Sock tans

Lost track of time and hurried out the door once I realized how late it was (my mom insists I'm back before dark- not that I really want to run in the dark up here. My moose and bear friends probably wouldn't be so nice after dark!) But I still got 8 in.

Pool ran today, total of 36 minutes cause that's how long it took for the parents to holler at us to come inside.

Felt long, but kept the pace going. 4 laps around the island. I think it's important to mention how sore I am from wake boarding and slalom skiing. It was tons of fun though!

I procrastinated my run because of the 4th of july parade early in the morning and the boat parade later, then when I dressed up to go running it was too late. Grrrrr. But the fireworks were pretty cool and I got a solid workout from swimming for so long and pulling myself up onto the paddle board (we were trying to get three of us to balance on it and stand up, we got two and were so close to getting all three, but we were all exhausted at the end.)

Late night run, it was the SUU crew + Bill! High schoolers have moratorium this week so... college runners only! We did it at Sugarhouse, did a couple laps of warmup (7:20 pace!) and then did 3x 15, 20, 25 second hill strides. Worked those pretty hard, it's so sweet that I can run with future teammates! Then added to 8.5.

Was busy today, had to do the run on my own and when I realized it got dark at 9 not 10 I freaked out a bit. Stopped cleaning immediately and laced up for a run, I feel really stupid now. Looks like I'll have to make up for it later this week, I'm climbing my mileage back up.

Met at Liberty, we did a couple laps of warmup then did a tempo at 6:30 pace. It was supposed to be 2 x 2 miles, I hit the first one right on 13:00. But it hurt so much more than it should. I felt crappy and was sluggish. The second one I really did not want to do but Tomy convinced me to focus on hitting the first mile, then make the decision of whether or not I could hit the next one, if not I could stop. I REALLY felt crappy on that one, but made it to the mile and quit. 6:29. I feel bad for quitting, but I'm grateful Tomy was there to make me focus the first mile, if he wasn't I'm certain I would have fallen off pace and been super slow for two miles, better to hit one on pace right? I think I really need to bring my confidence back up (AKA mileage) as well as my positive mentality, I've been out of town this past little bit and let myself slip. I need to get myself back to race mode, I have 4.5 weeks left to do so. AND no more trips for me (except for orientation next week but I'll be with some of the girls on the team!)

Met Jakob and did Shriner's run. Felt pretty alright.

I've been super stressed, my employer switched banks a while ago meaning I had to get a new paycard, it didn't come in the mail for a long time and my old account got closed, so the remaining balance was supposed to be mailed as a check. I never got the check and I haven't been getting payed (my balance on the new card is still $0 and it's been a month and a half since I got the card) which is stressful because the money I make this summer is supposed to cover the remaining living expenses not covered by my scholarship. Ahhh whyyyyy?

On the bright side I absolutely killed it today in Uno during checkout, I won every round except for one in which I had to draw 12 cards. I still beat Lisa during that round (she was the one who made me draw!) It was pretty sweet.

10 miles on wasatch.

VA loop + Shriners run out and back. I think I'm gonna start doing some two a days next week.

AM:

4 miles at 7:49 pace

PM:

Drove to SUU and went on a run with Angie and Ashley H. They called it canyon run! It was tough, I didn't feel particularly good but managed. I actually think I slowed them down, but it was 7:13 average for 6 miles.

AM:

6 miles with Angie, Ashley T, Casey, and Jaden. It was more enjoyable at 7:54 average. Knee hurt a bit the first 2 miles, I think it's IT band issues.

PM:

4 miles, ran with Angie, Jaden, Ashley H and Hayden. I turned at 2 because my knee was giving me problems, I was beginning to change my stride in effort to keep it from giving me pain. I figured it wasn't worth going an extra 2 miles, better safe than sorry. I didn't have a foam roller, but now that I'm home it'll become my best friend. 

Wasatch loop, 7:44 average. Feeling almost back to normal, maybe it's just that I have my motivation back :) Talked to Coach Houle for a minute yesterday (I kind of snuck out of a little bit of orientation...shhhhh) and it made me excited for the season! It's weird to think that I'll be moving in a month from yesterday. But it will be great!

Ran with Easts team today, ran to the zoo trail where I met up with them and we went up the trail to Red Butte and then the black fence (farthest one), I stopped at the bathroom once we got to the road and then continued to the fence, then when I turned I saw Natalie so I waited and we stretched for a bit before heading back. When we finally got to go down all the hills (which I usually struggle on a lot coming up, but today it wasn't until the big one that I had a hard time, which is good cause it means I'm in better shape than I thought!) I guess I forgot to breathe because I got a huge side ache, then on the last downhill was so intense that I actually couldn't breathe so that's cool. Then we had a core session and I ran back home to get to 12. 

Ran laps at Liberty. Was a good run. 5k tomorrow for which I am completely unprepared so we'll see how this goes.

Warmed up 2 miles with everyone, didnt feel so great but tried to get myself in race mode. Never really happened but oh well, I didn't really expect to. I guess we were running behind, I should've checked what time it was cause after I put on my flats I ran to the bathroom (race day habit!) and as I exited I heard the siren signaling the start of the race. I panicked and booked it to the start but I was too late, obviously. So I slowed into my pace, it honestly felt like 7:00 pace because I had to weave through the slower runners and walkers. After about a quarter mile of this I got sick of it and finally put on my thinking cap and ran on the dirt beside the road where not quite as many people were. I didn't have a clear path until the first turn almost a mile into it. Then there was enough space in between people to have a pretty straight path. Worked my way up, it was fun to have a couple people fight me. I like their competitive spirits :) When we got to the random little trail that lasted for like 15 feet I got trapped behind a couple going pretty slow so that was annoying. When we turned onto the road heading towards the trail it was kinda windy, I remember some guy telling a girl to draft off of him so that it'll be easier. Unfortunately since I was still passing people I couldn't draft. But it was kind of fun to continually pass people. When we got to the trail I thought oh sweet I'm almost done but it was a lot longer than expected. I began to pick it up halfway between the sharp turn and where we got on the trail, then got to the sharp turn and began to kick (surprised myself there) but it was a lot further than I expected so just tried to hold a long kick. Splits were 6:09, 12:07 (5:58), 18:31 (6:24), 19:08 (36). Kind of bummed that I didn't start on time cause then I could've worked up to Angie and Natalie, maybe even Diwas. But I got the workout in and I pushed myself so that's all that matters. Cooled down to 9.

I slept through my alarm by accident today... I'm exhausted for some reason. I got a full 10 hours of sleep last night so I shouldn't be tired... but I am. I did stay up really late on Saturday cause I was hanging out with a friend who leaves for his mission tomorrow and it was my last chance to say goodbye. Anyway, I decided to wait until after work to run, did shriner's run.

Was tired again throughout the day, but I stayed up pretty late again last night so... Yeah. But when it came time to run I felt surprisingly good! I did feel a little bloated because I had just eaten dinner but other than that I felt great! Towards the end my IT band started to hurt so I'll roll that out in a bit. When we talked to coach last week Angie mentioned that we typically start our runs pretty slow for a mile and coach said not to include that in our 50% runs, that would count as warmup. So today I did start slow for a mile (7:54) and the uphill might've helped with that (I did Wasatch loop) but then picked it up a lot. Finished with 7:06 average for the whole thing, or 7:00 average for the last 7.25. 

AM:

5.25 miles, I went to Sugarhouse then up 2100 S until I hit foothill, then over to 1300 S and back home. I've got a good sized knot in my IT band. Gonna keep on rolling out and icing, might take some ibuprofen to get some of the inflammation out. I was debating whether I should do the Deseret News 10k or Half on Friday, but I don't know that I'll do either if this doesn't get under control. It wouldn't be worth the risk.

PM:

6 miles. IT band hurt. But I'd take it over sharp knee pain any day.

Kept it short today, I think I jinxed myself. IT hurt a little but my other knee was the focus of my pain. It's the same sharp knee pain that I've had off and on. Which means my other IT band is now aggravated, great. 

Cemetery run, I'm shocked at how much my IT has improved. Two days ago it hurt to go up the stairs, now it feels like it's back to normal. My knee felt better too! Easy 8:00 pace.

Started to run to the U's track, but then remembered that they usually have the bars up in lanes 1-3 so I'd have to run in lane 4, which I didn't want to do so halfway there I turned and went down to Liberty. I thought I should do some speed so that I can begin to feel what it's like again. It was kind of a failed attempt because there were so many people on the sidewalk (much more than usual) and it was windy. And I'm not really good at pacing because it's been a while since the last time I did a speed workout. But it's whatever. I did 4x800s, I hit 2:57, 2:54, 2:48, 2:46. First one I just went off of feel which was obviously not very accurate, and the third one had to stop for 3 seconds because a car failed to yeild to me (so I suppose it was technically a 2:45?) Was originally gonna do 6 but I bagged it after 4 because I was frustrated. It was also dark out and I got a little creeped out by some motorcycle gang honking at me (I didn't know they had horns?) It was just time to leave the park. Ran up 1300 S and added to 10.

Ran to the zoo trail, up to the big hill where the trail widens. Was originally going to do 3 sets of 15, 20, 25 second hill strides but wanted my watch to beep when I finished each stride, couldn't figure out how to do that so I set it to an interval workout and settled for 20 seconds on, 30 seconds off 10 times. It actually worked out perfectly, every time the 30 seconds of rest were up I was right at the bottom of the hill. I worked them pretty hard and got close to where the hill turns each time. There was a bush I used as a marker of how far up I got, and I stayed pretty close to the same spot, towards the end I was 3-5 meters behind. At first the hill seemed easy but at the end it was pretty hard, and I wasn't recovering fully in the 30 seconds. But it proved to be a good workout, felt short though. Felt like I should've done it again as another set. Next time! I continued up the trail for .25 then saw the sunset and stopped to admire it. I'm really gonna miss Salt Lake and its stunning views. Then turned and ran back home, added to 8.

AM:

4 miles, was going to do more (like 6-8) but felt awful. I don't know why??

PM:

Came home from work exhausted and crashed. When I woke up it was getting dark and I hurried out the door, felt better than this morning but took it easy. 6.25

Did wasatch loop, felt pretty good and pushed the pace. 7:01 average including slow 8:08 first mile, or 6:53 for last 7.5 miles. I felt like it was a good workout especially considering all the wind and hills.

Shout out to Steiner because turns out they sent the wrong paycard in the mail. Yay for finally figuring out the problem!

Ran with East's team today, started at Sunnyside and did VA loop to the cemetery, went to the hill and did 5 continuous hill strides, a lap, and 5 more continuous hill strides, then finished the lap and backwards VA loop to Sunnyside. Added to 8 then ran home to get 9. Was kind of tired but pushed myself on the hills nonetheless.

AM:

8 miles, Shriner's run. Felt kind of tired but otherwise alright.

PM:

5.5 miles, shorter wasatch loop. Felt good. I'm getting excited for SUU! But at the same time I don't really want to leave quite yet... But it'll be a blast. 

Side note: when I went to count out the till today for concessions I was short 4 whole dollars! I freaked out a bit because I have no idea how I messed up that bad. I've been off 25 cents before, but 4 dollars?? Where'd it go?!?!