The Renegade

So, to start off #SpringBreak2k16, we did 6x800m in weather that seemed more like #WinterBreak2k16. Worst conditions I have ever had to do a workout in. Basically a blizzard, it made for slower times but added some mental toughness for later. After a half mile warmup inside + warmup drills, the distance team headed our for some fun. Same recovery that we usually have for all our workouts (3 min active) I went 2:49 for the first one, was not feeling good. Next one I didn't get the time but it felt slow so we'll say it was also 2:49. Then on #3 Strand jumped in with me for the second lap so I ran a bit faster, was a 2:42. After that I realized that I was half way done so I had a better outlook on it, but the snowstorm only got stronger. He ran with me for the next one and it was a 2:37. Then I ran a 2:38, I was not having fun. On the last one I pushed as much as I could convince myself too, which wasn't a ton, and ran a 2:35. So decent workout, I would take off a few seconds for the weather, so that's pretty good, cuz it was faster than the last time I ran this workout in good conditions. On the treadmill, I did 4x30s at 15mph (so 200s), a mile cooldown, and then lifted. 

Today was just terrible. I didn't feel good at all. Ran at about noon and luckily the snowstorm had stopped, hopefully for good. I wanted to go six but that didn't happen, just went five, out to the river trail and back. My left lower leg had that weak feeling again like it has before, it just wasn't able to work as efficiently as the right. And I was just tired, hopefully I'll be feeling good tomorrow for a little something called the Michigan. 7:48 average. 

Watching some world half footage gets me really excited for stuff. Freaking Kamworor, I think I'm a new fan of his. 

Well, this week has confirmed that Logan's weather really is crazy as heck. By the time pratice rolled around (3:00) a ton of snow was melting, including almost all of what was on the track, and the sun came out for us. Also coach was gone, so I had to explain the workout, luckily I had papers printed. Today was the MICHIGAN workout, made famous by the book Sub-4:00 about Alan Webb his freshman year in Ann Arbor.  There are lots of modifcations of it though. I will lay down all the reps and splits right now: (3 min recoveries in between all)

1600- 5:34

Road Mile- 6:10

1200- 4:04

Road Mile- 6:08

800- 2:31

Road Mile- 6:05

400- 59

So I wanted to be 5:30, 4:00, and 2:20 for those track reps, but at least I hit my 400 goal. It is a hard workout and I just like saying I did it, even if the rest was longer than typical for most people doing this workout. What matters is that it was a good effort, and it was a pretty good effort I would say. Great race simulation. I had to do it all by myself basically just like last year. After getting fully recovered, I did 3x150 at around 20 seconds each. Those felt really strong, and I tried to use my best form and drive everything into the finish. Last year I did this at Highland High School, also on the Wednesday during Spring Break, here's a link to that: http://cameronanderson.fastrunningblog.com/blog-04-2015.html Great workout, beautiful day to do it! I got my lift on after. 

So today the front-bottom or ball of my left foot has been hurting more than ususal, and I think it has been the root of some form problems I have been having, so I decided not to run. Plus I haven't been that motivated today, even with pretty nice weather. I did some core tho, if that counts. Hopefully I'll be good tomorrow. 

Todays workout really sucked. We were going to take a bus to Mantua but we didn't for some reason, just same old Providence. Beautiful weather though! I stuck with Paul for the first 2 miles and then I fell off pace the last one, and kinda just gave up, I was hurting. 6:30 average, so the last mile must have been slower than 6:40, I pretty muched jogged it in the last stretch. When we got back to the track some of us did some fast blazin 150s, first one was 19 mid, the next three were low 20s. Those should be really good in bringing my 800 time down. I'm not going to race the 800 again until Cache-Box, becuase I'll miss the first part of the Grizzly Invite, so when I do I gotta PR. Also I hope that this slow tempo thing is just a rough patch and that I'll get back to averaging 6 flat in the next few weeks. 

Pretty good run with Coach Strand and Paul up Logan Canyon! Would've done it a bit later but conference. The trail was in the same condition as last week despite the storm, it was great! I felt okay, it's just that my left ankle felt really weak, like I could'nt get over the technical stuff very easily. Oh well, good thing it's not cross season, because this problem doesn't really affect me on the track. First mile was terrible, there was a very strong cold headwind. I showed Strand the Highline trail on our way back! They just announced that they will not enforce a the no trespassing policy (I didn't know they ever enforced it, and it really didn't stop anyony) but now you don't have to feel bad about running there. Not a very fast average, 7:45 with 6:32 for the fastest mile. I don't think I need to worry about how fast my long runs are though, especially this time of year, it's just cool when I do end up getting one. Did some strides on the grass at First Dam afterwards. This week was lower mileage than I wanted because of the day out, but next week is the last week I am going to try hitting 40 anyways, after that it'll be 35s consistently (increased intensity).