Sock tans

Warmups and form mile then a mile warmup. 5k group was doing 25x400s. It consisted of Ashley, Ashley, Angie and I so that was great! When coach first said it was speed today I was nervous because I haven't done speed in a long time, but then I thought it really wouldn't be that bad. I did 20x400s a long time ago just fine. I knew that it would be a long workout and that's what I usually do best at. The first five were supposed to be at 10k pace, then 5k pace, then I think 3k pace, then mile pace, and lastly coach was going to set the last set's pace. The rest was very little starting at 30, 45, 60, and 90 seconds. We started out and 10k pace felt harder than it should have and I was getting a bit worried, but I kept going. I think it's the rest that killed me. I averaged 86 for that set. The next set was where disaster set in. Also forgot to mention that wind was so strong today. I was literally getting blown over once we hit the curve a few times. Anyway, I just couldn't get my legs to move fast. It was the most frustrating feeling in the world, my legs were like lead. I think if I had remembered my flats that would have helped but I physically couldn't get my legs going. I wanted so bad to be able to keep up but I couldn't. I think if I was also in a better mood I could have done better, mentality wasn't there when I fell off. Ashley was a pal and encouraged me to work through. I hit that set in 94-97. That was discouraging. Coach told me to stop after that set.

Did cool down with Ashley afterwards, main street loop. Today just wasn't my day, even on the cool down I felt awful and we went super slow.

HR 56

Warmups, form mile, then 50% today for 5k group. It was a bit bigger today, Kaylee joined us and Clinton ran with us as well! He was going to show us a new trail, Ashley said it was really pretty so I'm bummed I couldn't do the whole thing. My hamstring was hurting, the exact same way it did on the Saturday before the week I was sent to the pool when I ran through it so I was nervous about running through it again. I know it was just aggravated by the speed yesterday. I told Clinton and he said to turn at 2. I did STEM and iced, it seemed to help. Other than the hamstring I felt pretty good, legs are still tired but with it just being a 50% I could hit the pace just fine and that was going uphill. So I know I'm just not used to speed work. Might be unfortunate for the meet this weekend but I am excited to be racing outdoors! I also was sore today which is kind of sad because I hit those 400s super slow. But oh well it was my best effort yesterday so that's what counts and I shouldn't get so discouraged.

HR 58

Felt better today and I finally wore my watch! So I got the pace. Warmups, form mile, then another 50%. We did Dikes the guys way which added on a bit. I fell off Angie and the Ashleys around sheep tunnels. Clinton stayed back with me cause he's supposed to stay at the back, but he never told me to speed up or anything so I feel accomplished. Going 50% pace uphill is harder than you'd think. Averaged 7:26. Then did 10x100 meter strides at mile pace with 15 seconds recovery between each. Again, I'm lacking in the speed department. Also, I am sore from Monday's workout and weights yesterday.

Warmups, form mile, then 50%. I felt awful today, super tired and legs are definitely feeling it. We did hospital loop, pace was fast again. Once we hit the uphill I just crashed, probably because I could no longer use the downhill to keep me going. Paul tried to get me to pick it up but I couldn't. Iron is low, I've started taking supplements again to get it back up. I should never have stopped taking them.

Coach said I'm not racing this weekend which I'm bummed about. But as I've thought it out it's probably for the best, I'm obviously not in race shape right now.

Decided to try out C trail today, the one that is steep uphill. I thought it would flatten out after 2ish miles cause that's how the trails back in Salt Lake area are but nope this one literally scales the mountain. It's more of a hiking trail than running trail but it can be done! The view was absolutely amazing. I went up by the houses/cabins all the way up there, and past a few. I turned when snow was covering the path and I realized what time it was otherwise I probably would have kept going just to see how high up I could get. I was almost to the top of the mountain at that point though, I bet in another mile I would have been at the peak. Cedar has baby mountains though compared to those up north. But it was still cool to see exactly how far up the mountain I had gone when I got back to the bottom. 4 miles of steep uphill and 4 of steep downhill to average out at a whopping 10:18 pace #killingit

Shout out to the entire SUU student body cause everyone and their dog is getting engaged.

I've been thinking a lot about how my approach to running this year has differed from my approach last year. Last year I was confident in myself and in my training and knew I could be a top runner in the state. This year the field of competitors is completely different, everyone was once a top runner. I have lost confidence in myself and have been approaching workouts with the attitude that I'm sub par and out of shape. While it is partially true it shouldn't affect my attitude or drive because I can and will improve with time. Just because I suck right now doesn't mean that my current performances define who I am as a runner. If I work through the hard times I will eventually be able to experience the good times. And they could even come this year, I am capable of PRing and running a fast 5k this season and I will do everything I can to make sure that happens. I know I will have an outstanding end to my freshman year at SUU.

HR 56

Hard core momma jogging with Maddy