C Mantz Running

AM-4 easy miles with Michael and Talem

PM-12 miles for the medium long run. After I did strides. Felt a bit more tired than I thought I would.

AM-5 easy miles with Marcus and Clayton.

PM-hard workout. 3x2 mile with 5 minutes rest. Had a stomachache prior to the workout, but told myself to make it through the first one and see where I was. First one I ran with Danny, next one Rory and Clayton led and I just stayed behind them. I felt bad after this one, but didn’t say anything. In the third one I just told myself to stay with the group as long as I could. During this rep I felt better, and told myself to work harder for the team. It helped me get through it. I took a turn leading the group for a bit on the end one, which made me think I felt better than usual. We did all these at intramural field, and it was hot.

AM-9.1 miles with Talem and Michael. Felt a bit stiff.

PM-Around 5 miles. Felt a bit stiff and had a stomache ache.  It may be due to the iron that I've been taking, or just from poor planning on when/what to eat.  

AM-Just over 3 miles.

PM-6x800m.  It felt pretty easy. The workout wasn't anything crazy because we're racing in two days.  We did it on Intramural field.  One to one recovery.  2:23, 2:21, 2:18, 2:16, 2:17, 2:16.  Last one was started out slower, but our last 200m we were cruising.  

AM-Just over 3 miles.  It was pretty smoky.

PM-Ran just under 6 miles.  Due to the large amount of smoke in the air, the race has been changed to Utah State. I ran the first 4 miles on the treadmill at 6 min. pace and the next two on the indoor track.  

Got to the course about 90 minutes before we started.  Started warming up about 50 minutes before the race.  Felt pretty good.  A slight bit of tightness in my right hamstring, but luckily we weren't starting out insanely fast, so I wasn't too worried.  Goal was to stay at 4:50 pace for the first 4km, then the last 3km speed it up and have separation.  

The start is downhill and is a long stretch, so it was pretty quick. Luckily the race wasn't too packed, so even though I got out slow the first 200m, I caught up without having to weave around too many people.  I stuck to the left and had the edge on the first 4 turns, which was nice.  I got right behind Rory, then right next to him and ran side-by-side with him for most of the race.  It was enjoyable to run with teammates for a race again, although it made it hard to view it as a race.  I felt pretty good through the first 3 km.  At one part I looked back to see where our team was and saw Zac right behind me.  It was fun to see because right now he's the only other one running cross country that signed with me.  Right before 4km I was next to Luke Beattie, and was actually feeling a bit beat.  At the turn right after 4km, McMillan jumped out in front of all of us, and I thought to just let him go.  Then Shumway made a move as well, and his wasn't as quick of an acceleration, so it was easier to go with and catch up to McMillan.  I ran behind McMillan for a bit, then Danny passed me after a bit and then Rory passed us and we were pretty together. The last 300m was interesting because I felt like I was pushing and going really fast, but it seemed relaxed. 

After it was nice to talk to people that I hadn't seen in a while.  I'm from Smithfield, so racing in Cache Valley felt like home again.  6 mile cool down after.