You've got to want it to win it

This morning I enjoyed sleeping in for a bit because of no class and then going for a run while it was still cool.  I even took my iPod along.  I ran to Sugarhouse, did a clockwise lap around, then ran out to 3300s.  I had thought about running to Granite for speedchanges but didn't want to run back uphill the rest of the way back so instead I went up to Melbourne and took that and 1800e back to 2100s.  Then to make the run longer, I ran up to 1900e and over to 900s.  I had hoped for 12 miles and could see I would need to add if I went home then, so I ran along Guardsman to 500s and then down to 1300e and home.  The only light I had to stop at was the one at 800s on 13th.  My average pace was 7:33.  It was a pretty good day :)

This afternoon we had a hills workout up on Shoreline Trail just north of Red Butte.  We did the usual warmup out and back on the trail and then strides and drills at Red Butte, then ran over to the hill we would be doing.  There were 3 different hills, and we were doing each of them 4 times for a set.  They were 300 meters each.  I was in a group with Hilary, Nikki D., and Alyssa.  The first ones I hit in 1:16, 1:15, 1:14, 1:14, then the next set was 1:28, 1:29, 1:28, 1:26, then for the final set 1:29, 1:28, 1:27, 1:25.  This workout felt better than hills 2 weeks ago but I still feel like I am lacking in my hill strength this season.  For cooldown I ran with Hilary up Red Butte to the fence and back, and then out on the road above campus and then back down Legacy Bridge to the locker rooms.  I walked from the top of the bridge because that is where we hit 9.  Afterwards I took a 10 minute ice bath, the water was way colder than usual!!!  Also we have another workout tomorrow.  Yippee.

This afternoon we had another workout, this time threshold at Liberty.  We started with the usual warmup from the 900e Trax station and then a little out and back once we got to the car.  We did our strides and drills and then changed shoes.  The Kep told us our paces.  We were going by feel.  Which meant... No watches!!! =O He held out is hand and we all had to hand over our watches :'(  No Garmin for this one :(  I felt naked.  We started with two 800s, then we did two miles.  I was able to work with Andrea and we kept the pace feeling pretty easy during the 8s.  During the miles it felt harder, but Kep said we were getting right on pace for our splits so that helped us to keep going.  After we finished the last mile he asked Dre and I if we were up for another half mile, so we went for it.  He said it was our fastest one, though he missed us at the finish.  Afterwards we did 5x30 second strides, then I cooled down 3.5 miles with Hilary.  On the second lap we even caught some of my sister's race so I got to cheer for her before going back to the Trolley Trax station.  I took a 15 minute ice bath when I got back to the training room.

This afternoon we left for our run at 2:15.  I went out on Foothill with Kate and we did the zoo loop.  Hilary and Nikki ran 11th.  We don't know where Charlotte went so just ended up running without her...  We had a team meeting at 3:30 so that meant my run had to end at 8 miles and there wasn't time for strides.  Oh well...

Later tonight I grabbed my iPod and reflective vest and went for a run.  Crazy how going for an 8:00 run is getting darker and darker!  I ran to Sugarhouse, did part of a clockwise lap until I was at 2.5, and then I ran home.   

Today I went for a run with Kate, Lauren, and Charlotte.  I started out on Foothill with them, but they are all racing tomorrow so they were only with me for 15 minutes.  When we were at the light at Sunnyside, Abigail yelled to me from the bus and then the whole team was yelling and waving... awkward...  then when the light changed we went and they passed us again on Foothill!  It was actually kinda cool.  Kate and Charlotte were with me to Foothill Village and then I continued on my own to 2100s.  I ran to Sugarhouse, did 2 laps around the perimeter, then went to Wasatch Hollow to do strides.  On one of them these people's dog ran with me and then ran right in front of me so I ran into it... it had just been playing in the river and got me all wet.  Gross!  Jk, I was fine with it, but then the owner didn't even apologize :P  Whatever... I finished my run by running up to 1900e and then over to 1300s and then home, then back and forth in front of the house until I was at 11. 

This morning I picked up Alex, Andrea, Alyssa, and Giselle on campus so that we could drive to Pipeline for our long run.  We all were together on the way out for 25 minutes, then Alex and Giselle turned.  Alyssa was going out 35 and was with Andrea and I when she fell, twice.  When she turned I gave her the car key so she could get to the first aid kit, her palms were shredded :P  Andrea and I went all the way to the end of the trail and then ran back to the car.  After we got off the trail she came up to the boardwalk with me, but then turned early, so I finished the last mile up the road a bit further and then back down on the boardwalk.  It was a really nice morning, parts of the trail were a bit chilly but some parts were warmer and it varies when you will get warmth or the fall chill.  It definitely feels like cross country season :)