Run Buffs Run!

Today was a nice and easy run around Boulder Reservoir. I ran with the CU team, and coach Wetmore introduced me to everyone (although I already knew most of the team). It is cool to run with some of the best runners in the nation; it gives you a goal in sight to push for. We ran about 6:30 pace and just cruised. Awesome!

Today was another easy day, and I felt a bit sore. I went back to my house for Labor Day, so I did not run with the team, but I go in tommorrow to begin the paperwork. I have a feeling it is going to be pretty extensive, judging by what some of the team said. I'll take it, though, to be on the CU team.

Today was an easy workout, consisting of 10x400 meter intervals at 76 sec pace with 200 meter rest. This felt really easy and relaxed, and I accidently hit as low as 70 without pushing too hard. I can't tain with the team yet because paperwork is not yet finished. I went in for blood tests, filled out NCAA clearing-house info. and got a thousand signatures from random sports organizers and coaches. Tommorrow I have a physical, and sports info. meetings, too. I am also doing a medium long run (12 miles) at steady pace. I am still a bit sore from Saturday, but definitely improving. I think that the first race of the season always produces a bit of soreness. I am excited for my paperwork to clear so I can train with the team.

Today was medium-long and I ran with my coach. I am still not eligible to run with the team, but I got my physical done today, and I need one more signature until completion! My blood tests came back and everything was fine. They gave me an iron supplement since my levels were a bit low (apparently this is pretty common in runners). It kind of tastes like I am sucking on pennies; definitely a metallic flavor. Tommorrow is "on your own" so on Friday I should be ready to roll with the team. As for today, my coach and I ran the usual south Boulder route. We began decently slow (6:40 per mile) up a gradual two mile hill, then hit 6:30's on flat ground. At mile nine, my coach was feeling bad, so we split up and I began to hit it up a bit harder. I ran the final four miles at 6:10 pace. I had a bit of a stomach cramp when I was finished so I just layed around for a while. Tommorrow will be easy, so I will throw in a couple of strides. 

Nothing too special today, just an easy run before my first official workout with the team tommorrow! I finished all of my paperwork today, and I went to pick up some gear from the sports office. I got new shoes/flats and lots of apparel, so I am really excited. More importantly, I got the jersey! When I got back to my appt. I was just itching to try it on, so I put on the uniform. I waited a long time for that moment, just slipping on the jersey. It was then that I realized what I was in for. I really need to step up and train hard to represent my school. I feel fired up and ready to train hard. I am deleting any mental barriers/limits, keeping an open mind and taking running a season at a time. If I follow Wetmores program diligently, I am sure results will come.

Today was a great workout! Of anything I have done thus far in running, this workout really workout would definitely be in the top five. The scheduled task was 3x3000 meter repeats at a bit faster pace than threshold. The idea was to incorporate a bit of anaerobic work while also working on aerobic ability. The team split up and started to hit up the workout. My pack finished the first repeat in 9:42, and this felt really easy. The second repeat was again, 9:42. I felt pretty good, especially since we were running about 5:05 mile pace. The third rep was the best of them all. Our pack sort of "broke apart" midway through, and some of the freshman even stopped the workout (sat out the last repeat). Christian Thompson and I finished in the front of our pack, hitting the last repeat in 9:38/9:39(for him). We negative split the last 1500 by almost 10 seconds. This means that our last mile was about 4:55-5:00 flat. The best part was that this did not hurt too bad. I kept asking myself whether I though this hurt, and I couldn't really find an answer. On one hand, that last repeat did have some sting, but given 4:55 pace after five miles, this hurt very little. Anyhow, this was a good workout. We went to the gym afterwards and worked on strength. I had no idea how much this played into running, but according to coaches, it makes a big difference.

Really easy run tonight with some of my employees at work (Boulder Running Co.). We began at 7:15, and ran until dark at really easy pace. Everything felt good and smooth.