Run Till You Drop!!

I am not going to lie. I was a little nervous going into todays workout. It would be my longest run of my life that was not a race, 25 miles was on the chopping block. Before on long runs I would struggle,as Bryant mentioned to me I would struggle to run a 7 min pace for 15 miles. We started out and I was feeling good just trying to stay as relaxed as possible as I knew it would be a long run today. I knew we would once again be going up the super steep Toll Road hill in South Ogden and I wanted to improve from the previous run up that road.....I was last out of the group they had to wait for me at the top, I felt like such a panzee. Right before the toll road Riley kept saying its Jason's road and I would laugh... I kept saying in my head you must conquer this thing if you want to improve and reach the next level. We headed up the beast and I went into it with a solid pace and tried to hold it as long as possible. This time I did much better and was more towards the front with the rest of the guys. I was very happy and Pleased with my effort. Around mile 14 or so I started to run low and almost hit empty so I hit up a GU and that gave me exactly what my body needed. We started to run through a neighborhood and Bret tells me not to get lost becasue it is like the Lambrynth and even people from Ogden get lost in this area ahah. The worst part was that it was really hilly and taxing on the body. Around this time I got a second wind and was rejuvenated. By mile 20 I told myself if I can hit these last 5 solid that will give me confidence as that is where I die in the race the last 6 miles or so. The last 5 or so miles I decided to run side by side with Riley and that helped me a ton to stay focused and keep the rythem. Last 6 were 6:07, 5:58, 5:54, 5:50, 5:56, 5:47

To my surprise I held on and ended up running a PR for that distance in a practice. We ended up averaging 6:17 pace per mile for 25 miles!! My legs were tired but not sore at all after. I think it is because I am getting more use to longer runs and I wore compression sleeves for the whole run.

Easy 8 miler on Mt. Road.

Legs felt great, they did not feel tired or sore from yesterday. That suprised me I thought I would be suffering like I do after a Marathon.

AM- Easy 8 miler on Mt. Road

PM- Solid push out 3.5 about 6:20 pace, coming pack around 7:15 pace which is fast for the hill on the way back. 7 miles in afternoon run.

Achilles was a little sore. I did some rehab when I got home, Ice, Strech, thera band.

AM- Easy 4 miler on Mt. Road

PM- Warm up 1.5 miles

Then the beast of a workout had to start. I was nervous as I was going to do 8 800's and do my best to hit them around 4:40 pace. I decided to do them on Davis High School track which is partially clear and partially covered in snow or ice. In between rest was only 1:30 and it was active jogging around. In between the last 2 they were 2 min as I was struggling and getting really tired.

My times were 4:34 pace, 4:37 pace, 4:41 pace, 4:45 pace, 4:40 pace, 4:45 pace, 4:45 pace, 4:43 pace

They were very difficult as I was getting really tired after a few but did the best I could to still make them as quality as possible. If the footing was better maybe a second or 2 max faster. I was happy with this workout, I gave it all I had and felt that it will make me stronger.

Cool Down was 2.5 miles.

Total PM miles was 8

Easy 6 miler on Mt. Road tried to keep it as easy as possible as I race the 10k tomorrow.

We ran a 5k warm up with a few strides. I was feeling pretty good warming up but I was nervous as it was longer than the 5k and it was going to be windy on the way back as the course was an out and back.

As the race started I went out with Riley and Bryant and that was a mistake. I should have went out a little slower and then tried to hold on for a little longer. 1st mile was 4:59 but it felt faster than that, I was right with the leaders. 2nd mile was 4:57 I was still close to the leaders but started to feel tired and legs feel a little heavy. By about mile 2 and half Jake caught me I tried to stay with him but I could not. Mile 3 was 5:05 hit the turnaround and boom the head wind was wicked strong and Jake was starting to gap me huge. I could not run hard, I felt as if I was giving it all I had but was not moving anywhere. I got a side crap about mile 4 and it lasted for half mile but honestly legs felt heavy AND I was not there mentally. Mile 4 went to an incredibly slow 5:49, around mile 4 and half is where Matt caught me and I stayed a little close to him for half mile then got dropped by him as well. Mile 5 was 5:46. Mile 6 was 5:32. I was not happy with this race at all. Mentally I struggled and legs were tired or something I am trying to figure it out. Unacceptable to me and I let the Ogden Crew down.

After the race I did 4 200's. I went 33, 31, 30, 32.

10 miles with warm up and race and a few 200's.

I immedialty after the 200's got in the car and went to my baby's beauty pangeant. Later in the day I did 6 miles on Mt. Road. For some reason I thought it's ok, runners have off days. About mile 5 on my run back I thought no its not ok, I am better than this.  So I threw in a push and went 5:19 last mile. I have much to work on before Phoenix Maratho,n but I am determined to make my workouts count and show up as much as possible.