Keep Calm and Run On

April Fool's got me good this morning. First, my husband turned off my alarms and changed the time on my phone. When his alarm went off, I thought it was 9 and I was going to miss workout when really it was only 7 A.M. THEN coach texted the team and told us to meet on the outdoor track for an all out mile workout. I was stressing big time and not happy since we just did that on Monday. In the locker room we discussed it and concluded it HAD to be a joke... and luckily it was. We ran 6 400's at 10K race pace (hallelujah) I ran 84's and it felt good. I just hope it feels good on Friday. My miles are dropping this week and it feels weird to be running so little but is a much needed break!

This week I learned the lesson of flexibility. I had been planning to race the 10K at Stanford for months and I didn't get into the 10K. So I was going to race it in San Francisco Saturday morning but as we got on the bus this morning, coach told me I was racing the 5K tomorrow morning. OK- I was not expecting that, but oh well!

This race was a bit of a disappointment- like my freshman year. Overall, I had a good race. I was a smart racer and ran well. I got in good position at the start, right on the rail the entire time (which is a new skill) and was able to close gaps and move with the group when they surged. It was just disappointing that I was unable to run any faster. I cried after and felt deeping discouraged and disappointed. I can't figure what is going wrong- I know how to race but my fitness is still sucky. And coach agreed. I had a 5 mile cool down and it was still a fun trip with my parent and husband but I feel so discouraged. 

Long run on an awesome bike trail by my sister-in-law's. 

8 in the morning and 4 later

8 in the morning and 4.5 later

Today was 1200's and it was quite the weather to run them. It was windy, rainy and pretty crappy. I only made it through 3 was done. Ran 6 and 4.5 later

8 and 4

Long run with 30 minute tempo

Today was a longer workout and I liked it. We ran a 2 mile and a mile at race pace. I wanted to run 85's. The two mile felt good the first two laps, but I got too comfortable and was a few seconds off. (11:24) The mile was a little better. Even though it is a slower pace, I still need to work hard. 

My first track 10K and oh boy, was it an experience. I was pretty nervous but surprisingly calm just telling myself I run this all the time in workout. 2 miles warm up with Kelsey and some strides before starting. We started and I went straight to the rail and relaxed for the first few laps. I was running 84's and decided to stick with it. I really wanted to run a 35 flat. The first 7 laps felt great. I could feel the pace, not hurting yet and felt like I could go all day. Then at the 2 mile my legs were getting heavy and I made the mistake of looking at the lap counter. It is a miracle I made it through the next 17 laps and it's hard to explain. I found a girl who was moving up consistently so I stared at her and stuck right with her. I moved when she did and when I felt better, passed her and took the lead closing and passing girls. I was hanging on for dear life the last mile but kept taking turns moving with the black bummies runner. I was so grateful to finally cross that finish line and to run a 35:01. I conquered my first 10K and am on the border for Regionals. I did it and it felt amazing especially because they didn't think I could. 

Rough day. Feel like I was hit by a truck. My left knee just feels trashed and hurts really bad. Attempted a second run but was limping. Iced my knee later and the trainer said it's just because I ran a 10K on the track. 

Finished mileage back in Provo and in the midst of finals. Very tired and sore. Miles short this week but worth it to wait for my knee to feel better. 

8 in the morning and 4 later. Happy finals week and post 10K. My body has been rocked and feels so tired. I am just hoping to survive through finals and moving. 

I ran 6 before my anatomy final then 4 later. 

Today at workout, coach told us we would do the 25x400 workout tomorrow. Only 1 week after my race.... I was not feeling too excited for that. I still feel really tired. 

I slept good last night and ready to go this morning. But it was rough from the get go. Ususally it takes a few to even feel it but I was hurting the first one in and it got worse. My calves hurt and were more tight than during and after my 10K in spikes. My body felt so heavy and dead. I made it through 8 before I broke down and told coach I couldn't make it. I was so mad at myself but I was hurting bad and exhausted from finals and not recovered from last week. I went and did some miles which did not feel good. I iced (3rd time this week) and got my calves rubbed out. Did a second run later. 

Recovery run. Still tired but my calves feel better. 

Long run with 40 minute tempo. We did the tempo the right way (Coach Shane way) and it did feel a lot better. I felt awful the first 20 minutes then felt better and was able to finish strong. I averaged 6:42. I felt pretty tired finishing the miles but it was a good tired of post good workout.

A.M. For workout we ran 800's at 3K pace. I wanted to run 78-79 pace. I ran 4 at 2:37, 2:36, 2:36 and 2:36. I was done after 4 and felt good about this workout. It is hard to run "faster" (that's compared to 10K training) but these workouts are nice. 

P.M. Ran 5 more on Provo River trail 

My run was a little longer than planned... I ran to my sister's house then ran back by taking the trail from Tanner Park across the freeways and to Foothill Drive. I was really tired today. 

15 minute threshold this morning. I ran at Liberty Park- 2.5 warm up then the threshold. My legs felt heavy and tired on the warm up and I felt pretty crappy in the threshold. My cool down was very slow and I don't know why I feel so awful. My second run was one of those runs where you don't look at time or pace and just try to get through the miles. 

I felt a little better this morning but still pretty awful. I decided not to double today, sleep well tonight and see how I feel tomorrow.