You've got to want it to win it

I started the week off with a nice 10 miler out on the Jordan River Parkway Trail.  I picked up Nikki R. and Sarah S. and drove out to meet Tomy, Bill, and Chris.  We went out 5 and back, the wind was going north so we had to run into it the whole way back but at least we were warmed up by that point.  It was nice and muddy in several spots along the trail :)

Today for workout we all got ready to go to the oval, and then were waiting outside for a few minutes to find out which vans we would be taking, but then found out we were actually staying on campus at the track for workout.  So we had to go back in to change and drop off out stuff that wasn't shoes, and then we got going on our usual warmup.  After strides and drills I changed shoes and then we got excited for the workout that actually was different from the one that was originally posted on the calendar which had some fast paces up!  We started with two 200s with 200 jog, we hit 38 and 37, then one 1000 which we did in 3:32, followed by five 400s and three more 200s.  200 recovery after everything.  The times for the 400s were 1:16, 1:19, 1:20, 1:19, 1:21.  Then 39, 40, 39 for the 200s.  Then we did 6 laps in the opposite direction on the track for cooldown.

Today was t-shirt and shorts weather!  For the run we ran out on 1500e to 2100s and back, then went up to the track to do 7 strides.  Then AuraLea ran around Huntsman with me to get to a full 7.  Travelling to Seattle tomorrow!

This afternoon in Seattle, I went for a short run with Andrea, Amanda, Alyssa, and Lucy.  We went out on some trails by the Dempsey indoor, and then followed a path that took us to a street with some houses that we admired as we ran by.  Then we ran back to the stadium and did out strides and other fun stuff to prep for the meet.  I'm racing the 5k tomorrow night and most likely the 3k as well Saturday afternoon.  

This afternoon about an hour before my race, Andrea did my warmup with me for her premeet since she is racing tomorrow.  We went out on the trail we were on yesterday and then turned around at a mile and a half and went back to the arena.  Then I went and got my spikes and dropped off my sweats and went over to the track to put them on and do a few strides.  I was seed 7 from my time last week, so I had a decent spot on the starting line.  When the gun went off, I elbowed myself into position ahead of the 2 girls next to me and settled into the pack.  Andrea was getting the splits for each lap; Kep had told me that if I could hold 62-63s then I could get a PR.  The first lap was a 68, and at 400 we were at 84.  So many coaches were yelling "too slow" but the pack already knew that, and at the 800 we overcompensated and were at 2:41.  After that I think we were pretty consistent though.  By 1200 Kep told me I needed to stay with the pack I was with, so I did.  I recognized Julia from Footlocker who runs for Stanford now so I decided to stick with her since I had raced against her a few times last year.  The next few laps I was passing the girls in the pack back and forth.  When there was a mile left in the race I was finally able to catch up to and pass some of the girls that were strung out ahead who must have fallen off the lead pack which took off at the beginning.  With a few laps left I think Kep was telling me that I was in 8th and I was surprised I was that much up but it helped me push to keep catching people.  Looking at my splits afterwards I was surprised to see that this was my slowest 1000 split, but I guess I was just able to hold on better than the girls who I caught.  The last lap I kicked it hard and was running in fear because UW had a large cheering section and I had just passed one of their girls before the last lap.  No one came into contact and I ended up finishing 6th and getting a new PR :)  I was really happy after my race :)  Afterwards I changed shoes and grabbed my iPod and went outside for a 3 mile cooldown around campus.  Towards the end my legs were feeling great and it got me excited to race tomorrow :)  Later back at the hotel I took a 15 minute ice bath.

This afternoon I wasn't sure when to warmup for my race which was at 1:45 because the meet was about 15 minutes behind schedule.  I had been planning on going at 12:45 but I waited about 10 minutes and then went.  I did 3 miles around campus before heading back into the arena.  It looked like the meet was back on schedule at that point so I didn't really have time to do strides and drills before my race other than right before lining up... But I wasn't going to let that keep me from having a bad race, I was just going to run.  I was 9th seed between some Colorado girls, and when the race went out I elbowed my way in front of the one on the right but just had to tuck in behind the one on the left.  A little after 100 meters into the race a girl just in front of me to the left fell and the girl to my left swore when she realized the girl was falling and that she'd have to move around her somehow...  The first 400 was 78, right on the pace that Kep told me would get me a PR.  The second and third laps I was about to hit 78 and 78 again, though I was at the back of the pack and I was pretty sure I was dead last but then I could hear someone behind me!  Still I just waited patiently for the pack to break up as girls would fall off the pace.  I came through the mile at 5:18 and then I just kept picking off girls the rest of the race.  Finally with I think 2 laps to go I knew I was gaining, and Kep yelled to me that I was going faster than them which gave me extra motivation.  When I came to the point where I was sure it was about 400 to go I told myself I needed to kick all out then and that it would be ok, but I couldn't get myself to move yet.  Even coming up on a lap to go I still wasn't ready to make my body go.  On the far straightaway I caught up to and passed half of the pack which had broken up and strung out, and coming out of the final turn I swung wide to try and get around more, I think I caught one, and I finished 6th in the heat and had a new PR!  I wasn't too excited about my race afterwards, but I wasn't disappointed either.  I'm glad I got a new PR, but I know I could have kicked harder and should have but just couldn't make my body respond even though mentally I was ready.  Kep told me that my last 600 was a 1:50 so I know I was going quick anyway.  He said at workouts I'll be able to do a little bit quicker stuff since yesterday and today I proved I can handle what I've been doing.  For cooldown I went out a mile and a half on the trail I did Thursday for premeet.  My legs feel great even after both races, I made sure to stretch well after I finished my cooldown.  I just need to get rehydrated and get some food in me, and the next few weeks I'm looking forward to some great training time in preparation for outdoor.  Later tonight I plan to do another ice bath and as usual I'm taking Sunday off.