Blake Bennions running

I ran a warm up and then 9 miles in the gully. It was a nice easy run. I finished Unbroken today, I was too devoted to reading the book to do anything else the past two days. It's the first book I've finished in a while, and I will definitely read more this summer. I got home from work and read until I finished at 10:40 so I decided to get 8 hours of sleep over an extra 3 miles. Tomorrow will be a two a day for sure though. Louie Zamperini has lived an amazing life!

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.