Failure makes me work even harder.

Hell's Hole!  It was a good run....we did bounders on the big hill x8, but it wasn't bad at all (the first time).  We ran about half a mile with everyone together then the level 3B's turned around and Michael, Byron, and I kept running about half a mile, talking about fish and bear stories.  I felt really good today, which maybe due to all the stretching and icing I did over the weekend!  Michael seems to be getting real antsy (spell check) about racing, but I don't think I'm quite ready to race yet, but don't get me wrong...when the season comes around I'll be ready to roll!  I have been getting a little bit more nervous about my final season, but I keep trying to build my confidence up right after so we will see if it works.  Going to do some strength lifting, plyos, core exercises and maybe some yoga today!  I have been pretty impressed with the newbies and the younger runners this year stepping up!  The red heads are looking strong (Red Leader, Braiden)!  Also, Josh and Wes are looking pretty good!  There are so many I could name, but I don't think you want me to go on and on so I'll stop haha.  Makes me real excited!  Even though we are a fairly young team, I see some real commitment and hardwork and it shows great \prospects for this year! SO EXCITED!

Ran around the dock today.  It was a great run.  I felt great and my average was 6:56 per mile!  I think I'm ready to role...just need to work out hard and get ready to roll!

Today I ran on the road leading into the dock...FOREVER LONG!  I felt tight and tired on the way out.  I think that's because it seemed forever long and it was HOT! But good I got it in.

I tried to run in this cove by my boat but it wasn't even a half a mile long so I ran around in circles but eventually just stopped due to frustration.

Tried running on this canyon ledge (an amazing view), but it wasn't as rocky as I expected...it was deep, sandy hills! I eventually turned around because it was too dangerous.

Ran out in the desert again...it was hard because its higher elevation and deep sand made it hard to keep a fast pace.  My fastest pace was 7:30 and my average was 10:27 per mile.  I think I learned a lot over this vacation, including about my running!

First two-a-day...and both runs by myself...in the desert! 

Early afternoon-  It was a great run, but steaming hot!  I would have died if it weren't for my hat!  So much for easy 3!  I felt great though, battling the thick sand in the desert by the beach!

Late evening- 6.  I was going to go the distance, but it was getting dark.  I had a blast this run!  It was nice and cool, because the sun was going down and just felt like I was tearing it up!  My average was about 8-9:30 per mile...which is really good for thick sand!  I figured something out this last run...I do better on trails not because of my bigger legs, but because the terrain gives my mind something to concentrate on.  I find myself analyzing myself during runs so I think if I can find how/what to concentrate on I think I can do really well!

Ran in the morning before my houseboat came in to the dock (I came in on a run-about boat)!  It was a pretty great run!  I felt like I was flying because I had been running in thick sand and finally got to run on something solid!  Can't wait to get back to real practice though!

AM- Felt pretty blah today.  I didn't necessarily feel bad but not amazing.  I don't think I ate and drank enough yesterday.  I felt a little bit of anxiety for the season today...anyone have good ideas to get rid of it?  I want to stay comfident and ready to roll!  I think it was due to me feeling tired.

PM- ran at 5, because I knew it'd be hot all day and might as well get it over with! (not that running isn't fun, but not be exhausted with heat is nice).  I actually began using visualization during my run and I didn't really even notice the heat!  I imagined myself looking smooth, relaxed and controlled (while winning state)!  It worked wonders, except when I ran out of things to think about so I started to analyze my body again and I got a cramp....luckily it was in the last 1/4 mile!  I think I'm going to try this sometimes...all I know is I need to figure out how to concentrate on something else positive other than over-analyzing how my body feels!  But overall a grande run!

AM- 4 with mike and hunter.  It was a good run, nice and cool outside!  I felt strong and in control when I focused outside my body!

PM- 3 in the mountains

Ran at 6 in the morning with Michael and caught hunter right before he was about to start running so he joined.  We were at 9,000 and something feet in altitude and there were killer hills in every direction!  We went downhill for the practically all of the first half and then we had to go back up it which was killer!  We went out and back for five then added two miles on.  It was killer, but was awesome temperature and beautiful up there!

Ran at 6 again.  It was a great run by myself.  I just went where we did yesterday without the add-on.  I felt great, but once again those huge hills mixed with the high altitude had me gasping for air!  It was a great warm-up for our high altitude camp coming up!  I have been working on getting rid of my anxiety by talk through it and breathing long, slow breaths.  It has been working wonders!  It always happens to me before races and stuff so this should help.

AM- 10 miles.  We ran the first 3/4 or so with the level 3B's then added on in the neighborhood by shnobkai (?).  I felt alright today.  My arch was killing me half-way through so I stopped and stretched and it felt fine until around mile nine...luckily Byron was going to puke so I could stretch more.  By the end my legs were tired, but don't get me wrong...it sounds like it was a bad run, but it felt really good.  I changed my perspective on life and it's taken a lot off of my running stress/anxiety I've been having.  I have gotten my priorities in life jacked and put running on the top when things like religion and family should be higher.  I was watching a video with Ryan Hall being interviewed (I think he is a pretty awesome person).  He was saying stuff like people get caught up in the medals when for him its all about giving his gift back to God and running was his form of worship to Him.  I think I'm going to have more that perspective mixed with my competitiveness...putting my priorities straight also will help.

PM-3.  It was a nice, good pace.  A little humid but nothing I couldn't handle!  Am ready for the season to start!

AM- 4 on the dirt mile. We started out at a slow pace so coach told me to take the pace faster and I felt amazing. I felt like I was just gliding faster and it was a breeze! I've never felt that good since well maybe the time I won the 3200m at snow canyon. It was great. I am going to just stop thinking about running a lot. I've decided I have 2 hours a day (including runs) to think about running after that I have to stop thinking about it and just live life...I think it will work!

Zatopek is my favorite runner...and here is one of his amazing feats.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6--kiYKx9kA&feature=related

PM-3.  Felt alright.  I wasn't going fast and wasn't running on my toes as much as usual...my feet felt heavy.  But, anyways, I didn't stress about it.  I just worked on staying relaxed and enjoying the run.  That felt great to just relax for fun!

AM- 6 w/ 3x1min 4x30 sec. hills.  I felt like junk today.  I knew I wasn't going to be at my best today when I started out and my legs felt heavy.  The one min. I did great on, but the 330 seconders I struggled.  I was going just as fast on them (except the last) but I just wasn't feeling my best.  It was weird because yesterday I felt effortless and today blah.  But I'm being positive...I still was pretty solid even though I let Mike get away on the 30 seconders.  I noticed something today.  when the going gets tough or someone passes me (particularly mike) I tell myself crap your not going fast enough and kinda freak out inside.  So, next hill workout I'm just going to stay calm and catch up.  But it wasn't that bad for the first workout of the season!

PM-3 with mike.  He convinced me that running 10 min after I ate wouldn't be that bad, because it was only three miles....life lesson: don't listen to michael! haha Yeah I took care of myself after the workout this morning so everything felt great, except my stumache.  I felt good though.  I need to make sure to keep my stride quick, because I noticed I tend to have a long, slow stride.

AM- 4 on the grass.  Everyone was mad that I said we should do it all on the grass because I didn't bring socks, because I thought we were just doing a grass run...so why would I need socks?  I felt great today.  I think that's because I took care of myself so much yesterday.  I am going to do that again today.  I am back to my confidence and am ready to roll.  Wed. workout kinda made me stumble but I'm back and in full speed again!  SO ready to race in Cedar! 

PM-3.  It was a nice, easy run.  I've been very shocked, proud, and shocked again by the committment our guys have this year!  Like coach said today we raised the bar in our region, now they've matched it so we have to raise it again!  I felt great and ready to roll today!

Today we did hills.  We went up to the meat-grinder hill (which is always killer).  We didd 2x30 sec. and 4x1 min. hills.  I did really well the whole workout.  The last two were not as good because I hadn't that much energy and my legs were dead, but it was a good solid workout.  It was nice of coach to say there wasn't anything to analyze and that I did good.  It really helped, because I usually down on myself after workouts!

AM- 7 at 7 (a.m.)!  It was a great run!  We went 2.5 with Wes, Jason, and Hunter and then me and Mike went all the way to the Scout Cave!  It is one of my favorite trails and it was really fun!  Mike and I were talking on the way back how amazing our boys have been dedication wise!  We counted 10+ kids who we think have been more dedicated and pushing themselves then ever before and how it's really going to help our team!  Keep it up guys and we have some GREAT prospects!

I thought this video was interesting: Born to Run- The Secrets of Kenyans

AM- 4 down to the Bank then around to Greensprings and back.  I felt really good today.  That Kenyan video yester was talking about what they focus on form and it was the accronym F.A.S.T.- Focus. Alignment. Stability. Timing (the beat your feet make as they hit).  I really worked on Alignment today and it took sooo much pressure off my body!  I felt light and ready to conquer!  And I feel WAY less tired than usual!  Can't wait...we are going up to camp this afternoon!  Should be sweet!

PM-6 Straight on the main (dirt) road.  Felt pretty good and easy...A lot of guys kept up with us and were looking really strong! 

AM- 12.  We went up by the lake then over and down a hill and turned off on a trail which hooked back to the  main road.  There were like 8+ guys with us, pushing the pace, hitting under 7 min miles for the last miles.  I felt amazing until the last 3 miles on the road, which was straight and lasted forever!  By the end of the run, I was tired and my feet killed, but I felt WAY accomplished!

PM-3.  Nice, easy run.  Close to, but under, 9 minute pace.  I felt really good!

AM-6.  Went up on the main road...all uphill!  It actually felt amazing and I think I nailed it!

PM-3.  By the lake and then me, coach, and dave stopped to take a dip!  Felt really good and easy!

 Later, mrs. peterson came and talked about goals and how task oriented goals are better than wanted to just win or beat a person, which you have no control of.  I'm going to apply this to my daily running!

AM- 4 easy.  Me, Coach, Mike and Byron ran a good pace, but for some reason some of the guys weren't feeling good or something, because they were behind us.  But towards the end, Reed and Josh caught up to us!  Felt great, can't wait for this season!

8 w/ 2mile tempo.  First 6 miles was pretty decent (7:28 pace).  Then the last 2 miles was the tempo.  The first mile was good, but I was feeling blah today, because I didn't eat/sleep enough yesterday.  My legs just wouldn't go and I felt like slowing down. (6 min pace).  Then the last mile I didn't have anything left.  I tried to keep the pace, but I really need to take a nap today and eat more!  (6:50 pace).  I'm just going to shake it off and move on!

3-Well, yesterday I played basketball and Michael just hit into the side of my leg really hard and now a legament on the side of the leg.  So, last night on my date with Janzen it hurt.  So, this morning I decided to cut a bit off and wrapped my leg for support.  I had an uncomfortable-slightly hurting.  I think that was due to too tight of wrapping, because after I took it off it felt fine, but I'm gonna rest it and ice it a ton this weekend.  I think I'll be fine...it's not majorly swollen just slight inflammation.  I think it will easily go down by Monday.  I just cut back to make sure.  I also had to stop a couple of times, but once again, just as a precaution.

Pace: Mile 1- 7:26, Mile 2- 7:37, Mile 3- 8:42 (because I stopped and walked for .1 of a mile)

AM- 12 miles w/ 3 mile tempo.  So...since I was the only level 3A there today I just ran with the level 3B's.  We ran out past Maverick then into the desert, over the hill into Coral Canyon.  The first 2 miles were pretty easy...limited effort really.  Then, we hit the hill at around 3 miles and it wasn't too bad...I took it easy to save stuff for the tempo (usually I float up hills).  We then went down the otherside into Coral Canyon on a trail that was rollercoaster-like.  So, for just a regular 12 miles it was hard enough, not adding the tempo in.  We went a little past the elementary out there until we turned around and we said our goodbyes to Tyson.  We then turned around and did the same back....going back up that hill again (seriously like a 15% incline according to my dad).  Then, about a quarter of a mile after that we had the pleasure of starting our tempo at the bottom of the hill.  I tried to stay concentrated and focus on now instead of how far we have or whats coming up.  I literally was repeating to myself "Focus on now...what can you do NOW."  It helped A TON I didn't worry about where other people were or how far I had....just what I needed to do.  It felt controled and a nice tempo on a hard enough run.  Here are my splits for the tempo (although I think my watch is off because I am positive that we were going faster....and coaches watch said it we went faster too): 6:09, 6:15, 6:12.  Me and Coach finished with a 2 mile add-on and we went SUPER slow....probably 'cause I felt like I was cramping everywhere and my legs were dead.  By the end I felt dead but accomplished....I feel bad for Michael who has to run this by himself muahahaha :)

PM-  This run was a bit weird one.  I cramped up  (Like a rock) on both sides of my stumach.  I had to stop about 3/4 of a mile in because the cramping hurt sooo bad!  So, my first mile was like 10:02.  The second mile I turned around with the team, still with some cramping. (8:46)  Then, the last mile I ran with good ol' Able and  I was able, see what I did there haha, to catch back up with the group after stopping.  The split was 7:36 or so the last mile.  Overall, it was a decent run (with all the cramping).  Plyo's and lifting after....felt fine.  Loving the new mindset!  It's a lot more fun to think about improvement than winning...so that's what I'm going to do...improve at a fast rate and if I end up winning some stuff FANTASTIC!

AM- 4 dirt mile w/ striders (5 in total).  I felt super sore warming up and as we started...it was even more evident.  We then hit the dirt mile where we slowly worked ourselves up to speed (6:31 due to slow start).  I kept concentrating on what I had to do now...not what was going on around me....not how long I had....not even if I was too sore.  I kept my feet quick and bouncy off the ground (my one thing to improve today).  It really helped me to keep the pace fast!  I didn't realize it until half-way through the second lap that it was just me and braiden and byron!  I was so focused today, not worrying too much.  The last lap felt harder, but ended up being 5:54 (way faster than I felt I was going)!  I am so happy that I read that book...did wonders!  If anyone had/having trouble performing because they fear success(sounds stupid but I did) or pain...BORROW THIS BOOK!  I can't wait for the first race to show how much I've improved time-wise!  Striders were harder because I did the dirt mile so fast, but I worked on form more than foot speed during those!

PM- 3 miles out to double churches and back.  It started out with me being WAY sore so the pace was slow for the first 1/4 mile, but then I felt great so I pick it up to a decent, easy pace for the rest of the first. (7:49) The next mile I took it at another easy pace (7:43).  The next mile I started to think about how good our team and me individually were going to do, which pumped me up, but then I slowed the pace back down to make sure I don't hurt too much tomorrow (7:33).  Overall: GREAT run!