Sock tans

AM:

2 miles with Jesse, then 2 more by myself. Nice and relaxed.

PM:

Ran to the park on 13th and South Temple, did 10 strides, to the cemetery and down to Death hill and ran up Death hill, then along 11th to Shriners and did Shriners run back. I was overall just tired. During the strides I really felt the lack of energy. But I worked through and gave my best which is whats important. Bill massaged my shin after workout and found I have a knot. It hasn't really been that painful, I felt it randomly throughout the day yesterday but I expect it was just aggravated from the miles I did on Saturday. Iced it when I got home. 

AM:

First morning practice! We went to Sugarhouse, then did State hill 4 times, and back to the track before school. 

PM:

Ran down to Liberty, went long way to the fountain. Did 8 strides by the fountain then went to the mile marker. We did 6x800s, first going from the mile to the mile and a half, then as recovery ran to the two mile, then the next 800 was back to the mile and a half and back to the mile as recovery. I was supposed to hit 2:50s. My times went 2:48, 2:42, 2:48, 2:44, 2:47, 2:45. It got harder as it went on, the first one I felt like I was moving but not working super hard, but by the last one I was struggling to continue at the pace. I stayed mentally strong and didn't let Eleanor and Bill get far ahead of me. It was nice to have them hitting the same times as me cause I knew I needed to be with them and we were able to work together. We then went back up to the track the short way and finished on the track to 11. Bill massaged my shin and then started on my IT. He dug his arm into it and it hurt so bad. This was my right leg and when I told him it was my left that my knee that bothered me he did that side too and it hurt so much more. I didn't know my ITs were that tight until today. Then again it's been a while since I've rolled them out.  

AM:

2 with Jesse then added a mile by myself.

PM:

Shriners run! It was one of the more enjoyable runs. Added grass laps and a mile on the track. 8.75 miles, nice and relaxed. 8:08 average pace.

AM:

Morning practice up to Sunnyside, 2 laps and back down. Then did 10 hill strides on K hill and then 2x300s. Mine were 50, 52.

PM:

Down to Liberty, 2 laps of fireman and back. Added to get to 8. Legs were a little tight. Bill massaged my ITs again, didn't hurt as bad this time. They still hurt, don't get me wrong, but not as bad as last time. Aaaand an ice bath that was freezing. At home mine don't get nearly that cold.

I had an appointment so I had to do the workout during my free period. I ran to the track and met Bill, then we did a lap and 2 miles of speed changes, another lap and I went back home. Ready for BYU tomorrow.

AM:

BYU. Warmed up about 2 miles. Strides and cheer with the team.

Didn't get a good start. Didn't feel warmed up enough. Once to the softball diamond I started to feel more warmed up and found where the Davis girls were. I used the downhill to catch up to them, then tried to stick with them. Mile was exactly what I wanted it to be, a 5:50. 2nd mile I slowed down too much, to a 6:44. Really it was once I fell off, again. I don't think I was focused enough and wasn't really in the right mindset. When the pain came (again about 1.25 into it) I didn't push through like I should've. 3rd lap/ mile I really lost focus and couldn't get myself to match people. It felt like 50 people passed but I know there's no way that many did. Bill said it looked like I had weights in my shoes, at least that's how I was running. I really just lost it mentally. Holy freaking 7:04. Coming back up for the last time I told myself I needed to start kicking, 600(ish) left. Got myself to pick it up 500(ish) left. Going along the grass above the track I picked it up a tiny bit more, and coming on the track I didn't think I just did. I used the downhill and it got my feet going, found myself actually kicking! It surprised me, but I liked that I was passing people. So I kept going. 200 left, I heard someone yelling for me to kick and I think it was Bill but I'm not sure, but I thought, why not go faster? So I did, pretended it was a speed workout and I needed to finish the interval. The last 300 was 57 seconds. I think that's the best finish I've had for Cross Country ever. And I bet it was a better kick than most of my track races last year.

Overall I was disappointed with my race. I wish the second mile I would've stayed tougher and worked when I needed to. If I could have brought that second mile down I bet the third would have felt a heck of a lot better because I would have been with the right people and would have been able to work with them.   I am really happy with my finish though, now I know what it's like to kick and what it takes for me to start kicking. Maybe this race wasn't a good one, but I learned things that will help me for future races. I was also kind of tired before racing, probably because of the mileage this week. But I'm excited for State when we lower the mileage because this year I know it will actually work. I have been consistent with my mileage unlike all the other years and will continue to do so. I know it works for me too because whenever we dropped from high mileage during track sophomore and junior year I would have some of my best races. So I'm excited to finally do it during cross country.

Cooled down until I got to 10.

PM:

3 miles. Felt better than I did this morning, probably because it wasn't so hot. 7:33 average pace.