Well I didn't think I'd make it this far....

AM: This morning I met some of the guys and Bill for a workout at Liberty Park. We started with a lap warm up, then I changed into spikes and we headed over to the northwest corner of the park. We did 6X~180 meters. The length was the same as from the start on the state course to the asphalt. We were to focus on getting out well and accelerating until the "asphalt" where the race hits the hill. Overall, these were basically fast 200's. It felt great to do these in spikes cause I could get my legs moving well and it gave a more race-like feel to the reps. Each one got faster with the last one being the fastest. Then we jogged back to the cars and changed shoes. Then just another lap cool down and a little extra to be at 6. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/233925705

Today is a landmark day for me. For the first time since early-mid June, I didn't run. It got to the point where I was talking myself into 'just a little run' in the afternoon cause I was so antsy so get my legs moving. Still, I didn't run. Since I didn't run in the morning, I never woke up and kept falling asleep all through class. If I still had even the smallest want for a complete day off running, it is surely gone now. 

AM: No running again.

PM: We went up to Sunnyside and met at the tree after a lap around the park. Then we stretched and started our last practice before state. When Bill told us we were playing Red Light-Green Light, I immediately thought of the ways he would make it a workout. Well, I called it. Today was more like an unknown fartlek, around our traditional loop. We basically were going hard until Bill said red light, then we had to focus on recovering as fast as possible because he could call out green light at any time. I actually liked it. It let me get some faster turnover in my legs and took away some of the jittery-ness, as well as getting my heart going after it's first day off in... ever. Afterwards we just finished the lap around Sunnyside from the tree and jogged back to the track, where I added .3 to be at 4 miles.

I can't believe the season is over. Tomorrow is the day to put all the work I have put in these past few months to the test. Luckily, I've always been a good test taker ;) STATE!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/234241762

AM: A 2 mile shakeout this morning to loosen for state.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/234522368

PM: We arrived with plenty of time and with two hours to the race, Chris and I went for a two mile shakeout. It was a beautiful day for a race, and there were almost perfect conditions. It was sunny but the air was cold and there was a bit of a breeze. We kept sweats on the whole time and when it got closer to our race, we warmed up. We just ran around the course cheering people on and watching the races. Once back at the stuff we were at a little over five. We put on spikes and waited to get the guys together, and then jogged over to the line with Bill. After a few strides right outside the line, we took off sweats and went to our box to get in a few more strides. After the officials did a lot of talking, we started.

     I actually got a pretty good start. I didn't have to fight my way through guys to get to where I needed to be. I was probably like 15th or so by the time we went up the first hill. I moved into position and by the time we were looping back around and up the State hill, I was in a perfect position, about 4-5, running right on the heels of the leaders. Then we went along the downhill and Jerrell made a wrong turn and had to play a bit of catch up, then Jake made a wrong turn and also had to play catch up. Luckily I know the course like the back of my hand :) I was hanging on well going towards the pond but the lead pack made a surge and pulled away from me a bit. I was fighting Jadyn, Cade, and Adam, who at this point were right behind me. Going up the poker hill I made up a little ground on the guy in front of me, the only guy (I believe) between me and the lead pack, although I can't quite remember who it was. I went down the hill and around the trees as hard as I could, seeing as this has been my weakness in other races, and held off the guys on me, but Jaydn and Cade caught and passed me going around the parking lot. I passed Jaydn a few meters from the turn by the creek, and a few meters before crossing the bridge, Adam form Box Elder surged passed me. Around the pond I opened up the gap a little on Jaydn, and held him off well enough on the last long, grass stretch before the track. I felt him closing a little going up into the track, and with 100 meters left he and Matt from Orem out kicked me. I finished in 15:58.7.

     This was an okay race for me. I let the lead pack get away from me and worst of all, I got outkicked by two guys. My legs felt fine, just like they did at Region. One thing that took it's toll on me is the cold/sore throat I have been trying to get over the past week. I could tell my breathing wasn't what it usually is. The biggest problem I had today was mental. I was scared to put myself up with the leaders, and stay there. Consequently, I fell of them and was in the limbo zone between the leaders and the bulk of the chase pack. Had I fought to stay on them longer, I might have finished the race higher up. But, on the bright side, this was my first time running at state, plus, I got the Easts High All-Time record by like .4 seconds! And finishing in a medaling spot was none to shabby.

     In the long haul though, I am proud of my achievements this season. I trained harder than I ever have this summer and it definitely payed off. I never imagined I would be where I am now with running a year ago. I made a huge jump to the next level with my training, and now I'm excited to get back to training and make another jump, or two!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/234522364     

AM: Bill just said to go for a recovery run today, so I went 6 easy miles on my own. I feel good, but was stiff for the first part of my run. I stretched after my run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/234683821

AM: After I tore myself away from the warmth of my bed, I went for a run. Again, today I just want to get a run into my legs, but allow them some more recovery. I'm gonna need refreshed legs to hit the training hard again, starting Monday. So I planned for 10 but would change it according to how I felt. I ran with my phone and armband on to listen to music. The music helped take my mind off the run, because I didn't look at distance until like 6.5 miles, and my pace happened to be 6:31. I had no idea I was moving that fast, but I was feeling great so I just kept on that pace. I finished 10 in 6:25 AP. I was feeling great so I considered adding two miles, but figured that the point of this break is to recover, so I just left it at 10. 

     I stretched for a bit again after my run. The tightness is gone for the most part, but my hamstrings are still both a bit sore, so I stretched them and will massage them probably tonight.  Other than that, I feel great!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/234995592

AM: Today I met Ryan at Sugarhouse Park for a run. We started by running around the outside of Sugarhouse Park backwards, then we went the Cemetery Route, did a lap in the Cemetery, then took 2000 E down and finished the usual loop backwards. Then we did a road lap and a little extra to be at 10.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/235348126