Running is a means and never merely an end

Finally got my summer workout packet! Phase 1 is from now until the beginning of July, and it is all general mileage, nothing too bad. Mostly 30-35 miles a week (keep from burning out later). I was supposed to do 4 today but Joseph was coming into town to see me from Virginia and so I didn't have enough time after school - wasn't about to make him wait after he drove like 5 hours. So I only got in like 2 and a half before I knew I was pushing it to be late. No biggie though I guess, they were good and up tempo at least!

4 miles, then crossfit. The workout today was a 12 minute AMPRAP of 100m sprint, 14 V-ups, 7 burpees with a warm up of 10 pull ups, 20 V-ups, and 5 toes-to-bars. 

4 miles all on the track. That is the most I have ever ran continuously on the track, and honestly it was kind of awful. Not physically of course, but mentally. But I wanted to do it because coach Bomar said he will be putting me in the 5k mostly (talking about track) and maybe even the 10k...which both sound absolutely terrible on a track, but maybe if I can just get used to it it will seem manageable. So I might start doing like one of my runs a week on the track, as much as I'll hate it. Anyways, splits were 7:08, 7:09, 7:23, 7:04. Pretty happy with those!

Afterwards, I went to crossfit and did the WOD. Still a 10 pullup, 20 V-up warm up, then the workout was 50 pushups, 50 tricep dips, 50 box jumps, 50 squat thrusts with the 35lbs bar. Almost started crying during my pushups, no joke. Everyone was around me yelling and encouraging me to finish them. Don't really wanna talk about it, but the bottom line is my upper body is so weak and I hate being weak. I just wanna stick to running...which is exactly why I need to do crossfit. Make your weaknesses your strengths.

4 miles fairly easy at the Rec at a 7:44 average pace. Ran into one of my teammates about a mile and a half into it and so I actually had someone to run with for about 2 miles which was really helpful mentally. I haven't been this sore since XC states...crossfit is killing me. Lots of using muscles I never use. I loosened up during the run but now that I'm done it might just hurt worse than before. Can't even sit down in a chair without cringing. Oh well, this too shall pass & I'll be even stronger soon!

4 miles at the high school. Soreness is getting better! It was kind of funny because even though I am done with high school & already took my exams, there are still people (mostly underclassmen) in school. Every time I ran near a window or something I just wanted to be like "SUCKS TO SUCK" hahaha. It's such a great life being done.

5 miles at western at a 7:45ish pace. I felt pretty good for the most part! Hills are still a little rough for me, coming out of training on flat surfaces for track. Did a little bible study under the pavillion afterwards. It's cool to see how God uses running to draw me closer to him by making his strength so apparent in my weakness. Good way to start my morning!

Ran throughout downtown and around dillsboro. My workout plan said 4 miles for today, and I did 4 straight pretty easily and then stopped at the library to go to the bathroom. I easy jogged the maybe 1/3rd of a mile back to my car and then realized I left my keys in the bathroom at the library...so I had to run back and get them, then run back to my car again. All together it was probably 5 miles, even though the last mile was broken up. That was kind of annoying but luckily I felt good!

Well, I graduated high school today. That is really, really weird. My speech went well and I didn't trip, so today is a win in my book! I'm not sure how to feel honestly. Maybe I'll have my thoughts gathered by tomorrow.

We had practice for graduation at 8:30 this morning, so I got my run in at like 7am. Ran from my house down to the high school and back, and then around webster a little bit to accumulate my 4 miles for today. I haven't really ran in the early morning in a few months. I forgot how pretty it is! I want to start waking up earlier to run more often.

Ran 2 times around buchanan loop (2 miles of rolling hills) today! Averaged 7:11 per mile, although I know I wasn't consistent because the 2 splits I did check - first and last miles - were 7:43 and 6:36 respectively. That isn't a bad thing though, because that means I was getting faster as I went, which is always my goal! I really needed this run. I needed to have a few miles that were challenging that I actually enjoyed anyways instead of just wishing they were over. I'm really, really happy with my splits considering all the hills on the loop.

Did my track run for the week today! It actually went incredibly well. I'm sure I'm getting better physically as well, but I can tell my mind is getting stronger. 4 miles of circles can make a person go crazy..still not sure how I am gonna be able to do 10ks on the track. But it went well today! Splits were awesome - 7:15, 7:05, 6:58, 6:44. I am so happy with the habit I am finally developing to get faster as I go. I also threw in a little 100m sprint at some point during each mile just to work on not getting too comfortable.  Stretched and did a little devotional on the track afterwards. Man this was a good way to start my day!

AM - 4 miles pretty relaxed around Webster. Pretty uneventful, which isn't a bad thing I guess.

PM - crossfit workout! June warm-up is still 10 V-ups, 10 pull-ups, and 10 toes-to-bars. The pre-workout was 3x8 medicine ball cleans (used 14lbs). Then the workout was 6 sets of [5 thrusters with the 25lbs bar + 7 box jumps] alternating with 6 sets of [12 lunges with 25 lbs dumbell]. Leg day to say the least. I'm not really tired, persay, but my quads feel like jello.

5 downtown. Felt really good, even though it was in the heat of the day.

Finally heading to myrtle today for our senior trip!!! Me and my girls, nothing better. I'm so excited! Got a quick 5 miles in before we left in the morning. Here's to senior week!! See ya later North Carolina

Woke up early and ran from our hotel to the beach, down the beach a little, and back. A little over 5 I'd say. The beach was so beautiful just after sunrise! Physically I kind of hate running on the beach (Sand definitely works the calves) but it was so pretty I didn't mind. I love little reminders like the beach of how small I am and how big God is.

Did the same route as yesterday on the beach and what not. It was blazing hot today! Other than that everything was great.

We were up till like 3 last night so.....my alarm went off and I just knew it wasn't happening for me this morning. Not that big of a deal though I guess. It's senior week, what can I say.

Up until about 4 last night but I felt bad about not running yesterday so I just buckled down and took to the treadmill and did 4.5 miles increasing speed. Started out at 8 minute pace and finished at 6:31. Probably about 7:20 average though. Then I did a little bit of arms and lots of core, stretched, showered, and went back to sleep!

I was supposed to do this run yesterday buy we got home a lot later than I expected from Myrtle and needless to say I was pooped, so I pretty much just passed out. But anyways, I slept in and ran mid-day in the heat,  which was suprisingly fine with my body. I guess I got a little bit acclimated to the heat at the beach! I did 1 buchanan loop, then down to South River road, all the way down that and back, then back to the loop. It was a solid run except for that killer hill on the way back up from river road. I started side-stitching and could definitely tell as the ran progressed how little water I drank this week. Funny thing though - I actually lost weight over the course of that trip? Who the heck goes essentially on vacation and looses weight?? Not surprised though because I ran, danced, biked, and swam so much, in combination with the fact that we are broke teenagers and really barely ate except for dinner because decent food is expensive these days. SUCH a fun week though, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Oh & also, I didn't mention my pace because my watch somehow died or broke or something in the saltwater so I had to run this naked. It was actually really awesome and freeing because I am definitely one of those people who is constantly worrying about my splits. Maybe I'll do more naked runs in places like this where I know my exact mileage anyways from now on.

30 minutes easy today around the rec center. I really need to start hydrating again...

On the upside I bought a new watch and it is so sick! By far nicest one I've ever had!

4 miles at western in the rain! First mile was 7:08, after that I left the track and went off on campus so I'm not sure about the splits.

AM - 30 minute run at the high school. Felt pretty strong. I probably averaged about a 7:20 pace or so. Lots on my mind lately... I'm realy thankful for the outlet that running is. If nothing else, at least I got to think and stress about nothing for that 30 minutes today.

PM - Crossfit workout. 12 minute AMRAP of 400m run/40 air squats/30 sit-ups/20 plank raises/10 pistols (one legged squats). Each round took a long time to do so I only got 2 rounds in, and then the first 400m of the 3rd round. So total: 1200m, 80 air squats, 60 sit-ups, 40 plank raises, and 10 one-legged squats on each leg. 

30 minute run in webster. Probably about a 7:20 average pace.

Late night run! 4 miles training jog on my training schedule somehow almost turned into a 4 mile tempo tonight on Buchanan Loop, which is basically 2 miles of hillwork. Up down up down up down. But do you ever have those runs when you just feel invincible? No hill or pace can phase you? That was me for a while tonight. It wasn't even that I pushed that hard, I just didn't even realize I was going that fast until the last mile. Averaged 7:07, which isn't that fast in and of itself but it is for all of the hills! So I was really happy with that. I am supposed to take this weekend off, which I am surprisingly bummed about after this encouraging run. I was excited about running tomorrow morning, but nope. I totally trust my coach though and I know that he knows best and I shouldn't do any more (or less) than he says.

Core workout and 20 minutes of stretching in the AM just to loosen up and stay healthy today.

Pretty terrible run today. Didn't drink any water today and it was also midday in the humidity, or maybe its just a monday thing. Side-stitched a lot and felt really heavy like I was going at a 9 minute pace... about a 7:55 average pace, but I know my first two miles were more like 7:30, so I definitely slowed a lot as I went on.