Keep Calm and Run On

I love running in the rain. As we started the cemetary run, it started raining. I was with Tomy, and picked up the pace to catch Ben. But, we were close to sprinting to try and catch up, so I just ran my own pace. I ran 2 laps in the cemetary, and on the way back Maggie and Abigail ran with me. Then I ran a grass lap around Sugarhouse to get 10. And by then it was pouring rain. My Garmin wasn't working this morning, and I felt lost without it. But I figured out how to reset it, so hopefully it will work tomorrow. Did core at home.

Fartlek workout at Wheeler Farm today. We ran 3 sets of 1-2-3 on and 1-2-2 recovery. I pushed myself, even though it hurt. Today I felt like was a good workout (and I haven't had one in a while) We ran a 3 mile cooldown to get 10. I did my core at home again. My garmin wasn't working, and I tried to reset it again but it didn't work. So, I have to send it to Kansas to get fixed... Now I need to run with a garmin person at workouts..

Trail run today on Shoreline. And it was hard. We started by the zoo, and ran across to the Red Butte drinking fountain, up the road to 3.5, turned around and ran back. If felt like it was uphill both ways, and I was pretty tired from yesterday. My quads felt knotted and my calves were sore. When we got back, we did step ups, arm swings, wall sits, and crunches and push ups. Later today, I ran an easy 5 miles. My calves were way sore starting out, but warmed up a little by the end.

Bike and run 2011= success. We went to Jeremy Ranch this morning to do the bike and run along with the Brighton team. I was with Chris, and we dominated. We went out 5 miles and back on the road, alternating every mile with running and biking. My quads hurt really bad by the end, but it was fun. My first year running this, I didn't finish. Last year, my team was second, and this year we were first! When I got home, I ran another 3 easy miles to get 10 for the day and did my core.

Workout at Liberty Park today. We ran 1 lap warm-up, 1 lap firemen, and 1 lap cooldown (plus some to hit 5). My calves and quads were really sore, and I felt tired. I did my core, and did an ice bath for 20 minutes when I got home.

I started with 1.5 mile warm up and strides and drills before the race. I got a pretty good start, and my first mile was around 5:54. I pushed myself to keep in contact with the two girls ahead of me and before mile 2 I passed one of them. The hill towards the finish was hard, but having the finish line so close helped. I passed the other girl right before the finish and ran a 19:14. I felt really good about this race and was happy about it. My legs weren't hurting while I was running, but my stomach was. Other than that, I felt strong and pushed myself. I ran a 3.5 mile cooldown to finish mileage for the week.

Day one of hill week complete. We ran at Sugarhouse this morning-one big grass lap for warm up, then we did 6 sets of a hill loop near the big hill at state. It wasn't too bad, and luckily we were done before it got too hot. I focused on catching people on the flat part on the top of the hill and that helped me push through each one. I did my core, and an ice bath for 20 mins when I got home.

JCC hill workout today. I ran along the trail, and turned around at 3.75. At the big hill at 2.5, we had to run 10 before going back. It was as hard as last year, though luckily not as hot. What really helped me this year was not stopping at the bottom. I came down slowly so I could recover, then went back up.

Team hike up Big Cottonwood Canyon! It was a lot of fun and was very pretty. Later, I ran with RJ and Taylor. We ran to Cottonwood Complex and back. My hips and IT were very sore.

Puke Hill= not my favorite. It was ok once we were up the first 1.5 into the run, but still hurt. I was tired today, and my hips and calves are way sore. It took me longer than I thought it would, but at least I was able to run the whole way. Did core at home.  

Last day of hill week at Liberty. We ran one lap warm up, 4 strides up the hill by the pond, then we ran Fartlek around the pond. We did 12 sets of 1 minute on, 1 minute off (though somehow we ended up doing 13...) I was glad we only did 1 minute because I felt really tired and not very fast. I ran 2 laps cooldown to get 9. Did core at home.

Early morning 10 miler today. My calves were so sore and tight for the first half, and sort of loosened up by the end. Did core when I was done.

Sugarhouse workout this morning. We ran the state course for a warm up, then ran 10 continuous hills by the white tree. They felt easier than the hills last week, so it wasn't too bad. Then we did 2 circuits, and ran the state course backwards for a cooldown. When I got home I did push ups, crunches, squats, calf raises, lunges, and arm swings.

Speed work at Liberty Park. We ran a lap warm up, then 800, mile, 800 with 800 recovery between each one. I ran a 2:46, 5:46, and 2:41. Then I only had time for one lap cooldown to get 7.5. Later, I ran the zoo loop to get another 5.5. I did push ups, crunches, squats, calf raises, lunges and arm swings.

10 miler today at Pipeline. I felt pretty good the first half, but on the way back my stomach was hurting and I felt like throwing up. I knelt in the river for about 10 minutes because my IT was hurting. Late tonight, I ran with Annie another easy 3 miles around my neighborhood. Had a slurpee before, so the run was a little deja vu of the slurpee run... I did my crunches, push ups, squats, calf raises, lunges, and arm swings.

Short morning workout at Sunnyside. We ran a warm up in the gulley, then 10 hill strides and two laps cooldown to get 6. That night was the BBQ and alumni run. I ran 1.5 miles warm up, then raced 2.5. We ran most of the state course, and I felt pretty good. I finished 2nd on the team, and ran a 16:42. I did one mile cool down.

Liberty Park workout. We ran one lap warm up, one lap fireman and luckily the boys didn't sprint at the end like they usually do. Then 4 strides, and a lap cooldown to hit five. I did push ups, crunches, squats, calf raises, lunges, and arm swings. I am excited for tomorrow's first meet of the season!

Yeah for a new XC season! We left early this morning to go to Settlement Canyon. I like this course because the second half on the trail is something different from all the other courses. I did 3 miles warm up (split between JV and Varsity girls). We started the race on the paved road for about a mile until we turned onto the dirt trail. I had a good start, and was right behind another girl. At the hill after the half mile, I passed her and from then on was running scared. Every time I wanted to slow down on the trail, I told myself I couldn't get passed now so I pushed harder. The course was a bit short of 3, but I was pretty happy with my time. The other girls did really well, and for many of them it was their first race. For a cooldown, we ran the course backwards. After my nap, I ran 4 more miles to finish my mileage for the week. Today was a good race, but there is still a lot of work to be done before the end of the season.  

I started off this morning doing a nice, easy 4 miles. I felt pretty tight, and sore from the race on Saturday. Practice later in the day was at Cottonwood. I was late, and a bit scattered and not prepared mentally for a speed workout. However, I pulled it together and I feel good about what I was able to do. I ran a quick 2 mile warm up with 4 strides then began with the team. Bill had marked every 800 with cones along the regions course, so our workout was 6 800's. After each one we got 3.5 minutes recovery. My slowest time was 3:11 and my fastest was 3:01. I pushed myself the whole time, and the extra long recovery did help though I need to learn the regions course better.... I ran the course as a cooldown until I got to 8. I did arm swings, crunches, push ups, squats, calf raises and lunges.

Practice today was really hot. We met at Sunnyside for a run. We ran up Sunnyside, down Foothill to the VA, then to Shriners and along 11th Ave. Running back the same way I got 8 miles. My calves were sore, and my shins also hurt but my average pace was 7:38 so I was able to push myself. I did crunches and push ups at home.

First after school workout at the track today. We ran one mile warm up, and did 10 strides. Then, we did 5 laps of dynamic stretching, stride, and run through the bleacher stairs. There were a lot of bees, or yellow jackets all along the railings and most of us got stung. Then, we ran 6 hills by the soccer field. Cooldown was 2 laps in the Bonneville gulley. I finished at 6.5. I didn't get much sleep the night before, so I was pretty slow and tired but I gave my best effort. Later, I ran an easy 4.5 to get more miles. I did crunches, push ups, squats, calf raises, lunges, and arm swings.

XC tryouts were today. We had a few new kids come and run with us. We ran a workout at the track. 1 mile warm up, 1 mile speed changes, then we did 3 sets on 3 minutes on and 3 minutes standing recovery. Each of my on's were just a bit over an 800 which was my goal. For cooldown we did 3 grass loops to get 5. Later I ran 4 miles, which I felt pretty good. I did crunches, push ups, lunges, squats, calf raises and arm swings.

Early morning run at 5:45 to start today with Annie and Olivia. We did 4 miles, and I felt fine. For practice, we ran to Liberty Park. We ran 4 hills, and did a stride relay, the back to the track for 5 miles. It was really hot today and the ice bath after felt amazing. Tonight I ran 4 more miles with Jesse and felt pretty good.  I did my all my core and arm swings.

LSD run for today to end the week. I ran from my house to Sunnyside, then up Emigration Canyon to 6 miles, then came back the same way. I was slow going up, but going down the canyon I was faster. My legs felt so heavy at the end of the run, but I am glad I got my miles this week. It is a lot harder to do when school has started. I did my arm swings, and all my other core.

6 mile run for practice. We ran the VA loop, then a lap in the cemetary, and back to the track along 1300 E. We ran 2 300's when we got back. It felt weird to have to sprint again, and I felt pretty slow. Later I did another 6 miles. Did all my core and arm swings.

First early morning workout of the season. We ran along 1500 E. to Sugarhouse, lap around, and back for 6 miles. I felt pretty good, though slow coming back because it was uphill. Afternoon workout was a short speed workout. We ran 1 mile warm up, 1 mile speed changes, then 2 200's, 2 400's, and 2 200's with equal recovery for each. My 400's were the same, and my 200's within a second of each other. I felt pretty good, and was glad we only did a total of one mile of speed instead of the usual three. Mile cooldown put me at 5 for the workout. I ice bathed for 15 mins, and did my core and arm swings.

This race was tough for me mentally. I ran a 3 mile warm up, then strides and we began. There were several other regions also racing, some on the same course. The first half mile I was running opposite a lot of boys who were racing. I worked the first mile to gap the group, and once I did I tried to keep it. My only big pain was my stomach. My legs didn't hurt, I was just tired. The last mile, it was hard for me to push. I felt like I hit a wall, but mentally I tried to convince myself that I didn't. My time wasn't too fast, but I finished and was able to push myself though it really hurt. The team did really well. The girls were 1st, and a lot of people really worked hard this race. I did 1 mile cooldown while clearing the course. When I got home, I ran another 3. I did my arm swings and all my core. I can't wait to taper next week because then maybe I won't be as tired.