Failure makes me work even harder.

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!

AM- 7 w/ 5x1min hills 7x30sec. hills.  I really was nervous for a bit before this workout.  I then calmed down and said concentrate on what I was doing not what was coming up.  I started out the workout with the first one (my watch said going 6 min pace) was a little slower, but I didn't want to start out too fast and I wanted to be controlled.  The second min.-5th (5:40, 5:40, 5:36, 5:19 min pace) I tried to go a little faster on the gradual hills keeping it consistent...hitting every one in the same spot.  The first 30 seconder was interesting, because everyone except me and byron got a break, so they all took off.  I just stayed back the first half and then picked it up the second half! (5:13 pace)  I did the same thing on all the others as some other people seemed to be off and on, I stayed consistent. (5:12 pace).  The 3rd-6th I started out steady and did the last half faster as usual and hit the same spot (in the ditch) everytime.  Hunter and Byron seemed to stay right with me on the 30 seconders and Braiden seemed a little zesty today and was just ahead of me haha. (5:04, 5:05,4:51,4:49 pace)  The last one was just me and byron.  I did the same as usual and byron passed me at the end barely and we passed our usual spot by like 5 feet, and we even sorta slowed down at the end (I was checking the time and thought we were done). (4:47 pace)  As the paces show I started out at a pretty decent pace (not really fast at all just steady) and then worked my way up each minuter and 30 seconder!  This workout was awesome...it's the first one (not including the tempos this week) that I haven't compared myself to anyone...just done MY best!  SO EXCITED TO IMPROVE THIS YEAR! Cheers!

PM- Ran out to the double churches again (sorta my 3 mile run everytime).  I saw hunter on the way there so he ran with me, so I took it really easy so we could talk about stuff going on.  I felt pretty good, a little tired, but you always feel tired at this point with so many miles.  It just means that later, when we taper, it will feel that much better!  A really good rust-buster!

AM- 5 w/ striders.  Out into tortoise run.  It was a good run.  Didn't feel too talk-a-tive today, nobody did either, but it was a nice easy pace.  I thought too much about races in the future and then decided to stop and think about what I was doing to calm down.  I have never trusted myself more than I have lately!  It's crazy that our first race is in less than a week...it seems like a week ago we just started running 4 miles!  But it's so awesome how good the guys are doing...not just trying to be nice, they are doing better than I've seen most years!  They have stepped up a lot!  I am so ready to race!

PM- 3 easy in the afternoon.  It was a little hot, but it didn't really phase me at all!  I feel like my form has never been better! I feel like I'm standing tall and striking perfectly on my foot!  Lifting and plyos after.  I really am feeling good about this season!

AM- HILLS!!3x30seconders 7x1minuters.  The 30 seconders were pretty easy.  I mean, I was going a good speed but the hill was pretty gradual for how far we got (the harder part was just after it by the stop sign).  We then hit the minuters and some people just took off on the gradual hill, but I stayed at a good pace.  Then, as we hit the big hill, I nailed it and got pretty far.  It wasn't too hard and I hit that for about 3 of them then the 4th&5th I was 5 feet back from it.  The 6th one I wasn't feeling so hot but I cut it down to about 3 feet.  The last one devin (who decided to join us today) was feeling good or something, but I stuck with him and we made it to where I had started at!  That felt really good to nail the last one.  Probably not my best workout this week, but hey, I had some good ones this week!  I would put my pace for each one but my watch was freaking out so I only got half of the paces.  They tending to fluctuate a lot, going faster then slower then faster again.

PM-3 easy.  I got my new saucony cortana's today, my other ones have some good wear on them!  I noticed immediately the cushion these shoes had and it allowed me to bounce off the ground easier and quicker!  I went an average of 7:40 min/mi.  I felt really good and was so focused I didn't notice the heat (at 3 pm) until the last 1/4 mile!

AM- 5 miles easy.  I took it easy each mile....I was going to pick the pace up, but then I realized there is a reason coach gives us easy 5 and not to push it too much.  Also, all those people who do tempos and stuff daily tend to get injured easier, so I just took it a nice, easy, comfortable pace. Mile splits: 7:59, 7:43, 7:55, 7:50,8:05.  I'm so excited for this year!  And I am ready to get my goals for Cedar checked off!