C Mantz Running

     I did 8 miles in the best weather we've had here for a long time.  It was sunny, clear skies, and it was almost up to 40 degrees.  That's 30 more than regular this year!  My run went great, other than stepping in all the cold puddles from the melted snow (it seems we lost a whole foot today!) and being sore from all the treadmill workouts. 

     I went easy, but just felt tired and sore.  Not a very good run, but atleast it's over with.

      I met up with Tyson, Calvin, and Kyler to run today.  Tyson checked the track, and it still had a bunch of snow on it, so we didn't run there.  Calvin suggested hill repeats, so that's what we did.  We did 2 on beauty (which were really slow for me), then Kyler and I did 2 on beast, and that's when I really started dying, Kyler almost beat me on both of them, then we did 3 on beauty, but I wasn't able to keep up on one of them.  Then Kyler and I went up the canyon and did sunnyside backwards, and I did a repeat on the hill up to sunnyside, then on the way back Kyler sped up a ton and we just flew down sunnyside.  I was just starting to feel better, but then we sped up and I felt worse.  After I took about a 30 min. break, and then tried to do 2.5 miles easy, but that's all I could do. Easy.

    I decided to do some tempo today.  It felt great outside, so I stuck with one layer.  It was sunny around 34 degrees.  Splits: 5:04(downhill), 5:49(uphill), 5:25(uphill then downhill.  I really pushed it this mile and tried to go really fast), 5:33 (downhill.  It's the second mile just backwards.  I was hoping for this mile to be faster, but my stomache started acting up a bit), 5:51 (Uphill. My stomache was a bit worse this mile.  I'm really happy with how I still ran it at a good pace though.)  3 miles easy afterward. 

     I didn't know what to do for a run today, so after a while I decided to do 8 miles.  Not such a great idea.  My body needs a break or some easy days, and I really felt that during the last few miles.  My first 4 or 5 must have been at a good speed though, not as fast as tempo, but still at a good pace.  Now to get ready for the meet on Friday. 

    2 easy for the meet tomorrow.  I'm still a bit sore from the last few days though, so I don't know how I'll do tomorrow.  Hopefully sub 9:30 in the two mile though, and sub 4:30 in the mile. 

     1600-4:25 2nd place.  3200-9:30 2nd place

     I went to this meet just hoping to drop my time into the 9:25s in the 3200, and to just run the 1600 and hope to go sub-4:30, but the 1600 wasn't as important to me as the 3200.  I did a good warm up with Rory and Conner from Herriman, and then went to the bull pen for the 1600.  I didn't know what strategy to have at all, and I just wanted to get a good time, while going out at a good pace.  No kicker's race. 

   1600: The guy said, "to your marks" and some other guy was blowing a whistle repeatidly, so I stood back up, but then they shot the gun.  Absolutely my worst start ever.  Then they shot the gun again because there was still a runner from the other race running, so they had to restart our race.  We got back to the line, and the gun went off, and everyone went out pretty fast.  I was in the back by a ways, but still just tried to hang on.  On the back stretch I passed a bunch of people, but didn't pass the lead pack.  Once we hit the 400 mark I heard someone yell out 70, even though the leaders really ran a 61 (I ran around a 64-65), and I thought that this pain for a 70 second 400 wasn't worth it.  We kept going, and I kept hearing 70s for some reason, but I somehow slowly moved up to 2nd place at a little before the start of the last lap.  Isaac Faux was ahead of me and I tried to catch him and with half a lap to go I was trying to pass him, but I couldn't, and this is where I got beat.  I kept pushing it, but I didn't think I could get him that last 200, and tried to make sure that no one would pass me.  I was really happy with my time and place, and pretty surprised.  After I tried to relax to get ready for the 3200 which was 2 or 3 hours later.  I got a shirt for taking 2nd.

    3200: I went out into this race cocky.  It's amazing how big my head can get in just 2 hours.  I didn't see anyone who I thought could beat me in the 3200.  The Davis guys only had a few people running, and some of them were injured, and I didn't think Ricky Faure was that fast in the 3200, so I thought I would win it.  I was wrong.  We started out, and I led the whole race until the last half lap.  I ran my first 400 at where I wanted it 67, but then I slowed down to 72s and 73s for the rest of the race except for the last lap.  I came across the mile at 4:45.  I could hear Ricky breathing in back of my, and I knew he was there the whole time because how loud his coaches were screaming.  Anyway, nothing exciting really happened, he passed me with his great kick with half a lap to go and mentally I just fell apart.  I wanted to take first and atleast breat 9:30, but it just wasn't in me.  Maybe I was too worn out from the mile, or didn't have anyone to help me push the pace.  I got another shirt for taking second, (first place got shorts) but I was just disappointed in myself.  After they announced that the athlete of the meet for the boys went to the winner of the 3200m, and so Ricky also got a nice Nike jacket.  Next time I'll get him though. 

After it I did a cool down. 

    I went really easy today.  My calves were really sore.  I was planning on going 8, but my legs felt really tight and tired, so I decided I'd better turn around early.

     6 with Kyler. 5 inside, then 1 in the cold.  We did a mile warm up then 800m repeats at his 3200m pace.  My calves were still sore, so I didn't want to push it too bad with the simplot prelims on Thursday, and the finals Saturday. 

    5 with Kyler in the gym.  Around a 7 min. mile pace. 

    3 easy indoors, a bit with Kyler and Ethan. Simplot's tomorrow.  I dread the long drive, but am excited for the race. 

     I got a ride with some of the other XC/distance track guys, and we got there about an hour before my race started.  I did a mile on the track, then a mile of warm up after that but before my race.  I was planning on just drafting on Elijah for the whole race, and then passing him at the end.  It happened just the opposite.  I was also planning on hitting a slower time, but I saw the first heat, and Jerrell kept a fast pace, finishing at a 9:23, with Ben right behind him, and a few guys strung out around them.  I knew I was going to have to go faster than a 9:40 like I planned. 

    Race: I went out right behind Elijah, and just stayed on his tail until the waterfall came around, and was cut off by a ton of people.  I passed all these kids after 1 lap, and then passed Elijah at around the second or third lap.  I led, hitting some fast splits, and still feeling great.  I came at the 800 at 2:18, and the mile at 4:38.  I slowed a bit, but kept a good pace.  With only 300m to go, Elijah passed me, and I just slowed down.  My excuse was already thought up before the race.  I was saving it for the finals.  He sprinted those last few laps, while I actually slowed.  My stomach started hurting the last part of the last lap.  Kinda weird, but it was at a good time. 

   After the race I did a cool down alone, then after Kyler's and Nick's race(they both PR'd) I cooled down with them and Zan (who also PR'd.).  Now to get ready for the finals. 

     2 easy.  Getting ready for tomorrow.  Hopefully a new PR.  Or a win.  I could live with either one any day of the week. 

     I got to the race, and I was way nervous.  I didn't know if I was ready for the meet.  I did a warm up with Jadyn Asay, and then another one by myself before the race.  I really wanted to PR, but I wasn't feeling as good as Thursday. 

    Race: We went out fast, and some guy who I don't konw led the first and second, and possibly the third before I passed him.  I led a bit, and just tried to keep a good pace.  I felt like I could PR.  I hit the 800m at 2:15-2:16, leading the race.  Somewhere between here and the mile Jerrell passed me, and then Ben and Elijah.  I slowed down after each one passed me, and lost too much time.  I tried to put in a few moves to gain back ground, but after a while I didn't think I could pass them.  I did at the mile, and hit it at 4:35, which is the right pace for the meet record.  After this I can't remember exactly what happened.  Ben and Elijah passed me, and I was just a bit too far to draft off them.  At 3 or 4 laps to go they hit a slower lap, and I caught up, but then the gained their ground on me again, and with 400m to go Ben left and Elijah tried to follow. I didn't feel like I could push the pace as much here.  Ben ran a 9:00, hitting his last 400m at 55 seconds, while Elijah was 9:11.  I came in with a 4 sec. personal best, and then Jordon and Jerrell came in(both of them were sick). 

    After I did a cool down with Jerrell, and then went out to eat with my grandparents, parents, and brother.  Pretty much an amazing day as far as running went though. 

    I was planning on 11, but my body just wasn't feeling it today.  I was going to go 8 tempo, but at 4, I needed a break, so I did 4 tempo up the canyon in 23:30ish, and I took a break, then started down.  I felt better going down, but not by much.  My body was sore and just wasn't feeling it.  I pushed those miles and got it in the 22:10s, which felt much better to get.  After I planned on doing 3 miles of cool down, but had to cut it short to 2.  I did the cool down with my dad, who really helped me get it done. 

    5 tempo.  It was sunny, but cold, 26 degrees is what the computer said. I dressed a layer less than yesterday, and my legs and hands were a bit cold, but it actually didn't feel too bad.  My calves were sore.  Splits: 5:03 (downhill), 5:54(uphill), 5:35(uphill, then downhill), 5:30(downhill), 5:47(uphill).  3 miles cool down.

    8 easyish. 

     6 miles- 5 tempo at 5:38 average pace with 1 mile cool down.  Today I was sore and didn't want to go run hard today, but I'm happy I got it done. 

    5 at an easy pace.  It felt good to go easy. 

     8 miles. slow and cold.  Probably one of my worst runs.  After I walked in my house and my sister started laughing at me.  I didn't get it, until she showed me a mirror and I found my eyebrows had ice frozen over them. 

    We had track tryouts today.  It sucked.  It took up about 3 hours, and I only maybe (at most) got a half mile of running in.   We did tons of drills, which none had anything to do with distance. During the first part I scraped my hand pretty bad, and then we had to do burpies.  Not a very fun day with that.  Then I got home around 6:15 and still needed to go for a run.  I ate about a half (maybe more) loaf of french bread, and then went 5 tempo, then 5 easy.  The tempo was at 5:34-35 pace on average, but the easy was way slow.  Oh well. 

    I missed most of track tryouts because I had to make up a lot of work in a class.  I was able to do the pacer at the end though, but I didn't feel too good after it.  Not really like it was hard on my calves and quads, but almost everywhere else.  I think it was mostly from the tryout yesterday.  After I went home and did 8 miles.  Felt terrible at first.  Really stiff, but after mile 3 or 4 my body loosened up and it felt good.  I hit a few sub-6 min. miles also, so that felt good. 

     I was going to go tempo today, but I went to track tryouts, and coach write was there so we were able to do our distance workout.  My legs have been getting worse from Monday, so I decided what coach had us doing was best.  We did golf course.  Hopefully tomorrow I'll be feeling good for a workout.

     I was still a bit sore from Monday, but my muscles I use for running felt great.  I decided on 5 miles tempo, and my legs loved the first few miles.  I pushed it, it hurt, but it also felt good.  Kinda like a race.  Splits: 4:55.9(downhill), 5:45.1(uphill), 5:21.8(uphill, then downhill.), 5:13.1(downhill), 5:33.7(uphill). Average pace: 5:22 I felt great about this run, and I'm pretty sure this is the fastest I've ran this course.  After I did 3 miles cool down.  Now my calves are sore.