Run Buffs Run!

Ran 6.5 miles total today with 6X800 meter speed workouts. My times were as follows: 2:25, 2:28, 2:29, 2:33, 2:33, 2:32. I am happy that I managed to keep my times relatively close together, but I was "unhappy" with the pace that I ran them. Usually I manage to get one of the 800 meter sprints in under 2:20. There was some slight wind, however, which felt like it may have slowed me down a bit. This would account for me not breaking the 2:20 mark. I ran 400 meter recoveries between each interval at 8:00 min pace. I was not looking forward to this workout, mainly because speed stuff is so boring and painful, but at least now I am done for a while!

Ran nine easy miles today, much of which on trails and steep mountain terrain. The hills that I ran were very tough, but I took them a fairly leisurely pace, taking my time to enjoy the mountian surroundings. As far as I am concerned, there is no better place to run than Boulder, CO. No matter where you go, no matter what kind of running you want to do, you have access to all types of terrain and unlimited places to run. Although I was only four to five miles outside downtown, I was nearly 900 ft. higher, and in a prestine mountain setting, alone. For me (especially on my easy runs), this gives me an opportunity to think, relieve stress, and contemplate life. Running, what a sport!

Easy 8.5 miles today, but definitely an interesting run. I started out attempting to do a tempo run, but felt very tired and slow, and knowing that my race is a couple of days away, I knew that now is not my time to really deplete myself. I met up with one of the CU team runners, and we talked while we jogged. He told me about the program, the coaching and the type of miles they put in. The more I hear, the more I want in!!! Well, I have put a good amount of work and training in, so I feel confident that I can be part of the team.

Ran seven easy miles today at easy pace. I am tapering for the race on Saturday, so I don't want to overextend myself right now. I felt a bit sluggish today, but this typically happens to me after taking a day off, so tommorrow/Saturday should be better. I am planning on running 4 miles tommorrow, with a couple 100 meter strides.

Ran 4.2 miles today at easy pace with 4X100 meter strides. I feel good and ready to roll tommorrow.

Ran the Rocky Mountain Shootout 8k today. Fortunately, this time I didn't find myself in the ER like last time. I was, however, still dissapointed with my performance. I ran 28:40 for the full race, which is not bad, but I know that I could have run much better. I was shooting for 26:30, which shows how much I fell behind my target pace. I don't know what my problem is, but I seem to never get any rythmn going on this course. The whole time the race felt like pulling teeth. Every step I took felt painful, and about two miles through I lost most of my steam. I didn't feel like I did last time, but I definitely did not feel like I performed well. I guess my time was not horrible (I would have finished mid-pack in the collegiate pace), but I am dissapointed that I did not demonstrate my full potential. Had I would have run "well", I guarantee that I could have hit 26:30 for the course. Feeling frusturated, I ran 12 miles to burn off some steam, making 18 miles for the full day. I am going to talk to the coaches tommorrow, and probably begin training with the team. I guess that I can't be too annoyed, though, because I have only been running for 3 to 4 months, while most of the CU team has been running since 6th/7th grade. I just hope that the coaches can see this too.