Keep Calm and Run On

Today was a great run because it was sunny! I ran Carterville and the great thing about only running miles is that my legs aren't trashed.

Long run by myself. It took me 4 miles to get moving then I was able to run a decent pace for the rest. I am feeling better and will start back next week.

Today wasn't the best day. It was sunny so we ran the workout on the outdoor track. I ran 3.5 warm up (it took us a while to get outside and organized) We ran 1x1200, 2x800 at 3K pace and 3x400 at mile pace. I wanted to run 78's and was awkwardly stuck just behind the mile group and in front of the 5K group. The 1200 was fine- I ran 3:53. I didn't feel great but I did it. The next 800 was 2:34 and it felt really hard. There was wind and I was mostly by myself. The next 800 was a 2:38 and I did not feel good at all. I didn't feel any sense of rhythm or pace and was so so frustrated. Coach told me I was done so I started running miles while waiting. I ran to 9 miles and felt so frustrated the whole time. After weights, I started on my usual 4 mile run but turned back early. I didn't know why until I was at the outdoor track again. I couldn't let myself not finish no matter how crappy or slow I was. (it was a big mental struggle today) So I ran 3x400 at 72, 71, 73. It wasn't fast but I did it and felt a little better.

Ran 2 then met with Tomy to run cemetery run. My legs were tired from weights and the workout. So we went slower and just talked the whole time.

Today was an improvement from Monday. It was a gorgeous day to be outside! I loved it. We ran 2x1600 with 10 minutes recovery between. First repeat, I just ran in the pack sticking on the girl in front of me. We were 2 seconds off before the last lap, so I picked it up and finished at 5:21. The next repeat, we decided to switch pacing because of the wind. 2 girls led for the first 800 and then Laura and I moved up to finish. The first 800 didn't feel too bad and then we came around at the 800 at 2:45. Aw crap. So I moved and got Laura right with me and we pushed hard. The last lap hurt like crazy but we finished in 5:22. I ran a cool down to get to 8.5. I was super tired in weights and am happy my arms are still intact. My 4.5 after was really slow. I was tired but it was a good tired- a tired I am used to. The tired that comes from giving your best at  a workout not the other tired crap.

Ran 5 mile campus loop with Laura then ran short Carterville. It was a beautiful day to run but I was really sore and tired from yesterday.

Run with a 30 minute tempo. Being in the... more conservative group.... we started out slower but picked it up a lot the last 10 minutes. I felt good to pick it up and I felt great the last 10 minutes. We averaged 6:44.

Great long run today. It's great now that everyone's long runs are getting longer- I have less to run by myself!

3 mile warm up then we ran 3x1600 at 5:25 with 6 minutes recovery between repeats. I actually felt really good today. I was tired by the last one but it was  great workout. I ran 5:25, 5:24, 5:24. Ran the usual 4 miles after weights.

Ran 4with Laura then later ran anothe7. In the middle, I ran 10 strides on the field.

Another gorgeous day to run outside. We ran 3 sets of 4 400's with 90 seconds rest between repeats and 5 minutes between sets. I ran 75, 74, 74, 74 every set. It hurt more than it should have but I was consistent. Usual 4 after weights.

Did my long run today. My arches were killing at the beginning of the run so after 3 miles I sat and massaged them. They felt better after so I went ahead and finished it all. In the middle, I ran 8 continuous hills on the road by dirt trail. It's been a while since I have run hills and I could tell. I was tired by the end and iced my arches a lot.

15 minute threshold today. My calves were really tight and achy once we started the threshold. We averaged 6:04. I was tired but it helped to be in a group. My arches started hurting half way through, really bad. I finished 6 miles before my review. After icing again, I finished another 6 miles. And they still hurt so I rubbed them out and iced a couple times that night.

Glorious to finish the week with only 8 miles. My arches hurt but not as bad as the two day before.

3 mile warm up then the workout. We ran 1200's at 80 pace with 3 minutes recovery. The first one felt weird, the second one I led and felt better. The third one, I was hurting. Especially as people were sitting out or running 800's, it was hard the last lap. My legs didn't hurt but my breathing was out of control.. ok I was breathing really fast and it hurt... and I was tired. I sat out the fourth and then led the last one, which of course the wind picked up alot. I finished and knew I was done; my whole body hurt and was tired. My times were 3:59, 4:01, 4:01 and 4:03. I ran 4 more after weights. My arches hurt mostly during my cooldown and my second run so I iced them. Again.

Today was my first workout with the 1500 girls. (they run sprints Tues/Thurs) I ran 2 miles warm up then a 40, 60, 80 hard. I ran 3 more miles at the track then ran 5 mile Mexican Hat. My arches started aching in the beginning but overall didn't hurt as bad as before. And my feet aren't as inflamed/swollen which is good.

3 mile warm up then we ran 4x400 with 3 minute rest between each. We were supposed to hit 76-77 but it's difficult to pace in the large group. I ran 79, 74, 76, 76. Me and Darbs and Kelsey are not racing this weekend so we ran 3x800 at 3K pace with 3 minutes rest between each. I ran 2:32, 2:34, 2:32. It was harder running with only 3 of us spread out in the wind and my quads were super tight and knotted but it felt really good once we finished. Finished miles after weights.

My quads were dead today. And it was windy for my run. 5 miles into my run I ran 10 sets of 1 minute on, 1 minute off and it felt pretty good. I iced my feet after again.

40 minute tempo- We started out slower but the second half picked it up and the average was 6:40. I actually felt really good and could have pushed harder but didn't. Iced my feet.

Aaand back to the snow. Joy. Long run today (Carterville run of course) I was really tired but got it done.

3 mile warm up then 5x800 at 3K pace with 3 minutes recovery between each. Darbs and I were the only ones running the whole workout and I was by myself on the repeats. But it actually felt really good. I wanted to run 2:34- I ran 2:35, 2:34, 2:4, 2:33, 2:31. I felt really good for the first three and pushed hard the last 2 so I wouldn't slow. We ran 4 miles after weights. It was a great workout and I am excited to race this weekend!

My quads killed today. I ran 4 miles then ran 2x150 in spikes and finished miles with Kelsey. I am really sore and tight from the workout and weights yesterday. I iced for 15 minutes.

Short workout- 2x400 with 3 minutes rest. I ran 70 for both and finished miles at the track. My quads are still heavy and feel dead so another 15 minute ice bath.

Short run from the hotel to the Stanford track! It is gorgeous here and I love it. My quads still kinda hurt but better than before. Other than that I feel pretty good.

It is really weird being the only girl on my team in a race... I ran 2 miles warm up around the football stadium and trails then did some strides and ready to go. I felt pretty good but was really nervous going in. I wanted to run 80's and so I focused on that and racing with girls and not getting stranded like in indoor. The race took off and I saw Sus take the lead and create a gap between the next group. My first lap was 77 and I spent the first mile trying to stay calm and stick with the pack. I forgot how much jostling there is when you are not in the lead! My first mile was 5:20 and honestly the rest is kind of a blur. The pack eventually spread out and I had to work really hard to stay with girls to push with. I was really tired- not quite as bad as the UW meets but my mind just felt clouded and I couldn't push through it. I am not too thrilled with my time- I was hoping I would be faster and feel better. But I am happy I was able to push up and past girls the last half. I ran 5 miles cool down around campus. My legs are dead and I have painful blisters on the outside of my feet but my first outdoor collegiate track meet is over and I can build from there.

Usual post race day- feeling like I have been hit by a bus and dead legs. Laura, Ash, Liz and I went to an awesome gravel trail by the bay for a run. It was gorgeous despite all the gnats. We ran 8 miles then I ran another 4 later with the 800 girls on their cooldown. My legs hurt even more and I was exhausted for the rest of the day.