You've got to want it to win it

Went for a super fun run in the rain today!!  Times like this are when you really love being on a team so that you aren't the one crazy runner out by yourself.  We ran 11th Avenue and down Memory Grove.  Hilary ran back up South Temple with me, and we finished with an add-on in the institute parking lot to finish at 9 for the day.  No ice bath was necessary as we were all drenched from the cold rain :P

Today it was too windy and a bit chilly, so we went to the oval.  We did 7 laps warmup in the opposite direction, then our strides and drills.  The workout was two sets of five 500s, the first at 10k pace and the second at 5k pace, then some fast 300s in preparation for racing the 800 on Friday!  The recoveries for the first set were 60 seconds, and 90 for the second set.  1 lap jog between sets.  My times were 1:45, 1:45, 1:41, 1:46, 1:45.  On the third one I decided I would try to pick it up a little bit, I gave a little too much so just backed off for the rest of that set.  On the second set I hit 1:41, 1:39, 1:38, 1:37, 1:35.  Then on the 300s I hit 55, 52, 49, 50.  Great turnover work :)  I am really excited to race the 800 this week!  And go all the way up to 10k next week!  For cooldown I did 7 laps to finish at 8 miles for the day.

Today I started my run early since I was scheduled for a massage at 1.  I ran up campus by the dorms and then ran by the post office on Sunnyside.  I ran up Sunnyside and continued up Emigration Canyon until I was at 4.  When I turned I was running into the wind, I was glad to be running into the wind on the way down rather than up!  Made it back at 1:01, close enough timing for my massage :P  My calves didn't feel very sore, but getting them worked on was more painful than I thought it would be!  

Today I started with the girls out on Foothill since most everyone was going shorter because of the meet tomorrow.  I felt like doing 8, so I just continued on my own to 2100s and then almost to 1700e when I hit 4 and turned.  I'm really excited to run the 800 tomorrow!  

We had more Utah girls signed up for the 800 than we get to run in cross country!  :)  it was awesome!  8 of us warmed up together on the bailiff, and then did our strides and drills on the field.  The 8 of us who warmed up together weren't the only Utah girls, we had sprinters running it too :)  Sadly, Kep's worst fear of the timing not working happened 3 times trying to start the 4x1... but finally it was up and running and we were able to start the meet.  I did a few strides on the field during the time we were waiting.  We also danced to cupid shuffle when it was playing on the stereo from the shed.  Finally it was time for the 800s!  I was in the second heat.  My goal was to PR, previously it was a 2:18 something from high school.  Talking to Nikki earlier I thought going out in 66 or 67 might work.  She told me she was going to try and go out in 65.  When the race went out I was stuck clear out in lane 2 for the first 200 meters.  It was also very fast, the split was 30-31!  But I was just going with the group!  I was able to tuck into lane 1 and stay there.  My first lap was a 66.  400 PR!  There was a lead pack, a UVU girl, and then me.  Coming down the far stretch with 300 to go I started to close on the UVU girl and hoping to catch anyone that fell off the lead pack.  Coming down the final straightaway I caught and passed the UVU girl, but then got passed by Charlotte!  I believe it was a PR for her, I am very happy for her :)  Today reminded me why I do not run the 800.  It felt like forever until I felt recovered enough to finish my "workout" with six 200s.  I started at the far 200 mark and ran backwards in lane 9.  These felt so easy compared to the 800 I had just raced!  The first one was 33, then I told myself I needed to relax, and the last 5 were 35, 35, 34, 35, 35.  Odd that those are relaxing times :P  For cooldown I ran out and back in the avenues to finish at 6 for the day.  I am exhausted.    

Nothing like curing runners cough from the 800 except an 11 miler!  I just went by feel, started off slow but brought the average down to 7:30 and still felt great.  My legs were definitely feeling better than yesterday!  My route consisted of running to South Temple, down to 500e, to Liberty for a partial outer loop before leaving on 500e again, to 2100s, 700e, 1300s, 1100e, 1700s, 1300e, and then even some weaving around my neighborhood for half a mile to finish at full 11.