature and I'm a lighter, more efficient, and mentally tough runner, I think good things are going to happen this year,

I got sick a few weeks ago and my lungs have still been recovering, the track workouts I've done haven't gone well because of that. I'm finally starting to feel better. Did 7.5 today, did about 8-11 each day this week and biked 45 minutes 3 days. Tomorrow I'm running a mock meet with Brian, sage, and Brady. We are going to race the 800m, then mile, then 60m-400m. We haven't decided yet on the last one haha. But we are going down to St George to do it at sages high school. We are all wearing our high school stuff so it's pretty cool. 800m I just want to go under 2:05 cause it's been almost a month since Ive done much speed. For the mile I want to run faster than I did a byu, which would be really good. Then for the last one, it's really just a joke so whatever is good as long as I'm not last haha. Hopefully I'll represent Alta well!

Meet was lots of fun, times weren't too good, 2:09 for 800m and 4:50 for the mile. To be fair I haven't done any speed workouts, I did one on Tuesday but it was slower than I've done anything.. Ever hahaha, and we only had 30 mins between the two, for the 800m I ran the first lap in 63 and had already been gapped pretty well by Brady and Brian so I eased up for the last 300m or so. Then on the mile I led for most of it until the last lap Brian passed me, I tried to make a move to pass him but didn't quite get it and let off again for the last 200m, 77 seconds for the last lap was pretty bad haha. But in comparison to how my lungs have been holding up for me recently, the mock meet was great! I took 3rd 2nd and 3rd and tied Brady for 2nd place at the meet overall :p. Then we went to Olive Garden, so yesterday was lots of fun, I love hanging out with my teammates!

Lungs still recovering, didn't feel great on todays run.

Felt better today, still a long way to go but I'm getting there.

Warm up and then 9.5 with Sage on cross hollows. Felt alright today, might try the workout tomorrow, we'll see. I have my track schedule figured out, I'm not sure if I will do all of the meets. Depending on how much school work I'm dealing with I might only go to one of the first meets. The Last three are after school ends so that's perfect, won't have any schedule conflicts, and those are the three that really matter. And there are no meets the last two weeks of school so that will be good. But I have about 6 weeks before the first meet and i'm just getting out of this big drop in my running caused by getting sick, so I think the timing is going to be great. Hopefully I can get some good PRs before I go into summer training. I think when I get back next week I will finally be ready to run some fast workouts.

I ran 5 with Jake, went alright, closed in a hard 200.

Then I ran 4.5 with sage, we did 60 second strides and I did 4:20 and 4:10 pace for the last two (not sure about first ones) and then I was feeling good so I ran a 400m on the track in 58, was going to cool down to 10 but was having a big asthma reaction after the first lap so I just stopped there.

Ran to the CV mountain with Jake and ran up a really steep path, we were going sub 6 on the way there and then we went back to the school. I was still asthma problems during the run and decided to take the last 4 miles off. I might put off increasing mileage for a little, lungs are still recovering and motivation isn't super high. I've been thinking about the extra time I would have to do a research project or something like that if I didn't run so much but I think its just because its been a cold long winter and my running has been in a little bit of a rut since I got sick. I just need to work throught this phase and try to hit some PRs to motivate me this spring.

Not a good workout for me. I've been in a rut since I got sick, my lungs have been messed up and my motivation has been low.

Great talk with coach today. It always raises my spirits about running when I meet with him. We talked about my running and everything and decided that I'm going to cut back on mileage and take a little time to run on my own and figure out whats going on with my running. So my plan right now is to kind of reset my running and build this week and then next week hopefully start doing a little more hard stuff but just as I'm feeling it. I'm really just trying to get back in touch with my motivation and drive for the sport. Then when I come back if I'm feeling more like I did before I got sick I'm going to try running with the fastest group and see if that helps pull me along. I'm still hoping to hit some PRs this season, I just need to go at the right pace for now and get in the zone when races start happening.

5 tired miles, would have gone a couple more with a break at the rec center park except I had to get back home for an extended family dinner.

I'm going to post all of my runs this week. This week is kind of a week to just get out every day and see what my body wants to run. Today I ran while my parents biked up the mouth of the canyon and back, well I started behind them because I had been warming up and got there first running about 6:00 pace and then waited for them but on the way back they beat my by a bunch because it's downhill, but I got in some fast miles. Then I ran with my brother for a little over a mile. Pretty good run. I think that's it for today, maybe I will do 3 more tonight if I get bored but I think I will just wait for tomorrow and maybe do a gully long run.

I was highly unsuccessful in my goal to post all of my runs last week. Hopefully that will change this week, today I did my first speed workout in over two weeks. It went alright, all things considered I'm not dissapointed, it was a very hard workout. Not sure if I'm going to be ready to race at UVU, thats pretty soon and my level of fitness isn't very high. I think I'd probably run somewhere in the 4:teens for the 1500 if I did race. I'm really just trying to build and get some confidence going into summer training for cross country next year, the team is going to be really competitive and I want to be at my best. My new goal is to run like 70-80 miles per week in may and june and hopefully build on that in july and then when cross country comes in august be able to hold the mileage that is expected of the top guys on the team so I can train with them. I've been having some weird lung/throat problems for a while, probably need to see a doctor about it. I also want to start putting in a weekly long run on saturday that is much longer and slower than the rest of the week. A lot of times this year I've ended up having saturday as my shortest run and I think that hasn't been good for recovery or base building. I cut my mileage and am rebuilding it but I think I should do a little less during the week and then a really good long run every saturday morning where I just enjoy it and let my body recover. I also want to eat healthier and drop some weight because I am back up to 150 and I definitely feel a difference when I'm closer to 140 at longer distances. There's also the whole core thing that I need to do a better job of doing on my own. I used to be really good at that.

I have been struggling with achilles tendonitis for a few months but just a couple weeks ago it started really acting up and kept getting worse so I stopped running to let it heal. Its finally starting to feel better so I'm going to start back up by running the warm up with the team and maybe like a mile after that. And then I'm going to bike 30 mins and ice and heat my ankle. The goal is be up to 8-10 miles by the time I go home for the summer in 2-3 weeks. With getting sick, this ankle problem, and the problems with my throat/lungs that have been going on this has not been the best season for track. It was looking really good back in january but things happen. I have been struggling, not feeling very fast since then. But thats ok I, its not a permanent thing, there are ups and downs and I'm coming out of this low point and I'm going to make this upcoming cross season my highest point yet. My teammates have been doing phenomenal so I'm really excited for them and to get back to training with them.

Achilles isn't healing with rest. In fact it seems to be spreading, my calf has been feeling it recently. These happenings are most unwelcome, but theres nothing to do but ice it, try to rest it, and pray it gets better soon. Right now I'm just concentrating on finishing this semester strong, if I can finish these last 9 days strong I will have the highest gpa I've ever acheived! Only one A- away from a 4.0! But I need to stay strong for these final projects and finals.

First run that my ankle hasn't hurt in a long time, finally I can start running again, hopefully. We'll see if it feels good again tomorrow. My Achilles/calf is still feeling tight in the mornings but today's run was good. Its been a very long and annoying injury that won't seem to go away. But if I'm able to come back now I can put together a really good summer of training before my first real college season.

I made the deans list this past semester which was a really big goal. So despite not getting to run life has been good! My goal is to be up to 2-3 miles by the end of the week, 4-5 miles next week, then jump to 6-8 the week after, if I could be at 10 miles by June 1st that would be awesome but we'll see how things go. If this summer goes perfectly I will get at least one 7 day 100 mile week and be running 13-15 miles per day by the end.

An hour long bike ride with my dad and then I stopped at the park and ran a little over a mile, Achilles felt prety good, a little weak towards the end. Now going to shower and then ice. Hopefully 1.5 miles tomorrow.

Took Thursday off because my ankle was feeling kind of sore, when I woke up this morning it felt so good! No weakness or soreness at all, so the day to let it rest was a good idea. I ran two laps at about 7:30 pace at the park with my brother.

3 laps around the park, I'm only running on soft surfaces for the foreseeable future. Cause I think that's why this comeback attempt has been working, whenever I've tried running on concrete or road it gets really tight and starts hurting. So until there's absolutely no weakness during the day or while running for like a week I'm going to stay on the grass. It will start to really suck next week when I'm at like 5 miles, maybe I will go to sugarhouse or liberty park for my runs once I get up that high. I'd like to try the gully but I don't want to risk it yet because I've also been trying to avoid hills.

Good 3 mile run around the park.

Solid day of running, my lungs are pretty weak. My ankle felt slightly weak at certain points of the run but not too bad. Also hot tubbed today.

Probably no run today, my ankle is feeling a little worse than it has been so I think it might be prudent to take it easy and rest it before I try for 4-4.5 tomorrow.

Good run today, it was wet so the ground was even softer. Finally getting up to decent mileage. If things go well I will be up to 6 miles by Saturday/Sunday

Monday would be fine too.

Solid run

Ankle was feeling weird, needed to rest it for a little.

Good run today, hot and tough though. I'm at the point that I need to get out of that park and go somewhere new. The last lap I decided to go faster and ended up running 6:17 for the last full mile. Probably closer to 6:00 because my phone doesn't recognize part of the lap, it always says I slow down to like 8:30 pace when I go through one part of it and I never slow down there haha. So I think my average pace is a little faster than it always says. Today was the fastest average yet at 6:49, so I bet it was about 6:45 which is good.

First time trying out running on pavement, it felt ok while I was on it but later in the run my ankle was feeling kind of weak so I stopped a little early.

Both Achilles were hurting this morning, I will hot tub and ice and see if they feel any better. Might not run.

I tried out the sauna today, its not very enjoyable but supposedly it has cardiovascular and other health benefits. After that I went running at sugarhouse to test that out. It went pretty well, my ankle hurt a little but it wasn't the Achilles as much as the lower right part of my ankle, my left and back part felt good, even strong which is encouraging. Cut it at 4 miles, I think 10 miles by June 1st was a little optimistic. Perhaps 10 miles by June 15th haha. Probably going to try and so 5-7 next week, maybe 7-8 the week after that. But it all depends on the ankle.

Also I'm very excited to see my teammates Kasey, Mike, and Matt race at ncaa regionals as well as Kramer, its so awesome to see Kramer come back so well, I'm really excited for him and what he will be able to do over the next few years!

Such a great run! Seriously the best I've had in months, even when I was running earlier this year, of course it was incredibly cold last time I was fee llamo ing completely healthy back in... January. But my Achilles felt perfect, not even a hint of pain or weakness. My left ankle felt a little less than perfect but that's not the ankle I'm struggling with, either way I will continue to ice both. I think this injury may finally have run its course and I will be back to training hard! I think I will do another 6-7 the next few days and hopefully try an 8 mile run by the end of next week! If its still feeling good by then I will start doing some miles on the road.

Decent run, ankles didn't feel as good as yesterday but they were fine. Hopefully a 6-7 mile run at liberty park tomorrow.

6 miles at liberty park after first day of work training, felt kind of drained left ankle was hurting, right ankle was great.

Left ankle not feeling good today. I will ice it and then tomorrow try hot tubbing and running at the park for maybe 4 miles. Depends how its feeling. Really annoying how just as my right Achilles gets better my left one gets messed up! Oh well, this can still be a 30 mile week if its feeling better after taking care of it the next few days.

Went to the park with my sister and did a good solid run, everything felt great. Wanted to do more but thought it best to start out easy.

So hot today, over 90 degrees for my run. I hot tubbed before too so my body was already extra hot. I stopped for water in the rec center to make sure I didn't overheat. Also I ran a mile and a half on the road to get home, my ankle is complaining a little bit but its pretty good! It was mostly all downhill which I thought would be good, I think downhill is easier than up for my Achilles. Tomorrow could be anything from a rest day to a 7 mile day depending on how my ankles feel over the next day. But I would like to have do an 8 mile run next week. If my ankles feel good the whole week maybe I could even make 50 miles, but I'd say 40 miles is my goal. If I can average 7 miles per day and run 6-7 days of the week. But that's very optimistic. If my ankle feels good every day that will happen.

Solid 5 miles at a strong pace.

Jeremy ranch is even more beautiful than o remember it being. My new job in park city is really close to the trail so I will likely be doing Jeremy ranch pretty often this summer, hopefully the whole thing by sometime on July. The road was a little harder than I remember it being but my Achilles aren't complaining too much, I will find out the real damage in the morning. But yeah solid day, if I can keep this up I can get a 40+ mile week!

Easy run at the pari, ankles weren't feeling too grey and it was very hot.

Took the day off because my ankles weren't feeling good and I've been learning I need to listen to and take care of my body better. I iced 3 or 4 times as well as hot tubbed.

Awesome run with tayte, my first back to mountain running, I held up ok! Tayte is doing a lot of awesome things and I'm really excited to see him compete internationally this year! We ran up bell canyon, it was challenging, its always great training when we run up there. My ankles held up very well, in part because of my nifty mountain running shoes haha. Great way to start off the day! If my ankles are feeling good enough I might to the gully long run tomorrow, I might even go for a couple easy miles later today! Feeling good! Feels like I'm finally back to running. 5 year anniversary of my first sub 5:00 mile!

Pretty good run, ankles felt slightly weak.

Ran at the park, my ankle is kind of hurting now which is bad, but its lower like the upper heel bone where it connects to the Achilles. Whatever, I iced the crap out of it when I got home. I've been averaging mid 6 minute range on my runs which has been good, trying to be ready to train with the guys. I've been make sure I do easy runs too. My goal for this week is 40+ miles, so either 7 days of about 6 miles per day or 6 days of about 7 miles per day. Hopefully 7 days of 7-8 miles a day, that would be best case scenario. Need to hot tub more but the rec center has been really letting me down with never being open lately.

Nice morning shakeout with Zach and Ian, it was really nice to see Zach again before he goes on his mission to Tahiti! Gonna miss that guy. More miles on the way as I'm going to run with sage later today. Has potential to be my first double digit mile day of the summer.

Gully longer run with Sage, it was fun to run with him again! My ankle was bugging me pretty bad during the run, but it wasn't the Achilles, it was more the side of my ankle where the big bone is as well as the heel. Good news is that the achilles felt good, bad news is that there's a weird new ankle issue. Not sure what's going on, all I can do is nuke it with hot tub and ice multiple times per day and try to go easy on it. Other good news is that I got 11 miles today and I'm still feeling fresh! I feel like I could still go do another 5-6 at the park. I won't though because that would be obscenely irresponsible of me with ankle and all.

Fortunately I wasn't stupid enough to run yesterday on my busted ankle, but it was feeling healed enough today I tried it out for 5 miles and it felt alright.

Nice day, it was really busy but good busy. I saw the doctor and they gave me inserts which feel really nice to run on. Sounds like it was probably the switch to more minimalist shoes that sparked the injury. They told me to wait to start pt to switch shoes, but pt won't start for almost a month and hopefully I will be doing lots better by then. I think these inserts will do fine and if my ankles are better in a few weeks I can just candle and get a pair of either brooks adrenaline or saucony omni, those two have worked very well for me in the past. Anyways today I got in 4 miles before the appointment and over 3 after date, I ran the 3 pretty fast which was good. 3 races planned for July, sandy classic, draper days, and D news 5k, the last one is really just because Jimmer Fredette is racing in it and it would be fun to beat him.

Easy run today except for when I ran to the Brighton track I just was so happy to be on a track I ran mid 5 minute range mile haha, it felt nice though so that's encouraging. Hopefully I will be in good enough shape for sandy classic I can battle for sub 17:00, it's a slow course so I think that's a reasonable goal. I'm also trying to run on the road more to get my legs used to it, they don't like terrain that isn't grass very much right now. Which is great for cross country, but for training when I get back to cedar they need to good on the roads too. My ankles felt fine on the roads and track today, which accounted for 2.5 miles of the run. The only time my ankles hurt was at the beginning of the run.

Ran to get to 40 today. Next run will probably be Tuesday. Want to give my ankles a rest. Then hopefully try for 5 days 8 miles each. Its ok it ends up being 6-8 depending on day.

6 miles and 2 tennis matches in 100 degree weather. Pretty intense day. Now I'm at work, hopefully my ankles will be ready for the sandy classic.

Its hard to increase mileage in this heat. I did 6 miles in 98 degree temperatures, at least its great heat training. I work until 10 or else I'd run in the evening, I should just wake up earlier and run then. I also ran about 3 of todays miles on the road and my ankles held up just fine! So thats good news. Now I need to get used to running fast on the roads.

First speed workout of the summer, 10x1 minute hard with 1 minute rest in between. I felt pretty good and I ran past a speedometer that said I was at 12 miles per hour for what thats wort. That would be averaging 5:00 which is ok for first workout. I also ran almost 4 of the miles on the road with minimal complaint from my ankles. I think I'm finally getting over this thing! And I'm getting new, more cushioned shoes tomorrow! And I will hopefully begin doing 2 a days soon, that will help boost me up to 50-60 miles a week with more ease.

Am- 3 shakeout miles after racquetball

Pm- 5 miles feeling pretty good. I need to get in the mode where running miles is natural and I just go do it when i have time.

Good long run. Should stay up at 7-10 miles from now on. I'm feeling back to running, next week i need to hit 50+ miles, hopefully i can get 60. I really need to try to push for 75-80 miles per week by august. Then during the season i can try and increase to 90.

Another solid run with the route I've been doing now that I'm off grass.

Same route. Ankle is feeling a little sore so I will give it rest. I got some new omnis, I think if I put the inserts in them they will be perfect, they do a fine job without extra though. Then I'm planning on 8 straight days of running 7-12 miles per day. Maybe a day off somewhere in there, Sandy Classic is a few days away, hopefully I can break 17:00 there but we will see. No clue what shape I'm in. I won't be too discouraged if I'm in the 17:00-17:30 range, slower than that would be frustrating, faster than 16:45 will be incredibly motivating, especially on that course. If I could get 16:45 I could probably run under 16:00 at draper days.

5 solid miles before work. Will do another short run after. Been thinking a lot about school and preparing for grad school and running for SUU. I really hope I can handle both and do well at both, but getting into my top grad school choice is also really important. College is so much fun, I wish I had like 30 hours in the day to do everything I want and need to!

I ran up to brighton high track, the temperature thing at butler middle said it was 109 degrees and 105 on my back. Pretty hot, not sure if it was actually that hot.

A little over a mile and a half to warm up in my trainers. Then a mile in my racing flats to see how they would feel. Then I had to go register for the sandy classic before work. Probably all the running I will do today. I hate it when its busy at work and I have to sit in a cubicle behind really loud person with an annoying voice, the microphones adjust to the volume of your voice so there's no reason to yell.. hopefully he's at the end of his shift.

I'm excited to race tomorrow, I think sub 17:00 and top 3 will be a fine goal for the race, I would say winning is my goal but I'm fairly certain Kramer will be there as well as Jared Croft and there are usually some other fast guys who show up. Jared Croft will be good comptition, even if I was in the best shape I've ever been in I wouldn't be able to challenge Kramer but I hope he's there because I love being in races with him!

I would also really love to do Jupiter Steeplechase this august, we will see. I need to be doing 10 miles per day by next week if thats going to be a good idea. But man do I love that race! And with Hayden and Tayte in europe I might have a shot at being king of the mountain if I do some mountain training in the mean time. But you never know who will show up, all I know is that that race is extremely beautiful and a lot of fun, and this time I won't get stuck in 30th place for the first 4 miles and I won't sprain my ankle haha. Going for well under 2 hours and I'm goign to stick with the leader as long as I can, even if its David Roche!!!

First race in half a year, much like last years race it's been a long a time since my last race and I've been coming back from time off. This year I'm in a little better shape. Like last year I led for the first half and then fell off and got passed by some people. Ended up with 17:30 something which isn't good but it's a step towards getting back in shape and you have to start somewhere. And now I can start doing some speed workouts. I think I will do one 3 mile tempo or race per week along with 10 400s with 200m rest and then also 3-5 times about a k at the park near my house. That will be my workout plan for the next few weeks. This week I plan on averaging about 8 miles but I want to jump to 10 per day next week. We'll see how that goes. I should be able to run in the 16 minute range for draper days but sub 16 is likely out of reach unless I somehow get back in good shape by next Saturday.

Two positives from the race:

1. Wasn't stupid enough to wear flats, I went with the safe option of wearing my new trainers and avoided injury.

2. This will help me get on a better sleep schedule. It took me until 3am or a little later to fall asleep last night so hopefully tonight my body will know to go to bed earlier. I've been staying up too late because this is likely my last summer of freedom and fun. Not that that next summer won't be awesome, but I will probably be out of state working hard at an internship.

I didn't get more mileage today but I did have just about a perfect day overall. Today's was the type of day that I wouldn't mind repeating over and over again! Started off with a fun 5k and then played video games smash counterstrike and starcraft and also ticket to ride and had dinner with my family all day! Then had quite the good night after i played some more smash bros with my brother and sister. Such a good day!

McDonald's is the worst thing to happen this world. Ok that's an exaggeration, but I really don't like McDonald's, I feel like if I reached into a garbage can and ate whatever I pulled out it would both be healthier and tastier than the abomination I had today.

Anyways I was going to run at Jeremy park but i was feeling sick from mcdonalds so I waited until I got home had some food and let things sit for a while and eventually got myself out the door. The run went ok. My ankles hurt a little and the right one still is a little aggravated but i'll see in the morning. I wanted to do a two a day tomorrow but it might end up being a bike day with hot tub and ice.

I wondered if dogs think houses and other buildings are natural objects or how much they understand about humans do. Whenever I have questions like this I realize animals have no language and can't actually think, they likely just feel and act based off those feelings and understandings of consequences and memory. So it probably doesn't occur to them at all how the house was made.

First 10 mile run since my injury. Awesome! Even better it was well over 100 degrees for the entire run! I finished at 6 pm and it was still 101 so it's been a pretty hot day. The first couple miles I took easily playing pokemon go and just kind of running to pokestops and such, what actually got me out in the middle of the day was a raid going on a ways from my house so I ran over there. My phone started overheating so stopped playing and just listened to music and kept running. I then stopped at the rec center getting there a little past 5 miles through and ran for 3.5 miles which I did 22 minutes, not a bad pace. Then I ran home. Good hot run. Tomorrows mountain run will put me past 40 for the week. My right ankle/calf is a little tight but I will take care of it before bed.

Not sure on todays distance. Ran up neffs canyon but its not a very runnable area and I wasn't sure I was going the right way so eventually I turned back and just hiked with my family. Oh well, I will just go with 4 miles running, a few more hiking.

Haven't been on for a while. I ran up at Alta with Tayte today, started where Alta practice is and went up towards sunset lake. I was totally dead by the time we got to captains pass or whatever it's called haha. My asthma had taken over and I was pretty done, but the way down was a lot of fun, great practice for Jupiter peak. I need to get in some longer runs these next couple weeks in preparation, hopefully I can get in like a 15 miler next week. I might run later today, I'm feeling good even though I was dying up at the top of the run today haha. I need to get some big mileage days so I'm not blindsided by Jupiter peak.

Also I have a great set up for training this year, I will be living right by the track with Jake and Liam, two fast hardworking awesome knowledgeable guys. Plus Cam Levins is coming back, that in addition to all the incredibly talented runners we have coming back, this is my season to finally grab on to my friends and teammates and breakout!

Kind of just guessing, I ran with tayte and we went from his house over to the gully down to amphitheater and back up to his house. The training I get with tayte is some of the most valuable training I do over the summer, past two days have been really solid runs, they've pushed me a lot and it's waking me up, feels like I've just been kind of going through the motions just running cause I needed to get back in shape but tough runs like these are so rewarding. Now I'm thinking of doing the d news 10k with some teammates and then maybe Jupiter peak that weekend. I think Jupiter peak will really prepare me for the season, if I can go sub 2 or even 1:55 there then that will give me a lot of confidence about my base going into the this year.

Ankle not feeling great today, not sure it i will race tomorrow.

Annoying run. I ran up to the rec center for a pace workout on the treadmills but some lazy people who weren't doing any actual work outs had moved all the fans to over where they are cause apparantly its really tough to sit on a bike slowly moving the pedals the wrong direction while watching netflix. So the people on the elipticals and treadmills on the other side of the room were all sweating a ton cause it was really hot over there and because of that it was getting very humid with sweat, you could taste it when you walked in, pretty nasty. I started the workout and did 2 and a half miles at 5:40s average and was going to move down for some faster miles but really wasn't enjoying the hot humid smelly gym and I needed to go to work too. So I just ran home and had a short day, I picked it up really hard on the way back for the last half mile/mile. I'd say it was well under 5 minute pace but it was also mostly downhill, I need to get some more speed in.

Not too bad

Solid day with 2 tennis matches and along with over 10 miles of running, I did a tempo during the run for 3 miles, I ran 2 miles a little faster than 5:40 per mile and then the last mile I ran at 5:18 pace and then picked it up to 5:00 pace for the last quarter mile or so. So ended up being about 16:30 and I felt decent. Good run

Solid run before work, didn't have much time so I just did 6. Perhaps more later.

8 miles with lots of hills in between 2 10 hour grave shifts. First run where I really truly have felt 100% in forever. Body was just ready to go, wasn't easy and I included extra hills. I'm remembering that summer before my mission, how great I was doing, mileage was feeling great and any day under 10 seemed too easy. And that was feeling so smooth! Next week will be a big week, I want to run 12 miles tomorrow. To kind of mentally prepare for Jupiter peak, then hopefully I can get an average of 8 in mon-thurs and then Friday probably easy, might just be 2 or 3. Then saturday I will do Jupiter steeplechase. So if things go well I could see a 60+ mile week. I might take a day off in between. And honestly not sure if I will even run tomorrow, graves can destroy you. But hopefully I just wake up tomorrow evening and go for a solid 12, I want to do Wasatch dimpledell loop.

Jupiter peak race strategy: all out on the first 8 miles up, start out at a comfortable pace, stay with whoever is in the front unless they're a pro or I'm feeling uncomfortable at that pace. Really start pushing after the 2nd and station. Then once I get to the top its just a matter of staying mentally strong and forcing myself to keep my stride open on the downhill. Tayte says it will probably be a pretty empty race with speed goat the same weekend. And while I'm not in great shape this is where I have shined before and I'm 3 years older and stronger, I just need to make it an 8mile race to the top and then stay strong and let the downhill do the work the way back.

Great run today :)! Ran up bells canyon with tayte and Jake, so much fun! Tayte is off to France and Italy for the next month now but its been great training with him. Julian also joined us for a little ways. Good day of training preparing for Jupiter peak. I was so tired today from getting about 4 hours of sleep per day since Thursday I decided to call out of my other job. Hopefully another mountain run tomorrow!

Told myself if I ran sub 16 for a 3 mile tempo that I could call it a day and just cool down back home. I ran 15:46! I opened in 2 5:18 miles and then kind of had dynamic pacing between 5:02 and 5:15 for a 5:10 mile to finish it off. So an average of 5:16 for 3. That was really good, I may do one more of these before going back to cedar and if I did I would go for 3 5:10s and maybe try and pick it up to 5:00 for the last mile. We shall see. But yeah very good effort, I'm in decent shape. Aerobic capacity could certainly be improved. But I'm finally back in good enough shape I know I can finish the progression run and make camp. I'm pumped for this year. Jupiter peak is an incredibly good aerobic builder for me, so even if I don't do crazy good that is a run that builds me up so much as a runner. So this will be a great week, then next week I might do a mock progression and might do another tempo at sub 15:30. And then after that week it will mostly just be good long runs with maybe some fast miles thrown in to prepare for going back to suu. Then I'm at suu and have the progression run and camp, and then things start really flying at me. So need to start preparing more for school too.

Good run with Alta today, always good to see coach Murphy. 6th summer of at least one Alta run with the Alta cross country team, wouldn't be a complete summer of training without it! I ran mostly with Ian, I think they're going to have a solid team this year! 7:30 average on the way up which is great. Good last challenging run before Jupiter peak, tomorrow will be an easy 8-10 probably up to Brighton tracks. And then Friday will be very easy low mileage, I need all the rest I can get leading up to first run of this distance in a long time. I could easily see myself blowing up during the race and not finishing very quickly at all but if things go smoothly and my body makes the jump like I'm hoping then I think I could pull off a time in the mid, maybe even low 1:50s. This race I'm hoping will help me jump back into the long run passion I had before my mission that has evaded me since. If I can average 8:30-8:45 going up and 5:30-5:45 going down I can run 1:52-1:56. I think that's a reasonable goal. But like I said I might not be ready for that, and that would be ok too. But I feel like this week especially my body is finally working like I want it to. Which is odd because I've been on an awful sleep schedule due to graves, I need to be strong and not take naps so that I will be able to fall asleep tonight before 5.

Couldn't run more today I had to go to work after I woke up and then when I got home my brothers wanted to play a game so I said running would only take 30 minutes, so I left and did the rec center Brighton loop, took me under 23 minutes!! That's well under 6 minute pace for 4.2 miles with over 350 ft elevation gain so not bad. I tried it with my trail shoes with inserts and I honestly didn't try to go fast at all I just let my body go at a pace that it wanted to and it wanted to go a little faster, but I felt like a had way more and it felt easy. So not exactly the day I had planned but it's fine, probably will give me a little extra going into the race to have 2 low mileage days anyways. Just however much I'm feeling tomorrow probably 2-4 but mostly just rest so day before the big mileage race.

Tested out different shoes

Ankle was not ready, body in general wasn't ready either I don't think. My ankle started having problems after 7ish miles and after that it was pretty much over. I kept having to stop and let it calm down for a minute pretty much ever mile and I couldn't run too fast wherever there were rocks or it would start acting up bad (there are rocks everywhere) so yeah didn't go exactly as I'd hoped. But it was a really beautiful run and I enjoyed it, and a great mileage day with a run that will pay off big later. I started out in the top group of 4 and the first giant hill was rough so after that I let them get away a bit. One of them dropped off and I passed him. I sat in 3rd for a few miles and then a guy with an Indiana jersey passed me, it took him a few minutes cause I kept putting space between us on the flat sections and then he would make it up on the others. I stayed within sight of him until the summit but 2 more guys caught up and I kind of ran with them from 4th-6th until my ankle started hurting about half a mile from the summit. After that I had to let them go and then 2 or 3 other guys passes me before I got to the top. Before the ankle thing I was hoping to use the downhill to catch back up to 3rd and do whatever I could to close the gap on 2nd and 1st and even after it was hurting I was hoping the way back would be nice and smooth so I could fly without worrying about the ankle as much. It wasn't, at all, it was pretty bad and like I said I had to stop like once per mile to give my ankle a break and I couldn't really go too fast so I got passed by a like 4 more people before the end. I talked with a guy who ran at Stanford until last year for a few miles coming down cause his ankle was also not doing well, I think he dropped out though. So yeah not a very good race but an awesome run.

Pros: Got a good mileage day in

Ankle will probably be fine, I think I managed the injury pretty well.

Still finished the race instead of having to wait at an aid station or something.

Cons: Did pretty bad

Ankle still not healed

So not a bad day, one thing I don't like about this race is that the start/parking area is like a mile away from the finish.

Additional note: I've always wondered why they give out coke at aid stations so the last 2 aid stations, since I wasn't really running for place or time anymore, I decided to give it a try.. And I threw up.. Both times. I don't know who can drink coke on race haha. On the other hand I don't know why I got it a 2nd time after it went so poorly the 1st, I guess it just tasted good. Also got 2 hours of sleep last night after laying in bed awake for many hours. I'm going to fight taking a nap before bed because I need to discipline my body and train it to sleep earlier.

Took yesterday off due to soreness and being careful with the ankle, today was just an easy run back. Was just going to do 4 but ended up doing a little over 5 so that's good. Also averaged around 6:00, maybe lower because I went pretty fast on the way back from the treadmills. Felt good, I was even feeling good on the hill going up. Just felt fast and smooth. I'm not completely recovered from Saturday but today felt easy.

Solid run, went out kind of just playing it by feel, I was ok with anything from 5-10 for today. I did 2 at the rec, a little at the park, 3 at the Brighton track and then came back. I'd say I averaged 6:20ish. My 2 on the treadmill were at 6:10 and that felt good, I originally put it slower but my legs wanted to go faster. And being on the track always makes me accelerate. Kind of deciding between a progression simulation or another 3 mile tempo for my last true hard workout before going back to cedar. Progression in less than 2 weeks now I think, maybe 15 days. I think I can make the last mile, we'll see.

Left ankle wasn't feeling good so I took team injury protocol and came back after 2 days with 50% mileage, still wasn't feeling great but I realized at the end I wasn't using my newer, safer shoes so that's likely why. Will try again for 7/8 miles probably for saturday. If that goes well then I will go for mock progression sunday and mountain run monday.

Workout with Jake Talon and Mckenna, I didn't do too great but it was fun and cool to workout some amazing Weber runners.

Just 10 hours after the workout last night did a pretty intense mountain run with Jake, got my legs cut up pretty well haha. Really beautiful area up there, and a solid workout!

Raced my dad on his bike up to the mouth of the canyon, I trailed a good portion but the last section is pretty steep so I made it up first and then on the way back it wasn't really a race cause it's downhill haha. Good workout, ran hard but at the same time this past week or so I've been feeling weak in the lungs, I'm taking my asthma medication again. I'm going to try using albuterol before running these next few days, especially before pick ups on Thursday. If I can get my lungs feeling good I will be fine next week, if not I could be in a tough position going into the progression run. Ankles weren't feeling too good today so I called it when I got home from that. I think they are better from last week at least because this morning was one of the first this summer that they weren't stiff/in pain when I woke up, I will ice them and maybe hot tub before I run tomorrow.

Ran up to the mouth of the canyon with my brother and dad on their bikes

Ran to the mouth of the canyon with my parents on their bikes and then ran over to Redbox to return split. Pretty bad movie, m night shyamalan is an awful director and has terrible weird ideas. It bewilders me that movies like this and gravity get great reviews while movies like the new King Arthur get horrible ones. But it's been a great week, going back down to cedar on Monday.

Good run before heading down to Cedar City, did some pick ups. Hopefully will make camp haha.

Such a good run! I though I was toast after I did bad on the progression run last week, really need to update my eateries. My foot has been having some issues. Today we did 80 and hills and I did well, ran about 16:50 for the 80 with a good kick and then kept strong for the hills. Love my team, so good to be back!

8 miles plus weights

6 miles, came back early cause my ankle was feeling weak/sore. Ran into my advisor so talked to her about switching a class cause I'm thinking about maybe trying out some accounting, management, or economics classes cause those are probably useful for what I want to do. All the intros were gone though, so I'm thinking of switching my philosophy class for a psych class that would really help me with my research project. Kind of worried about taking an upper division philosophy class, I don't know if I even want a minor, I just want to test out some different subjects and learn about things that might be intersting or useful.

Road race today

Foot might be messed up, has not been a good year for injuries. Metatarsal could take me out for a while if it doesn't stop hurting.

Coach told me to concentrate on getting healed up for now so I went straight to the trainers and get heated pads and ultrasound, they checked out my achilles and foot and then had me bike and ice.

More biking with heat pad ultrasound and ice.

Birthday was great and SUU b team did very well at uvu, my best bro Jake is killing it and took 5th overall and 3rd on our b team, he's at low mileage and coming back from injury so he's looking good for the season. Our team is so deep this year, can't wait to see the top guys in action in a few weeks. Koy, Nate, Jake, Jiraa, Sage and all our guys did very well!!

Finally starting to run again. I'm on my own until I'm 100% healthy. But I'm not on my own cause I've started going to the gym with Haley! So that's been fun. Picked it up to 15 mph for a little.

2 decently fast miles. Also a minute pickup to 15 mph.

Another good day at the gym, building strength and having a good time! Another pick up to 15 mph.

Another good run the tread mill I used today only went up to 12.5 so I just did that for 1:30-2:00 mins or so in place of the usual pick up.

Pinched nerve in my right foot wasn't feeling good so I called it at a mile. We also went to casino night and had sushi, very good day!!

Ran home from stats for psych then got to the gym and ran about 1.7 miles with a quarter mile at 15 mph. Then came back to the gym at night for hecka good 3rd of a mile at 15 mph.

Got a little under a 3rd of a mile at 15mph and then was having asthma problems still kind of there from last night so I just did a little more easy running to finish my short run. I'm hoping to come back and do our home meet in October, but I will need to be up to 4-5 miles per day at least to do that. I'm doing high intensity low volume, feet don't seem to care how hard I run as much as how many steps I take. Hopefully will get back to the team soon.

2 miles in 10:50, sped up to 4:48 pace for the last quarter of the first mile and then decided I wanted a fast 2nd mile as well. High intensity low volume is my only way to get in decent shape right now, and with only a year and a half of college left, this is probably my last push to run some fast times in college. Really didn't feel bad at all, felt like I could have done another mile at that pace without trouble. So good stuff! Cooled down a little and then did weights. School is going very well, excited about research.

Feet weren't feeling great.

Started in 5:50ish and then dropped to under 2:30 for the first half of the next mile and cruised to 5:17 for the 2nd mile. Feeling alright, not sure if I'm going to race color country.

Premeet, lets see how a lifestyle of pizza, soda, candy, cookies, and stir fry along with 2-3 miles per day holds up against the cottonwood heights 5k. School is going well, been busy. Shout out to the guys who took 11th at nationals, and byu's mens team who took 3rd and women's team who took 11th. I ran the course in 19:27 and it felt pretty good. Averaged 6:19 on my run, I kind of had the mentality of running a minute slower per mile than i will tomorrow. I didn't push myself but I also only slowed myself down a couple times. We'll see if my body really did feel like it could go 3 minutes faster tomorrow or if I have just gotten too uses to training at sub 6 pace.

Nice race, for being at about 10 miles per week I did alright. Conditions were really nice and I had fun, might train for a marathon this summer and break 3 hours, maybe 2:50 if I really get into it. I'm considering not doing collegiate level running anymore, I graduate from suu in 17months, maybe I will try going to the first indoor meet but I think with all the injuries (pinched nerves still giving me trouble) and other priorities overtaking competitive running, maybe I should just run for health and fun.

Ran with Coach Murphy on porter rockwell this morning, really good to catch up and I always learn some new things when I run with him. Longest run I've done in a little while and I've just recovered from sick the past couple weeks, but it felt really good, a little tough the last couple miles haha. School went really well this semester, I made deans list again and I got the irb for my research project approved before I left school for the break. 2017 has been a good year, 2018 will be a busy one but I think it could be the best one yet!