You've got to want it to win it

This morning I went ahead and did my run right after lifting since the forecast predicted it would only be getting colder and windier throughout the day.  So I started the fruit loop way, then went up above the zoo and onto Wasatch, and onto the paved bike trail to the first overpass.  I turned around and then when I got to 2100s I went down to 1500e to return to campus.

At practice time I went pool running with Giselle for 30 minutes.

Today I went to Liberty for the workout with Bekah, Alyssa, and Lauren.  We did the usual warmup from the 900e Trax station and then the strides and drills.  The choices for the workout were 4x6 minute threshold, of 3x7 minute threshold.  I would have rather done the 4x6, but the other girls wanted to do the 3x7.  I also wouldn't have minded staying at the track either, but that had already been decided against before I got to the lockerroom.  Whatever.  For the first 7 minutes, my mile split was 5:50.  I covered 1.18 miles for that one.  75 seconds recovery and then onto the next one.  I hit 5:49 through the mile on that one and covered 1.20 miles.  On the last set I came through the mile at 5:42 and covered 1.21 miles.  Then we had five 300 meter (55 second) strides with 3 minutes recovery.  After those were done I cooled down back to campus to finish with 11 for the day.  Still hoping for 70 miles this week even though my Thursday run is supposed to be a premeet...

This morning I ran 5 miles on my own, over to 2100s and to 1900e over to 900s and home. Then I went and picked up my lifting sheet and made up the lift I'm going to miss tomorrow.

In the afternoon I went running with Jessica and Becky. Sincr we run together a lot on recovery days, we decided we're going to start doing more trails, since some of the girls who don't like trails usually cross train or run on their own anyway. Today we just ran out on Foothill the start of the Albertson's loop, but on 2100s Jess and I kept going to 1500e. When we got back to 500s I decided to go up to the light at Mario Capechi to add on a little bit, and I caught up with Becky there. I finished with 8 miles for the afternoon. When I was done I got a massage from Tim. Everything felt great!

Today I went for a pre-meet with Lauren.  We started on Foothill.  Lauren turned at 2 miles, but since I am still going for high miles this week I did the Albertson's loop.  When I was done with that I ran up to the track for some strides and drills.  Everyone else was working out, it was nice to be there not working out for once. :)  When I was done I did normatech for 20 minutes.

2 mile shakeout around USC campus this morning.

With a little over an hour before the race, I stareted my warmup with Bekah. I was doing a longer warmup, so I ended up doing strides and drills with Lauren and AuraLea. I changed to my spikes and then did a few more strides as we waited to walk out onto the track. I was hip 2, right next to Bekah in 1 and Carrie from BYU in 3. When the race started the three of us ended up in a line at the lead. I stuck behind Carrie for a few laps and let her and Bekah do the work into the wind. After a few laps of that I felt bad for making Bekah do all of the work so I moved up and offered to lead, but she didn't want me to. So after a few more laps where I was awkwardly to the side of her and Carrie, I dropped back so I could be behind Carrie going into the wind again. I think that was a mistake because then I fell off of them and they got some distance on me. With a mile to go I started to pick it up again and could tell I was gaining ground back. So I kept my eyes on them. With about 700 to go I finally caught and passed Carrie, then just held on so she wouldn't pass me back before the finish. Strong last lap, I believe it was a 75. Some of the splits I remember are 82 for the first 400, then 2:43, 5:23ish for the mile. 10:50 at 2 miles. 15:30 with a lap to go. For cooldown I did 15 minutes with Lauren and AuraLea, then another 25 minutes on the track where it was brightly lit. 5.25 miles cooldown total. It feels good to be strong enough to be doing so many miles again :) As far as the race and strategy, I didn't quite get the dropping time the last few laps. I had slowed down a few laps leading into that, so when I picked the pace back up I really just was getting back up to the pace I had been going prior to the few laps I slipped off pace. On a positve note, I was 11 seconds off my 5k PR, so next time just 1 second a lap... :)

1 lap around campus to make a 2 mile shakeout.  I am racing the 1500 today.

I started my warmup long before my race time since I was still going for mileage.  And it took a while for my legs to get going.  After 3.5 miles of running I went to the warmup field to do my strides and drills.  I changed my shoes and did a few more strides before final checkin and being walked onto the track.  There were 6 BYU girls in my heat, 4 Purdue girls, and one other girl besides me.  I was hip 8.  There was a rabbit in the race who was supposed to do 70-70, so I just told myself to not worry about what the leaders were doing and go as I felt.  When the race started I went for the rail and stayed there.  The 200 split was 34, then it seemed that everyone who I had been in front of passed me.  I am pretty sure I was dead last, but it was early in the race so I was patient.  I came through the first 400 I thought in 72-73ish, Kep says 75.  At the 500 I realized some of the girls right in front of me were fading, but I had to wait until the end of the curve to go around them.  Going to the 2 laps to go I was wondering why no one was kicking, so I picked it up and passed a bunch of girls.  I kept that up and held on strong for the last lap, finishing in 3rd and setting a new PR!!!  All of that on tired legs, too! :) Kep went over my 500 splits and figured I must have been 1:30, 1:32, 1:28 (the first one fast just because of that first 200 meters).  My last 400 split was probably 69.  I do have speed afterall.  :)  After a 5.75 mile cooldown, I got my 70 miles for the week!