Life Liberty and the Pursuit of a Shiny Gold Medal

Couldn't run cuz family happened.

Didn't run. On the road all day.

Actually a pretty solid run. Left calf and right hip flexer kindof tightened up cuz of all the snow, but it was good.

Easy run through the standard bike path system. Fun run.

Simlilar thing to yesterday but backwards minus dikes and the new trail. Fun enjoyable run. My legs feel about as strong as ever. Got new shoes today too. New Balance 980's. Never thought Id see the day where I bought New Balance on my own free will.

4 with Harris and then another 4 after. Ran a 5 minute mile dowm mainstreet for funsies. Enjoyable day. Awesome to see the coach again.

Would of done more, but I fell asleep in three out of four classes today and was in desperate need of a nap. Ran out past eagle point and pack. Very comfortable enjoyable run. 

Note to self: Don't eat fish right before a run.

SUU honor band all weekend. I probably could've run more but I needed a nap in my down time.

Goals for next week: begin serious training, 6 days a week, strides, other stuff

First run with the team. Ran out to Eagle Point and back.

2 solo after. I need to be more efficient.

Ran to Suu's indoor track and ran 30 minutes with the team and ran back. It was actually pretty fun. I closed in a 26 lap on that rectangle thing they call a track. (Distance per lap =.1x)

Ran 2 after which should be around 8-8.5.

Extended dikes + 3 after. A bit cold but overall a very enjoyable relaxing run.

5.5 w/ team. Bridge.

8x100m strides w/ jog back

2 post pep band

Awesome day. Legs feel so smoot and legit.

Bike Path Narrows w/ team

3 after

I love running. Hills don't fase me at all when I run with the team cuz that 7:30-8:30 pace is just a peace of cake. Hit up the hurricane game in hurricane today too which was super fun.

Drove out to three peaks to hit up some mountain biking trails I'd never been on before. Started on big hole loop, ended up on three peaks loop, made a wrong turn and had to backtrack a ways. I kept running around the three peaks loop trail and missed a turn once I made it around the three peaks themselves onto a new trail that hadn't really been made yet. (just a bunch of orange flags) I was getting tired so I changed to the map mode on my ancient Garmin 305 and trail blazed back to the parking lot. Tons of fun running solo through my new found paradise.

Pretty legit run. Dropped a sub 4:35 pace for 600 meters just cuz I wanted to. It was fun. Solo run cuz milk day.

Walmart bike path with the team.

The end of the mid-distance workout

3 extra

Sore from the form drill I did with the mid-d peeps. It hurt a lot.

3 in morning during late start. Gorgeous run. Not to cold. Very enjoyable.

5.x with team plus some extra running around. Blue water tank. I've got pretty good endurance right now, at least running up hill like those didn't hurt too much. Now I just gotta stay uninjured.

5.25 Independance run with the distance team again. Nice and slow. Enjoyable. Got Brennon to kick with me again. We hit pretty close to his mile pr pace before he fell off. He's gonna improve a ton if he keeps with it.

4 back through that bike path system to SUU to pick up my dad's car.

5-6 with team doing every form of indian run imaginable. Inverted is by far the best. I'm a huge advocate for the "run slow, train relaxed, race fast" theory.

6x100m indian run strides

3 by myself. Drove to the mouth of the canyon to run on the bike paths down there. I like driving to my runs. I can run more places.

I have no idea how long I ran today so this is an estimate. If any supernatural powers exsist in the running world I would like to forgoe any bad luck rought upon me by augmenting my mileage. I swear it was not inteneded. This is simply an estimate.

4:47 Got bumped by Piercen Maez wiht 150 to go and it screwed up my kick. Fun race. Pre-race goal: 4:45

2:07 very easy and relaxed until the final 20 meters where I saw Piercen again and my mentality dropped and I died. Sad, but awesome race. Pre-race goal: 2:10

Ran to my gma's house for lunch

Ran all the way around the BYU campus for funsies and a cool down.

Ran back and forth and up and down and through stairs and under bleachers. 

BYU indoor meet if anyone or any future version of me is still unclear about what's going on here.

6.0 with team plus running back and forth from school

Fast finish for last mile. Very fast actually, probably close to sub-5 and started conservatively.

6x100 strides. Did these too fast

3 on lay hill

Junkyard 7.x with the team. Super relaxed and Cole pushed it hard towards the end and it was super relaxed. 

To and from school (.5) + lap warm up (.25) + 800 with mid d team

2.x out at bicentennial park (SUU course)

Calves were cramping after yesterday's strides that I did too fast. Overall the legs are super crazy legit although I'm hitting serious sleep deprivation.

5 miles with the team 7x1 minute fartlek w/ 1-2 minutes rest. Started out at what felt like goal mile pace and then Coach Harris said we were doing 7-8 so I backed off to around goal 2 mile pace, except the last one I killed with Luke. It ended being 4 down hill and 3 up hill. Lots of fun. I'm really learning to love fartleks.

5-6 on a new run I'm calling Lost. It starts down at Eagle Point and runs up the Junkyard trail connects to the end of Banks and comes back. Gorgeous, although I ended up running in the dark for the last mile or so which was pretty sketchy. Still need to find my GPS watch. It's been gone for about a week now...

6 Extended Dikes with the team. Tayson and Logan and I designed a Lord of Rings out of distance runners. Kale Sharp and Nephi and Nick all die unfortunately, but it was pretty freaking legit.

4 at the SUU indoor track cuz I wanted to. Watched two intramural basketball games simultaneously which was way fun. One was actually pretty intense. 

3 mile warm up

1 mile race

3 mile cool down

I migh be fudging on the miles a little but I don't care. I've run further than I've blogged everyday this week. Mile race was fun. Went out in a 65 and I thought I was gonna die, but I held on through 3 miles and then called it mentally at the last 400 cuz I hurt and I didn't have a desire to PR today. Too much effort.

Warm Up 

800: 2:05

Cool Down

Warmed on the roads around the ice oval and up a super steep hill. Legs weren't feeling stellar.

Cooled down on the massive expanse of grass fields surounding the ice oval.

The 800 went out in a sub-60 and I held on but didn't kill myself over it. Pretty decent for an average effort after a higher mileage week.

7 with team (last 2 fast finish)

1.75 warm up/cool down with various and assorted people

2.25 around the block solo.

I felt like cus today although playing trombone was the best its ever been. I killed myself to just get up the canyon, probably a combination of two fasterish races and fast sunday. We hit the start of the fast finish near the end of the canyon bike path and cruised down 200 south and then up main street and back to the school. Cole stayed behind me and then passed me a little ways up the hill. I held on and nabbed him in the end but I killed myself. 6:00 and 5:40 for the miles. Hurt worse than either race last weekend. It took very nearly everything I had.

Razorbacks + 8 strides + Extra mileage on usual roads

Fun stuff. Legs didn't kill too bad coming back up although the right calf is a little achy.

3 morning miles (5:20 am)

Cove drive run + 6x200m Chevron Hills

Guys are moving up well and the legs are flowing pretty good. Calf is still sore but lifting is going decently. Goin for the triple crown at Cedar vs Canyon View. It's gonna be legit. I'm pumped.

7 miles through a new run dubbed Testosterone Canal

3 solo 

Warm up

9x400 w/ 60-90 seconds rest (goal 1:17)

79

76

76

75

74

74

71

72

68

Cool Down

Extra mileage at bicentennial 

Heavy wind on the homestretch making this workout a lot harder. Rest gradually got shorter which didn't end up being a problem for me even though I expected it to be hard with all the wind. First 200 was generally 2 seconds faster than last 200 so reps were slow from the start. Good run although the right calf got mad at me part way throuhg and is still upset. Need to ice.

6.5 With Aimee. Hit a 15:00 minute tempo in the middle with her at 6:30 pace which felt like a piece of cake which is awesome.

Went on a date with the fastest swimmimer in the state ;)

4.5 up Cedar Mountain to the "C" super gorgeous although the last half mile was unrunable because of all the snow. Made up for it with some running at the top. Lots of fun.

Shortened Canyon View

15 minute tempo in the middle: 2.75 miles sub 5:30 meet

Hurdles 2x100m sprint (bad bad bad idea)

3 @ the bi

I'm falling in love with that park. I used to dread the meets there but now I love that place. Super fast tempo and it was way relaxed until the last 1:20 uphill in the wind. I feel so fast. I'm making dreams come to true this year.

7 easy miles + 8 strides

3 easy on the dikes bike path.

Fun stuff. Calf aches but it isn't getting any worse.

Warm Up to Home Depot

5x400m home depot reps (goal: sub 1:40)

1:29

1:36

1:36

1:34

1:34

Cool down home

Orthodontist appointment that was a waste of time + pep band = low mileage

Workout was killer gave that last one basically everything I had

5 during the most preferred assembly

7.5 around lay hill with the team

Can't remember if I did strides. Good mileage for today and felt decent. Calf still bugs me, but it's not serious... yet. I need to be careful.

Full college warm up

10x300@milesplit (51) w/ 100m walk (about 1:30) 

54

52

51

51

51

50

50

50

49

48

5 out around the bi to CV and back

Super tired from all the everything this week. Freaking life. So I was breathing hard from rep #1 although the legs held on through #9. Decent workout. Pretty fast and I felt it....

Bike trail system

A bunch of couples up the canyon. I started singing everybody's got somebody but me cuz even the creepy dude I met before state was being chased by police dudes on bikes.

First three stunk cuz I was so tired. Then I had stomach probs and then I felt good and ran fast.

6.5

3.5 (last half tempo)

First run was me just running around. Hit some intervals with hurdles just for fun, nothing too fast (and I'm pretty sure I'm the next Evan Jager ;) ;) jk. Second half of the last run was supposed to be a fast finish so I drove down to the bi and ran up main street and back. Hit the fast finish down mainstreet and I hauled. Easily faster than last weeks 15 minute tempo. I would say floating around 5:20 for first mile and the gradually faster until the last quarter was sub 5. Feeling so fly. Compare this workout with a similar fast finish that I did during the summer and early fall last season I am massive strides ahead. It's really incredible how much of a leap my fitness has taken.

Suu warm up

4x1200@ between xc and tempo pace (400 lap jog)

4:05

4:02

4:01

3:55

Cool down + extra mileage on hill

This workout stunk. I went too hard yesterday and it was my first endurance workout of the season. I also ran into someone in each of the final two reps so that made things hurt worse. There are too many people on such a tiny track. Overall good times and good effort for early season.

7 easy before rehearsing for solo n ensemble 

2 w/ mileage strides

Mileage strides are something I invented so I can avoid running up another freaking C-City hill. Just basically strides as fartleks.

8 - New Adventure run. Funky Rock Run. It starts off as an adventurous bridge and then it cuts behind Clifford the Bid Red Hill on a very very very nice trail none of us new exsisted. Typical crew (me, Tayson, Brennan, Logan). We ran nearly all of it, the only sketch part was running out on the north side by ThunderBird Gardens in the Funky Rock Washout. Probably longer than 8 and definitely harder, but lots of fun.

2 - usual extra stuff. 

Today was definitely more than ten, but all week has been like that. Hills tomorrow. Need more sleep...

Warm Up to the middle of the Sage Drive hill.

12x125m-ish hills

Cool Down back to high school

Extra Mileage on new route I'm calling Telegraph. Similar to Lost except more fun and hilly.

Hills started pretty comfortable, but I was blazing by the end. I'm freaky fast. Legs feel so wonderful. Harris might have me hit 20 of these sometime. Oh, and I am the trail whisperer. New trails just seem to speak to me. I'll be running down an average boring route and a fresh new gorgeous trail will speak to me. I might have to pull a Fielding and switch to trail races when I become a "master".

8 with the dedicated guys. Junkyard backwards

2 w/ Jensen

This day also probably ended more than 10 making the week a lot more than 60 but its whatevs

Just easy mileage around town. Mostly a bunch on the suu indoor track with Harris and Parsons. Good run.

Down left frontage road.

5x4 minutes. @faster than tempo pace

So legit of a workout. Last two were uphill for the last half or so. Wonderful run. Super tire now.

2 after

Region Jazz. These were all morning miles.

Successful day. Outstanding section and soloist awards.

8 miles

2 solo

Fun run on the bike trail system. Snowball fight halfway through.

Warm Up

8x400 @ 2 mile pace (1 min rest)

74

74

73

72

74

74

74

73

Cool Down plus extra mileage

Cold and Tired. Should've hit another two reps but kinda started too fast.

Things got crazy. Blizzard

Shoveled the track and built some snowmen for cross training.

Went to the SUU indoor track and did a 2, 4, 6, 6, 4, 2 lap fartleks. Started at 5:30 pace dropped form there. Beast mode for a .1 track. Still blizzard conditions. 

KlonDIKES + sheep tunnels. Frozen blizzard conditions. Fun stuff.

All at d-hills cuz solo n ensemble and no snow. So legit. So warm.

8x400 @ mile pace w/200 jog inbetween

71

69

67

68

67

67

67

68

2 mile cool down while Tayson warmed up

2 timing Tayson. Did the last 400 with him and we went 1:05 closing in a 15 flat. 

2 timing Jensen. Did the last 400 with him and we went 1:12 opening in a 34. He died hard.

This was a much much better workout than the previous time I did a mile pace workout. The body isn't used to hauling that fast so it took a little while to get used to, but these lap times will drop dramatically once the speed starts getting added to the workouts. Between Monday's workout, the ACT yesterday and today's workout, I've literally been one prayer away from beast mode. I've done some awesome things lately.

Easy miles. Might've been more than 10 but whatever.

4x150 strides

Hurricane All-Comers

4:51

I did a couple other races. Got out kicked in the 800 and yelled at in the 2 mile. I'd just like to ask forgiveness publically for joking around in the 2 mile. I provide no excuses simply an apology for dragging out a too long meet longer and tarnishing the reputation of legit race in which Nick Hill went 10:07. Congrats.

I'm obviously not very pleased with this meet. I hated it all besides the adventure run up to the H. I honestly didn't enjoy it at all. I was nervous and went really counted I couldn't get myself to go simply because I didn't think I had enough "left in the tank" or it's "too early". I know what I'm capable of how do I just get myself to give everything I have. How do I get back to where I was last year. Uggggh. I just want to enjoy this. 

Today was crazy fun. 

Woke up at 4:30 am. Drove to Hurricane and met some super legit kids to run the lake to lake relay with. We blew everyone out of the water and took third behind the "naked men" and the "green shirt dudes". 

I had the 5th and 10th legs again this year. Took a while for my legs to hit that just slower than tempo pace (only for my first leg). Eventually I got it locked in and I cruised well although my first leg was rough.

10th leg was so much fun. I was entirely alone. I made it up to the top of the gravel hill and I turned around for a second to see if I had to go crazy the last 5 miles or so. I couldn't see anyone so I took off. I haven't had that much fun running in so long. It was just so beautiful (alhtough I like my moutain trails), and I cruised so fast so easily and so relaxed. It was beautiful. Last half mile up to the dam/dike thing was heck, and I hit some intense pain levels.

Super-duper fun day. I love those guys (and Kamryn). They are all such wonderful people. If any of you read this, thank you so much. I needed today.

4x1200 (lap jog rest)

3:58

4:00

4:00

3:57

Extra mileage in the valley out past CV

Had to tough out a lot of pain today because of last weekend. I'm pretty dang tired. I need to more time to relax. Extra mileage was gorgeous. Most enjoyable extra mileage I've put in in a long time.

Extended Bridge

4x150

Extra mileage past CV

Mindless and insanely fit. I'm still just so out of it. I need to relax, break some bad habits and survive the coming weeks. Same place as monday. So gorgeous.

Triple Crown!

4:50 (68, 75, 80, 67)

2:08 (64, hi 63)

10:37 (5:24, 5:13, 68 last lap)

Three Wins today. Very happy about my performances. 

Bike Path Narrows

6x100m strides

Usual extra 3

Very rainy today, but the legs felt pretty solid.

20xShort sage drive hills

Extra mileage on new bike path

Beast of a workout today, but I love short fast reps and I killed it.

Extra mileage was way fun too. Started a tan and ran like a wild man across some deer trails I came across. Trails are my bae.

Out Airport road to the neighborhood I ran most of my easy miles earlier this week. I really enjoy the area, but the 5 miles out didn't feel good and the 7 back up hill was heck. Good hard run but unenjoyable.

Something that bugs me beyond all belief: MM and BA... together. (I know none of you know who he and she are) That's just something that shouldn't happen. If there is supernatural power that could make that end ASAP I appeal to it for the good everyone.

Warm Up 

4x4min fartleks (sub 5:20)

4x30sec fartleks (mileish pace)

Cool down

Extra @ the Bi.

I went beast mode on these. The third 4 minute and all of the 30's were up hill on the left frontage road. I'm ready to do some damage in some races. Pumped for what's coming. Hamstring has gotten gradually more achey, although isn't a major issue. 

Some short miles pre-practice

Independence Loop

6x100m strides

Some short miles post-practice

Allergies getting pretty bad. Not feeling wonderful.

5x300 @ 800m pace (full recovery)

44

45

45

44

43 (high)

So sick today. My entire body aches. Still a super workout. Kindof a shock to intentionally make the legs move that fast, but things got better as the workout progressed. Definitely not too killer either. I had a few left in me despite being miserable from this head cold/allergies.

I honestly can't remember how far or where I ran. I was feeling like cus and stayed home from school because of this cold/allergy thing. I was visualizing and stuff, attempting to prep for the mile.

Ran this race like a freshman. Bronco took it out in a 30 and so he pulled the rains in way hard and so I took the lead and pushed through the next couple laps like a boss. Then Bronco got on my inside with 600 left and I held things together until 300 left and then I went plop and I died, almost literally. I was in so much pain when I finished this race. Not a good experience. So bad I avoided feeling pain the next day. I need to get my body back on line.

At least I'm admitting my time. Yes Jaiden you officially ran a full minute faster than me, and it sent me into rotten depression for a couple hours. Sometimes I care waaaaaaaaaaay waaaaaaay waaaaaaay too much, but I'm learning to deal with it and it's making me better. 

Things went as planned until 3 laps to go. I psyched myself out and got too caught up in time/pace/place. I then laid an egg an got beaten by Mckade who I wasted in the 2 mile and mile last week. Just proves the importance of mental stability, and props to Mckade for running fast.

Well I was low on confidence coming in to this week. I was kinda setting myself for a Nephi-esque blow up in the next couple weeks (no offense Nephi, I know your pain, I've been there before and you're making a solid comeback).

Windy 5xXC course reps (1k+) with VERY short rest (-2 min)

3:26

3:38

3:38

3:36

Sucked this workout up through a coffee straw. My times were up to 30 seconds slower than xc and I was toast by the end. So what how did I respond? I ran... 

4x200

30.0

29.1

28.6

28.4

These made me tired.

Don't remember much about this day.... Wait. Oh we ran bridge and did some new trails I've wanted to do for awhile. Fun stuff.

8 strides

Extra mileage

I was depressed this day. I've been re-evaluating everything in my life, and I'm off the charts busy. Naturally, I have to pick this week to deal with my mounting internal issues.

I only ran 6 today :( reasons I hate band....

3x(500, 400, 200) shortening rest (2min, 1:45, 1:30)

88

71

34

Full recovery jog

88

70

33

Full recovery jog

86

69

32

Short cool down

I was struggling with positivity because of huuge massive terrible wind and cold. Honestly the worst wind I've run in for a looooong while. Still depressed. Things don't feel right. I'm goin after a 400 at PV cuz that's the stylish thing to do these days, and with state jazz I'm over the top stressed. 

Easy miles

4x150 strides

Usual pre-meet ritual but because of the JV meet I ran alone. Found my very favorite place in the whole world today, and no you can't know where it is. It's so wonderful. Anyways, things were goin down hill hard core and I was really going to implode this weekend, but I exerted a twig of faith and the Lord provided. I pulled out Once a Runner for the first time since before freshman year. I read the chapters about the pinnacle race and it centered me. I found my reason for running. I realize that with my current mental issues its gonna take a few days for me to get back to the point where running is enjoyable, but this all one big long process. I know where I am going to be 10-15 years down the road and this is simply another step in the journey. That experience has helped me let go of my bitterness towards my competition and feel peace about running for the first time since, well since early Feb even Jan. Tomorrow is about competing, it's about having fun. Times will come as I realize I'm running a race to race. I don't race to get a time. I don't race to prove dominance over another man. I race for the sake of racing. I race because of the beauty that lies behind its simple painful facade. I race to feel the guts that it takes to run with the leaders. I race to be a part of what I've fallen in love watching. I race to test my boundaries. I race to go find my edge and live to tell the tale. I race because it is an essential part of me. Please understand what I am saying. My times/places do not define me. The simplicity of racing has just become a part of my life. I won't be able to live a proper life without feeling it on a regular basis. This post is for my future self attempting to over come my reoccurring problems. This post is for me because no one else is me.

Today was all about blisters. Never had an issue with them before, but I could hardly walk because of them after the mile.

1600: 4:34 (not last)

400: 56

Decent times. Good improvement. The mile is the race I started 5-10m behind everyone for the first 1k because I don't support going out in a 1:00, or at least my body doesn't.

No run Saturday becasue of state jazz. I really tried, but things didn't workout.

5x800 @ goal 2 mile pace (lap jog/full recovery)

2:29

2:27

2:27 (red lined it)

2:xx (dropped out with 150 left)

Worst workout I have had in a very long time. Something's just off and I hate it.

Alley's tree

Kick Workout

100 - 16.5

110 - 19.3

120 - 19.2

130 - 21.0

140 - 21.7

150 - 22.5

160 - 23.2

170 - 24.0

180 - 25.0

190 - 26.2

200 - 27.2

Actually the full distances this time. I actually managed to convince a coach that its 200m from the start of the 300 to the start of the 100 instead of the break line. Both Pruitt and Harris thought it was the break line so times were slow freshman year and fast sophomor year.

Overall a good workout. I never really hit a wall and I had so many gears left, but the wind hit me HARD the last 50 of that 200. Pleased.

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.

Realized I forgot my running shoes so I ran all my mileage barefoot or with spikes. Now my calves are sore.

I went into this race with attitude of, "I am going to place as high as I possibly can." I didn't end up quite where I wanted to but I'm cool with it. I stuck with Sage and Bryson cuz I thought, "It's dhills. They're ready to run sub 9:50 lets run with them, and that pack up there is filled with guys too fit for me." Stupid, stupid, stupid. I knew Sage was on a low (sorry dude) and Bryson is only a freshman (sorry dude) and I knew that I'd been feeling WAY good all week so I should've gone with that 9:30's pack. Whatevs. What's done is done. I will learn from it and move on. On the bright side I never died despite hurting like heck the first 2 laps of mile 2, and I outkicked the dhills kids and Davidson said I did what I needed to do. So now it's on to State Band, tomorrow and a serious party.

Oh and also freaking Coach John played Munchkin in my hotel room until 12:30 the night before sooooo yeaaah. Sleep is essential.

Today is the best racing day I've had since middle school. It has been a solid 3 years since I doubled so ridiculously beautifully in a single day. I am sooooo fit right now and I'm gonna make some waves.

1600: First lap in a low 67 high 66. Controlled, maybe a bit slow, but right where I wanted to be in the pack. Second lap in a 67. This lap was mentally tough for me because I could feel the pack SLOW down so much. I stuck to the plan and controlled until lap 3. Lap 3 in a solid 67. I started going right at the beginning of the third lap like I'd planned and moved all the way until I was second at the gun. Huge mental break through for the season. Last lap in a 67. This needs some improvement, but I got in to a nice second and started move on the guy in first but I couldn't get the legs to switch into the last gears the final 300. I don't know if it was mental or physical but I'm pleased with the result. Finally beat Mr. One Arm. He's been out kicking me since before Freshman year.

800 in the all mighty medley: A bit of me was excited, a part of me was confident, and a sliver didn't even want to have to get the baton. Anyways my team did beautifully despite a mid-54 on the 3rd leg and I got the baton 10-15m behind Orem's East African. I rolled. I executed as planned with a fast first 50 and then a fast cruise through the next 300 (bad head wind on the home straight) and then I went into primal beast mode. The East African started to go as he passed his team so I sped up more and he started glance over his shoulder and I started to get the heart of a hungry lion. We came around the turn and somehow I got on his inside and we were stride down the home straight and my form simply slipped for a moment with 10m left and he got me by an arms length at most. Ugh. Still way pleased and happy with a 5 second season best in 2:01. Coach John said I might have even gone 1:59. So even a big PR. I'm gonna rock at region.

Super awesome weekend. I love this time of year. It's all up from here and I'm gonna be pleased with my best. 

3x400 (Lap jog in between)

64.3

64.7

64.3

6x200 (200 jog)

30.7

30.8

30.0

30.2

29.8

29.1

Easy Mileage at SUU

First 400's were VERY VERY comfortable. The 200's got tough because of all the junk in my legs, but I'm pumped for region.

Easy 3 with team

4x100 strides

Easy 3 at SUU

Honestly the legs don't feel great today, but I guess that's fine. I "ran" through my four races while on the little indoor track and I'm pumped for the things to come. There are some odd entries so I'm gonna rack up some major points this week.

I've really struggled blogging about these last few weeks. It was just difficult. Plus I like my breaks to be free from running. I'm just trying to make running fun again.

1600: I was a bit nervous but all of that was dealt with as I prepped. Race went out as expected through 200 but after 200 it got so strung out. Lap two, Jaiden started goin-ish. Things started to get a little tough on the back stretch but that was expected. I hung in there and then Jaiden slowed waaaay down at the end of lap two and I took off. I flew through that third lap and by halfway through the 4th I was honestly surprised by how short this race seemed and how much gas I still had. Then Jaiden got me with 50 left. Dang...

Medley: Got the baton, ran fast, got tired, passed Skylar, lost to Skylar. He was simply the stronger man. Not so hot a race.