Well I didn't think I'd make it this far....

AM: Today we had morning practice. We ran up to Sunnyside and around the park once, then back to the white tree. Then we did 6 strides? I can't remember how many exactly. Then we did a fartlek workout. Each on/off was indefinite. We just had to speed up or slow down whenever Bill blew the whistle. After that we ran around the park and back along Sunnyside Ave to the track. Then we showered and had some breakfast courtesy of Mrs. Reid! I hit 5.7 total.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111159735

PM: For our afternoon practice, we ran down to Liberty and around the park to the drinking fountain as a warm up. Then some light stretching and then six strides I believe it was. Then we did a 2 mile tempo run. I had to hit mine in 13:40, which means splitting at 6:50 miles. Absolute cake. After that we ran back up to the school and I hit 6.3 right in front of the locker room. Nothing is hurting, other than the usual mild pain from my ankle, which is good. I just feel a bit tired. Better than yesterday, but definitely not in tip top rest. I will give my legs a good massage today and get a good nights sleep.

This is just my tempo: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111159716 

Today was the Utah County Invite. We arrived and I did a one mile shakeout around the course so that I could get to know it. Then I hung around and relaxed until it was time to warm up. I warmed up another two miles and then got some water, put on my spikes, and headed to the start line. I did strides at the line while we waited. I probably did eight or ten. I got a good start. Not too fast or slow. My goal for this meet was just to do as best as possible, and stay positive. I did well enough through the race. One place I thought I could have done better was along the fence in the last 300 of the race. I really could have stayed or even passed the group I was with. Anyway, I kicked it in with whatever I had left and I glanced at my Garmin and it said 17:08, give or take. So PR, by like forty seconds, which isn't half bad, but now I know for sure that I can break 16:00 by the end of the season. Overall I thought the team did well. Scott had an amazing race, and I hope that from now on it will be a battle for top varsity between us!! Great race, then back to East for the East vs West game. East won, of course, 27-6. Perfect day. Then I cooled down a mile before we left. Here is my race:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111159716 

AM: At about seven thirty in the morning I went out for ten miles to get 55 for the week. I was feeling pretty good, despite the poor nights sleep. I ran out to 3500 S and then down to 8400 W and on the Magna run until I hit five, then turned around. I was doing just under a six pace until I got to the hills, where I slowed to about 7:40's. Then on the way back I was able to  use the hills and I was usually in the high 6:30's, and when I got back to the flat along 3500 S it stayed under 7:00 pace. I averaged 7:13 for the whole run, which means that I am getting back to where I was a month ago. Last week I averaged 7:33 for the 9.5 I did, and that run had one less big hill. I hope that for the rest of the season I won't be set back by anything else so I can keep improving. Hopefully I can average under seven for next weeks ten miler.

PS: Last week, I felt like the ten went on FOREVER. It really did suck. But now I have an IPod Touch arm band so I can listen to music:) Somehow, this one didn't seem as long...
Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111492126

PM: I wasn't feeling very sore or tight from the run surprisingly, and I have been on my feet the whole day so that's great! Either way I did some nice stretching, and I massaged quads, hamstrings, ITs, calves, and hips. Then I did some core.  

Why is it harder to do 4 miles on Sunday then it is to do 10 on Saturday? Anyway I managed to drag myself out of bed and out the door, after much self dispute. Just a nice, easy run today. Averaged 7:00 flat pace. It would have been faster if it hadn't been for a 7:30 first mile, but I just warmed up the first mile, then let myself go at whatever pace felt good the rest of the run. It turns out that pace was about 6:50, so I know I'm back to where I was a few weeks ago. Well, from here on there is no where to go but up:)

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/111781486 

AM: Today is Labor Day so no school. I got out the door later that I would have liked. It was nearing 8 am. I was going to do an LSD run this morning, but I thought about it, and I feel like a fast run now and an easy run later would be more beneficial than one big slow run. So I decided on eight this morning and four later. My goal for the eight was to finish in under 56 minutes, a 7:00 pace. I finished in 55:16, closer than I would have liked, but taking into consideration two miles of steady and steep incline, I think I did okay. I averaged a 6:54 pace, and I felt good. Not tired after the run, even though I definitely pushed. The last half of the run is where I really picked it up, letting the downhill take me at whatever speed, then pushing on the last straight from 8400 W to my house. Averaged 6:38 for those four miles, keeping pretty consistent mile splits even onto the flats. Here is my Garmin link: 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112085598

I had some running buddies for about a mile on the way back on 3500 S. Two dogs followed me from 8400 W all the way to just past 7200 W, where they I guess they were too tired to keep going and stopped to sniff a trash can. There was a Beagle and a big Golden Retriever. I was contemplating stopping and looking at their tags or something, but I would have lost my pace so I just kept going. I hope those dogs find their way back home...

PM: Wanted twelve for the day so I went for an easy four in the late afternoon. It was supposed to be an easy run but I still averaged 6:54. That tends to happen on these small runs. Anyway, I am getting a bit of shin splint pain and my calves are really tight. I took me about three and a half miles to warm up.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112264047 

AM: For morning practice today we ran two grass laps and then a mile speed changes. After I put on flats and we started our chases. We were doing four sets of 400-200 chases. I was with Teeples, RJ, and Taylor. Teeples and I started the first 400 and Taylor and RJ were at the two. Once the 400 runners hit a cone about 20 meters away from the 200 mark, the 200 runners had to catch up. My goal was to just be consistent, but it turns out I ran the fast and consistent:) My four hundred times were 71, 68, 67, 68. My 200 times were 33, 30, 31, 32. For some reason on the third set Teeples didn't run with me so I really thought I would slow down but it turns out it was the fastest. After we had some great breakfast courtesy of Mrs. Jackson. I hit 5.25 total, but I will call it five since I left my Garmin on for the standing recovery.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112502122

PM: The workout for today's afternoon was just a nice easy run for tomorrow. Varsity ran up to This is the Place along the Running of the Leopards course, obviously just backwards. JV ran straight up Sunnyside to the park. Once Bill arrived we started figuring out a new course since the old one won't work anymore for some reason. After a lot of running around and confusion that I don't want to get into, we figured out a course. After all that business was over we all just ran back to East along Sunnyside. I hit 6.5. Hope I can reach my goal tomorrow...

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112502099

(this is just the run back, not the entire workout. it is split into three garmin links that I don't want to post.) 

Today was our Bountiful dual meet. We rode the bus up to This is the Place and for a warm up Bill told me to go along the gravel and mark the course. So Nat, Abigail and I hit about 1.5 doing that and running around the course trying to get to know it better. Then the girls went off to start their race and I kept warming up. I hit 3.5 total by the end of the warm up, including six strides I did. Then I got over to the line and the race started. It was very obvious once the race started that the Bountiful guys were going to remain as a pack for at least part of the race, because Scott and I took the lead easily for the first half mile and we did not start very fast. Anyway, the race went on, and at some of the sharper turns I could see the Bountiful guys breaking up as some fell behind and some picked it up. It became apparent that the top Bountiful guys were going to chase me so my goal was just to hold them off as long as possible, well as long as this race is worth anyway. It sucks to be the front runner, because you are running in constant fear of being caught. I held the first guy off until 2.25 exactly, so 2/3 of the race. Then another guy came up behind and passed me. Those two broke away from me a bit, but maybe 100 meters before we hit the gravel again I began to close the gap on the second guy. Once on the gravel, I was going to sprint with all I had to try and catch the second Bountiful guy, who was now only about 40 meters ahead of me, but the gravel makes sprinting hard and I have BYU on Saturday so I just settled with kicking it in and not letting the Bountiful guy behind me catch me. I finished third, with about 80 meters on the next Bountiful kid. It was an okay race, the course turned out to be better than I thought, except for the gravel. My hamstrings and calves are kinda sore. I met the goal Bill set for me, which was only letting two Bountiful guys beat me. It is a good indicator for region. Here is my race:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112710272 

AM: Today for morning practice we met at the track, as usual. It was really windy. Once Bill arrived we started. It was just a recovery run in the gulley. We ran there along 1500 E and then did three laps, before running back the same way. This run is always a blast, although I didn't scare anyone this time... Once we got back to the track we did 8 barefoot strides on the grass. They were the length of the football field and I just focused on form. Then we showered and had some delicious crepes provided by Olivia's mom.

PM: For afternoon practice we ran from the track up to Gaurdsman, then left onto Foothill and Varsity did one loop in the cemetery, then down to 1300 E and back to the track. Once we got back we got right into two 300's. My first was a 47.5 and I caught Javier. My second I asked Bill if I could chase Natalie, mwuahhaha. I caught her and I hit a 45 flat. Then I did another half mile to make my mileage for the day 8. After I iced with some cups and stretched a bit. Here is the link for the full day.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/112907224 

Today we had a super easy recovery day for BYU tomorrow. We just ran from the track up to Sunnyside, one lap around and then back to the white tree, then 10 strides, then we just cut across the field straight back to the track. Like I said, super easy recovery day. I hope I do well tomorrow.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113118082 

Once we arrived I did a half mile shakeout cheering the Frosh/Soph boys in their race. Once the Frosh/Spoh girls race started I went out for a 2.5 mile warm up around campus. I got back and put on my spikes and headed to the line once the girls race was ending. I probably did ten or twelve strides total while we were waiting for the start. I made sure to not lose my warm up. By the time I reset my watch for the race I had hit just a bit over three. Overall I'd say I got a very good warm up. Then the race started. Really, I was going into the race hoping for a top ten finish. I got out well, and after we were out of the baseball field on the first lap, the lead pack was starting to separate itself. There was three Davis guys, me, and some other kid. Anyway by the time we got on the track, one Davis kid and the other kid had dropped off so it was just me and two Davis guys. Going into the baseball field for the second time I took the lead and was going to try and separate myself from them, but they hung on and we stayed together until we were going into the baseball field for the third time. At this point, they pulled away from me. The second Davis guy was maybe 20 meters ahead of me and the first guy probably 20 meters ahead of him. I heard Bill screaming at me to get back up to them and not let them get away, which is usually what happens at this point in the race for me. Once we were out of the baseball field and onto the soccer field, I started closing the gap, which was about 40 meters from me to the second place guy. By the time we were going down the little hill that leads into the track, I passed him. I was kicking hard and the entire time I was just thinking about those 300's that Bill makes us do after our runs. I was ahead of him until about 40 meters before the finish, where he passed me and managed to stay ahead of me. So he finished like maybe ten feet ahead of me and like one second faster. That is my only complaint about this race, to just have a stronger finishing kick and not fall back any places. Other than that, I am proud of myself. I caught the guys even though they were pulling away from me on the last 800, which I consider to be my weakest spot in the race. I was fighting the whole race and stayed focused. Great race today and I am excited because I know that with some hard speed work, I can shatter this PR. I had planned to do a two mile cooldown, but my stomach was really hurting so I only got a mile. Here is my race:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113345065 

PM: I REALLY didn't want to go run. I was hungry, sleepy, and oh so tired. Since my stomach was killing on my cooldown I didn't get as much as I wanted at the race, so I had to do it all tonight. That was 6.5. I was debating whether I should go the full run, or go 1.5 and be at 55 for the week. I had almost convinced myself to make it 55, but as soon as I got out the door, my mind made the decision for me. So, I did 6.5 miles. Ugh. Despite my extremely negative attitude towards the run, it ended up being a good one. I felt fine, just tired. My shins are hurting a bit so I will ice those. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113385433

(Bill, you better click it.) 

No running today. Was going to run in the evening but it was terribly windy.

AM: Had a late start today so I went for my own run. I was planning on 6, but I got out the door later than expected so I just did 5. It felt like the entire run I had not warmed up, which I'm guessing is attributed to the fact that I didn't run on Sunday, which I normally do. Anyway, here is my link for that:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113977430

PM: Today for practice we did two warm up grass laps then a mile of speed changes. Then, we started the speed workout. 8 X 800. Nuff said. I was put with Taylor and our goal was to hit 2:40's, but Taylor fell behind after the second 800 so I was by myself this workout. Here are my times: 2:39, 2:40, 2:37, 2:39, 2:38, 2:37, 2:39, 2:36. I was pleased with this workout. At first 2:40 seemed slow, but on the 5th and 6th ones I started feeling them. I was very consistent and I ran all but one of them under pace, and the only one I didn't run under pace I ran at exactly 2:40. And, to add to this workout's difficulty, I had to run all of them by myself, which sucks. But I did pretty good anyway. Finally, we are having some tough speed work, which is exactly what I need. Then I did two grass loops for a cooldown and a little extra for 9. I don't feel too horribly tired, which surprised me, but the real indicator will be tomorrow's morning practice. Other than being tired though, I feel great. Nothing hurts, just a bit of shin pain which I will dull with ice later. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/113977420 

AM: For morning practice today we ran from the track along 1500 E to Sugarhouse Park, then varsity did a grass loop around the park, and then we headed back to the track along 1500 E, and went up the street by the gulley to add the little bit we would need to hit six. It was just recovery so there was no pushing, I just stayed in a group with Natalie, Taylor, Chris, and Dylan. It felt good, although it took me a while to warm up and I could definitely feel yesterdays workout in my legs.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114199328

PM: We ran up to Shoreline trail by the zoo and did four sets of the first hill on the trail. We would stop once we got to the end of the flat part at the base of the second hill. We were to run them like we would a race and we did them with our groups from yesterdays workout. I was with Taylor, Nat, Dakota and Chris. They felt pretty good. My legs felt a bit heavy but I just focused on using my arms up the hill and powering through the hill and the flat after it. We would just jog back down after every hill and start once our group was ready. After those were finished, we just jogged back down to the track. I just went at whatever pace the dowhill took me. Then once I got back I added on about 3/4 miles to get to six while waiting for the ice bath to fill. Then I hopped in the ice bath for fifteen minutes and after we had some cake and we sang Annie Happy Birthday! My quads are a little sore and my calves are really tight so I will do some stretching before bed.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114199316 

AM: Went out for an easy three miles. It took me a while to warm up and I did them slower than I expected, but I guess that was Monday talking. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114430522

PM: For practice today we ran down to Liberty for a tempo run. Once we got there we were divided into groups and started. My group was supposed to hit 6:45's. On the first mile we ended up hitting like 6:30, and then on the second half of the second mile I picked it up and Dakota stuck with me. Good job today Dakota. After that we just ran back up to the school. I felt this workout a ton more than I expected. Not just the tempo, but the run back from Liberty. Dang that hill. I hope to have an awesome recovery day tomorrow to do well at Murray. I messed up my distance when I forgot to turn it on for some of the warm up, but we hit six on Natalie's Garmin just past the locker rooms. Here is the tempo and cooldown.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114430499 

AM: Today for morning practice we ran from the track up to foothill and then down onto Gaurdsman and back to the track, then we did four laps around the track to get four. There was a bit of confusion about the run but either way four miles got done. I felt okay, a bit sore and tired but hopefully I can recover enough for tomorrow's race. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114638907

PM: In the afternoon we just did a really easy workout. We warmed up one mile, then a mile speed changes, then a mile cooldown, all on the track, switching directions every mile. I felt ok after this workout, but my shins hurts and my calves are really tight. I will ice my legs and do some good stretching before bed. My ankles we feeling a bit tired so I will do my ankle stretches before bed as well. Can't wait for tomorrow's race!!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114638896 

When we arrived at Murray, it started raining. I didn't let that affect me mentally as best I could, even though rain kind of makes me feel sad... After everyone got settled we went for a team warm up around the course. I hit 1.5 by the time I got back to the Pavilion, and around 4:45 I went out for my own warm up. I finished my warm up to a little past three miles, put on my flats, and headed to the line. I did probably six strides at the line. I should have worn my spikes in these conditions, because once I got to the trail, I had zero grip, and once I hit the hill on the trail, I kept slipping and slipping and I probably got passed by about four or five guys there. Anyway the race went okay. I got out mediocrely, I was boxed in around the fire hydrant and the baseball field, and as I said before I had no traction anywhere on the snake. After that part, when we got to the flat grass, I tried my best to stay with the group ahead of me, but I slipped like three of four guys. I had my usual finish. I kicked as hard as I could but I think two guys passed me. Once I finished, I hung around for a few minutes and then headed home with my mom and sister. 

I think there are several things that contributed to the outcome of this race. 1) My mind. I had been sweating this race since Thursday, and all of Friday during school in the back of my mind I was dreading this race. Being nervous is good, but I got a little too worked up about this race. 2) The conditions. It was pouring during my race, and it made the dirt hard to race on. Again, as I mentioned before, rain also makes me feel a bit gloomy. I have to work on staying positive despite weather conditions. 3) My shoes. It would have been a much better idea to run with my spikes on, and only two or three spikes actually in the shoes around the toe. That way I would have had the traction I needed, despite the asphalt parts of the race. Lastly, 4) I was definitely feeling this week on my legs today. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday really were all pushing days. And I am hitting semi-high mileage. I hope that with a taper, and a longer recovery period, I will have fresh legs for Bob Firman. 

But, oh well. I didn't do as well as I hoped or know that I could have done, but I did meet my goal competition-wise. This race passed already, and all I can do is prepare for Bob Firman.

 Since I left early, I didn't get a chance to cooldown there, but once I got home I did the two mile cooldown I was planning on. Hooray for ten tomorrow.

Race: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/114866490 

When I woke up this morning I was exhausted, hungry, and had a stomach ache. There was no way I could have done ten like that. This whole week has been tiring, not to mention yesterday. Anyway I decided to just do it in the afternoon. I started around 7:30. I ran from my house along 35 S to 84 W and onto the Magna Run, my usual ten miler, but it got dark sooner than I thought it would and it seemed like every car that passed got closer to hitting me, so I just went to four on 84 W and headed back, and decided that I would add on two once I got back. I ran back, past my house, and out a mile, then back to hit ten. Pretty uneventful ten. I was feeling ok going into the ten, and I was just tired once I was done. I averaged 7:05 pace, which, not including the last big hill on the Magna Run, is about what I did the last ten miler. Today was just not a pushing day for me. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115141354 

I rolled out of bed at 8:30 to go run. I was feeling super tight and stiff from yesterday. It's a good thing this run was just to loosen me out. I went out 1.5 and came back the same way. At my turn around I stretched a bit, which really helped. I feel like I didn't warm up that whole run. I got back, iced my shins, did the alphabet with my ankles, and massaged my legs a bit. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115297412 

AM: Went for my own run this morning. Easy four miles. Felt good but I didn't push at all. It took me a bit to warm up, but once I got going I felt okay. Here is my link for my morning run:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115751117

PM: After a bit of a pep talk from Bill to both the boys and girls teams, we started our workout. Down to 1300 E from the track, then all the way to T street, then we did the hills, sprinting up one then left jogging along the flat, and again and again until we hit 11th ave. At 11th ave we assembled and headed back down, just striding out along the downhills. This workout was fine. It was tiring or anything, but my shins did hurt quite a bit on this run. Mainly because of all the starting and stopping we did, and the one big break we took on 11th ave. That's where I really started feeling my shins, and I felt them the rest of the way back. I iced them as soon as I got home and I will massage and ice them before bed, as well as begin taking my dear friend Ibuprofen again. Hopefully they get better. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115751109 

AM: For morning practice today we did a speed workout. One mile warm up, mile speed changes, then 200, 200, 400, 600, 800, 600, 400, 200, 200 all with equal recovery. I did well this workout, my goal was to be consistent on the first half, then from the 800 down to push and see how low I could get my times. The sprinklers turned on during the workout, and more would turn on as some shut off, so I had to swing wide on some of the intervals to avoid getting splashed. My times were, 34, 34, 74, and 1:50 for the first four intervals. Not fast times, but definitely repeatable. Then I started pushing the rest. 2:34, 1:48, 67, 32, and a 31 (I missed my watch so I am about two seconds off. my garmin says I ran a 33). I was happy that I got my times lower, although I would have liked the second 600 to be faster. And maybe even get my 800 to 2:30-ish. I felt good this workout. Nothing hurting except my shins a bit. There was no starting and stopping for long periods in this workout and it was on a soft track, therefore no shin pain. We hit seven.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115948684

PM: For afternoon practice today we just ran to Sugarhouse along 1500 E, then a grass lap, then back along 1500 E to the track. I went maybe 100 meters further for six  I definitely felt my shins on this run. My Mizunos seem to offer less overall support than my Nikes, because not only were my shins hurting, but my ankles were tired and my hips were hurting a bit. Even though Monday's workout was harder and much more hilly than today's, I wore my Nikes and I didn't feel as bad as today. Maybe my feet are getting accustomed to my Nikes too much.... I will try and mix up shoes more. We finished much sooner than usual, so we got out the ice bath and since football players had no practice there was plenty of ice for an ice bath. I haven't had an ice bath that cold in a while! Anyway it really helped, my legs feel loads better. After Bill gave me a killer shin massage. I really needed it. I can tell that my shins will start feeling better. I will take some Ibuprofen later and also ice my legs. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/115948675 

AM: Went out for a small run this morning. Since I did three on Sunday, I have to shave off a mile here and there throughout the week so that I can hit my mileage. So I just did two. My shins felt great. Definitely hurting much less. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116165405

PM: Today was our Tri-Meet against WX and Bountiful. Because of Bob Firman on Saturday, this race would just be a tempo race. Bill said to hit a 7:00 tempo since the course was a bit hilly. The goal of this race was to get a tempo into the Varsity, and to bring some of the borderline varsity up. I hit my first mile a bit fast, at 6:45 I think. Then my second right on at 6:56. A half mile left in the race means that at 2.25 we could pick it up a bit. My average pace until the last kick to the line was about 6:55, which is close enough to 7 flat. Once we passed the asphalt track we started to kick. Scott and I were kicking hard, but he beat me by about a second to the line. If only my kick in every race could be that fast! Anyway, it was a nice tempo. My pace once I finished had dropped from 6:55 to 6:42! Haha. 7 guys stuck with the group, which was more than I thought would make it. Good job all those who made it with the group! Afterwards I got about 1.4 cooldown which would put me right at 7 for the afternoon. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116165381 

AM: Today for morning practice we just did a run up to the drinking fountain by Shriners. It was about 2.3 there and the same back. It felt good, but I definitely felt my shins on the way back down. Especially when the light stopped us for about a minute. Nice, easy run.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116357505

PM: For afternoon practice we ran to Sunnyside for a Fartlek workout. We had to run up to the park, then a lap around and back to the white tree for warm up. I was at about 1.4 by then. Then we started our interval workout. 10 X 1on/1off around the soccer fields. On the first one Dylan pushed the pace, but died off after that one. Scott was with me for three of them but fell back on number four.  The majority of the workout I was by myself, so I just made it my goal to push the "on"s  and lap as many people as possible. I caught everyone up until to the group around Natalie. They were at most 100 meters ahead of me when I finished my last "on" by the white tree, but they finished out their last lap. I finished with nine laps around the soccer fields. In twenty minutes of intervals I hit about 3.3 miles. Right after I finished I could really feel my shins. After we just cut across the soccer fields and straight down to the track. My shins are hurting, so I will ice them and give them a good rubbing today before bed, as well as ibuprofen. Here is my link:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116357487 

Super light run in the afternoon today. Just half mile warm up, mile speed changes, and half mile cooldown. Other than my shins hurting, I felt fine. Then took a fifteen minute ice bath at the track. Before I go to bed, which should be around 9ish today, I will really massage my shins and ice them some more, as well as ibuprofen. I'm excited for Boise tomorrow!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/116527937 

Had a wonderful time waking up at 2 am to get to the bus by 3. Once we loaded on the bus we headed out. Everyone fell asleep. I laid down in the isle. Upon arriving, we unloaded and set up our tent. It was 9:30 by then, and my race is at 10:30. I went to the bathroom and did about a mile shakeout around the course. I came back to the tent for some water and for my registration stuff, and then I left again to keep warming up. By about 10:25 I put on my spikes and headed to the line, only to be sent back by the official because we couldn't wear Garmins on this course. It was a good thing I brought my normal watch too. I ran back to the tent to put it on and hurried back to the line. While we waited at the line we did strides. I probably got in like 8 strides. 

The race started and I got out okay. I was boxed in for the first lap on the dirt though. I kept trying to fight my way out of the crowd, but there is only so much elbows can do. Not until I came to the sand did I get away from a slow group. I passed people until the beginning of the second lap, where I was caught by two or three guys. I managed to stay with that group until the hill/sand area where I fell back maybe 5 guys. The rest of the way is a bit of a blur, but along the last part of the lap right before you turn right and are on the final kick, I got passed by 2 guys and then one or two more on the kick, I think.

I think the thing I could have majorly improved on this race was just the mental part. Sticking with people and passing whenever the opportunity strikes. I think I would have done better if I was racing against some people I knew were at my level, but that's no excuse. I really look forward to Wednesday for that reason. I met my goal time-wise and I had a blast! Having my race in the morning was awesome because the rest of the day I could eat, cheer on people, and mess around. The day in Idaho was fun and the bus ride back was an absolute blast. I was crazy hyper on a ton of junk food so therefore I don't remember a lot of it. 

Also, my shins were hurting a good deal in the warm up and in the cooldown, but I didn't feel them during the race. I will do the usual shin stuff tonight. I look forward to Wednesday!! 

No running today :)

AM: I decided not to run this morning. I was still feeling a bit tired from Saturday and I would rather start off the week with a good night's sleep. I'm glad I did, because I still felt wiped out for the workout later today.

PM: Today for practice we carpooled down to Cottonwood Complex and did our workout there. We did the course as a warm up, then six 150 meter strides, then six Bessies, then a two mile cooldown on the course. My shins were hurting from the moment I started running until after I got home. They hurt the most probably on the strides, where I felt like my lower legs were throbbing. I couldn't feel them during the Bessies, but on the standing recovery I did. On the cooldown they were hurting a great deal too. It was on the cooldown where I started feeling pain not only in the normal place, but a bit lower almost into the ankle. Plus I forgot socks today so I had to deal with a squeaking the entire workout, and smelly feet after.

On the Bessies, I felt like I did ok. Not necessarily bad, but definitely not good. I feel like it was just mentally where I did bad. On the uphill I would do fine, but on the downhill turn and the flat part of the kick, I just couldn't bring myself to pick it up on the majority of them. My times where, 1:33, 1:32, 1:35, 1:37, 1:36, and 1:38. I know I could have brought my last three times down to where my first three were. It was just a mixture of things that led to this result. My shins killing me and my mind was in la la land. Oh well. I will redeem myself tomorrow morning.  

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117381280 

AM: This morning for morning practice we were pressed for time so we only did a half mile warm up, and three laps of speed changes. Then we got right into the speed. We started with a one mile repeat. I ran that in 5:11, which is much faster than I thought this morning. After a half mile recovery, we got into 6 400s, all with standing recovery. My times were 68, 68, 68, 68, 69, 69. Pretty consistent times, as well as fast. I was very happy with this workout, as well as surprised that I did so well considering I felt like crap yesterday. Then we did a half mile recovery and hit the showers, and had some waffles for breakfast courtesy of the Sheffields. 

PS: My shins weren't hurting too horribly much, especially since we didn't sit around too long between repeats. I did feel them during the day though. I was limping a bit throughout the day. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117586718

PM: In the afternoon we had our team picture. After that we got started on our recovery run. We ran down to the gulley along the usual route, did two laps, then came back. Once we got back, we were supposed to do two 300 chases, but my shins were hurting too much to do those, so Bill told me to just sit them out. I got the ice bath out and ready while everyone was waiting. Once everyone was done, Bill massaged my whole lower legs. Calves, shins, ankles, and feet. It really helped. My shins still hurt a bit, but I felt like I didn't have to limp like I had all day. There wasn't enough ice left for an ice bath worth while so I just decided to ice my legs at home. Then I just put the ice bath away and headed out. 

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117586715 

I knew today was going to come eventually. I just couldn't ignore my shins anymore. They had been hurting all day, I was limping most of the day, and they didn't feel any better once I started running. Once we arrived at Sugarhouse Park, the guys went out for a warm up. My shins killed the entire time. I decided I would try some strides and see if I could handle them. I put on my spikes and headed to the line for some strides. Ouch. I couldn't bring myself to stride-speed because my shins would make me give out. They would only hurt more when I tried to run fast. So I decided not to run today. Hurting myself more would be terrible at this point, and that was the only thing I would get out of today. So while the guys were racing I sat in the creek for about ten minutes. Then after a team talk everyone went on a cooldown and we headed back to East.

I hope that there is just an inflamed muscle or something. I will ice it and rest. Tomorrow we will see what is wrong with my shin. 

I have worked WAY too hard this entire season to let this injury hold me back. Everyday I show up to workout with a positive attitude and I do my best. I will not let my Junior season of XC end like this. I will heal this injury and I will get back out there and compete.  

Here is my unimportant link: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/117811157

Well today was the first day of no running. It feels weird. I thought I would like having a break but I just feel like my day is missing something. I really want to get back to running. My shins were feeling slightly better today. We are pretty sure it's not a stress fracture or reaction. Either way I will rest and hopefully my shins will feel well enough to race region.

Second day of no running. Went down to Cedar City with the team even though I wasn't racing. I just rested today. It feels a little better, but still hurts whenever I try to run. I think I want to get into a doctor or physical therapist. It is not a normal shin splint, and I need to know what it really is.