The best pace is a suicide pace

I think the coaches spent the weekend in H--k, because today's workout was demonic. It starts with near 40mph winds. I checked. Ran from the HS to yellow hill. Most people stopped and rested for a second at the foot of the hill, but not me. I started straight up, for one set of ladders, after 3 difficult milez. The whole time I was on the hill, the wind blew directly against me. It sucked a lot but it was kinda funny. There were these two 9 or 10 year olds, who lived at the top of the hill they were walking home, and I was running behind them, I was in lots of pain, and the wind was brutal, so I was squinting a lot, and I suppose I must have looked pretty angry. When I got close these kids looked frightened, and started sprinting away from me. They looked really surprised (and relieved) when I ran right past them. Got to the top, and literally collapsed. I could hardly breathe. My legs and lungs on fire. My situation was dire. Eventually I got back up and walked it off, then started back. Galley must be my only real friend, because he was at the bottom of the hill with water. The avg pace was 7:25, but with hills and wind, I'd place the effort level closer to 6:20. Icing as I write this.

This morning when I was grabbing my stuff for practice, I accidently grabbed spandex instead of shorts. so I ran in my casual shorts today. Luckily it was only a recovery day, so it was just the neighbourhood and core. mile warmup and started the workout. 8:30 pace. Once in the circuit room, I avoided leg machines like the plague. I do have to race tomorrow. Focused ona few week areas, mainly shoulders and back.

Today was a learning experience. I did not do super well, and the team sort of flopped, too. Wasn't hydrated, didn't get sufficient warm-up. Don't quite have the pacing down yet, got too excited. I learned how to run the course the hard way though, I ran it totally wrong, but I'll be ready when real region comes. Note to self: take the first lap easy, be patient. Stay on the inside of all turns. Kick way sooner, course ends abroubtly.

Super easy day. Mile warm-up, then 2 easy miles. 15 minutes of "core" but I wasn't feelin' it and didn't do much. Psyched for the night hunt tomorrow, running in the dark is my favorite.

Great day! Finally had a bit of a breakout race, went uner 17 for the first time this season, so I'm getting back to where I once was. The course deffinitely helped, I absolutely loved it. The conditions also helped as it was cooled down, and I didn't have any sun in my eyes, plus running in the dark is exhilerating. Finally ran a race smart. I've been going out hard and trying to compete lately, but here, I didn't. I relaxed the first mile or so, then slowly picked it up. This was hugely successful, and made racing fun again. Passing people gives you more eenergy, which you can use to pass more people. I started towards the back of the middle, but finished in fifth. Team took 3rd of eight teams, we were close to Salem, so we're improving in the region as well. Timpview took first, their guys were flying. S/O to Clayton for top 10ing it with me. S/O to Kenny for almost top 10ing it with us. Our first three runners are a really tight pack right now, which is great for scoring, we just need to work the time down a little bit.