You've got to want it to win it

Today I went for a run up on Drycreek.  I made it to the bottom of the big hill (the hill week one) and was almost to 4.5, I turned there and ran back.  On the way back down I was pretty annoyed at this lady running with her dog.  She and her dog moved out of the way for a biker coming up, and I was right there but she didn't let me pass!  And then I passed the dog and was trying to pass her, but she was being rude and wouldn't let me :P  and the dog almost tripped me.  So I stopped and let them go for a bit, but I had almost caught them again by the time we were out of the narrow part of the trail :P  I hit 8 right as I got back to Red Butte, and then decided to walk rather than run back down on the pavement back to HPER.  I did my rehab in the training room afterwards.

Right before we left for warmup Kep told us the workouts for the day.  I was dreading having to do some 400s and then five 1000s on my own, but after the warmup as I was changing shoes Kep told me I was doing the mid-distance workout today!!! :)  Soooooo happy!!!!!  And I would be able to work with Andrea and Giselle :)  the workout was three sets of three 200s with 30 seconds recover on each, a 400 jog, a 600, and then 400 jog.  My times were 34, 34, 35, 1:52; 34, 35, 35, 1:52; and 35, 35, 35, 1:56.  The last set was hard!!!  But I did it!  I am racing the 1500 this weekend, so I will also do the mid distance workout on Thursday.  I took an extra recovery lap after the last set before changing shoes, and then cooled down on the bailiff to finish at 8 for the day.  Rehab in the training room afterwards.

Today I started the run with the team along Foothill, but then I turned at Sunnyside so I could go run on the grass at Sunnyside Park.  I ran 5 miles in various loops, then ran back to campus to finish at 8.  I stretched for a while afterwards and then Tim worked on my calves.  

Today I did the workout with the mid-distance girls at the track.  Because of the snow I just did the normal warmup route :P  Came up with alternative drills for the ones we didn't want to lay down for.  The workout was five 200s with 200 recovery jog, then a 1000 at 3k pace (not sure what Kep really wanted that one at, and we couldn't ask him since he wasn't there... He accidentally sent Amanda a text about where his March Madness seats were, that was his reason for being gone haha) followed by two threshold miles with 80 second recovery, and finishing with another five 200s.  I was able to work with Andrea and Giselle on most everything.  My times were 34, 36, 35, 37, 37, 3:30, 6:02, 6:00, 36, 36, 35, 36, 35.  Cooled down 5 laps on the track to finish at 9 for the day.  Then I went to the training room and did my rehab.  Traveling tonight to USC!

Late this afternoon I went with the group to the track and did my premeet.  I just ran out 2 miles and back, then did strides and drills until I felt ready. :)  Tomorrow is gonna be a great day :)

This morning I started warming up with Giselle and Charlotte about an hour before our race.  I did 3 miles, then met back up with them at the field for strides and drills.  We changed shoes in the bull pen and then they walked us over to the track.  They were running ahead of schedule, but they wouldn't start events early which was nice.  I took my time doing a few more strides, and finally the time came for us to line up.  As far as strategizing for this race, I thought 74-75s sounded manageable for my training.  I decided I would go with the pack though and race.  I knew I needed to not try to take the lead at the start, and had to visualize the race.  I reminded myself that the first time I would pass the finish line, I would only have 1200 to go!  I decided I would kick the last 500.  When the race started, I went right to the inside behind the pack and just let them pull me along.  The first lap was 73, not bad.  I just stuck with the pack and kept to the inside.  The race was a blur, everything seemed to pass so fast!  With 2 laps to go I knew I would need to move soon, so on the straightaways I fought for the position I would need to get into to move.  Coming up on the final lap I was thrown off for a few seconds when the number of laps hadn't been changed from 2 to 1... but they rang the bell so I knew I was right!  I started my kick with 400 to go and kept moving up and around people.  Coming down the final straightaway I moved into 4th!  And I surprised myself by clocking a 4:31.29!!!  Much faster than I had hoped, but I won't complain about that!!!  Needless to say, I was very happy with this race :)  And I think I finally beat my PR from my split of my best 1600 in high school!  And had this been a full 1600 I would have gotten a PR as well I believe :)  Burke told me that my time made tenth on Utah's all time list!  What a wonderful day :)  For cooldown I took my iPod and explored the area around campus for about 3 miles to finish at 7.5 for the day.  Kep told me my splits afterwards, he says they were 73, 74, 73, and that my final 400 was 70!!!  :)  Happy happy day!!!