Sock tans

I was tired. Really tired. I think I'm still worn out from Saturday. Maybe I need to eat more, fast Sundays tend to drain me. But it's Monday! You'd think I'd feel fine by now.

Anywho, one mile before towards the school, then to Sugarhouse, 4 state hill loops, up to that tree, 5x1 minute on/off fartlek. Then up to like 2000 E and zigzagged a bit to Foothill and VA loop back to the school. I cut out the mile in the cemetery cause I was tired and running just wasn't feeling good like it normally does. I'm drained of energy. Now that I think of it I haven't taken iron for a week or so... Hmmm. Did my core. 8:02 average.

Ran to Liberty and took long way to the fountain. Then went over to where the hundred marks are and did a mile of speed changes. Then went to the mile mark and started our workout, 6x800s. I misunderstood what Bill said and thought he meant I had to hit 2:30-2:35. That'll come later in the season, for right now 2:45-2:50. Splits were 2:41, 2:40, 2:43, 2:44, 2:44, 2:44. Towards the end I was close to losing it. But I gutted it out even though I was thinking super negatively. Maybe if I was more positive I would have done better... Something to work on. Cooled down to 12. Did core and the "easy" things at home.

I need to be more positive. Was not thinking positively today at all. Time to turn that around, I'm gonna kill the workout tomorrow. It's gonna be hard but imma hit the pace!

 We went to Fairmont and did 10 strides. We dropped to Liberty where Bill surprised us (or me) and told us we were doing a mile 30 seconds slower than current race pace. So 5:49. I hit 5:55. Then we were to do an 800 at the average of yesterday's 800s. Mine was 2:52 (shooting for 2:43). Then a 400 at 75. I hit 78. Then cool down to 13. Legs are tired. Knee hurt at the beginning but warmed up, hurt again but a weird hurt on the cool down. Did core.

It wasn't the workout I was expecting but it was still a good one. Track warmup around the school then distance skipped team drills today and went up to the track to do our bleacher drill laps. 6 of those. They actually were kind of tiring, at least going up and down the bleachers. Then went up to the zoo and did flagpole run to Foothill drinking fountain. 8 miles (of the 8.6 mile run) along flagpole run were 7:44 average pace, the middle 5 miles we stayed around 7:25 pace. Granted some of that we had wind to our backs but some we were running against it (tried drafting, it kind of worked in some spots but others I was either too far back or just wasn't working. Was nice when it did work though!) The first two miles were slow, last one was average. Back at the track we did 4x300s with about a minute recovery to the start line. By then my legs were dead. But I still worked them. 56, 60, 59, 58. Then half mile cool down to the school. Did my core.

Ran to the school, then we went Legacy Bridge way up to the trail and took it to JCC and up JCC until just before the elbow and turned, heading back the same way. I'm kind of sore. It was really windy. But also temps are in the 60s! This is crazy, it's February! I hope this doesn't mean summer is gonna be unbearably hot but it probably does. No more inversion! The view was clear for once, I think I take the landscape/scenery here for granted sometimes. Not today, it's beautiful! 
I've been really worn out the past week, but I know right now is the time to be tired. Soon I'll be used to it (ish) and when we start to back off I know my times will come down. I also know I have to work my hardest right now, I have 3.5 months left. And I've decided I need to break 5 by April, and the only way to achieve that is by working 10 times harder than I ever have. So bring it on.

Good run today, we started on the south side of the Parleys bridges and went along Wasatch. Shout out to Garek and Bill for blocking the wind for me! We ran the whole thing into the wind. Well except for the last 2 miles? Did my core. 

AM:

VA loop - 4 miles before school. Calves were a little tight. 

PM:

Went to the oval for speed. 7 laps warmup (we miscounted), 4 laps speed changes. Then changed shoes and did another lap and to the mile start. I was supposed to be 5:34 or under (15 seconds slower than this seasons PR). I was a 5:37. So 1600 would've been around 5:35, so I really wasn't that far off. But, I still should have hit it. Splits for that were 82, 2:45 (83), 4:11 (86), 5:37 (86). Then an 800, Bill wanted me to go 81, 78-79 so 2:39-2:40. I went 82, 79 (2:41). Then we did 6x400s except I thought we were doing 4x400s. Surprise! 2 more than I thought. Times went 79, 75, 75, 78, 74, 73. Cooled down to 11. Did core at home.

Ran to the school then with the group ran down to Liberty and we went long way to the fountain. Then we did 2 laps of fireman which was kind of a 3 mile tempo run for me (boys are fast). It was about 6:50 pace. Then long way back to the school and added to 10. Hips are a little sore, knee has been bothering me a bit so I rolled out when I got home. Did core as well.

We ran up to the U track and did 6 J's which was essentially 200s with 200 recovery continuously. Then did some stride things and took Shriner's run back to 13th. We tried to combine choir and running, not so sure we sounded good but Mulan is great anyday. Then Garek gave us a detailed tour of the neighborhood around East... Who needs those sightseeing buses anyway? Added to 10 for the day. 

Said goodbye to some of my favorite people today... their family is moving to Washington. :(

Ran to the school then those of us racing tomorrow went up to Sunnyside and did some strides and an 800, then did a lap and down to the track and did 2 miles of speed changes, then up to Guardsman and over to 500 S to 1200 E and came up behind the school then added. 9.5 total. It's hot for being only February. Funny how in the summer this would be seen as cold...

Warmed up for 6 laps then did 4 laps speed changes. Then strides at the line.

I was at the back of the pack (fastest heat, had the choice between second heat or first and decided I wanted to go with the faster girls) but was still a 75 first 400. Maybe a little fast for what I was shooting for but that's not the thing I'd change most. That was my second lap - it sucked. I just settled behind Mary and Millika, I had thought they would pull through around an 80. It was a flipping 85. It did feel slow but I didn't think much of it at the time. Third lap when I heard I was a 2:40 at the 800 I nearly panicked, but reminded myself that I didn't need to make it all up in the next lap. I did pick it up and as girls went out in lane 2 on the backstretch to pass I slipped in on the inside staying relaxed. Then on the straight coming up on our last lap I decided I wanted to push the pace. So I picked it up. Then 400 left I really started to move (maybe it was earlier idk) and felt what it was like to kick (ish). I think third lap had been an 80. Passed a pack of girls. 200 left I started to fade. 100 I tried to sprint, I probably could've given a little more. Got outkicked by one right before the line. Last lap was around 78, so not really that impressive but I'll work on it. At least I negative split last 800.

Overall happy with it, I would have loved to PR but I'm getting closer. Less than a second. I'm headed in the right direction. I really want to get to 5:10 in indoor so I want to do the mile at Simplot but Bills pushing for the 2.

Cooled down two miles. Warmed up a mile like 3 hours later.

There really weren't many fast girls running the 3200. Winner was around 11:30. I should have won I was right there... First lap was like 82 so right on. I had settled behind a girl and next lap was 86. Took the lead cause that was too slow but next lap was still an 86. It just got worse from there. Came through the mile at 5:41. Then with a couple laps left a girl passed and so did another one. Then they gapped me and another one passed. A lap left I tried to kick but I guess I didn't have it in me. Or I didn't want it enough. Second mile was shameful. Finished with 11:49 meaning I ran a 6:08. I should have gone with that girl, I would have at least been 11:30 something.

Cooled down to 10. Shout out to the Lehi boys who ran a lap cool down with us, and to Diwas for setting a PR in both the 1600 and 3200! Chris ran really well in both too! Much improvement for our team.

Was supposed to do the 10k today and am kind of mad I didn't. I sort of slept in by accident, turns out when I thought I was setting my alarm for a different time I completely turned it off... It was a pretty late night last night.

So out and back on Shriners run by myself. Random thought of the day- if the boys from Forever Strong really ran up past the cemetery on 11th Avenue they definitely ran more than 4 miles. #lies

Felt pretty good, just stayed relaxed. The view was beautiful, as always.

Workout at the oval today. Normal warmup - 8 laps and 4 laps speed changes. We did 2x200s which I hit both in 34, then 4x400s and I hit 74, 73, 77, 75. Then we were supposed to do an 800. Well it didn't exactly go as planned, I guess I just didn't want to hurt. I came through the 400 at about 82 then died. 2:49. Yikes. Then I changed back into trainers and started cool down. Bill was waiting at the 800 mark. I immediately knew. I wasn't getting away with that. I was by myself this time. Came through 400 in about an 83. Finished in 2:48. Then started cool down again, Bill running with me and giving me a pep talk. I didn't like having him mad at me or being mad at myself. So I decided to do another one, much more motivated than I was before. Changed back into flats. This time I just told myself I needed to hit that 80 first lap then kick. I surprised myself and actually went 76, finished with 2:35. And I did it alone! Then cooled down for real this time doing an extra lap. Did my core!

I wasn't really thinking and ran down to the school. Turns out we're supposed to be resting up for Simplot which meant we were planning for only 6 today but Bill says it doesn't matter much cause my best race will be Saturday. But don't be fooled! I'm still gonna PR on Thursday! 2 extra miles can't have hurt much can it? Anywho we did VA loop to the cemetery and did a lap and 5 hill strides then back to East along 1300 E. Our pace was quicker in some spots, the downhill mile (500 S) was 6:57 and 3 other miles were under 7:25. But averaged out to be 7:31 for the 6 with the group, 7:45 for all 8. Did my core!

Went up to the track, did 2 laps warmup, then 2 laps of speed changes, 3 laps of Js, and another lap of speed changes and cooled down to 3.5. Felt really good, ready to kill it tomorrow!

Got in 3 miles warmup plus strides and drills. I started fast with a 33 first lap and was in good position but felt good so I kept it going. I battled in the middle and faded towards the end. Overall happy with it because it's Prelims. I learned what I needed to and know what I need to work on and will give my all in finals. Did 1.5 cool down before heading back home.

Did 3.25 with some pickups in the middle.

Did a mile warmup plus some strides on the ramp before heading onto the track. Then did 2 more strides before we had to go to the line. I didn't get a great start and was in the back, made my way up to the front gradually. Came through the 400 at 79 and 800 around 2:40. Then I made a move in lap 5 and got to the front. I didn't want to kill it from 800 to 1200 and die so I tried to relax. Then with 400 left I was trying to kick, in the last 100 I got outkicked by two. Got to work on that. I thought it was kind of fun that I used two different strategies for simplot, instead of a 2:31 800 I relaxed and negative split. I will think it out more. Happy with it, PR'd by .22 of a second! Would have liked to be at least under 5:15 but I raced the race and that's what matters. Cooled down 2 miles and then 4.25 more later. Shout out to Bill who ran 5:03 in the coaches mile and showed me how to kick! Now he's gotta work hard to break 5, he was so close! :) Calculated wrong so right before we left I ran a half mile to get to 40 for this week. It's been forever since I've dropped this low.... Time to build back up again.

Good run today, we went Shriners run to city creek and dropped down to South Temple then came back along 1300 E. 7:16 average. I'd say that's pretty good considering it was a hilly and windy run. The wind is absolutely crazy today! This morning it was kinda scary, supposedly like 60+ MPH (I don't actually know how fast it was but it was strong enough to blow me over a few feet). Luckily it died down a bit in time for our run but in some parts it was tough. We started out slow then picked it up a lot. Slowest mile was 8:33 (first mile up 900 S) and fastest was 6:14 (coming down Memory Grove - mile 7). At that point I was with Bill and Chris, started struggling up South Temple. As we got closer to 1300 E and as it got steeper I started to fall back. They got stopped at the first light on 13th and I caught up then stayed with the rest of the way. I'll do my core later.

Ran to Sugarhouse and went over to the top of Poker hill, we did 6x800s on the road to the top of the first hill at State. Then back again for the next one. Bill said I had to beat him on three of them or else I'd have to do another one so I made sure I did. The last one I was close to beating him a fourth time, he had a good gap and I really tried to close it (he had said to outkick him, cause we're still working on getting me a good kick.) But he still beat me on that one. Between each we had a quarter mile recovery. Times were slower because of the hills and wind and it was more off of effort than anything. I worked pretty hard so it was a good workout. Back to East and added to 11. Did my core!

Shout out to the basketball boys for a good game today! (Even though they will probably never see this...) I expected Olympus to crush us so my friends and I were iffy about going but it was actually the best high school basketball game I have been to! Huge shout out to Dacian Spotted-Elk for shooting the 3-pointer that pulled us into overtime, that turned into double overtime. Random fact- I had Physics with him last year and he probably graded at least 40 of my quizzes/tests. Garek, you won't get to fully appreciate the weirdness and stupidity of that class because you're taking it ONLINE. Lame. 

Got my brother to come to track today! If only he had joined our freshman year... It's alright just a few years late! Lets hope he sticks with it this time he quit after 3 days last year. Anywho, ran to the school then after warmup and drills we went up 900 S to the crosswalk at Sunnyside just before Military and did a full lap around Sunnyside then down to the track. Then did 7 bleacher/drill laps, wall sits and 6 hill strides on the asphalt hill. Then did VA loop and a lap in the cemetery and back to the school. I was tired, perhaps it was my inconsistency with my vitamins/iron this week. And maybe I was dehydrated. Plus legs are tired from yesterday.

Today we did more drills than normal, then Bill, Chris, Tresa, Anderson and I went for a run. We did Shriners run, Bill, Chris and I went out 4 and back then added 2 laps around the school to get to 9. We got some more snow today :) Now warm up again please cause I don't want the 15k to be miserable like a couple years ago. I'm gonna get new shoes soon, looks like they're past their mileage. I'm surprised I don't feel pain in my knees. I guess my left knee was bothering me a bit during drills but it warmed up like it always has and probably has nothing to do with needing new shoes.

Ran to the school then did track warmup and drills plus we added a couple circuits. Then we went up to the track, 2 miles of speed changes, VA loop back to the school then added to 8. Did my core at home.

We got in 2.5 warmup along the road. I had to rush to the line so didn't have time to get up in the front but I was fairly close.

I didn't really have any goals for it other than be under 7:00 average. So I went out what felt a little quicker than 6:40 first mile but it was 6:08 (it's gotta be that track speed!) After the initial shock of that I slowed down because I was scared I'd completely die if I kept going that fast. Splits after that were 6:42, 6:53, 6:53, 6:55, 7:03, 6:58, 7:04, 6:57, and closed at 6:39 pace. My garmin had it a little longer than 15k (9.34 miles instead of 9.321) but that's probably because of my start and not cutting tangents like Bill always says to do, oops. I did in some places though! The wind was to our backs going out the first half and coming back we were running against it. But it wasn't that bad. Out of curiosity I checked my 10k split and it was 42:02 so not bad.

Overall I'm happy with it, did better than I was expecting and feel stronger. Now that I have some food in me I feel much better, afterwards I crashed bigtime. Luckily after the cool down though :) Which was 4.4 miles. Was the 5th woman and 1st in my age group so yayyyy.