Failure makes me work even harder.

AM- 10 easy.  It was a good run down on the river trail.  We had some good ol' fun (me, michael, jason, hunter, and josh)!  I was a nice, chill 3 at about 7:45 pace.  Byron and some of the other guys either weren't feeling good or had soccer so they turned around at 7.  The last couple miles Michael had to go super bad so....we left him...only because he randomly stopped and walked then said something which we couldn't hear, because he was so far behind!  Anyway, the last 2 miles were pretty much uphill, which made my legs feel real sluggish and slow!  But we finished strong and it was actually a really fun run!  I'm excited for thousands tomorrow (yeah....sounds weird, but true)! 

PM-3 easy.  It was 105*F outside!!!  It wasn't bad though 'cause I had a hat to give me shade! I felt really good!  I am a little tired because I was off and on last night sleeping-wise.  I am ready to do thousands tomorrow and do really well!

AM- Today, we did 8x1,000m on the grass/dirt at the school.  I felt really ready for this workout, although I was a little fatigued, but nothing a little stretching, icing, and rest won't fix!  The first 4 times were 3:06, 3:05, 3:04, 3:06.  I felt really relaxed on these and the finish was strong for me, so it's the middle I really need to work on, because that's where Mike got ahead of me more!  Anyways, I was wearing compression socks on this workout and by the 5th/6th it was tightening my calfs and my thighs were really tired.  So, I decided I really needed to push on these, because it would make a difference in my races!  The next times (5-8) were 3:05, 3:05, 3:07, 3:08.  So, I was pretty consistent this workout...I only had a spread of 4 seconds and really only varied by like 2 seconds the majority of it.  The last one I kinda sat back for some reason, it must have been, because I was tired.  That's is something I have to watch out for in workouts and races....sitting back.  Sometimes I think I settle in to a comfortable, fast pace, but not my fastest pace.  Really a good workout and lesson.  Also, I think I was hitting these times at the end of last year!

PM-3 easy.  I went around 4 in the afternoon.  It was a little hot, but, for st. george, it wasn't too bad.  That also could be just me finally tolerating the heat while running!  I wasn't feeling zesty today, so I just took it at an easy pace that was comfortable. I just began recaping my running as if it were a documentary on BBC or something haha then I went into the future and basically had happen what I would like in my running career. Around a mile I saw hunter and we ran together.  It was kinda mad he interupted such a good broadcast...in my head haha.  But it was fun talking to him! 

AM- 3 easy.  Did this out towards the double churches, my at home 3 miler route.  It was nice and cool this morning at 6:40 ish.  I can't really sleep that well lately....I tried to sleep in today but automatically woke up at 6:20.  I felt a little sore this morning, but then I stretched and felt fine.  I read a quote yesterday that I think I can apply to my running..."Struggling and suffering are the essence of a life worth living. If you're not pushing yourself beyond the comfort zone, if you're not demanding more from yourself -expanding and learning as you go -you're choosing a numb existence. You're denying yourself an extraordinary trip.” -Dean Karnazes.  I think I am in my comfort zone...and I'll work to get out of it this afternoon!

PM- 4x2 min. (IT pace I believe) with 1 min rest. Then 5x400 (also at IT pace).  The first 2 2 min. I kept up well with michael, but by the time the others came I was feeling the lack of sleep, food, and shrimp tearing through my stomach.  I think the lack of sleep really affected me today.  So, I think its something to be proud of...doing half-decent when you really don't have any juice in the legs and stomuch is so gasy.  I think I expect to be right with michael instantly and I know that it's something I will progressively do better at, because I can't just catch up to someone instantly who has been working so hard for so long.  I am going to try to stay with him as long as I can, and get better from there!  I know that everyone has their bad days, so I'm just gonna shake it off and do better next time!  I was so dead by the end I went home and just slept when my legs felt like they had nothing left and my body was just screaming sleep.  Going to sleep more today and hopefully feel better tomorrow.   

AM- 3 easy.  It was a nice run.  I still didn't get too good of sleep last night, but I took a nap so it makes up for it I guess.

PM- 4 w/ strider (5 mi. in total).  Also, plyo's afterwards.  I felt pretty junky during the run.  It wasn't as bad as yesterday, because I got more sleep than yesterday...but only like 6 hours in total.....and I generally run off of 8 1/2.  I will try to get more sleep tonight.  I was slightly dead after this easy run, so I wasn't too motivated to do them at first.  After the first half though, I felt WAY better!  They put the little bit of zest my legs have been lacking these last couple of days!  I hope that tomorrows run will feel better and I won't have to feel like I am giving so much effort just to move my legs!

AM- 3 easy.  I was feeling not as sluggish, but still not the freshest.  I got more sleep and that seemed to help a lot!  I then finally got how to use the roller and stretched, which helped me feel better!

PM- 4 w/ 4x200m.  It was a nice easy pace and my legs weren't way sluggish...just not as good as they had felt before I had started to get bad sleep.  We all ran (level 3's) together and it was a pretty fun run!  I then did 4x200m.  The first I started well and with mike, but when we hit the straight away I felt like I didn't have the speed he had.  Then the second and third ones I kept up a little more.  I noticed that when I looked at how fast michael was going it was harder for me to keep up, because on the last one I started a little behind everyone and caught almost all the way up to the front of the group behind michael.  So, now I am going to work on that...cause I know I am fast when I am not running....just not when I am running...kinda weird huh!

RACE- well, I started out really well...basically right with michael as we hit mile 1.  Mike then amped up the pace and I freaked out mentally.  I think I race better when I remove my emotions and just race.  Also, I think I could have kept up at least another mile so next race I think I'll try to stick with JJ (that's for you byron) for the first and second mile and go from there.  I was just really tight and tired from a rough week.  I'm going to bounce back next week and do even better!  I felt I finished well...I think the times may be a little off but that's just me...

Goal next week:  Stick with michael during workouts for at least most of it, then really keep close to him.

Thoughts: Sometimes I think that something is going to click instantly and I am going to kill it in a race.  I am going to do amazing in a race then the workouts are going to get better.  Well, I realized it's a slow progression and that I need to work on my workouts and the results will follow.