Running is a means and never merely an end

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.

Ran downtown today. Katie ran with me for the first 3 miles, then she went to the pool. I went on for 2 more and then met her back at the pool for a pool workout.

Did 200m of freestyle and then aquajogged (full body weight, no flotation helper) for 5 minutes. Then I did a set of 50 kicks each leg holding the side, focusing on pushing up to work my quads, and 50 pulling down to work my hammy's. Then I did 3x1min treading water using only my arms, which was actually really difficult for me. I am still feeling it in my triceps! 5 minutes normal treading as a sort of cool down. I feel good about today! Felt a lot better running than yesterday, that's for sure!

Good run down north river road and back up to my house! Best run in a long time actually. There was no point in the run that I was just wanting it to be over, I genuiniely enjoyed it and just paid a lot of attention to the feeling of my breathing and of the wind and how blessed I am to experience these things. And for maybe only the second time ever, the hill back up to webster didn't even phase me. I felt so strong and confident up it, and that doesn't happen often because that is one of the worst hills in sylva that I run anywhere due to its combo of steepness and length. Just super thankful this morning for all of God's blessings on me, especially running.

Also, I just changed my goal type from "Highschool Champ" to "NCAA champ"....how symbollic. Finally moving on up! It's so real. I also just got phase II of my summer training last night. It's definitely stepping it up a notch starting next week. I am excited though!

5 on campus at Western. Did the first mile and a half with Duncan and Evan, but they had already gotten like 4 in beforehand so they stopped. I felt really great the whole run. I am seeing such a difference lately in how I feel on hills. I thought yesterday might have just been one of those random super good days but honestly I felt the same on the hills today! Hardly phased me. Anyways, probably held up about a 7:35 avg pace.

Easy run through Webster.

6 miles of exploring new parts of campus I've never been to for some reason! I really, really enjoyed this run. 7:50ish pace.

I am leaving for camp today! I am going to use my day off for one of the days I'm there but that means I'll still have to run for 2. Yay for waking up at 6am before all the other campers.