The Renegade

Slept in today so I waited really late, a little too late, and then did a run up Logan Canyon. Parked at the third gate at like 8, it was already getting dark. So I ran 4 miles out, which got me past Third Dam and almost to the Gueneva campground, I'm actually glad I decided to run there cuz thats actually a really nice part of the trail being right next to the river. For the last 2 miles it was almost pitch black, really wish I had a headlamp. But it was nice to hear the crickets I guess. The legs felt good. Pace was 7:24. When I got home I realized that a chunk had been ripped out of the sole of my right shoe. I think it was because it was dark so I was stepping on a lot more rocks that I couldn't see. 

AM: Showed up to cross practice and it was a pretty chill day which was fine, I decided I' just double. It was 2 mile warmup followed my 6 laps on the track with a stride on the backstretch each time. That was pretty easy stuff. Followed with a mile cooldown around the school.

PM: I recently ordered a box of RunGum so I thought I might try it for my evening run. I chewed two pieces, which turned out to be a bit strong. I did 4 miles running to willow park and jogging laps there, along with some strides. My legs felt really weird, like I didn't really want to run. I think too much caffeine for me has some kind of reverse calming effect, it was weird. 6:38 ap.

Drove up to Lundstrom Park in the evening for a workout. I warmed up about 1.5 on the canal trail, then did a 2 mile threshold on the canal and also around the park, which is probably the largest park with the most grass in Logan. that was 6:07 I would've liked it to be under six but it didn't feel so hard. After that I swithced shoes and did 4x800 on the canal, times were 2:30 to 2:38 I think. Those felt quick but not painful. Only quick becasue I haven't done much fast running as of late. Cooled down three miles up to Bonneville and then on the Highline trail. I was not feeling it and there were too many hills for a cooldown. But decent workout.  

I did a nice evening run, relaxed and steady on the river trail for recovery. My legs felt fine but I could tell if I tried to go quick it wouldn't be that pleasent. So I chilled out the whole time. 7:22 ap.

Went to cross country practice in the morning and it was a long run so I went 10 miles, all the way out to the third gate in Logan Canyon and back on the Highline Trail. Good run did a couple 29 second 200s on the track. They felt super quick haha. The run was 7:13 pace for 10.7 miles, the strides made it over 11. Watched the women's 10K final after which was an INSANE way to start the track events at the Olympics. 

AM: I raced a 5K for the first time in forever! Got to the starting line about 20 minutes before the race and I warmed up about a mile and a half. The canyon winds were still pretty dang strong. They had us all pack into the tunnel for some reason and we started on the sidewalk. They caught me off gaurd (the guy just said ready set go) so I was running behind some people for the first 150 meters but then took the lead and never looked back. Splits were 5:28, 5:41, 5:50, which are pretty good (grade adjusted is 5:36, 5:40, 5:16) because it starts downhills and heads uphill literally right at the 1.5 mile mark (it is a loop tho). I felt really comfortable for the first two miles and only started hurting a little bit after that. Really in a true hard PR worthy race you should start hurting half way through, so I feel good about the race. It's hard to push yourself out front. Next guy was a19:50 followed by like a 21. Yeah, not a very competetive race, but it was fun. And I got free IHop pancakes! Cooled down 2 miles on the Highline Trail. 

PM: After watching the 10K, I did 4 easy miles on the country road behind my house with a little barefoot running at Woodruff. I did some core too! This was a much easier 55 than last week, mainly because of the vert. 2500 versus 7600 lol. 7:02 ap.