Kilometer Killer

PRACTICE STARTS TOMORROW!!!!!! Can't believe it's finally here!!! This past week has been tough because I've just wanted to put down some miles! But I know there will be plenty of time for that this summer. I want to post tonight just to get my personal and team goals written down. This season, I will personally reach these goals:

- Break 11 minutes at the Time Trial on July 25 or 26

- Be consistent point-scorer for the Varsity squad

- Get the plate for my leg at the Desert Relays 

- Break 17 minutes within first 3 3 mile races

- Blog every day (even Sundays to review past week and set goals for coming week)

- Hold my teamates accountable (if any of them are reading this, PLEASE do the same for me) 

More importantly, as a team, we will reach these goals:

- Beat the Hellians more than they beat us

- Win Desert Relays

- 2017 Utah XC 4A State Champs

- Qualify for Nike Cross Nationals in December 

- Finish top-25 nationally

I cannot wait to put in some hard work this season and see the rewards of embracing pain. I know my team will do amazing things this year if we trust Coach, each other, and ourselves. Let's get it done 

AM over 30:07; 7:11 pace

Couldn't sleep last night because I was so excited for practice! We took it past Coach's street and up by Maverik. It was a quality run, but I definitely felt the two-week break. I'm sure it'll be back before I know it. There's a lot of new people to meet, so I'm gonna make that a priority this week. 

AM over 36:00; 7:15 pace; 6x striders 

It's crazy the difference just one day made! I felt wayyy better than yesterday and it was only about 2 or 3 secs slower per mile. It was a half road, half barefoot on grass run. The grass was soaked and it felt really good on my feet. Today was the first day of Kids' Club and it went as expected: eh. I've got the 5-6 boys. There are a surprising number of them that are home-schooled. Overall, decent day. 

AM over 40:00; 7:33 pace

We took it out on the dirt/sand road that goes up to the elephant arch trail; just 20 out and back. I started to feel something at about 15 minutes, but I just told myself in my head that I was good. And that's all it took! I felt really good the rest of the run. Coach took a fall on the way back. He looked like a freaking zombie. After practice, we went to Papa Holt's neighbor's house and helped move a jacuzzi. It was definitely the heaviest thing I've ever been a part of lifting. Somehow, we got the job done. Overall, good day. 

AM over 38:18; 7:26 pace; 8x striders 

Took a loop east on telegraph and up by Maverik. We went over minutes, but it was still a really good run. Coach Robs said I look like this guy named Gumby, so I looked him up. Apparently it's some claymation character. Funny, Robs

AM over 50:24; 7:12 pace

Really good run today! We met at Sullivan Park and did the roller coaster trail along the south base of Shnobe Kibe. I had actually never done it before, but it was pretty fun. About a minute into it, it takes a moment of commitment to get through the constant uphill/downhill change. Once I made the commitment, it got easier. This was also pretty much the first fast run of the season. We finished the run with 4 sub 7 miles. It was good to stick it out with the Boys. 

PM over 35:08; 7:31 pace: 3x 3 min pickups w/3 min recovery

Most of us took the ACT this morning, so we did a night run up in Green Springs. It was a really good run with a quality finish. Luckily, I stopped us before we got to far into the powerline trail. Don't know whose idea it was to do a trail run in the dark (but it was Corbin.) After the run, we just talked for like 45 minutes. Gotta love the bros.