Life Liberty and the Pursuit of a Shiny Gold Medal

Sometimes I don't remember how far I've ran, but anyways...

15xhome depot finishes

This workout was pretty cool. On spring break so it was a little cold, but we pulled through. So we went up to almost the top of home depot hill and did the last 75m or so of it at a pretty solid hill pace and then killed the next 100m to some line Harris had declared the finish line. I beasted through this well, until Tayson tried catching me on the 10th and I really had to go crazy, and then Tayson beat me on the 15th. He went into another gear and I freaked for a sec before responding. Once I did, though, I caught up pretty quickly and would have had him with another 5m.

Ran around the hill trails with my mom and so a 4 foot snake and also rolled my ankle hard core. Still hurts a week later, but I'm over it.

I was stressing about today because my ankle was in A LOT of pain last night, so I went to practice pretty apprehensive. Luckily none of the guys who usually push the pace were there so Logan and I got to run very slowly, at least at the beginning. The ankle loosened up and as long as I didn't turn too hard or run too fast I was fine, so I got 8 in. No strides because I didn't want to risk a more serious ankle injury.

3 mile tempo because Harris thought that sounded nice. Psh whatever. Jensen hauled fantastically well but mine around the hospital was pretty averagely paced. At one point Harris said I was hitting 5:45's. Of course that was at the beginning and I gradually picked up the pace as I rounded the hospital and headed up the never ending road to the trail head. 2.8ish miles very good for the way the week started.

3ish with my mom because I love her. I showed her my favorite spot and we talked for a while.

A little reference point. Counting yesterday and today I've hiked about 15 miles. Pretty hard stuff too. Frankly I think that deserves some credit.

Side note: took Haley on a second date. So ridiculously awesome. She's just incredible.

Bike paths.

6x1min at mile effort

I split these into 2 sets so I could do them not uphill. First three were pretty rough cuz they were hard down hill and I had heavy shoes on. The next 3, though, I dropped the hammer. I did my last one in about 4:25 pace which is super solid.

Legs felt great today, and life is just stellar on break.

So today was normal. In other words, it was terribly terribly windy and so Harris made us run into it, just for fun.

The guys took off before the traditional stop sign, which was kind of jerkish.* Thus, I broke the wind for my brother as we gradually caught up to them. I developed my wind form, and I realized that wind running¹ is a lot like pool running, I mean besides the fact they both stink to high heck.

Anyways, this SUU dude went flying past us and my bro is all like "go get him" and I'm all like "whatevs" and so I take off hauling some unholy pace into the wind to catch this guy. Eventually I catch him and I realize that he's not just some SUU runner, he's Ephraim Ahmed, like the brother of the 2nd best canadian runner in recent history, oh and he went 30:44 in the 10k in high school. So we chatted and ran extended bridge at an easy run pace I haven't gone in forever. (mid 6's) Anyways we came back up the dirt path past walmart and he reafirmed that my goals were achievable as he ran me into the ground. He was a seriously nice guy, though, and ran with me all the way back to the school. Fun run but shot my legs.

Got my new spikes and did 4x200 in them. Hecka fast.

*Honestly, I miss my xc buddies. They all do mid-D now and they were just mellow enough to manage the other kind of distance runners. And really, I love the guys I run with now they just drain me, and I need a break sometimes.

¹I was making stormlight archive references in my head. It was awesome.

So between Haley showing up and Harris running the mile I only got in a couple miles. 

DMR (1600): 4:59 without a watch (really proud of my body for just doing that out of the blue)

4x100 (anchor): I'm sorry to my sprint medley team for getting mixed up and sticking us in that, but we did not get last!!

Sprint Medley (800): 2:13 on a team of all distance runners we finished first for our school. I made up some massive ground and ran a legit time naked (without the watch). Proud of my guys, and my body. Performance=stellar

Congrats to my very favoritst bald headed coach for running a 4:56 and dropping a freaking 68 last lap.

Well I've officially caught up THE BLOG. I need to do homework, and I really really need sleep. I've already taken 2 naps today, not to mention dosing in psych. Here's to this week for being all out heck, but kinda actually really fun. I'm running for student body pres, which is stressful, thus more sleep. While everyone was doing a stupid little skit, I went for the speech because for all I know that's the only chance I'm gonna get to speak to the whole student body. Honestly, it was super hard and draining, but with the Lord's help I kinda went beast mode on it, and I said what needed to be said. Here's to God for being the best thing since... ever.

Fartleks! (left frontage road and equal time rest)

1 min @ 1 mile effort

2 min @ 2 mile effort

3 min @ xc effort

4 min @ tempo pace

3 min

2 min

1 min

All intervals, except the 4 min, where down hill but into some serious wind. Apparently I was hitting near 12 mph on the last xc pace one, which is pretty cool. The last 1 min was good. No idea on pace, but the form was solid. Harris was impressed and despite feeling pretty burned up, I've got some good races ahead of me.

Cross Hollow loop. The wee one stuck in there incredibly well, but the rest of the guys ditched Coy Jens and Harris and I.

4x150

Run back from Kaylen's house + one extra mile

Tomorrow's gonna take some guts. Here we go.

Lost the election and despite being very ready mentally, I did not have the mental strength to beat my mind. I stunk it up big time. Ugh and ach.

Ran to Haley's house and got a ride back. Nice to see her again.

This is probably a huge exageration on mileage but whatevs. So I didn't even know if I was running cuz Harris didn't want me to have another bad race. I agreed but then it hit me that I had to go balls out today or I would regret it. So after a mile-ish of strides I stood on that starting line like a boss. I ran 6 laps beautifully and then DNF'd. Why many ask. Because that is what the overwhelming desire of my mind despite how badly I wanted it. Harris was way mad and didn't talk to me at all. Davidson and all the other coaches were very helpful and supportive. My parents were freaked out because I was very composed. You kinda get used to being bad after a while but whatevere. It's time for therapy and some serious sleep.

Ms./Sis./Therapist Jones has seriously changed my life. I'm gonna conquer the world this week.

Cuz this is gonna be the only good weather day we did our hard workout today

4x600 (mostly fullish recovery)

1:42-43

1:45 (watch naked)

1:43

1:42

Went balls out on the last one and rocked it. Proud of myself for overcoming the mental block on the third one. I know these workouts are relatively easy compared to Holt's musing. But heck, I can race anyone in the region and love it and have a decent shot at kicking some trash.

3 mile run/warm up

Kick Workout! (I actually kinda love this workout)

100 - 16.6

110 - 18.9

120 - 19.7

130 - 21.6

140 - 20.6

150 - 23.2

160 - 23.5

170 - 24.2

180 - 24.8

190 - 25.9

200 - 26.8 (mid 29 for Jensen, Tayson and Cole)

Stellar Stellar Stellar

Alright I mean the first 5-7 reps were all over the place but with such a crazy head wind I went SO boss on the last couple. I've got some pr's coming son!

End of the sprinter's workout.

Mental Training on the SUU indoor track. (brilliant idea and worked perfectly)

Imagery is key for all forms of success.

Got up at 7 to do my workout before school because of the foreign language fair. 

Did a 3 mile warm up and then ran hard up redmen water tank and then crested it

Did another loop plus some miles around the hill.

Had some digestion problems but whatever.

Still pumped I'm running so strongly.

Mental training at SUU after the foreign language fair at BYU

So I'm trying a new low mileage approach to racing weekends. We'll see how this goes tomorrow.

Slowish race, but I outkicked someone and finished. I actually finished it. So proud of myself. :)

I'm gonna go beat up that 800 tomorrow. I'm so pumped. I'm gonna kill it.

So frustrating. So depressing. Time for sleep and therapy.

Last brutal workout

4x800 @ 3200

2:37 (tired and depressed)

2:36 (plowed by Lexi, fell, easily below 2:30)

2:30

2:30

3x300 @ 800

44

45

46 (Jensen finished with me!!!!)

Easy miles out at 3 peaks

Good workout. Still working through things

Half kick workout after easy miles. Just Jensen Cole and Lyle here with me today.

I'd list times but the only notable thing was my 27.2 last 200 into wind on the first 100(back stretch).

Extra miles through the red hill trail I like.

Awesome workout today. Therapy has saved me. I'm finally enjoying running again and after tonight Jazz band is over!!!!!!!!!!!

Hills out on blue water tank hill. (hard up #1, 3xto water tank)

My stride feels so beautiful.

Such a relaxed wonderful day.

Independance run solo and 4x200m strides.

Mileage was short today because half of the meet got postponed and I was supposed to do most of my mileage after.

Things did not go as planned because Bronco backed out. I stuck with Ogden for 2.5 laps and then I doubted myself and struggled through the last little bit. The big deal was the fact I went out in a 2:12 so flippin comfortably.

Stressful lead up because of the mass confusion because of all the darn rain. I had to the 2 mile and the 800 back to back (30 min rest)

3200: 9:50

800: 2:06 relay split

So I FINALLY broke 10. This barrier has never meant so much to anyone. 3 years in the coming. So blessed. So greatful. All the wait of all the years is finally off my shoulders. I am alive. I am a child of god. I am a champion.

ps Josh, I ran your 800 time today 30 minutes after PRing by 10 seconds in the 2 mile. Eat it ;)

Here's to all the good times coming because this was the key to the door of a successful junior year.

Congrats to Caleb Weaver for achieving an equally incredible standard as a freshman. 

Congrats to Jensen for PRing in the 2 mile by 30 seconds as well.

6x1min @ 1600-3200 pace

Last Mile FAST

This workout drained me hard core by the end, although my stride feels somewhere between heaven and eternal happiness so I'm feeling legit.

CV JV meet today.

5 mile warm up

1600 (nearly missed race and ran in 10 oz Altras): 5:00 (first lap 68)

800: 2:11

Extra Mileage down around places

Still feel like a boss today. I'm thinking I can go low 4:20's at BYU but I wasn't in a heat to do it.

Burger Alley with Coy and Jensen. Found the ghost intersection and hit 10 consecutive red lights. Kinda cool, but kinda freaky.

Half kick workout naked (watchless)

Extra Mileage down to Bradshaws

I didn't think I was gonna make it through the kick workout my body is so drained.

6 in the morning down main and back. Jensen complained literally the whole time, but I love him anyways.

2 up at BYU with some CRAZY fast strides just for the heck of it. I flippin love that place.