The Shadow Racer

Couldn't help but extend my morning run a little--the weather is BEAutiful!  Nice and easy run up to the farm fence on 2450 and back home.  When I was stretching in my room after, I was looking at a little stand in my room where I keep all of my medals and cards and bibs from my best races.  I noticed one with a 5K time of 23:27 and I was like why did I put that there?? And then I looked closer and saw that it was my State time Sophomore year. I was SO proud of that time back them. I almost got emotional thinking back to how far I've come. It's been worth every mile. 

Hiked around with my dad and little brother for awhile today, lots of fun! When we got back, I rode my bike to Little Valley Park for a change of scenery.  Total of 6 miles, random places for the first 3, then for the last 3 I ran the old Sophomore Year Region Course. Almost TOO many memories! Guess I'm just feeling sentimental today (big surprise). The run felt great, I just kinda got myself in a daze. 8:30/mile. Rode back home with the sun setting behind me. WONDERFUL DAY OFF!

No run or weights this morning...extra sleep felt good.

Track Season officially started this afternoon!!! I was honestly dreading it because I hate the chaos of boy-crazy freshman and the annoying sprinters. Warm ups took an hour!  But after that it wasn't bad! We did an easy 2 mile run to Hidden Valley, 5 200s with 200 recovery, 1 800 with an 800 recovery, and a 2 mile cool down. Hit the 200s at :43 and the 800 at 2:55 which actually really surprised me because it felt slower!

3 miles to the Spectrum. Ran with Josh McPhie and felt great!

Another variation on the Webb Hill extension. My hamstrings were a little tight, but I  felt pretty good! Not gonna lie though, there was one incline where I had to really fight the temptation to walk. Made it all the way, though! 8:27/mile. Weights after. 

First big speed workout of the season! 5x2 minutes hard with 2 minute recovery, 5x1 minute hard with 1 minute recovery, 5x30 seconds hard with 30 seconds recovery. One mile warm up and cool down.  It was hard to really get the legs moving like that again! Practically killed me, but I endured it pretty well.  I'll admit that it was slightly discouraging, though, because I'd be practically dying on some of the sprints and realize I was barely going at my mile pace if not slower.

Easy three along the Spectrum with Coach and Josh. I was pretty exhausted from staying out late last night at the Girl's Basketball game, so I just listened to them talk. Legs felt good, though!

 Easy 4 to YESCO and back. Yesterday I was driving down the freeway and saw a billboard that finally made me realize that YESCO is a sign company...I'd always wondered. I wasn't super tight, but very tired feeling! Probably a combination of lack of sleep and our first hard speed workout.  8:40/mile.

Ran up to Monica Olds's house and back. I really did not want to run tonight but am glad I brought myself to.  I ran without my Garmin and just kinda got in a daze. The sun set while I ran and it was just perfect! I need to do relaxed runs like this more often.  I've gotten so caught up in pacing, distance, mile times, and beating certain people that I've forgotten that I truly love running. Glad tonight helped remind me!