I'm at that point in life where a lot changes are about to take place. My final semester of college is coming to a close. I'm not overwhelmed with exams which is nice compared to previous semesters. I've been doing a lot of thinking about life in general over the past couple of days. Thinking of all the times I've experienced transitions in life. Looking back, these changes have made me stronger and helped me develop as an individual. Although I thrive off consistency as a runner, life's obstacles help me perform at my absolute best. Why that is I can't really be sure of.
I've been reading the book "Again To Carthage" which is the sequel to "Once A Runner". In short both books are about the life of a serious distance runner. What it takes to be the best and what's given up in the process. I'm reading a chapter right now in which Quenton Cassidy, a fictional character replays his childhood remembering moments that lead to his success. So while reading this book, getting ready for a new chapter in life, I can't help but think back on some moments that made me the person I am right now. Why am I in love with this crazy sport? Maybe because it was a way out for me. My first memory of really going out for a run was when I around 10 years old. I was fishing over at Byrd park with some friends and I saw all these people running around the lake. I always ran during soccer practice, but never enjoyed it. For some reason I decided to start running around the lake. The only problem was I had no shoes on. This didn't stop me from running a couple loops around, enjoying every minute of it! I remember how beat up my feet were afterward. Other moments include running the mile in PE my freshman year in high school. My teacher was amazed that I ran 6:04 and told me to go out for the indoor track team to prepare for soccer in the spring. That's when it all started....
Since that day running has been my way of dealing with things. Through the ups and downs I always had that connection. At times I have not run for months due to various reasons, but never did I lose my love for running. I remember changing high schools in January of my junior year. This was a new beginning for me. That outdoor season I told myself that nobody was going to beat me, and in a way I had something to prove. Just thinking that put me a level above everyone I raced against. After high school I didn't run competitively for a few years but once given the opportunity to compete in college, I again felt like I has something to prove. Looking back I ran some great times for my fitness level at the time. At the end of the day I have to look myself in the mirror and ask the question, did I give it everything I had today? Some days you have it and others all the pieces may not have come together. That brings me back to right now. This training cycle has been going great. I've put in all the hard work, starting in January when I was putting in the miles all alone in Colorado, to running through the snow all winter, to busting my ass on the track the past few months. I know what I'm capable of now it's time to go into these next few races with the desire to win! In a few weeks I'll be graduated college and a new start awaits me. Things are really going well. I mean my workouts have been phenomenal, I'm becoming more involved in coaching which is something I have a passion for and want to continue doing for a long time. I would love the opportunity to train somewhere next year and really see what I can run with having all the things it takes to be a great distance runner. The fact of the matter is I need to run certain times over the next 6 weeks in order to ensure myself that possibility. I'm doing things I never thought possible, now it's time to believe in myself again. Whatever the future holds I'm ready!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Vo2 max Intervals
Time of day 2:00 PM
Distance 6.00 mi
Shoe Air Zoom Katana Racer 3
Route Sport Backers Track
WUCD Shoe Zoom Vomero 4
Distance WU/CD 5.00 mi
Temperature 80°F
Wind Significant
Conditions Sunny and Dry
Intensity Very Hard
Overall Feeling Good
Comments Workout as follows... 3 x 1 mile @ interval pace, so 5k pace W/ 4:00 rest between each + 3 x 1000 meters @ 5k goal pace. It's been a while since I've done a good ole vo2 max workout. I've been hammering my legs the past few weeks but it's workouts like this that dictate how fit you are. I don't care if your running a 1500 or a 10k. I warmed up for 20:00 then did drills and a few strides. The other guys were doing speed stuff so I was on my own. This workout was just what I needed. I hit the miles in 4:37, 4:37, 4:40 and the K's in 2:47, 2:45, 2:46. I took 2:30 between the K's. It was a bit windy and hot so I'm very pleased with the effort. I need to take it easy the next few days since the last 4 have been quality. I don't think I'll workout again this week. Maybe a progression run on Wednesday with some strides to follow. After the workout I need 4 x 100 meter accelerations were I stride the first 50 then accelerate the second half. I need to do more of those so my legs become accustom to running fast while containing lactic acid. My form really broke down this weekend and that's something that can't occur If I want to compete at a high level. Easy 15:00 to cool down. I need to hydrate better. I could really feel it afterward.
Distance 6.00 mi
Shoe Air Zoom Katana Racer 3
Route Sport Backers Track
WUCD Shoe Zoom Vomero 4
Distance WU/CD 5.00 mi
Temperature 80°F
Wind Significant
Conditions Sunny and Dry
Intensity Very Hard
Overall Feeling Good
Comments Workout as follows... 3 x 1 mile @ interval pace, so 5k pace W/ 4:00 rest between each + 3 x 1000 meters @ 5k goal pace. It's been a while since I've done a good ole vo2 max workout. I've been hammering my legs the past few weeks but it's workouts like this that dictate how fit you are. I don't care if your running a 1500 or a 10k. I warmed up for 20:00 then did drills and a few strides. The other guys were doing speed stuff so I was on my own. This workout was just what I needed. I hit the miles in 4:37, 4:37, 4:40 and the K's in 2:47, 2:45, 2:46. I took 2:30 between the K's. It was a bit windy and hot so I'm very pleased with the effort. I need to take it easy the next few days since the last 4 have been quality. I don't think I'll workout again this week. Maybe a progression run on Wednesday with some strides to follow. After the workout I need 4 x 100 meter accelerations were I stride the first 50 then accelerate the second half. I need to do more of those so my legs become accustom to running fast while containing lactic acid. My form really broke down this weekend and that's something that can't occur If I want to compete at a high level. Easy 15:00 to cool down. I need to hydrate better. I could really feel it afterward.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Workout Monday
Time of day 2:00 PM
Distance 3.50 mi
Route Sport Backers Track
WUCD Shoe Zoom Vomero 4
Distance WU/CD 5.00 mi
Temperature 92°F
Wind Significant
Conditions Sunny and Dry
Intensity Excruciating
Overall Feeling Good
Comments Workout with the Dream Team. Feeling like absolute shit all day I debated doing a workout today. My allergies have been so bad and my legs felt drained from the long run yesterday. I knew today was the day to workout or I would have to do it alone in the morning. I'd like to get some fast intervals in, like mile repeats in 4:35 or faster but since I'm racing the mile at UVA this Friday I'll save that workout for next Monday. I drove to the track before warming up to give myself some extra time. Today's high was 92 and it felt even hotter on the track. Warmed up for 20:00 then did my typical strides and drills. I almost packed everything up and went home but Spooner talked me into doing the 600 / 200 workout. I knew it would be tough but Axel was there so I figured we could get through it together. We were off on the first 600 and i didn't feel bad at all. We came through the 400 in 61 then I picked it up to run 1:29. I was surprised at how good it felt. My timed for the 600 / 200 were as follows.... 1:29, 1:27, 1:28, 1:27, 27, 27, 27, 27. After the first 600 I was alone the rest of the way. I believe the other guys were in the 1:30 - 1:33 range. I felt decent till the last set. We were taking too much rest after the 600 but it's all good. The quality is more important for this workout. This was a lot faster than I've ever done this workout in previous years. The conditions were hot and windy so that makes it even more impressive. The rest was 200 jog after the 600 and 400 jog after the 200. My body has felt fatigued all day so cooling down was painful. All I wanted to do was drink water and take a nap. Unfortunately I had to go intern at EF so no sleep for hours to come. Hoping for a huge PR in the Mile this Friday!
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Distance 3.50 mi
Route Sport Backers Track
WUCD Shoe Zoom Vomero 4
Distance WU/CD 5.00 mi
Temperature 92°F
Wind Significant
Conditions Sunny and Dry
Intensity Excruciating
Overall Feeling Good
Comments Workout with the Dream Team. Feeling like absolute shit all day I debated doing a workout today. My allergies have been so bad and my legs felt drained from the long run yesterday. I knew today was the day to workout or I would have to do it alone in the morning. I'd like to get some fast intervals in, like mile repeats in 4:35 or faster but since I'm racing the mile at UVA this Friday I'll save that workout for next Monday. I drove to the track before warming up to give myself some extra time. Today's high was 92 and it felt even hotter on the track. Warmed up for 20:00 then did my typical strides and drills. I almost packed everything up and went home but Spooner talked me into doing the 600 / 200 workout. I knew it would be tough but Axel was there so I figured we could get through it together. We were off on the first 600 and i didn't feel bad at all. We came through the 400 in 61 then I picked it up to run 1:29. I was surprised at how good it felt. My timed for the 600 / 200 were as follows.... 1:29, 1:27, 1:28, 1:27, 27, 27, 27, 27. After the first 600 I was alone the rest of the way. I believe the other guys were in the 1:30 - 1:33 range. I felt decent till the last set. We were taking too much rest after the 600 but it's all good. The quality is more important for this workout. This was a lot faster than I've ever done this workout in previous years. The conditions were hot and windy so that makes it even more impressive. The rest was 200 jog after the 600 and 400 jog after the 200. My body has felt fatigued all day so cooling down was painful. All I wanted to do was drink water and take a nap. Unfortunately I had to go intern at EF so no sleep for hours to come. Hoping for a huge PR in the Mile this Friday!
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