Keep Calm and Run On

Today was better for running outside. I did a long run and felt great, though my hips were tight and sore from skiing.

A.M. I met Tomy at the river trail. We ran 8 miles and after 4 warm up ran 15 minute threshold. I was slow on the threshold- running on the ice and it was freezing cold (10 degrees) Later I ran 4 more.

Met Tomy at Liberty Park. We ran a lap at the park then ran to Granite High and back. Again- it was freezing cold. And I went skiing instead of another run.

I ran 8 on the treadmill at the gym then ran 5 more outside with Olivia. I am getting really sick of this inversion and flippin cold weather. I am quite jealous of the Cali girls on the team who get to run on the beach in the warm sunshine.

Long run to finish the week. I ran 4 miles warm up then ran 40 minute tempo. I averaged 6:41 and then ran a 3 mile cool down.

And welcome back to a new semester and new classes and track workouts and weights and reality. We had our first track workout on the indoor track. I ran 3 1200's. The first one, I was all confused about our splits, laps etc (the track is smaller) The second one I led, and felt incredible. Last one, hurt but I got it done. My times were 4:23, 4:18 and 4:16. Not too fast, but it is just the beginning. I ran 8 miles then went to weights. After weights I ran another 5 on the treadmill.

Ran 4 after my morning class on the indoor track. Later I ran another 6. I wasn't sore but just overall tired.

Track workout at the indoor track again. I ran usual 2.5 miles warm up. We ran 400's with 30 seconds recovery at our race pace. I am racing the 5K and I don't really know my race pace so I decided to hit 78-79. The first 4 were confusing- the track is shorter, I didn't know where we were starting/ending and the mile/3K girls were all with us. After 4, only 3 of us were left (me, Darbs and Kathryn who are not racing this weekend in Boise) I was on my own for the rest and felt great until about 7. I ran 9 total and my times were 79, 82, 78, 80, 78, 80, 77, 76, 77. It was hard running alone but it felt really good too. We ran 4 miles outside before weights then I ran another 4 on the treadmill after weights.

I ran 5.5 with Laura then another 5.5 with a group from the team. I felt tired from yesterday and found out last night I will be going to Boise! I get to rabbit the mile... yay.

Easy 4 on the treadmill before getting on the bus for a long ride. I iced for 10 minutes.

I was not supposed to open for another 2 weeks but I decided if I am traveling to run a mile, I am not going to drop out a lap before finishing, no matter how slow I finished. This meet was really small- only 4 other schools and we brought about 55 track girls. I ran usual 2 miles warm up and lots of drills and strides. I was in the second heat with 12 girls- 8 BYU and 4 Boise State. Everyone knew I was to set the pace and everyone follow. There was a lot of elbows and pushing at the start and I got in position with Kelsey right behind me.The goal was 72's for 1200 and then I could drop. Ok- well I haven't run 72's in workouts since June so I could definitely tell. First 400 was 72, and right before the 800 Kelsey passed me. I was 2:27 at the 800 and was just hanging on to finish. 3 more BYU girls passed me and when the 3rd one came I latched on and finished 5th right behind her. I wasn't very focused in this race, but I came to take it out fast and help girls run under 5. And I got to race the mile once in college. After, I did my long run (12 miles) with a 40 minute tempo. My pace was 7:12 and my final 5 miles were the slowest ever. My body was really tired but I finished it.

As I walked to class in -2 weather this morning, I was happy to be running track workout indoors. Wrong. I ran 2.5 warm up on the indoor track then coach told us 3K/5K girls were running a 15 minute threshold outside. Yay. Luckily we got our new running tights that are fleece on the inside. So we bundled up and ran 7 mile Cartersville. The threshold was hard- it hurt to breathe and my legs felt dead. Weights- I was really tired. And after I ran another 4 miles on the treadmill. I cannot wait for Spring weather and warmth again. And new shoes to run in.

Double day again. I ran 4 on the indoor track after my morning class. Before my later class I ran another 7.5. I started outside and decided if I am going to freeze, might as well do all my miles. It was cold. And I miss the sunshine and warmth. My calves are starting to loosen up but my hamstrings were tight.

Today just sucked. That's really all I can say.

I was already tired going into the workout but I can usually get going and push through a speed workout fine. Not today. I ran usual 2.5 warm up. Then our workout was 8 sets of 2 lappers on the indoor track. Pace- 60 a lap, 2:00 and a lap walk/jog recovery between sets. It sounded fast and felt fast too. The first one, my legs were dead weights and I couldn't snap out of it. I couldn't push myself into a steady pace/rhythm. I ran 2:03, 2:03, and 2:05 then sat one out. I tried another one and ran 2:05 then was told I was done. I was so frustrated. Today felt like the hardest day I have had since running here and honestly I wanted to cry (but I swore to myself months ago no more crying in running- unless it's happy tears) I hate not being able to finish a workout. I hate having to quit early. I hate when mentally and physically I can't handle it. It leaves the worst feeling. I finished running laps to be at 8 miles then after weights ran another 4 on a treadmill. I am exhausted. And want a better workout.

Ran 5 on the indoor track in the morning. I felt really dead and tired. Same with the 6 miles later. Took a 10 minute ice bath.

Today I was planning on a long run with tempo- not. We ran 8 400's at mile pace. At first I didn't want to run 400's but I am glad we did. I felt a lot better and hit the times I wanted and finished the workout. I wanted to run 73-74. I ran 74, 71, 74, 73, 73, 72, 73 and 71. We ran the rest of miles outside.

After seeing Laura and Ashleigh's frozen eyelashes after running outside, I decided to do my first run on the treadmill. The first 3 miles were so slow and felt really long. Finally my legs felt better and I ran 5.5. Later I ran 6.5.

Workout on the indoor track. I warmed up 2 miles, then 3K/5K girls ran 5 x 800 at 3K pace. I don't really know my current 3K pace, so I decided to run 2:38 with the group. I ran 2:40, 2:38, 2:38, 2:38 and 2:37. I felt a lot better today. The pace wasn't my all out sprint and I could run that pace for more repeats. It felt good. After weights, I ran another 5 on the treadmill.

5 on the indoor track and another 7 on my own. I am tight from yesterday

Today was great because I got all my miles done before weights! I ran 8 miles on the indoor track (Way too many laps....) then another 4 on the treadmill.

It was warmer today and I wanted to run outside but there was way too much ice with the rain. I ran 4 on the indoor track and another 4 on the treadmill. And for once, I wasn't sore from weights!

Today was like a heat wave! It was 32 degrees and I ran outside in shorts! I am desperate for sunshine and warmth for my long runs. We ran Provo River trail before leaving for Seattle. I am starting to get a cold but my legs feel well rested and ready to race.

Well after a lot of confusion yesteday, I ended up racing first thing in the morning instead of late afternoon.We didn't get to the hotel until late and I had to wake up at 6:30 so I was worried I would be tired. Not. I even woke up before my alarm and felt so good. I knew it would be a good day. I warmed up about 2 miles and got my strides in. I was in the second heat and Andrea and I decided we would be 1, 2 and our goal was to run 59-60 second laps (307 meter track) I sat with the group for the first 2 laps because we were right on for the splits. The third lap was slow so I immediately moved, a lot, to catch the few front girls. Andrea came with me and we pushed together until we were with the front two girls. She took the lead and I was in fourth and got gapped. I was starting to feel tired and knew now was the time to work and gut it out. I focued on Andrea and the other girl and closed the gap with only two laps left. With 400 left, I moved up and on the bell lap took control and kicked like crazy. I finished first in the heat and Andrea right behind me. We were so happy. It was amazing to work together to run the times we wanted and it helped so much! After lunch with my brother, I ran a 6 mile cool down. The rest of the girls did amazing today and we all feel good about our performances. (Shout out to Kelsey who ran 2:04 in the 800!)

Hallelujah- there was sunshine!! That made today a lot better. Our flight home yesterday was supposed to land at 4. Due to a snowstorm, the airport was closed, we sat on the plane in Boise for 2 and a half hours waiting and got back to Provo very late. I didn't get much sleep and was hoping for no workout but we had a workout. We ran 1, 2, 3 workout. 1 800 at current mile race pace, 2 400's at goal mile pace, and 3 200's at current 800 race pace. Sometimes I hate just being told "goal pace" (when I don't run that event) or"current pace" (if I haven't raced it yet) So our 800 was slow- 2:31. 400's were 71 and 200's 33. It was a fast workout but manageable because we didn't run a lot of reps. My legs were heavy during the intervals. After weights, I ran outside in the blue skies and sunshine. It felt so good so I ran 6 more. And was reminded why I love to run and love high miles.

And already back to the snow. I ran 4 on the indoor track in the morning and another 6.5 before class.

Today's workout was hard, but good. Usual 2 mile warm up, then we ran 6 800's at 2:35 with 4 minutes recovery between sets. We split into two groups so it would be easier to run and began. The first one was just getting the pace and we decided we could hit all of them. It helped to rotate who led and we kept pretty consistent. After 5, some girls were done and I was really tired. But I always ran 6 in high school and couldn't stop now. I joined with the other group and held on for dear life through the last repeat. (a chicken noise even came out the last repeat... everyone was confused) My times wee 2:36, 2:36, 2:36, 2:35, 2:35 and 2:32. It was the first workout I completed, ran well and had jell-o legs really bad. I can't believe I used to run sub 2:30 in that workout. After weights, I ran 4 more on the treadmill. I felt completely exhausted, drained and it was satisfying.

Today was sunny, warm and I was excited to run all my miles outside! My body wasn't though. I was hit by the tired train and had dead legs and exhausted body. I ran my Orem loop, pretty slow.