Sock tans

AM: First official practice! 50% on Dikes. After 2ish miles I held back to the slower end of the pace (7:30-7:45), but I was feeling good. Just was mindful of my residual soreness and a slight knot in my calf. Still accidentally went below 7:00 pace a few times (coach doesn't want us to go below 7:00 so we can recover). Did a mile barefoot on the turf with Ashley once I got back. 7:27 average.

Weights: light day today, curious how much we'll be doing now that we're shifting gears into the new season. 4x10 KB RDLs, 4x10 25 lb squats, 1:00 plank and side planks.

AM: Warmups, form mile, and another 2 laps warmup while waiting for the guys to get back from warmup. Started with 2 laps warmup on the track then went straight into 80%, 3 laps on the track then out to Home Depot. I started a bit quick, still not very familiar with pacing haha. Legs were a bit heavy and sore but I was feeling good. Ran with Brighton until the overpass (don't think she was feeling great but it was nice to be able to stick on her) then I hit a wall after the slight downhill (only downhill). I just tried to zone out and keep going at that point. The last quarter on that long stretch always gets me. Got stopped at the light for about 30 seconds, Emma and Josie were up with me then. Thought we were supposed to finish sooner than we did, it's been a while, so I picked it up early. Then saw it was farther, settled again until we were closer and was able to shift into a kick again, which I'm happy about because before my mission I never could shift gears. 20:06 for just under 3 miles, which I think is good for my first time back. I worked hard and that's what's important. Then whistle hills, I think 3 sets of 15, 20, 25 seconds but I'm not sure. Worked hard on those too. 2 miles cool down back to the track.

PM: 3 miles easy.

AM: Hospital loop with my "team" for the road race on Friday.

Weights: 5x10 RDLs (last 3 sets with KB), 5x10 squats, 3x10 stair push-ups keeping elbows in.

The past 3 days have been full of deep cleaning my apartment and getting ready to move tomorrow. Today was the longest day of my life, the last two hours felt like 8 years because I was cheap and didn't want to go to Walmart for oven cleaner and stuck with baking soda and vinegar. Yep what a waste of time. Only got like half of the stuff off. At least my arm will be extra strong from all the scrubbing!

It's currently 9:30 and I've finally given in and bought oven cleaner. Flip, could've saved so much time! Oh well. Should I go for a run in the dark? It's pretty sketch at night, I'm pretty tired, and I still have 5 things left on my cleaning list... hmmm. Sorry running, I'm gonna have to say no tonight.

Day full of running, work, cleaning and moving. Boy am I exhausted. I just hope that being on my feet all day today doesn't hinder my performance in the road race tomorrow morning... I'm super excited for it though! It's gonna be great. 

Today we ran in our mini teams again. Mine started with Main Street loop then cut down to Bicent. A lap around and back to the track, then 5 strides to finish. 

AM: Road race! Team Cardi-NO is defs the best. Ha. Did warmups then hopped in cars and were dropped off a mile from where we start. Got in one stride then we started. Legs were definitely feeling yesterday, were incredibly heavy. But it's ok, I worked hard and did my best. First mile I wanted to hang back and relax, not go out too fast. Ashley said she wanted to do the same so I thought I'd try to stick on her for a while. There ended up being a large pack of us going that same pace, but it felt faster than it should've, so I guess there went my plan haha. Came through the mile in 5:55, second mile I started really feeling it and started to fall back. 6:22 for the second mile, then died hard to 7:06 for the third. I'm just not as strong as I used to be, which I guess can be expected from coming back from a mission, but it's still discouraging. Last mile I tried to maintain whatever pace I was going (turns out it was slow but whatevs) then really tried to kick at the end and was able to again. That's one positive, as I get in better shape I hope I can continue to develop a strong finish. Ended up with 6:13 for .9, 25:37 for 3.9 miles. That's 2 minutes and 7 seconds slower than my freshman year, dang. I'm a bit discouraged at how slow I am but I'm just going to try to be positive and be happy with my improvement from here on out. 

AM: 2 miles before going to help out at the high school meet

PM: Ran on Main Street. Mileage is suffering, going to bring it back up next week.