Blake Bennions running

8.2 easy miles in the gully. We explore the gully today and found parts I've never been in, it was really fun! There are some great trails. I've been feeling strong and healthy the past couple of runs, maybe its a build up for a good workout tomorrow?

Warmed up 7 laps plus drills and then ran 2000-1200-800-400. At goal pace for state. We ran all of them a little fast but oh well. My goal for the 2000m was 6:40 and I ran it in 6:32. I've been neglecting using my asthma medicine lately so I was a little worried and it did hurt a little, but I was ok. The 1200 was easier, Coach had us raise our expectations for this one and so my goal was 3:55 instead of 4:00, I ran 3:54. Cubby and Davis started out slow so the last 600m kind of hurt but I was fine. On the 800m we raised our expectations again so instead of a 2:40 the goal was 2:35 and I ended up running 2:29. Cubby and Davis took the first lap out in 70 seconds so it also hurt a little, but not bad. The 400m was max effort so I went a little easy on the first 100, I got boxed in a little, but I worked out of it and then made a big move to the front, it felt good, like a 1600m. hopefully I can do that for the last lap of my 1600m races this year, then I would shoot for the school record haha. I ran 60 seconds, which wasn't great, I should've run under 60, but it felt good and I was really close, and I got a little boxed in so I think I would've gotten it if it had been a clear shot.

4x400m max effort after a 3 mile warm up. The first two were uphill, last two were downhill. I ran 60-61, 60-61, 57, 58. Since it wasn't on the track I didn't really have a goal for the time I should hit. I just won each one and tried to push it as hard as I could. I would go out easy for about 100m, and then boost ahead of everyone and try to maintain that speed all the way through, it was fun! I love max effort 400s, 400m workouts are my bread and butter. They're confidence building, fun, I feel faster afterwards, they make me faster. They're by far my favorite, sadly I can't just do 400m workouts. I think other track workouts can be fun sometimes, but I love any variation of 400m interval workout. From max effort to 1600m race pace to 5000 race pace. 1600m race pace is my favorite obviously. I'm feeling good going into state, only one challenge left to prove myself on before state, a gully time trial.

9 miles at Liberty Park, I ran with Tayte. It was a good, easy run. I felt great, I'm feeling the best I have all season. We talked to Coach Cobler afterwards, he's a really good coach and I learned some really important things, we talked about state and I'm a lot more excited to go give it my all. Running a race isn't just about getting a goal, its about doing your best and knowing you gave everything you had and then seeing what you're best amounted too. I've been looking at racing the wrong way, thanks Coach Cobler! This really motivates me, it gives me something more to race for, and to shoot for. I'm excited to see what I am capable of!