AM: Day three of Hill Week! Today we met at the Park and Ride at the mouth of Big Cottonwood canyon. Once we all hopped in cars we went up to the start of Puke Hill. Every time we have done this run I have been away, so I have never done this run before. The run is uphill leading up to Puke Hill, then the hill itself is a monster. I was tempted to stop and walk for a bit towards the top but I pushed and didn't take a break. Man, that hill really tests your leg strength and your cardio. After that hill, this is a really pretty run. You have great views of the mountains and small lakes. At about mile four Chris, Ryan, and I came across two huge, bull moose. Those things are always bigger than I remember. They were right next to the trail, so we stopped and waited for a minute or two until they finally moved about 25 feet or so away from the trail and we cautiously passed. We continued on until mile six where we took a short break to stretch and then ran back. There was a bit more uphill on the way back than I thought there would be, but still not nearly as much as on the way out. For about the last 3/4 mile Chris and Ryan had fallen off and I finished the run by myself, but Chris was close behind. Brutal 12 miles. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205567253

PM: I didn't work today so I took advantage of the extra time and went for 6 miles. I recovered surprisingly well from this morning, so I felt good during this run. Afterwards I stretched my legs because I know that in the morning I will wake up stiff and sore. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205839258 

AM: Day four and final day of Hill Week! We met at Cottonwood Complex today. We started by running to a park nearby and finding our way towards a pavilion where there was a small hill. We did a small loop around and up that hill ten times. I was feeling really good during these, probably due to my unusual good nights sleep. After everyone finished we ran back over to Cottonwood Complex and regrouped at the base of Bessie. We were going to do a different hill workout than usual. From the start of Bessie we were going to run up the hill and continue on until the fence where we stop and take a one minute recovery, then run down the hill focusing on faster turn over and not over striding, followed by a minute recovery. Four sets of these would be our workout. They went well. I was still feeling good so I pushed the uphills and was flying on the downhills. Following that we swung over to the fountain to get some water, then did 3.5 miles cool down around the usual warm up route to be at 12 for the day. Hill Week is OVER!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/205839247 

AM: This morning most of the team is gone on trips so there was no practice. I just ran on my own. I hadn't realized how much I had front end loaded this week until I figured out that I only needed 16 miles in two days. So I decided on 10 today. I was lacking motivation this morning, but I just got out the door and did it so I could get on with my day. I was glad once I had finished and actually felt pretty good. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/206249601 

AM: After getting up at 3 in the morning to take my mom to the airport, and getting a total of 5 hours sleep, I went for a run to finish my weekly miles. Again, due to my lack of sleep, I was not too motivated for this run but it was only six so I just got out the door and did it. Now to enjoy the rest of this beautiful Saturday!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/206492068 

AM: Since I'm going to 95 again this week, I looked back at the week I had previously run that. I liked how my mileage played out, so I will try to duplicate that week. Which means that this morning I would go for ten. I felt better today that the past two days. I had my normal motivation to run, unlike the past two days. Man, this week is going to be brutal. High mileage and I'm working almost 30 hours.... 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/206955719 

AM: The team met at Sugarhouse Park this morning. We did our usual Monday morning run, Cemetery Run. Chris and I were with the group until a little less than a mile from the Cemetery, then Chris picked it up and I went with him. Once we were in the cemetery he slowed down to like 6:30's, so I passed him to hold the previous pace we were going at, which was about 6:00 pace or under. By the end of the second lap in the cemetery Chris fell off about 50 meters and I just headed back to SHP the usual way. I stopped right after the Highland soccer field fence to wait for Chris. When I stopped he was about 100 meters behind. I told him what he needed to be at 12 and I went to the bathroom. Then I started two grass laps around SHP to be at 12. On the beginning of the second one, I saw Susannah and she turned and finished that lap with me. A little after she joined Bill and Natalie caught us and so we all finished together. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/207433065 

PM: After work I went for a six mile run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208201463 

AM: This morning we met at Liberty Park to play Bingo. We started with two laps warm up, then hill strides on different teams. After that we went over to the tables and put our Bingo cards together. Once everyone was finished we divided into teams and we set off. These types of days where we do an activity are always fun, but the one down side to them is that I get so little miles from them. Once my team and Natalie's team finished, we got a small group together to add on. We did a lap around the outside of the park to get another two miles and be at 8 for the day. Afterwards we went for some breakfast at Park Cafe as a team!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208201450

PM: Since I got so little mileage this morning I knew I needed to get a longer run in at night. Whether 8 or 10 I was undecided. I did my best to get away from work as early as possible and was in an intense mental battle to get out the door. I have been exhausted all day and especially through work. I think it is because I didn't have my protein shake this morning, so I haven't recovered as well as I usually do. Once I finally got myself out the door and started running I felt okay but decided to just do 8.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208201406 

AM: This morning practice was at Cottonwood Complex. It was a smaller group today. We started with our traditional warm up here, a lap around the baseball fields and then a big lap around the block. Once we regrouped we swung by the fountain for a drink of water then went over to a spot by the start line of the region course for 8 strides. By now we were at 3.5 and I reset my Garmin. Then we started our tempo. We were doing a 3 mile tempo on the course, and Chris and I were to hit 6:45 miles to come in at about 20:00. Well a mile in we were faster than our pace, about 6:20, and we both felt like we were cruising. Neither of us was working very hard. So I decided to just hold the pace between 6:20 and 6:30 for the rest of the tempo. We finished with a 6:25 average and neither of us was tired. I guess both of us are in much better shape than we were at this time last year. Then we finished by going 2.75 miles out towards the gravel and frisbee park, and back the same way to be at 12 for the day.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208201375 

PM: After work I went on a 6 mile run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208912102 

AM: This morning was the Bike and Run. We met at the Kmart, or should I say Walmart, parking lot and hopped in cars to carpool up. Once we arrived we were divided into teams. I was on a team with Sarah Sargent. We ended up second. Natalie and Chris won. After we finished Natalie, Chris, and I went out 2.5 miles and back to get 5. I am counting the Bike and Run as 7 miles of running so with the extra 5 I got 12. Afterwards we had some breakfast courtesy of the Brighton team!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208912076

PM: I got off work really late so I couldn't get out for a run.  

AM: This morning we met at Liberty Park. We did one lap warm up, then we ran down 500 E to 3300 S and did a mile speed changes at the Granite High track. Once we finished those and regrouped, we headed back to Liberty the way we came, and added some to get to 10.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/208912056 

PM: Tonight was our team Golf Run. We met at 9 pm by the Bonneville Golf course and we each rolled a dice to see which color we would have to start from. I got blue, black, white, white, and black. This was a race to see who would win overall, but I wasn't going all out on these. Since it was so dark and our lights sometimes weren't enough, it was hard to spot holes, dips, and hills on the course, so I was running very cautiously and a bit slower than I would normally run this type of workout. This was a very fun team activity. It was fun to be running so late with the team, plus the most fun was the fear of getting caught >:) We were all constantly watching cars driving by and there was even a guy who came up to us in his golf cart, but he didn't have a problem with us on the course. Afterwards we added some to get to 7.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209227720 

AM: This morning I slept in and ended up getting on my run around 8:30. I t surprisingly wasn't too hot. I just did a shorter version of my long loop to get the mileage. I felt good, apart from my right hip/butt cheeck is really sore :( Probably from the workout last night. I will make sure to stretch and ice it to get it back. And that puts an end to 100 miles in a week! One week down, one to go. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209227695 

AM: Since I want to duplicate this past week, again I went for 10 miles this morning. I felt good, surprisingly, even though I was going the same speed I usually do on these runs. Off for a day of fun!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/209662096 

AM: This morning we met at Sunnyside Park for practice. We did an outer loop around the park for warm up, then jogged down to the track. Once at the track we did a mile warm up and a mile of speed changes before starting out speed workout. The workout today was 12X400 and I had to hit them all in 75. The goal for this workout is just to feel what our goal race pace is. This is also the first speed workout of the season. It brings back lots of memories, both good and bad! Anyway I hit all of them in 74-75 except for the last one where I hit 71.  Overall it was a good workout. I never felt so bad that I thought I couldn't hit the next rep, and by the end I was not tired at all. Usually on the cool down of this type of workout I am feeling tired and sore, but on the cool down I felt great, just like I was finishing a long run. We got 5.5 miles cool down up on the VA loop and the down into the cemetery and then across 13th and up to the park. Afterwards we had delicious a potluck breakfast at Natalie's house!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/210217311 

PM: After work I went on my usual 6 mile loop. Now to get some sleep for tomorrow's hike!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/210342550 

AM: Today is the team hike to Lake Blanche, so a group of us met at Bill's house to go for a run. We did a 5 mile out and back run. It went by pretty fast. We had good conversation going and then half of the run was downhill.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211010494

PM: Today has been a really long day. The team hike was fun but tiring, and I got home with only like an hour before work so I got no rest. Still, after work I went on my six mile loop.

 http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211010458

AM: This morning practice was at Liberty Park. We started with a lap warm up, then we did 6 strides, and then we went over to the pond where we usually do fartlek. The workout was 10X1 min on/1 min off. I got moving pretty well. I was focusing on my form on the on's and that helped carry me further. Afterwards we did 4.3 cool down to be at 10 for the day. Practice had to end a little early today because it is the last day of registration and many of us had to register still.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211010420 

PM: I didn't work today for the first time in what seems like forever, so I took advantage of that and went for a longer run. I did 8 miles. Towards the end I was going to add on two miles and get to 10, but.... meh. I'm ahead of mileage as it is so I will just save a little more mileage for the end of the week.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211109585 

AM: This morning practice was at Sunnyside Park. We started with a lap around the park, then we jogged to the first field to do Flannigan. After three sets of Flannigan, we did 10 X 120 meter strides. Once those were over we went over to the white tree and Bill explained to us how far an 800 is along our Fartlek route. We did 2X800 in the times we had hit our 400's on Monday. So I was to hit 2:30 800's. I knew these 800's would hurt a little more than track ones because there are some sharp uphills and a few rolling hills. Still, I ran them both faster than my goal. My times were 2:23 and 2:21. I felt good during these and was able to accelerate on the flat parts. After that we got some water and started on our run. The higher mileage group was doing Shriner run but adding the VA hospital loop. We went out until we had gone 4 miles, and came back the same way. On the way out, right when we were about to cross the street to the U library, we cut down by where there is construction so we could use the crosswalk, and as I was running along the fence, I tripped on a chain link that was sticking out and totally ate crap :P Which is strange for me because I almost never fall, and when I trip I mostly just stumble and catch myself. But I totally wiped out this time. Luckily I was fine. Plus, today is Natalie's last day training with us :'( So the last two or so miles of the run we pushed the pace, for old times sake :) We averaged low 6 minute pace on the last two miles. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211346122 

PM: After work I went for six miles. Bill always says that the Garmins will catch up if you start before they get full satellite, so I started my watch before it got full satellite. It did't catch up. It was about .3 off the whole time, but fortunately I don't really need it since I know exactly how far my 6 mile loop is. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211724338 

AM: This morning we met at Liberty Park. We started with a lap warm up, then we divided into groups to do firemen. The group I was in was doing 2 laps. After the first lap we stopped for two maybe three minutes at the fountain to get some water and allow the group a little bit of recovery.The group stayed together very well. Nice job Sarah S and Sarah B! Afterwards I did two laps cool down to get to 8. I won't run tonight to be a little fresher for tomorrow. First race of the season! Bring it on!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/211724333 

AM: I got to the race a little bit later than I wanted but still had plenty of time to do all my pre-race stuff. I warmed up just around the course cheering on people for about an hour. Once we had a gap between races, I stopped and went to the bathroom and got my last big intake of liquids. Then I did some stretching, and after maybe ten minutes I went on a continuous warm up. I went a mile out and back on the road with Chris. Once we got back I went over to my car and put on my flats, then got to the line. I only had time to do two strides before they told us to line up. We were on the line for what seems like an eternity because the official was having some starting gun problems. After several failed attempts at starting us with a faulty gun, he finally started us with a whistle. 

The pack went out a little faster than I expected and would have liked. There were guys dropping off like half a mile in as soon as the adrenaline wore off and it got to pushing. I think I held back a little too much right before the end of the road. I was in like fifth or sixth right before the beginning of the trail. In the last 30 meters before we turned, I scooted into fourth and that's where I stayed for the rest of the race. I think if I would have moved into third before the end of the road, I could have fought with a Timp kid for second. I held my place well during the trail, and with about a quarter mile to the gravel I could tell the kid right ahead of me was dying, but I didn't make my move soon enough and left myself too much work to do on the kick. Still, I maintained fourth well, with about five or six seconds on fifth.

Afterwards, I cooled down with Bill and a few others around the course. I got to 1.5 on that cool down, and a bit after that I went on another mile cool down with Chris to hit 100 for the week! Then we all had some Snow Cones courtesy of Rhonda!

Overall, solid race and good season opener. I made a few mistakes, but I'm still happy with the outcome. I pushed well and ended with a good time. Had it been a full course I believe I would have ended with a time in the low 16:30's. Good for how hilly the course is. Plus, all this on 100 mile legs. I could definitely feel the mileage on my legs. I can't wait to race on a good taper!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/212075383 

AM: I am coming down in mileage this week, but it would honestly feel weird at this point if I didn't do 10 on a Sunday morning, so I went ahead and did it. I didn't realize it the entire run, but I was moving pretty well. I averaged 7:04 pace, and that was with a slower start to warm up from the race yesterday. Afterwards I stretched a little bit and did some barefoot drills on the lawn to stretch my hips.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/212620620 

AM: This morning was practice at Sugarhouse Park. There was a few new people so we took a while to start, but eventually we did our four mile loop for warm up, that actually ended up being 4.83 miles. Then we jogged over to the hills next to the North where Emily had set up some flags to outline the hill reps. We were doing 8 of the up-and-back hills. Then we did 8 short strides from shade to shade on the fields where we do circuits. After that everyone did as much cool down as they needed to hit their miles. Bill, Chris, and I did 1.5 miles to be at 10 for the day. I had to go so I couldn't go to 12 with them.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/212996162 

PM: Man, I promised myself that I wouldn't put off the summer homework until last minute again this summer like previous summers, but I failed. After doing Physics for five and a half hours, I was in desperate need of a break, so I went on my run earlier than I usually go. Mostly because it is cooler earlier now that it is the end of summer, but also just to take a break from homework. I got in my usual 6 mile loop. Now back to homework...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/213111514

AM: Man, busy busy busy now that school started. Therefore, these shall be short and link-less entries for now. Practice was at Liberty Park today. We did a lap warm up, followed by some stretching and some strides. Then we went over to the start on the concrete and did a timed mile. I hit 5:11. Then we jogged back to the start and did one 800. I hit a 2:26, but had to dodge and run around a ton of people during the rep, so that in reality could have been 2 seconds faster. Then I cooled down to 8 and was off to breakfast for my birthday!

PM: Since I got little mileage this morning, I went for another 8 miles tonight. I want to get the big mileage days out of the way this week so the work load will be less on the school days.

PM: Since it's the first day of school, I didn't run in the morning because I don't have my established routine yet. I just got 10 at practice. We did a warm up in the gulley where I did 3 laps, then we did core and some strides on the soccer field, then three grass laps cool down. Afterwards I added the VA loop with a lap in the cemetery with Chris and Bill to get to ten today. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828873 

AM: This morning I went for a four mile loop, since this afternoon is our time trial. I will get at least 8 miles then for a solid day of mileage today. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828815

PM: There was no practice today since it is our Time Trial/Team BBQ. We met up at the normal pavilion at SHP at about 6. I did a lap on the road with a few others while we were waiting for people to arrive. Then as people were arriving I kept warming up. Eventually Bill got there and I warmed up some more as I put flags down and marked the course. Finally, I just did a few strides before we actually started. This was going to be a very controlled race, or rather more of a tempo, because tomorrow is the Highland Invite. Bill told me to go at about 80% so I thought 5:50's would be good. So 5:50's are just what I hit. Chris was with me for the whole thing, and finished right behind me. Afterwards I cooled down however much to get 7 miles for the afternoon. Then we had a lovely team meal and then Captains were announced! Congrats Sarah S, Olivia, and Sam!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828755 

AM: I got to bed way to late from the time trials last night to get up this morning and run, so I just ran during my free periods at school. Being a senior is the best:) I got four miles during school as a shake out. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828708

PM: The people who weren't racing today ran over to SHP for a workout and the rest who were racing drove over. Once there I started warming up with about an hour and 15 minutes to my race. I got 4.5 miles total warm up. During the warm up, I felt horrible. I kept getting thirsty really fast and would drink some water, but then get thirsty again. Eventually I could tell that if I had any more water my stomach would be upset during the race, but I was still really thirsty. I was also just plain tired. Maybe because of the time trial yesterday or maybe just because I'm not used to the new running schedule now that school has started. Either way I was definitely feeling sluggish and like I had no spring to my step. I had half a peach that Jesse bought, and I think that helped a little. Once we were going over to the line and I was in spikes, I started to push the negative feelings out of my mind and just focused entirely on my race. I knew I had to think positive and really focus on the task ahead if I was to do well. 

Well we started and I got out pretty badly. I just couldn't get myself to pick up speed fast enough in order to not get boxed in behind the crowds. I think going up that first hill, there were maybe 30-40 guys ahead of me. I had to work a little too hard to get up to where I needed to be to pass people during the race. Once I was finally in good position, we were going up the second hill around the Pines and practically at mile 1. Also by this point, I had pretty bad cotton mouth. Anyway, I stopped thinking about how thirsty I was and just focused on maintaining contact with the group that I knew would begin to pull away. After the group of leaders, there was the group I was in the back of, of about 8-10 guys. I hung on to them past mile 2 and knew that I could stay with the group until the finish. Coming down around the pond the second time I saw Bill and he motivated me enough to catch and pass a guy, then later I caught another. I was struggling to pass him, but when it got to the kick I was able to pull away. I kicked as hard as I could and finished in the last medaling spot, 15th:) 

Overall, a solid race. Like my last race, I made some mistakes, but still a respectable race. I need to focus on getting out better, as well as using the downhills more because there were always guys who'd catch me on the downhills. My kick was decent, just enough to hold off people, but it could be better. (There was another guy who I made it a point to beat closing on me fast and finished less than a second behind me)  Plus I need to drink more liquids during the day so that I am not so dehydrated at races, particularly now in the heat. It was cool to race against some of the others on the blog as well, now I can see where I am in relation to them. Now that I look at results from this and last year, the race this year was fast. Had this been a full course I would have been about 16:10, which is a huge PR. Looks like I will break 16 sooner than I expected:)

I finished off with another 2.5 miles cool down to get 10 for the afternoon. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828644 

AM: I needed 8 miles to finish out the week so I just got out the door and did that. Uneventful 10 miles although I definitely felt a little tired form yesterday.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/214828558 

AM: Got up a bit late this morning and went for my usual 10 mile run. I forgot to turn on my Garmin for a portion of the run, and it turned out to be exactly 3 miles of it. Luckily I have run this loop more times than I can count and don't need my Garmin to know when and where I hit 10.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215381374 

I may or may not  go for a run later.... 

AM: This morning I went on 3.5 miles on my own.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215908186

PM: Today we had a speed workout at the track. We were split into guys and girls, which was weird too. The guys went up to Sunnyside Park and did a warm up lap around and back to the track, followed by a mile of speed changes. Then we were told the workout. One timed mile, then 2X800, then 4X400. I was to hit between 5:10-5:15 for the mile, 2:25 for the 8's, and 70's for the 4's. I ended up hitting 5:11, 2:24, 2:23, 67, 68, 68, 67.  It was a hot day so I was drinking a lot of water but overall I handled it well. I hit all my times or faster and I didn't feel as bad as I usually do after fast speed. We had two laps recovery after the mile, then a lap recovery after the 800's, and standing for the 400's. Afterwards I got about 3 and a quarter miles cool down and got to 10 miles for the afternoon.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/215908183 

AM: First morning practice of the season! We ran over to Sugarhouse Park and met at the base of the state hill. The lead group was doing 6 hills. I ran them all within 3 seconds of each other so they were consistent and even effort. Afterwards we ran back and then had some breakfast courtesy of the Coblers. Thanks Bill!\

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/216287006

PM: Race tomorrow so the workout today was our usual day before race routine. Two miles warm up, two miles speed changes, then two miles cool down. Afterwards we took the first ice bath of the season! We managed to cram six people in that tub... Then later we had a team dinner at Olivia's!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/216286999 

AM: Went on 3.5 miles on my own this morning. Had to push the pace a little because I woke up a little late...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/216646691 

PM: Pre-region today. We got over to Cottonwood Complex and after I helped Bill set up the finish chute I started on my shakeout run. I stopped for water periodically, and I had been drinking water and Gatorade constantly the whole day to make sure I wasn't too dehydrated for the race. I could tell that it helped, but I was still dehydrated mid race and afterwards. It was just SO hot today. Racing in 95+ degree weather is not my fav. Either way my goal for today was just to be up with the lead pack and ultimately win. 

I got 4.5 miles warm up including strides at the line. Once on the line, the official made me take off my Garmin >:( so I had to race with no watch at all. Consequently, so splits. But I really wasn't concerned with times anyway. 

We started out surprisingly slow, I thought. I guess I am just used to bigger races with more guys, but it did seem that the group went out conservatively, something unusual for the guys in the region. I was in the front right off the line, and was leading pretty much the entire way. After the pace got settled, on our first time down Bessie, two Clearfield guys surged ahead of me and ran together right in front of me. I was honestly a bit relieved at that point because I didn't want to have to lead the entire race, although I know how those guys race and they would slow down soon. I was right. Right off Bessie going towards the triple trunk tree, they slowed down a little too much so I passed both of them, and I heard guys going with me. Anyway, long story short, there was no real movement after that. I gapped the guys by maybe 10-15 meters and then I settled a bit. It is hard to constantly push yourself by yourself, and especially in the heat. Going along the fence towards Bessie for the final time, I could hear Bill from around the corner yelling for me to pick it up along Bessie. I did  that and opened up the gap to about 30 meters. I finished with whatever kick I could muster up and I heard them call out 16:43. 

I am happy with the win, but I definitely did not push as hard as at the Highland Invite, and my time shows it. But it was a really hot day today and there was a lot less competition here. Plus, it is only pre-region. I finished with about 5-6 seconds on the next guy. Afterwards I did a 2 mile cool down along 1300 E with Chris, where the bus stopped and picked us up on it's way back to East. That leaves me at 13 for the day. Now to put in a couple of higher mileage days because to my surprise I am going to 90!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/216646686

(just the warm up) 

AM; Five in the morning before school.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217113157

PM: Bill is on vacation so today Emily told us our run. We did a new loop. We went down 900 S to Liberty, then ran around the outside perimeter of the park until the drinking fountain corner, where we turned down 700 E to 2100 S, then up to Sugarhouse park and around the outside perimeter of the park, then up 2100 S to 2100 E, along that to Foothill, then along the VA loop, one lap in the cemetery, then back to the track. Pretty slow pace but Abigail and Sarah where able to stay with Chris and I.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217113145 

AM: I love being a senior! I had my schedule changed and now I don't have a first or second period every other day :D So I rolled out of bed at 8 am and went for a run:) I got in a longer run because of the time I have and I need the mileage. Ah, now I am refreshed and ready for the day!!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217113122 

PM:  Bill is still on vacation, so Emily was there to help with out workout. We did a lap up to and around Sunnyside for warm up, then gathered at the white tree. The workout today would be 6X800. We were doing them on our usual 800 meter route around the fields at the park. Our goal time was to be the times we were hitting during speed on Monday, so I set my goal time to be 2:25-2:30ish. On the first one I hit 2:24 and was not surprised. I usually run the first one just under pace, so the rest I assumed I would have in the exact goal pace. The next one, I settled into a pace I was sure would be 2:25 or perhaps a bit slower, and I hit 2:29. That was slower than I expected and wanted, but whatever. The next I focused a little more on the uphills on the 800, to make sure I was consistent. To my surprise I went 2:31. Well that was unacceptable. I HATE missing my times, especially when they aren't even fast ones like these. So I got mad and wanted to shred the next one but I knew I would overcompensate, so instead of focusing on the uphill, I focused on the downhill. I focused on quick turnover on the slight downhill of the soccer field and along the outer fence, and that did the trick. I really didn't push harder than the other three, but I came in at 2:19. Since I have been having trouble finding the right pace, I figured I would just run them all at 2:20 or faster. The next one was 2:20 and I pushed the last one and came in at 2:16. Then Chris and I went for 3.7 miles cool down to get 10 for the afternoon. 

 I think it's funny how no matter how well you think you know running or how accustomed you are to something, it can always change. Now I can say I learned something about myself and about speed workouts.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/217510339