GOING THE DISTANCE

Am -  Easy 4 mile run, felt pretty good.

Pm -Again just an easy 4 miles, the guys who are racing tomorrow did 4*200m but I didn't.  Legs feeling pretty good.  I'm proud of the few who participated in spandex thursday.  Our numbers for spandex Thursday are so low, it's sad.

Am -  Same old, same old easy 4 with my boys to Starbucks and back.  Felt good this morning, I truly did.

Pm -  Team was racing at Cedar Invite today.  I rode the bus up to cedar, then I drove me and the varsity girls over to the region course in coach holt's tahoe.  Over there, I ran 15 mins warmup, then did a nice little fartlek workout; 2*(1,2,3min).  Did them at goal race pace for region, a nice flat course, so 5:05.  Legs were feeling pretty tired, but honestly I ran the reps without much trouble at all.  

Drove back to Cedar High and I ran 20 minutes barefoot around the course.  Got 8.7 total on the afternoon.  Shout out to my boys for taking the win in JV and Varsity!  Also met Garek B who wrecked the boys race, wow.  Good luck to Coach Holt running his last ST. George marathon tomorrow.

Am -  Got up to aid station mile 22 for the STG marathon around 7.  Me, Alex, and Jake took off from there for our run for today.  We headed up the bike trail at first, then found a cool single track that took off.  It led us down a ravine onto a trail which led us to chuck walla trail and we ran that all the way back to the aid station.  Beast 5.1 mile loop.  

Aid station was fun.  Saw Coach Holt in his grand finale, full of emotion.  I saw I think fritz, the East coach, Ryan Nielsen, Mr. Neilsen, all sort of people.  And I think the parents of Thom Heaps of lehi?  They had pioneers uni's on and said they knew Connor baller.

Am -  Easy 4 miles.  felt better than normal for a monday.

Pm -  Today we did a 1600m time trial.  Headed out on a rainy, windy, and cold warmup, and when we got back to school we had to chill in the school for 30 minutes cuz lightning.  Luckily we were eventually able to go out and run.  In the 1600m, I got out a bit quick, and had a 5 meter gap 150m in.  It was tough to push hard on the track just out of the blue, let alone not having anybody to push with.  I ended up 4:33 so it was decent.  Kinda bummed but my speed will for sure get better as we taper and do more stuff like this.  Also did a 200m sprint after.  I felt good and fast, but coach said I need to get forward more to get more out of my long stride.  There's always something to work on.  5.5 on the afternoon.  

Pm -  No morning run, it was awesome to sleep in!  In the afternoon did an 8 mile run then a mile of barefoot striders after that.  I felt pretty good running.  Hit up 32 cent Tuesday at first stop after with jake, mason, Skylar, Alex, and preston.  Jake showed us this broken gumball machine that continually spits out gumballs it's awesome.  I'm chewing on about 10 right now.

Am - easy 4, felt good

Pm -  Went over to Bloomington Hills Park for practice.  Just the varsity's were there cuz JV had races over at Snow Canyon, shout out to them.  We did some warm up, then got into a 15 min tempo which was really easy actually, at least for me.  Our splits were both 5:54 then kept that pace for 3 more mins.  We kept the pack pretty tight so that was good.  After that we got straight into our 20*100m alternating from all-out back to tempo pace.  I really like this workout cuz wow those 100's after are brutal.  I felt like I pushed hard, I wish I had somebody to run with on those 100's though.  It would help me go even harder.  Got 7.5 miles in the afternoon after some cool down.  Good day, word out.

Am -  Really starting to cut back cuz it's almost state.  Just did 20 minutes so 2.6 miles.  Felt good.

Pm -  Did team pics then went for 30 easy, except coach had a go quicker on the way back.  We wenter 4.1 miles into Green Springs.  16:30 up, 13:30 back.

Am -  felt good, it was easy.  2.7 miles

Pm -  We ran over to Foremaster Ridge to do some hill work.  The road up is about a quater mile I bet.  Workout was up 20s hard and rest 10s, repeated all the way to the top, so we got in 4 reps each time.  3rd time up I was just going balls out, I thought we were gonna be done.  Then we did a 4th and 2 reps in my body lost it.  My head was all lightheaded and I couldn't move my legs.  Sat down and chilled, then finished up the hill hard.  Running back to school my head was just pounding, and coach had me drink a Pepsi after.  That made me feel way better and I got a good lifting seshun in.  Finished up with 5.8 on the aftermoon.

Am -  Coach took some of us guys up to watch the college race in cedar.  Got up there around 9 and did our run, a chill 6.5 miles.  We were all feeling the hills from yesterday in our glutes, ha.  It was fun to watch the race!  Saw some old pine view guys race, Mike Finch, Tyson Boyer, Josh Decker.  Also like 5 other guys from region 9 who were seniors when I was a freshman so it was cool.

Am -  easy run, 2.7

Pm -  Easy 25 mins and 4*200m on the track.  4.5 miles.  Fun run with friends.  Last region 9 xc meet tomorrow for me, ahhhhh!  Going for the W.

Am -  easy run, felt pretty good.  Wore my early birthday present, garmin 225.  It's pretty sick.

Pm -  Region today!  Had a good day and was pretty well physically prepared.  Honestly didn't have my best mental do us today, I know just what I need to do at state.  Race was in Cedar at bicentennial park.  I got 2.5 warmup and got loose and ready to go.

Race started out good, a bit quick but really right where it should be, 5:07.  I was right up with the hellians, things were going good.  I wasn't feeling as strong or relaxed in my breathing as I had hoped.  I was doing good working where I was, until about 1.5 Jaiden and Josh from DH pulled away and I just let it happen.  I can not do that, especially when like josh only finished like 10 seconds ahead of me!  So yeah from 1.5 to 2 miles I really just lost focus.  We all promised each other we would surge at 2 miles, so I was able to pull it together and give a strong 600m or so, then I really lost focus again.  Dallin passes me, then sage and spencer encouraged me, but I never responded until coach holt yelled at me and I pulled it together and busted my balls one last time.  I zoomed passed those three, then gained on jaiden till I blew passed him with 75m to go.  That musta awakened him cuz then he passed me back right after and I finished in 3rd place.  Time was slow, the whole race was kinda weird.  

State in one week, I know what I need to do.  Our team was the closest we've been to DH all year, we're gonna go get em. I'm glad I was able to have a strong kick, something I haven't really had all year, I'm sure tapering is bringing that out.  7 miles total on the afternoon.  Fall break starting Thursday, ahhhhh yeah.

Pm -  Easy 30 minute run.  Legs felt pretty tired, normal post race feeling ya know.  T'was a fun run through Washington with mostly all the boys.  I really like those runs with everybody cuz I just feel the team unity and brotherhood.

Am -  Rode my mountain bike on mustang pass trail a bit, up to where I did some work on the trail.  It's one of my favorites, so for my project in current issues class I'm restoring it.  It's gotten really crappy, I worked for like 2 hours and it went by so fast, it was just fun.

Pm -  Met at pvhs at 1:30.  We'll race at 2:30 for state, the girls at 1, so we ran later than 8am.  Did a short little speed workout.  16 reps of 50m/50m F pace and tempo pace.  Did it on the track, and it was over super quick.  Stomach bugged me the first 3 laps so I was a little off.  Same team from region running at state.  Cool beans

Am -  Met the team at pvhs, then drove to Middleton to run on a trail.  Pretty chill run, perfect weather.  5.15 miles, an out and back.  I'm really liking my new watch.

pm -  ran at 1:30.  met with my friends at pvhs, then ran over to pine view middle school.  Did a 15 minutes steady state tempo.  We were just chillin at about 6:08 pace, it felt good.  I screwed up on timing and the time was actually only 14:30.  Ha ha, hopefully those 30 seconds arent the difference at state.  After that did some quick uphill and downhill work, got the heart rate up a bit.  Then finished up the run back to the high school and got 5.6 miles.  I feel great, I'm super pumped for state.

Am -  easy mileage, 2.6.  Felt pretty good after an epic thunder and lightning storm last night.

Around 1, went to the rehab center and got some final work done on my hamstring before state.  It's feeling swell.  Still had 30 minutes till practice so I went on a beast drive down around the airport out towards Arizona.  Made me realize how awesome the St George area is.

Pm -  Did an easy 4 mile run.  Went through Sandberg desert, over to Sullivan park.  We checked out the river under the bridge and WOW.  It is hardcore flooding, it had to be raised like 5 feet.  Great run in legit weather, about 70°.

Am -  Easy 2.6 miles, felt good.

Pm -  Rode the bus up to Salt Lake for state tomorrow.  We got there around 3:30 and went over to Midvale Middle School and ran.  Felt tight at first from the ride, but felt great as we finished up with some barefoot strides.  Got 4 miles.  Wow I'm pretty excited for state.

Am -  Ran a short little shakeout with the team around South Towne Center.  Felt nice.  I think it was like 2.5 miles.

Pm -  Dang today was legit.  Got to Sugarhouse Park around 11.  There was a pretty cool breeze so it was a bit cold.  Chilled under some trees, checked out the course changes, and watched the 1A and 2A races to pass time.  I was eating fruit the whole time.  Hung out with CB and some Lehi guys a bit and watched our girls race.  Then started warmup stuff.  We warmed up about 20 minutes and got about 2.5 miles.  I was really feeling good.

Got to the start line and started running the race when the starters started the race.  I chilled out good at the first, and about by the first big downhill I worked up to the leaders.  Dang, I was feeling so good I knew I had to win it or I'm no man.  Me and Dallin chilled together right in the lead pack going up the hill then down around the pond.  Going up the gradual hill I made my way to the very front, and going down the hill heading back towards the west I took the lead.  Stansbury's top guy came up with me and passed me.  I chilled a bit and on the u turn heading back east I used the downhill I took the lead for the last time and started hammering.  I was thinking, "wow this is it, there's no way I'm getting passed now."  Every cheering made it sound that McKade and all those guys were right behind me.  I kept putting in surges and running balls to the wall.  Came on to the track and sprinted in and won!  Wow, that's been my goal since 8th grade.  Man, I gotta thank my coaches so much for helping me get here, and all my teammates.  Shout out to my parents for supporting me so much.  We got 2nd as team and brought home a trophy, love my team.  We were gunning for DH but today they were too beast, but we did our best.

Holt told me Coach timo wheeled the course at 5k so I'm putting that.  I got like .5 cool down watching the 4A and 5A boys races.  4A was epic, I was pulling for Garek but Alek was too good.  Props to CB for his beast 3rd.

 Looking to Nike now, it's gonna be dope.

Pm -  Ran down to Sullivan park, up the bike trail across the boardwalk, up to Washington through Hell Hole, then back to Pine View along telegraph.  Today's run was pretty rad.  The loop we did really jived with my vibes and my legs felt decent, just a bit sore.  6.55 miles, 7:42 pace.

Pm -  Easy run, foremaster ridge loop.  Legs felt pretty sore and battered the first mile, but I got warmed up.  Balls of my feet were also sore, which never happens so that's rad.  6.05 miles at 7:21 pace.  Got the ACT tomorrow, agh.

Pm -  Took the ACT in the morning.  I hate taking that test.  Decided to take an extra day off from running this weekend to get ready for 6 more weeks of tough training.  Around 3 me and my dad went and rode bikes on upper Prospector trail and White Reef trail.  Nice 10 mile ride.

Am -  3.9 easy.  Had a lot of energy, wasn't as bad as most mornings.

Pm -  Long run down on the river trail.  Decent run, until the last 4 miles or so my stomach hurt like satan and I had to take a few breaks.  Ended up like 15 minutes behind my team so the end was solo.  Pretty lonely.  Saw a few majestic Great Blue Herons grazing on water plants.  Ended up 9.9 miles @ 7:08 pace.  Added on a mile of barefoot striders to get 10.9

Am -  easy run, 3.8 miles.  Legs felt so sore and tired.  I'm 18 today and unfortunately feel no different.  No crazy out of body experiences.

Pm -  Legs still feeling pretty trashed.  Just did another easy 3.8 miles, it wasn't too bad.  We ran a little loop up to Red Cliffs Dr, down to PV Middle, and back.  My awesome Kinvara 2's I got freshman year were on top of my car when I left for home, one fell off, and luckily some guy walking on the side of the road got my attention and pointed out the other shoe.  So i still have 1.  I dunno if I'll be able to find the other tomorrow, we'll see.  Sad stuff.

Am -  3.9 miles easy.  Felt pretty decent.

Pm -  Cool interval workout today.  Did intervals at a few different distances that added up to 5k.  Warmed up 15 mins then got on the track.  Started out with a hard 100m. Then got right into a 1000m and my goal was 3:10.  Cruised in for 3:12.  I was about 10 seconds ahead of my team so it was lonely today.  Did another 1000m and got 3:11.  Then a hard 400m, 1:04.  Then back to 2 more 1000m.  My legs were a bit tired now, but I was able to relatively easily bust out 3:09 and 3:09.  Did another 400 and got 1:03.  30 second rest then all out 100m to finish.  Cool down 10 minutes to 8.2 miles.  Leg muscles feeling sore after this one.  

Am -  3.8 miles at a easy pace.  Think I might have strained a tendon on the inside part of my ankle, it hurt pretty bad.

Pm -  Nice 3.9 miles, an out and back into Green Springs to my church.  A lot of us seniors who have Coach Holt's Current Issues class took a test on the computer that shows our political views and which presidential candidate is closest to us.  So we were discussing that stuff the whole time.  Turns out my views are centrist overall and most closely align with Marco Rubio.  Cool beans.

Am -  Easy 4 miles.  Had a failed attempt at trying to scare others on the team.

Pm -  Beast Halloween run to Artic Circle to grab an ice cream cone.  For my costume I dressed up as Hell Raiser.  3 miles.

Later went to Jason's Fun Run.  I truly pushed myself to my limits.  My mind was strained to the max and my body is physically destroyed.  It was the hardest athletic events I've ever undergone and I have emerged a true hero.

Am -  Drove up to Cedar to watch Big Sky Championships.  Went early though and did a workout at bicentennial park.  Warmed up a bit, then did 5 minutes of tempo.  Changed into spikes and we did 10*400m.  Goal pace was 1:12-1:14 at first.  I felt great the first 5, then after a 5 min jogging rest, did the last 5.  They were a bit harder and faster, more like 1:08-1:10.  Ran 1:03 on the last oneand it felt supreme.  My teammates also did really prime, good day to day.  Cooled down a bit back to the race to 8.8 miles.

Shout out to Hayden Hawks, Big Sky Champ!  That race was fun to watch, SUU is beast.