Keep Calm and Run On

Today I have a renewed appreciation for how amazing our bodies are. We push them to limit and demand them to go faster and harder for longer. And they do it and can keep doing it. I was pretty tired and beat this weekend. I was trying not to worry about the workout this morning but I was tired and hoping I was recovered enough. 

We got in 7 laps warm up and coach was really pushing us to get started. I was able to get 2 more laps of speed changes before we started. We ran 2 lappers at 5K pace (64 on the BYU track, 5:20 pace) We got 3 minutes rest which made a huge difference. The first one I felt really tight and stiff. But as we kept going, I felt really good. The pace was very manageable for 2 laps and we did 8 of them. Most were 2:08, a few were quicker (depending on who was pacing.) Ran 6 miles cool down. I am amazed how my body bounced back after another high mileage week last week.

Second run of 5 miles to front load the week. I am ready to race this weekend and see where I am at.   

A.M. Ran 10 miles. I was really tired and beat up from yesterday. 

P.M. Ran 5 more. Did norma tec and ice bath. 

This morning we ran 3 sets of 2 lappers on the track at 5:20 pace with 4 minutes rest between. It felt good to run pace again. The girls pushed the pace and ran faster but I stuck with the darn pace. Finished miles by myself.

Ran early this morning and chickened out of the cold. Ran on the treadmill and listened to music. Took an ice bath before leaving. 

I was a nervous wreck before my race. I did norma tec again this afternoon and had a pretty chill day until we went to the track. I was nervous to race on the track again and felt like it had been so long. I was in  heat with half pro runners and knew it would go out fast. That was nice but I needed to be careful not to go out hard and die. 

Warm up of 2, strides and ready to go in my new spikes (since I never got my missing one from Nationals). I started out well, antsy the first lap but relaxed and got to the rail when it opened up. It strung out immediately and spread out quick. My first mile was 5:14 and I was couple strides behind Yesi. No pack in sight. I pushed up to her and ran a lap with her. We were slow so I surged and passed. Looking ahead, a large gap to the next girl. I focused on her and each lap listened to my split to know if I needed to pick it up or not. I kept doing this for 5 or 6 more girls. I got lapped by Kim Conley with 5 laps to go. I thought I was on the edge of 16:40 and kicked it hard the last lap. I ended up 16:30- finally a new PR!! (16:35 from freshman outdoor) I was so relieved and happy with it. 

I did well at focusing one lap at a time. I had to run so much by myself but did well at looking up and catching the next girl because I knew I was stronger. I am so thrilled with how it went. I am looking forward to a more pack race because I know I can run faster. Ran a cool down until the next heat of girls ran. Finished miles at the hotel treadmill. 

Woke up early to run 7 miles. We found an awesome trail along the water. I was tired and sore. We ran 7 more along the dock trail and arboretum from the indoor track. I was dead tired when we finished and am glad to be done for the week. I spent all day at the track cheering for teammates and there were some awesome PR's.