C Mantz Run

I started my run a little after 10.  It was really nice outside, the rain cleared out the inversion which was wonderful.  I warmed up 2 miles around 8 min mile pace.  I really wanted caramel apples while I was running for some reason, so I told myself that if I hit my 800, I would get myself some.  I didn't want to run down to the track because I knew it was snow covered, so I did my repeat from my house.  The majority was gradual uphill.  I ran an 800 at my 2 mile pace.  It felt really good, but I could feel it.  I started from my corner to avoid slush, so I kept checking my watch the last stretch. I know I hit it (a 2:51), because I hit .51miles in 2:54! Then I recovered a mile and a half.  When I got home, I did 4 200s at rpace with a 200 recovery. They went really well.  I forgot how good it feels to do a workout with sprints.  It's hard, but short.  My times were 1) 38, 2) 36, 3) 38, 4) 35.  My form felt really good and so I just went with it. The 38s there was a headwind, but back (35 and 36), there was a downhill and tailwind, so they felt really good. After I did a mile cool down.  I was hoping to do 4 more, but I might take it easier for Simplot this week.

It was so beautiful outside today! I was gonna run later in the evening, but I couldn't pass up the chance to run in the sun.  It was maybe 37ish degrees, but the sun was out, so it was way warm.  I was able to wear shorts and short sleaves. I ran 8 up Smithfield Canyon and averaged an 8:00 mile.  My first mile was around 7 minutes, so I backed off on my pace.  It felt really good to go nice and slow.  I'm sore from sprinting yesterday, but atleast I could run it out today.  My shoulder also hurt because I think I slept on it funny. Also, I didn't eat a ton today because I was so busy, I didn't think about it until I was running and my body was tired.  These things weren't super horrible because I was so happy that the sun was out, but I did notice them.  I'm ready for Simplot.

I took Ruby on my premeet; she had a blast.  I did 3 miles easy, but I felt so good my average pace ended up being a 7:50. It was warm, but overcast like a humid overcast day in the middle of the summer.  There was a slight breeze, but it felt way good.  I didn't go as far as planned, but I don't want to overdo it.  I'm ready for tomorrow. 

I felt really good this race.  Before we got to the meet, I had been hydrating a ton because the track gets pretty hot while you're running.  When we got there, I was worried I had hydrated too much and it would mess up my race, but I guess it was perfect because it helped my race more. I did a half mile shake out with the guys which felt pretty good, I went a little fast, but it felt good to stride out.  After watching the guys run, I was getting nervous.  My goal was a sub 11:40 because I knew that I would get to finals with that time no matter what (compared to previous years).  I warmed up a mile with a girl from Lehi named Sami, I think.  She was super nice and it was awesome doing a warmup with somebody because I haven't done a warmup with someone in a long time.  We went about a mile. I was ready right on time and actually got in all of my stretches which was great.  I had eaten a perfect amount of food, but for some reason I was hungry, probably because I'm used to eating after my run around that time. Okay, now to the race.

We started out way fast.  I know that this race tends to be that way, so I went up with the front girls on the second lap.  I passed the leaders of the pack because they really slowed down before the second lap was over. Our 400 was still way fast, but I knew it would make it easier to hit my goal and I was feeling good, so I just kept going. The rest of the race is a blur because the laps tend to get too repetative.  I knew I just needed to hit around a 44 lap.  I was on pace the whole time.  It didn't really feel like a race, other than that there were people watching, and I was running away from the pack.  The leader was way ahead, so I just kept pushing.  I felt really good until the last 800m.  My body was feeling tired.  I just kept going.  I was really worried that the girls behind me would catch me, but I don't know when they dropped.  I kind of sprinted then, too, but it wasn't too hard.  I only really put energy into the last lap because I had 44 seconds to hit my goal.  My laps didn't sound or feel even, but it was okay. I definitely didn't feel as if I had to put my all into it, which was good. I was happy with my finishing time. My body felt amazing. 

I then talked to some people, then cooled down a mile in the dark which was kinda sketch. It was way fun to hang out with people and to watch the races, but I got really tired. We didn't leave until the girls mile started, and I couldn't sleep on the way home. I'm pretty pumped for Saturday, but I'm gonna need to get more sleep.

Went 2.5 miles premeet with Ruby.  It was super pretty.  It feels like spring which is wonderful! I felt good, but I'm so tired.  I will hopefully get in a nap this afternoon. My miles ended up averaging an 8 min pace. I'm way pumped for tomorrow!

I had an awesome morning prepping for the race, but my legs were still a little tired.  I drove up with my mom around 11, and we had plenty of time to watch some races.  I wasn't ready to start my warmup.  Now that it's over, I can admit that I was so nervous going into this race- especially because I was seeded second.  My goal was to pr, that was it.  I didn't care if I was gonna place, all I wanted was a pr.  When I started my warmup, it was super pretty outside.  I loved how warm it was! I only did a mile, but I guess that was all I needed. After I grabbed my shoes and got everything prepped, I went down to check in with Emily. I got in all of my stretches again which was pretty nice.  The striders felt good.

When the gun went off, my nerves totally left.  I just ran.  The first few laps I don't really remember. I just remember passing the pack and focusing on the girl in the front.  I felt really good, but I was worried my first mile was way too fast.  It ended up being around a 5:30.  I was running alone pretty much the entire time.  On the 150m mark, I could see the pack 50m behind me.  It really pushed me, and I noticed the gap getting slowly bigger over time.  I can admit that I wanted to give up at the mile and last 800 mark, but both times I thought that would be stupid because I was in a good place.  Because my pace was quicker than normal, I wasn't positive on my times that I was supposed to hit.  I know my splits were fairly consistent. The majority of the race was a blur. The last 400 I kicked, but I didn't feel much faster.  The last 300, I heard the bell for the leader's last lap, and I kicked some more.  On the last 100, I realized this was the last of indoor, so I'd better give it my all.  I didn't feel like it was faster, but I could feel the last of what I had in me. I didn't know my time because they stopped the clock.

I never imagined getting second at Simplot, so I'm happy, but I couldn't have done it without all the motivation from other people and Conner's help with workouts.  I'm happy about the pr, too. I cooled down about a mile with Emily which was fun.  When I got back, Ethan invited me to cool down with him.  It ended up also being with some crazy fast guys, too.  Luckily, they didn't go very fast at all.  It was really fun. It was a fun day!