Sock tans

Today we went to liberty, then did tempo. 3 miles, 3 minutes slower than what we raced on wednesday, then 800 recovery, 2 miles same speed as before, 800, 1 mile. The first one I hit 3 minutes fast, then 2nd I hit fast still, and last I hit 2 seconds fast, but I was distracted by the lightning and there was wind. Then we ran back up to the track.

So I slept through my alarm this morning, and missed morning practice. So in the afternoon I did the workout  that everyone else did in the morning.

Mile warmup and a mile speed changes.

4 sets of a 400 then a 200, the chasing thingy. The 400 had a 200 recovery. My partner was Avvy. Maclean was sometimes there to push me, and that helped.

Then we did 1 grass lap cool down.

Today was the all city meet. It was actually quite small. We did a mile warmup, and then did strides.

In the race I started out pretty good, and the first lap I was 3rd. But then I crashed and I started thinking negatively and then people were passing me, making me feel no better. There was a girl I was fighting with for about a half mile, and eventually the fight ended. I was actually the one to fall off, but then Bill was yelling at me with just a little bit left, and it woke me up, so I started to try to catch people again. I was able to catch the girl, but it turns out Sarah was the next person (actually a group) but they were pretty far ahead. So I didn't catch them . :(

I really think I could've done much better, but I am stuck with what I did. I know now how to fight people, and not to give up. I hope this will help me do better in races. Every race is a learning experience after all.

Then we did the course backwards for cool down, 1 lap of it at least. Then 5 hill strides and core. Then we played Sharks and Minnows for like 5 minutes. 

I saw my soccer coach today... my old one of course. I don't play soccer any more. He was surprised that I chose to run, of all the sports in the world, and not stick with soccer. Honestly, I'm kinda surprised myself. I actually almost kept playing soccer, but then ended up switching to Cross Country. In fact, he called it "Torture."But I like it :) It's weird to think that I might not have run. Actually, not only that but I almost moved to Bountiful, fun fact. Guess it's just meant to be :)

AM:

We did the shriner's run today. I went to the drinking fountain, and then turned around because I couldn't find anyone around me to go with me further and it's kinda sketchy in the dark...

PM:

We did a fartlek after school. We went down 15th  and into that gully thing whatever it's called. We did a lap and then started our fartlek. I started out way crappy like everyone was in front of me including the slow people, so I had trouble getting to the front. Of course, it wasn't the front that I ended up in. I pushed myself pretty good, but the distance between me and Abigail (my target for the workout) was too much and I couldn't get up there. Then I started crashing, and Sarah came up on me with a few left I finally had someone to push me and so I told myself to stay with her, so I did.

Then we finished the lap we were on and did another one and then went back. 

Mile warmup, 2 miles speed changes, mile cool down. I started later than everyone so I was one of the last to finish.

I did about a mile of warmup, then did strides at the line.

I started out pretty good, towards the front of the pack. I think it was actually one of my best starts because I wasn't going out way fast, but I made my way up to the front. That seemed to help me. Then I had made it to 3rd, and I just tried to relax and keep the pace. It felt kinda nice to actually be racing my hardest again, weirdly. It hurt, but it felt good to know I was pushing. At the mile I looked at the time and it was around 6:15. I told myself "Great, goal pace, keep it up." but I crashed and slowed way down. I regret it. I would've done so much better if I had stayed in contact. I now know that I just have to push through it, and then it will get to be a little easier when the others start to crash. I just have to hold on and keep going, no matter what.

The 2nd mile seemed the worst. I crashed and went slow. The slower parts of the race are the ones you remember the most, at least for me, and those actually seem to hurt more than the faster parts when you look back at it. The 3rd mile I reminded myself that the race wasn't over yet and that I could still do well, so I picked it up. At the Diamond thing was where I got my confidence and really sped up. This is where I reminded myself that you have to accept the pain, so I finally did. Down that hill and on from there, I was pushing myself harder than I have in a while. I tried as hard as I could to get myself in the top 10. That last 300 I started kicking, and with 200 left I was full on sprinting. I have never hurt that bad...ever. I wanted it so bad I made myself give all I had. It made me realize that THIS is how it feels to race your hardest. Too bad I didn't catch the girl, and even if I did I still wouldn't have been top 10, but at the time I believed if I did I WOULD be, and I think it was good that I did otherwise I would not have pushed as hard at the end.

I just need to work on that 2nd mile, and I need to get past this mental part. I think that there is going to be a really good race soon, and I am going to combine all of these little things and pull off a great race.