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

AM: I slept in and then waited a little longer after I woke up to go for my run. I waited until it was warm enough to just run in a shirt and shorts again :) Beautiful morning for a run! I just went through my usual 10 miles pondering about the week ahead and such, never focusing on pace. I finished and felt great, then saw that I averaged 6:20! One of these Sundays I am actually going to push this run and see how fast I can get it! If I averaged 6:20 while not focusing on pace at all, then maybe I can push this run under 6 ;)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238004262

AM: I went on four easy miles this morning. It is supposed to heat up this morning, and I only had to run in a long sleeve!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238471604

PM: It was a beautiful day today. It was in the low 70's by the time practice came around, so we decided to go on a long run on a trail. We chose JCC, so we ran the shortest way possible to the trail, which is the Legacy Bridge way, but we just turn left after the bridge onto Mario Capecchi Drive. Then we took that to the JCC and I got right on the trail. By this time I had broken away from Chris and Ryan, so I went up the first hilly ~2 miles on my own, and once I reached the rock pile I waited for people. Eventually Chris, Ryan, Bill, Abigail, and Garek reached the rock pile, and after everyone had gotten a small break, we continued on the trail. Originally we were planning on an out-and-back run on the trail, but that seemed boring so instead I suggested we just finish Shoreline Trail to City Creek. That would give us more than the 12 we were planning, but it was such a nice day, we just took advantage of it. Chris, Ryan, Bill, and I stayed together to City Creek, were we got some water, then continued down Memory Grove to do the usual South Temple route back. Going up South Temple is were we lost Bill and Chris, Ryan, and I just stair cased back up to 800 S and 1300 E. We were stopped at lights like 3 or 4 times, which was annoying, but we still managed to keep a solid pace. We got to 800 S and had to run up the big hill onto 1300 E, but when we got to 1100 E there was a car waiting to turn, so I moved to go around the back of it and caught my foot on the curb and fell and totally ate crap :/ I was really close to banging my head on the car's tire, but managed to catch myself. That could have ended really badly, but I was able to just get up without even a scratch :) I got up the hill and was stopped at the light at 1300 E, where I saw Bill booking it turning the corner up 800 S to the track. Once the light changed I started booking it up the hill and managed to close the 100 meter gap down to about 20 before I hit 15 miles right before the fence of the track. Overall, an eventful, chatty, and fun 15 miles!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238471597

AM: Having a half day the day after a 15 miler is pretty much the best thing ever. I slept in until 8:30, then crawled out of bed to get my run in. I was definitely feeling the 15 miler from yesterday, but as I was running I got less and less sore and by the end of my 4 miles I was feeling good again. Now I am going to roll out my legs and maybe ice in a few places just to make sure I am as least sore as possible for this afternoon's speed workout. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238588915

PM: To my surprise, there wasn't a speed workout! To further my surprise, Natalie showed up today :D We went over to Sugarhouse Park and met at the bottom of poker hill. We did that 4 times, jogging back down as recovery. The hill and recovery total is just a little over a half mile. Then we ran over to 1700 E, then down to 2100 S and up to 19th. We took that all the way to Sunnyside, then went down to the track and added about 100 meters out and back to get 8.5.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/238761602

AM: Slept in, then went on an easy four on my own. Despite how cloudy a morning it was, it was pretty warm. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/239137376

PM: We went over to Fairmont a little differently than usual, just turning down towards 900 E when we hit red lights. Once at Fairmont, we did 10X100 meter strides in the soccer fields, then ran to Liberty. After we got a drink, we ran the long way around the park and then up 900 S and then across 1400 E to the track. We finished 8 right to the gate by the locker room.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/239310892

AM: Went an easy four on my own.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/240414393

PM: I was expecting the usual workout for the day before a race, but got a surprise today. I don't like surprises. After a mile warm up and a mile speed changes, Bill explained to us the cleverly devious workout he had planned. We were to hit two, consecutive, fast 400's.. We had to hit the time he gave us in two consecutive 400's, and we would do up to 12X400 to reach the goal. I was expecting some insane, all-out-sprint type deal for my time, but it actually wasn't that bad, a 62. I was confident I could run two of those. Well, after putting on flats, we got to the workout and my first one was a 60 (even though my watch said 61). I was feeling good about it, and new I could get my goal for another one. Well, right as I finished, I found out it didn't count, because it was too fast. GREAT. Now I had to run at least 2 more. I hit 61 the next one and new that to hit another 62 or below was gonna hurt. My last one was a 62 and I was immensely relieved to be done. These don't necessarily hurt as bad as longer type speed, but they make you move your legs as fast as you can and after my legs feel like Jello. Then I did a mile and a quarter cool down to finish the workout.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/240414390

AM: After arriving at AFHS, I registered myself and began warming up. Soon, people from the team showed up and joined in on the warm up. I ended up running the warm up with Ryan, Ethan, Chris, Dakota, and also Natalia who came up from BYU!:D I got 43.5 miles warm up, then put on my spikes and went over to the line for strides.

     The gun went off and I got out well. I was right next to AF's huge pack of guys, so that surprised me. I was right up in the lead pack for the first maybe 3/4 mile. Coming around the baseball field, I was running on the inside behind the front group of guys and a few guys moved to try and pass people and left the spot right next to the fence open, so I took the chance and found myself right next to Chuk. At this time, I sort of felt, and after the race found out, that all the guys were just sitting Chuk, who was leading the race up until this point. It was a smaller race and a cold morning so I can understand guys not wanting to push the pace like crazy. Right before the race, Bill told me this race really doesn't matter, that it's really just an opportunity to get a race in before the big races. Well, when I came up right next to Chuk, I thought to myself "Screw it! Let's see how long I can hold these guys off..." So I surged and broke away a little. I knew I was going to crash and that I was now the target of every guy in the front pack, but... meh. I surged and held the lead from the baseball field until just past the slight uphill right after the track, where the first guy passed me. From here the race went as expected. The lead pack passed me, and then after that two more guys slowly passed me. I could definitely feel the speed from yesterday. Once on the track the final time I could not get my legs moving at all. Connor from Herriman out kicked me and I believe I finished 12th, although I could be wrong since I haven't seen results. After the race, I cooled down 4.5 miles with Ryan, then headed home.

      Well, I certainly learned a lot in this race. Most importantly, I can tell that I am at plateau, of sorts. I have been in mileage limbo since State, and am still the same speed, or even a little slower, than I was then. I need to climb miles to get myself out of this physical/mental rut, and get myself up another level by the time Footlocker comes around. So, that is exactly what I'll do in these upcoming weeks :D

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/240414380