I can do it. I will do it NINE times!

This week will be about the same as last week, different repeats on Wednesday (maybe) and a race at Montana State University on Saturday! This race is the last one where everyone on the team runs, so it's an important one - as long as I can hold on (or close) to my 4th spot, I should be good.... 

My hamstrings are still sore and tight from Saturday's run! So, that made the run today more exciting... or something. We did a similar workout to last Monday, just a tad shorter and different places. As the warmup, we ran to Coach Reeder's house. Then we did a 5k loop push section and the last mile was uphill and it hurt! But other than that it was good and just cruised along. After a rest, some gatorade and almost coughing my lungs out, we ran back to the track. (GT 223.2)

Today was one of those days when you wake up and want nothing more than to sleep for another 8 hours. Eventually I got out of bed and dragged myself out the door for a run. Glad I did! I went exploring and found some awesome trails. First I went up 15th north to the Bonneville trail and went north on it until it ended, then I ran up the canyon in Kings Nature Park until I got to the Green Canyon Trail and ran on that a ways before I had to turn back to go home. Fun, nice and relaxing run. 7 miles. (GT 230.2)

Bryan and I randomly went on another night run! But this time I didn't gorge myself on junk food right before the run, so it went lots better. Around 11pm, we ran the Canyon Road loop with Old Main stairs and a coupla shortcuts. Kinda went crazy and ran through all the sprinklers we saw, even though it was only about 50 degrees outside! And we yelled out our battle cries while we froze in the water and crazy wind. Good times. 4.5 miles. (GT 234.7) 

Now that my hamstrings are almost back to their normal state, my glutes have decided to be the freakishly sore part of me. Yay. So, today's workout was uncomfortable, to say the least. We ran out to Elkridge park and did 12x400s in two sets. We did them at our 5k goal pace for the first set and a half, then ran fast on the last couple. I didn't get all our times, oh well. They were ok, I guess? Then we ran back to the track. Woo hoo. Another thrilling day of USU cross country practice. (GT 242.2)

Easy as PEASY! Loop run down 10th north onto main, then up 25th north onto 8th east until 12th north, then finally back onto 12th east and home. My butt is still super sore, no fun. Slow! (GT 250)

In the morning we did a little 15 minute shake-out run from our hotel. Super easy and comfy. 

In the evening, we ran around at the course of tomorrow's race for a while. Did a 5:00 push section just to get the legs moving. Later, once I got my new long spikes into my race shoes, I ran around the finish area for a bit, just to get the feel of them. Feeling good! Excited for the race tomorrow. (GT 257.7)

Goals for tomorrow's race: *Keep or improve upon my team place *18:00 or less *RACE it and make it hurt *No regrets

Great race today! Our team got 2nd of 13 teams, I placed first on my team, 8th overall (and got a spike bag, tshirt, socks and some stickers for my prize - yay!) and PRed. It felt awesome! Started out at just the right pace and held onto it, pushed in the right places and finished pretty well. I can still do better on pushing the second mile and starting my kick earlier, but I definitely improved on BYU's race, so I'm happy with it. And I definitely get to go to Notre Dame in two weeks for our next meet, woo hoo! After the race, we ran back to our hotel - about 4 miles. (DD spike 71) (GT 263.5)