Life Liberty and the Pursuit of a Shiny Gold Medal

8 mile run with warm up and cool down

5x1:00 fartleks with 2 minutes off at about 5k pace

4x30sec fartleks with 1 minute off at about mile pace

Legs felt good

Ran the course for awhile. Was gonna make it 8 but only ended up doing a half mile extra. My schizophrenic depression decided to kick in, made this night pretty rough.

After last night I was doubtful about my ability to preform. Warm up was normal. I felt the usual nervous legs before. I used get stressed about that but then I realized it's just a feeling and doesn't really matter. I did some of that anxiety release bilateral app thing before and it helped a ton.

Race started and I didn't get out terribly well, but my body new what pace it was capable of holding so I was a ways back. I stayed incredibly relaxed until the gate the first time and I hit a traffic jam. I managed to get to the outside and pass a bunch of people. Most of the race passed pretty easily after that. I hit 5:08 at the mile and it felt like I was jogging. 5:22 was the next .98 (probably could've worked harder there) and then about 5:00. Kick was awesome and focusing on form helped some. Considering how things have been going that was perfect. I'm right where I want to be and I'm ready to compete for those titles.

I think that the biggest achievement this race was my metality. I've taken a completely different perspective. I've gone from comparing myself to everyone else, being completely stressed out and attempting to predict who I could and couldn't beat based on times and training to being excited for racing, excited for the competion and ready to give my best and be statisfied with what I can run. I learned again that going out conservatively with an attitude of competition rather than pressure I preform better, and I actually enjoy it. 

4 mile warm up

3 mile tempo (17:00)

3 mile cool down

Tempo started rough. I was sore and tired but things loosened up half way through mile 2. Mile splits were 5:54 5:45 5:20. Proud of how relaxed I kept things and still ran fast.

Congrats to all those marathon finishers at St George today!

2.5 mile warm up

5x1k 400m jog rest

3:06 (short rep approx: 5:10 pace)

3:18 (long rep approx: 5:13 pace)

3:13 (about 1k under 5:10 pace)

3:10 (same distance approx 5:05 pace)

3:10 (same as above)

3 mile cool down

We did these on the inverted 1k course loop. The last 2 took some effort and hurt at the ends of each but nothing terrible. I feel more relaxed and a lot faster. It was an incredible workout considering it's the Monday after conference. #couchpotato #allsugardiet

Warm up

8 miles with team

4x200 @ mile pace

Cool down+extra miles+cool down strides

Ran the cross hollows loop. That run drains you no matter how slow you go so I started to hit it hard from about a half mile before Mr bubbles. I ran straight to 800 west and had to hit a crazy high gear to beat Tayson, who had turned at Mr bubbles. A solid physical and mental effort. Great confidence booster for future races and workouts.

I was exhausted from the end of quarter homework scramble but today's workout in the snow canyon area was one of the most fun workouts I've done in a while.

10 minute warm up

5x 3 min @ tempo pace + 1 min @ faster than 5k pace + 2-3 minutes recovery.

Cool down back to snow canyon high 

Region course

These fartleks were awesome. Harris let me hit the tempo slower and with the team because of the amount of fast running I've been doing and even when the guys were going 6:15 it just felt fast free and easy. I've never had so many usable gears before. Idk what the pace was like on the slightly faster than 5k section but it felt easy and I was going pretty fast if I do say so myself. Overall another solid run. I'm so excited to continue getting faster leading up to December. Its time to start competing and having the time of my life racing the best this region, state and hopefully nation has to offer.

Warm up

Easy 5.5

8 strides

Cool down w/extra miles

I've honestly never felt so fast in my entire life. After good mile or two I cruise anything from 6:15 to 10:15 without any extra effort.

Today was crazy busy. Went straight from xc to the football game to conduct the pep band. I have been seriously lacking in sleep. Thank goodness for a 100% completely free weekend.

Warm up

10x cresting Chevron hills (a little over a 200)

Cool down+extra mileage

I was so tired by 4th period I was *this* close to not going to xc today (imagine fingers held close together). The warm up was cus. I was a solid 400m behind the varsity guys. I was unmotivated and tired and I had a large mental block against running fast. I hit the first one in 44. After that things generally stayed between 36-39 depending on how ambitious I was feeling. I ended up going 36 and a low 34 (4:30 pace) on the final two. The hills gave me the kick I needed to get out of that mindset. Overall another solid workout. Interestingly enough I felt the best in the final half mile, I started really cruisin.

7.65 with team

All-american diner :D

3 after.... a long time after

Again I felt the best in the final 3. Legs were tired but I still felt incredible from 8-10.

5 easy with the team

8 strides

2 after

I prepared well in the 24hrs leading up to it but I was a basket case before then. I left less important things (Halsey) get in the way of running. I hardly slept or ate all weekend. I was pumped for region before then but Friday I crashed. I got out terribly and I was getting jostled pretty badly. I hit the bottom of the course and I knew the pace was either crazy fast or I was dying. I passed people the whole race but it hurt so much. I'm glad I'm mentally strong enough to not completely implode when the going gets rough. Oh and it was freaking hot and its been cold in cedar. Trying to get refocused for state. I'm doing the best I can.

It was crazy windy today so Harris picked us up at the Carl's junior. 6 miles with the wind at our backs. I was still pretty tired, but overall doing better. I don't remember if we did strides so it might be closer to 8 total.

2 after.

Seven mile run with the team. Legs felt ok but never great. I could still run fast but I had a mental block against pain. My body's still trying to protect itself after the mental stress and abuse from last weekend. 

Strides

1 after, maybe a bit more

Odd workout today, but it's peaking season.

1200: 3:49 (400m jog rest ≈ 5:00 rest)

400: 67 (2:00 rest)

400: 67 (600m full recovery + Harris speech)

1200: 3:42 (full recovery)

400: 67 (2:00 rest)

400: 63 

Long cool down

It was a pain in the butt to get my legs moving this morning. They were so cold and 5:20 felt way fast, but I forced them into gear and I started hitting it pretty well. The last 400 was probably too hard for the workouts purposes but I wanted to get my legs moving. Instead of hitting an extra set I'm doing my classic tempo tomorrow. Things are starting to get a lot better. For all of you young men out there attempting to do something with your life, forget girls for a nice long while and achieve your dreams. Remember your priorities people.

3 mile tempo: 17:41 

GPS free. I'm alright with it because I went completely off of feel. I felt great I'm getting over my girl issues. Pumped for state. I'm ready to fly.

I figure I'll wanna look back on the build up to state so I'm blogging today.

I felt the best I've felt mentally and emotionally since my birthday last night. I was so free and happy. I was pumped for state and life was of so good. It was like I was normal again. I haven't felt normal since before the crash.

I woke up with anxiety this morning. It was kind of inexplicable because I didn't have anything to be stressed about. Things still feel really good and the stress is pretty much give now. Body's primed and ready to rock. So pumped rn. 

Mile Warm-up

2x800@tempo pace (full recovery)

1x800@race pace

800m jog

4x200@mile pace(ish)

800m cool down

2 extra

From what I can remember the splits were pretty solid. I was dreaming of a good race. Still very excited. I spent too much time in front of a screen relaxing and got a little cranky, but overall the days I spent in prep for state were some of the best days of my life. No joke.

4 up around memory grove and the state capital. I worshiped the Indian so tradition lives on. Life was prime other than a minor distraction of Halsey. Just minor. Things may have become a wee bit too much focused on the finish and not so much on just enjoying the race, but overall life was prime.

So here is my narrative for the week.

Pre Race: I woke up with the guys at around seven. I was hoping for a little later, but the thermostat was broken and I could hardly sleep in the super bed all night. After eating my traditional canned fruit for breakfast (I had my peaches and toast the morning before), I realized the hotel did not carry the cereal that records are made of, frosted flakes. Thus I had to go on adventure to several gas stations around salt lake to find the breakfast that all pr's are fueled off of. I did find my frosted flakes, and paid a solid $2 for them. Pr's aren't cheap. Anyways, we partyed to some mariachi music (puerto rican gypsy), had an epic rubber band war, and made some coffee. The coffee was not drunk. I had a blast and life was prime. We got to the course, and I was set to make history. I watched a bit of the girls race, and warmed up (i.e. found a bathroom that didn't have a line, it took over 2 miles of running) and headed to the start. I was all the right kinds of nervous. I was set.

Mile 1: Gun goes off and things start out as usual. I get shoved to mid-pack, Luke's ahead of me and I make the first choice to move up.  I headed up the first hill and laughed at all the people wearing spikes because spikeless saucony's are so much more legit. I hit the top of the hill and realized I was in oxygen debt and I had a flash back to wasatch (not a good flash back). I quickly regained composure and focused on that allowing myself to relax at the mediocre pace in the pack. I passed a bunch of kids, elbowed a pv kid (sorry, well I mean you did kinda take out Luke at region so we're all good) and eventually found my way up to dhills. I tried really hard not to, but I kinda lost control of form down that first hill, plus weaving in and out of kids on that plateau was not really all that smart. I was still a ways back and I hit The Hill comfortably and passed a bunch of kids cuz hills are bae. I latched on to Josh and Kale and Spencer. (5:15 split?)

Mile 2: This is where I had the most fun I've ever had at a state race. I had a few moments coming off of The Hill that I was totally and completely focused. It was incredible. Again my tactics were weak because I was never content to just sit on Kale and Josh. I found myself going just enough faster or slower that I burned a lot of energy passing or being passed. I moved up well through The Exterminator but I could feel my arms go (not a good sign, bad races happen when I lose my arms). I lost the mental battle right before mile two. I remember the exact moment. Josh had already slipped by a second, and then Kale went by me and I lost my focus, my drive.

Mile 3: It became all about that finish line, counting down the meters. Mr. Mayonnaise, Sage and Mr. Bear passed me and I was just dying. In the perfect race (1600m state track, cedar xc, 2.5 in to dixie xc) I am blasted by the pain but I retain a curtain amount of mental focus to carry me, on pace, preferably past people, to the finish line. I just didn't have that perfect race. On the upside, at 2.5 miles Harris was at The Critical Junction as usual and he told me something ridiculous like to pass 3 people. It was then I regained enough mental composure to pull my race out of the depths of despair and into pure pain mode. I love pure pain mode. It turns my masochist side on. I caught Mr. Mayo and Sage and we battled it out once we entered the stadium. Unfortunately, my unbeatable kick was beatable that day and I went from a possible 16:07 and 7th to a 16:09 and 10th.

Negative Take Away: I didn't have my perfect race that I'd planned and prepared so hard for leading up to it. I believe that with that perfect race I could've gone 15:40's, maybe even faster. That's a little disappointing. I couldn't have prepared any better than I did. I did absolutely everything in my power leading up to that race to have the race I'd dreamed of all season and went it came to crunch time I slipped for 800m. Who knows what made the difference between me and my time vs Josh and his time or Mr. Stansbury and his time. 

Positive Take Away: In every respect this race was a miracle. Take a look at my logs in July, I had just hit my first 80 mile week and ran a 4:25 mile. An unprecedented injury occurred of surprising strength taking nearly a month of solid training out of what was shaping up to be a huge break out season (not that this year hasn't been). After recovering and getting back on track with a victory at Dixie I ran into even more difficulties. I struggled for a month with serious depression. I'm not trying to draw attention to myself, but to be perfectly honest, I hit lows that no one should ever be expected feel. The strange thing is, yet again, these struggles were basically uncalled for. There was no real reason to feel the way I did and yet I struggled. The point is, with the help of the Lord, I managed to pull off the fastest time in Cedar High history, a 10th place finish in the fastest 3A race ever,  and have one of the best weeks of my life after spending a month of my summer injured and another month depressed. I couldn't ask for more. I am as pleased as anyone with my performance.

Future: My workouts indicate that I'm in for a pretty solid jump in performance sometime here. I am planning on pushing the limits of what's possible through the next 3 weeks building up to NXR and then attempting the impossible and qualifying for nationals. I may be attending Footlocker 2 weeks after or maybe NXN or maybe just rest we'll see how these next 3 weeks of the purest form of pain go :D

Wonderful run. Legs loosened well. Good refelction time down past SUU and back.

It was a tad bit more than 8 but its whatevs. Legs took awhile to loosen but overall things are good.

Attempted a personal creation of a workout I've named The Shower Workout.

3x(1 mile@tempo+400@race pace) 3 minutes rest between sets.

So this was REALLY hard because I've eaten terribly and slept little since state. A man has to relax sometimes. Thus, I only did 2 sets :P

Set 1:

6:05

1:15

Set 2:

5:45

1:20

Clearly I was dying. 5:20 pace at the end of an interval is remarkably slow for me. I called it cuz my legs were toast and my coach was hesitant to let me workout so close after state. I'm trying to not be a stupid teenage runner.

5 with the team. Extended dikes. Pretty fast. Sub 7:10's. 

4.75 on my own.  Extended alleys. 8's. Not that I cared. I just don't enjoy hitting anything faster than 7:30's on an easy day. I mean I can and have been able to for years; I just don't think there's any reason to.

Probably the best workout thus far.

6xSUU grass loop @ goal 5k race pace (.6, .2 rest or about 3 minutes)

3:05

3:04

3:03

3:01

3:01

3:00

6x200 @ mile pace (1 minute rest)

35

33

33

33

33

33

It was absolutely incredible 3 minutes=5 minute pace so I was cooking. I hit between 2:30 and 2:33 at the half mile mark on all of these. I negative split the entire workout. The coolest part is I never felt like I was killing myself to hit a certain time, rather I felt like I was running a race. It legitimately felt like race pace. On top of that I did 3.6 miles and I felt pretty dang good all the way through. I wasn't struggling on the 5th or 6th. To make this workout literally perfect I hit 5 straight perfectly paced 200's after forcing my body into pace just once. The fast felt incredible. I would of kept going had I not had been having some minor cramping. The cool down was cut short because of diet mistakes during lunch (3 bananas). Never ran so fast so easily. I've come so far, I honestly believe I'm living my dream.

If you haven't seen my state recap you should go check it out. I would call it my fast running blog master piece. I'm rather proud of it. 

Extended new alleys (not a fan)

8 strides

Traditional 3

Wanted to run slowly but no one would so I hung in the back with Logan and Jensen. Quad cramped really badly climbing out of sheep tunnels. The run actually started out really fun and got really stupid. I was bored and tired. Hopefully the legs feel a bit better tomorrow. 

2 mile warm up

6x400 (lap jog rest) @ Mile Pace or a bit slow + 6x200 (half lap rest) @ Mile pace or a bit faster

400's

73.0

67.7

66.6

68.0

66.7

63.7

200's

32.6

33.2

32.5

30.7

31.4

28.6

3 Cool Down

I was a little concerned leading up to this workout. My legs haven't been feeling great. I'm feeling the higher miles. Seems ridiculous since I've done some really high stuff but after two months of barely 50, 60's hurts. In terms of this workout I'm incredibly impressed. The 73 is no joke. Harris told me to do the first one comfortable so I did, and I was mad so I sped up. I'm gonna be hitting a mile time trial in a week so this was some good pace work. The best part of this workout: I never went to my knees, even on the 1:03. I never hit that serious oxygen debt that I'm so acquainted with. The second best part: I never strained. I was never really comfortable running fast, but the 1:03 wasn't straining and kicking. It was one split. It was doable and reasonable. 

I don't know what it is, but I'm sitting here jamming out to some chill hip-hop and just enjoying life. Things are so great. XC banquet today. Things came off nearly perfectly. That with a cafe rio dinner is perfection. My legs feel great. I'm loving life. I'm living my dream.

7 with the team. We made it 1.7ish up the c trail before I got worried about the guys and decided to turn around. We made up past 7000ft. (Our track is 5900). It was way fun

3 after. Legs are doing better than expected after the climb.