Running is a means and never merely an end

Off day, but quick little shakeout with Allie and Anya for some active recovery. I was definitely sore (for the first time in a while!) so I needed it.

AM- warmed up to rail trail, then did a 4.25 mile tempo. 6:48 average. Splits went 6:46/6:41/6:55/6:47. That 3rd mile where it went way up, the wind had been at my back for the first 2 so when I turned around it was like a brick wall hit me and I just had a ton of resistance I was not prepared for haha. Got into a groove and started cutting it back down for mile 4.

For the last .75 or so my legs were just honestly having a really hard time working! They didn't feel tired, and I was doing okay cardiovascularly, I just felt this weird uncoordinated feeling like I couldn't make them (especially the left one) do what I wanted. Hopefully that was just a byproduct of running hard on sore legs or something, oh well. Cool down + abs after.

Also, first run in my latest kicks from my boss Josh! I've always hated Mizuno, but these actually rock. Snappy, but way more comfortable and cushioned than I expected for being so quick. Perfect tempo shoes.

PM- 3 mile shakeout. Weights with the team.

Track Tuesday! But first, 2 mile warm up on the trails. I tripped on a root and skinned my upper leg to blood. Luckily it is skinned in the shape of South Africa! Sweet! 

The workout was 2 sets of 1000/1000/800/600 with 80 sec between reps and 2:20 between sets. It was supposed to be 10k pace, but we did a bit faster than that. First set went great, I was feeling strong. 1000's were right around 4:00, 800 was 3:12, 600 was 2:21. Definitely started feeling it in my legs after the first 1000 in the 2nd set. Worked hard with my teammates though and tried to stay in the pack and compete, and even though it was hurting significantly more we all pushed through it and actually kept getting faster. After the 2nd 1000 (3:58), coach Bomar told us to change the last 800/600 to a 600/600/400 with the 400 fast. We did that, and did it well. 2:20/2:18/1:23. Good, productive workout. Only had time for a half mile cooldown though.

Kind of a sucky run today. It was supposed to be 8 but we got started late and I had a meeting in less than an hour so I had to cut it down a little. I ran with Anya and Alexandra, and I really wanted to stay with them but they were going like 7:35 pace and, while I'm capable of that, it would be like another workout and my legs were really tired and needing a little recovery. It took me till about mile 3 to realize that though, so then the rest of the run was just pretty miserable, essentially trying to recover from those first couple miles. Ended up averaging 8 flat. I wish I'd just gone 8 flat the whole time.

Weights/abs on my own.

2 mile warm up on the trails, then to the track. 3 sets of 4x300m at 5k goal pace with 100 jog in between each, and 400 jog between sets. We shot for 70 for the first 3 sets, but I was feeling a little too comfortable so I asked if everyone was good with cutting down to 68 or so. We hit 67, 69, 67, 66. After the first set, we started taking turns leading, which was really cool and made the reps past more quickly. 1 mile cool down afterwards.

Happy Good Friday! 

8 miles recovery at Milliken park. 8:13 avg. Our coach sent us a workout of a 5 mile tempo run, but my legs have been exhausted this week after 3 workouts in the past 4 days, and the only non-workout day being such a crappy run it felt like a workout. It's a long season...so I just listened to my body today and did a little recovery. Still felt pretty rough, but much better than a tempo would have. Stretched a lot afterwards. Also Milliken was BEAUTIFUL today! It's an arboretum, and all the trees were blooming flowers. Plus, I get to go home today for Easter this weekend!

12 mile long run at home! So so happy to be home. 8:20 average. I ran around campus at western for the first 9 miles or so, then to Cullowhee Valley, around the loop, and back to finish out the last 3. Did a couple 80 meter strides afterwards to shake out my legs. Felt good!