The Renegade

Pretty good workout today! Conditions were pretty good, about 60 degrees and overcast. It was the 4x1000m and 4x400m again, all with 3 min active recoveries, but full recovery between the two parts. Decided to wear the streaks today, and the new spikes I got for the last little bit. There was a pretty strong headwind on the back stretch, so two of  the 1000s had more headwind than the others (first and third). First one was 3:25, so under pace by five seconds, but it had the headwind. Felt pretty good. Next I ran a 3:22, and still felt pretty good. Finished with 3:18 and 3:15. I like the Streaks alot don't know why I havn't used them in a while. Those ones hurt, but looking back it doesn't like they hurt too much. I dunno, you can't be taking it 100% in every workout. Jogged for some recovery and pretty soon I started the 400s. Opened with a 66.7, it felt really good, despite almost knocking a kid over who was stopped in the middle of lane 1. Kinda strided it out the last 20 meters. The next one was 67.7, so a little slow, but my slowest last time was a 68. I knew I needed to run the next two fast. Switched into the Endorphins and (had to skip the jog oops) and went 64.XX (we'll call it 64 flat). It kinda hurt cuz I was trying to keep a constant pace the whole time. Coach told me I needed to be more aggressive starting out with the next one, and be "patiently aggressive". So I kind of sprinted off the line and then settled into the same pace I started with on the previous one. Then I tried to kick as hard as I could the second half. Good race simulation. Ran a 60.9, so I was pretty happy with that considering I wasn't in a fetal postion on the ground like last time when I ended with a 62. Pretty soon I'll be gettin under 60 with a better average. Jogged a mile, did hip drills, and iced the lower legs in the wirlpool with Jack. We promised Coach that next time we would sit in the tub, but that's a little scary. But yeah, great workout, my morale was at a good place, I stayed upbeat, and I think that helped, surprisingly after a rough day on Saturday. 

I woke up this morning to a massive charlie horse in my right calf. I thought that was that but the soreness didn't go away, I've had what feels like a knot all day. I did 30 min of elliptical in 7th period, along with some lifting, than at practice I talked to my coach and he said that it might loosen up if I went for a run, so I did 3 miles pre-meet with some of the guys on the river trail. (I'm counting the elliptical for 2). The soreness faded away while I was running. Did a few strides on the turf and then I went in the training room and rolled it out a bit. Now about half an hour later it's tight again so I'm still trying to decided if it's just really sore or I pulled it. Using a golf ball rn, hopefully that'll help, but it hurts like heck.

Decent meet, kinda training through it but yeah. The 800 was finally before the mile for once, so I was fresh for it. This was a home meet for us and everyone in our region was there, so that was cool. After the team warmup, I waited around for like 2 hours for the 800. Shoutout to the MC guys for coming to watch for a bit. I was actually pretty nervous because I really wanted to PR.

We got off the line and I was in the front for the first 300 meters, and then Luke, Ethan, and maybe Christian got in front of me. We came through in 62, so I already knew it was going to be slow. With 300 to go Luke and Ethan were ahead of me and I told myself I had to stay with them, but then they sped up and I couldn't go any faster, just couldn't get my legs to do it. Held that position while they pulled away from me for the rest of the race. I just didn't feel that energetic. So I took third.

I decided I wanted to do the mile because we wouldn't race again until April 9th, but just as sort of workout. So I ran with Kalin and Paul for the first 800 meters, we came through in 2:34 so suuper slow. Than (my coach had told me to do this) I started to push it pretty hard from there on and reeled in Ethan Hurst and a Morgan kid. I passed both of them at 1200m and stayed in front of them, I felt pretty good. I almost wish I had reeeeeaally tried to go H•A•M there now that I think of it. Finishing time was 4:58. A year ago this week was when I broke 5 for the first time, and I was fresh for it plus I was pushing it really hard and it hurt. Now it feels like a breeze even after racing an 800.

I'm not letting the slow 800 time discourage me too much because we haven't done a ton of speed work so once we hit that stage in the season that'll come down pretty far, I hope I can qualify before BYU. I just really have'nt been training for the 800. 

Pretty good day today, we were finally able to go on a solid run for the first time in about two weeks. (Not a premeet) So kind of a medium day. We did about 6 on the canal trail, or it was six for me because I had to turn around at one point to grab my gloves that I stashed. (was warmer than I dressed for). 7:14 ap. Then I did some barefoot turf strides, those felt good. Also in seventh hour before practice I did bench, cleans, and a bunch of core, so I'd say today was pretty productive. Next week is spring break, so I'll be able to get in some quality training. I wish the weather would be nicer than it has been though. 

So today was below average, but it was a good effort I guess. Same old River Heights Providence tempo. One of the reasons I hate spring is because you never know how to dress. I wore tights but I started to feel warm, but luckily I had shorts on underneath. I also had a long sleeve shirt but I lef tit at the school. We started it and I tried to go out slow, and it felt good, we were right around 6 minute pace. Then after the first half mile I had to retie my shoe, so Paul kept going and I was about half a block behind him for the rest of the time. It was mentally really tough because I felt like I was sucking if I didn't catch him, so I tried to catch him for the rest of the time, but we stayed the same distance apart. Having to stop also knocked off my flow, so it made it terrible. Finished in 18:36 not counting the stop, 18:48 with it. So 6:10 average with a 6:20, 6:06, and 6:03 (no stop). I was so exhausted after that I didn't want to do any extra. Ran back with Jack and then I wished I had the long sleeve shirt because it was really chilly. Hopefully it will warm up within the next few weeks. Did some intense 100s afterwards, with hip drills. Also, I lifted a solid amount in 7th hour so that probably made the workout harder. 

Great run up Logan Canyon in the afternoon, 7:20 average pace. I didn't feel too bad, and there was a very manageable amount of snow. I think this canyon is my favorite trail run just because of the moderate grade, and it't really pretty once the leaves come back in.

Looking forward to a good week of training for Spring Break, I'm not being stupid and upping my mileage like I did last year, just getting quality work in.