Become to Be

Morning- First run of the week! YEAH!!! Actually some people were excited/suprised to see me! :)
Afternoon- After core work. We went for a nice and easy 3 with striders (Thank goodness!). I would have died on a work out, but tomorrow we got LT work out. And I am thinking it as a race (is that bad)? But I wanna be prepared to push hard! :) I think having the time I was sick has let me rethink my life, running, and school. How I want to progress in life! How I want to become a great runner, and person! I just need to embold it! We talked about random stuff on the run, and kept on hitting people's elbows (hahaha!!). SO funny for me! But no more of it! So I enjoyed it, while I could! I am going to kill the work out tomorrow!!!! But did some nice striders after the 3 miler. So pretty good day! Don't feel any symtoms, or anything! Feel back to PERFECT health! Things are about to get really serious for me! And I got the smell of track back! It's one of my weird things I smell/think. :)

Morning- We did this fundraiser run for Talen Vaughnn. So it's for a great cause! And we basically went out hard, and gave it a hard push. I felt really good! So I just started out really fast, and was leading for about 600 meters. I wanted the rest of the boys to get into their pace ASAP! So I just took off fast! And about 800 meters in I just told myself to relax, and start to go my pace at "LT". So I started, and I actually felt amazing throughout the whole race! I even had a great kick into going into 5th! I have not ran this entire week, except yesterday, and the week before half of it.... So it's been kinda a rough 2 weeks with little runs in it..... But I think I did really well for not running in a while!!! :) Paul, and Colton were only 25 seconds infront of me, which I thought they would be by 45! So I actually did really good today! I was pretty happy with my time, and placing! But if I was back to full health, and recovered all the way then I probally could have taken 3rd, or so. But great work-out/race!

Morning- Nice and easy 3. Normal morning run with the team. I need to learn how to stop cutting off coach! Yikes!

Afternoon- 3 mile total warm up, and cool down. 4x1000's with 400 meter cool down! The first one was 3:22 felt pretty relaxed. The second one was 3:20, and felt a little more effort to push. And the third one was 3:20 again. Pretty hard pushing on this one. And the last one was the hardest! I actually had a great work out! And I hit all my times right! This one was 3:18! I just told myself just to go, and hit it! I didn't push the right button on my watch... I had Paul say my time! And I just felt a little fatique on the cool down. But it went away on the way back! I feel ssoooo great! I love being non-sick! And healthy!!! But had weights, and felt pretty great! I did pretty well on weights! And felt great! 

Morning- Nice and easy 3. We had plyos, which went pretty well. Considering that they were only a half a set. But good morning!

Afternoon- Ran 5 miles up some Ice trail! But has some beastly hill that is 2 miles long! It was beast! Everyone was dying... But I just kept going, I wanted to stop, but I could tell that I wasn't even close to the point of stopping! Like maybe if I went sprinting up the hill! Good run! Even though it was pretty hard! But my legs are a little tight lately... I stretched this morning, and this afternoon! So Just keep stretching!

Morning- Nice and easy 3. Starting to feel a little tight! But good morning run! Had a nice talk with Preston about my life experience's about running! :) I always enjoy telling them!

Afternoon- Holy Cow Pie!!! Just kidding! Wanted to say that! But this run was pretty tough! 8 miler with 30 minute tempo at AT (or LT) pace. And I was supposed to hit around 5:49-5:55. And I didn't even hit close to that.... The first mile I threw down a 5:55ish. And then the next 20ish minutes I threw down around 5:58ish-6:10. Not my range.... But I was happy with what I did and gave in this work out today! I gave it my all today, even though I didn't hit my right times! But it wasn't a bad work, nor a good work out. Kinda in the middle! But first week really coming back into! I feel back already! And I am starting to get really tight in the legs! I was really positive through out the whole run, and the tempo went by really fast for some reason! Every time I would start to panick, or stress out. I would just take a deep breath in my nose, and then release. Kept me calm! So that's good! I also just enjoyed nature as I ran my tempo. Didn't even stress about the time!

Morning- 3 by myself... I fell back asleep checking my heart rate! I was sooo tired... I guess my body needed the rest! But it was kinda different running by myself! It was quiet for one! Because I had no one to annoy..... Just kidding! But did plyos too! That's how committed I am!

Afternoon- 7 miles total! Ran over to old man hills! with 1x800, 2x400, 4x200's. Pretty nice work out! Wasn't killer, but was pretty hard! Like you had to push to do it right! The 800 was pretty nice, and quick! I didn't want to start too fast out on the work out. So I just kinda went a little behind the head group (time 2:46). And then 2x400's. I could start the pain coming a little. And the first one went pretty well hitting 1:15. Pretty good time on hills. And then the second one required a little more pushing, but hit it at a 1:16 (almost 1:15 again). And then the 4x200's... Oh my! I realized something about sprinting! Take out fast, and go faster! But the first one was pretty quick, and getting used to the change speeds. And I ran a 36 seconds? But the next one I just took off really fast, and Abel was like Matt you know we got 2 more? And I told him straight back that I have been holding back (I just didn't want to admit to it) so I went all out for a little, and got my drive back for a while! Like the feeling! Feeling like I push hard, until I really go harder! I tell myself to dig, and I dig deeper! But the last 2x200's were pretty nice! Times on 200's according to my timing were 35ish, 36ish, 35ish, and 34ish? But I got 36, 36, 36, and 35. So pretty consistent! :) Good work out! Legs are tired for sure from this hard week of hard work, and determination! :) Had weights too! Almost forgot! Those went well!

Afternoon- No morning practice today. So I slept in a lot! I slept 9 hours last night! Havn't slept that long all week! But felt pretty great today! I enjoyed today a lot! With recovery day from all the hard, and long runs this week! 3 miles with striders! Pretty nice, and easy. We were going like 9 minute pace for the first 2 miles! HA! That's not even close to what the group usually does! But I enjoyed it very much! We went around spreading flyers for tomorrow's race event for the fundraiser! And we also did striders, which felt amazing! Work on form pretty well! And now I am on my way to do 6 hours of homework.... But great week!

Morning- Went out to the Dixie State college. And ran a fundraiser 5k for the tempo today! Started out pretty well. I just need to control my pace, and hold it more. I thought I would be cool, if I wore my freshman flats... Nope! Cause the material on the bottom of the shoe is nearly gone... And about 1 mile in the tempo/race. My arch on my left foot just randomly popped, which hurt like heck! And I had to heel strike for a little to get the pain away.... But I had a pretty good kick at the end, and I was pretty positive about the tempo/race. I had a great mind set! And I even focused on just having a smile! :) It was kinda weird.... Cause as I started to feel the pain come I ran by this car that the front of the bumper looked like a smiley face! So that kinda reminded me of being positive, and have a smile! But pretty good run! The course is longer than a 5k.... But right after the race my left calve started to cramp like crazy. So when I got home. I rolled, and stretched like crazy! I will take care of this now so it doesn't turn into something bad! Yikes!

Morning- Nice and easy 3. I was ready for the time trial after school. I am trying something new with my loudness! :)

Afternoon-  Was ready for the time trial, and just wanted to get it done! I felt amazing before the time trial just a little nervous, but just told myself to relax. And we start out the first lap, and Abel pulls ahead and I am barely behind him, and I hit 63 (1:03) first lap not too bad, but I need to make it 59, or 1:00 flat. I need to hit that time in order to go sub 2! And the second lap we slowed down a lot on the back stretch... And I just started speeding up the last 200 meters. And I started going, and randomly Archie flys by me at full speed! Pretty great kick for the kid! But I just need to keep the speed on the 2nd lap! But it's on alright time for now! I was happy with it! And it was 2:10.54... Not bad, but a new P.R.!! :) But I learned that I just need to go full speed last lap! See how far I burn out, or finish! 

Morning- Nice and easy 3 with the team. I am liking these morning runs! Nice, and easy! :)

Afternoon- 8 miler with 30 minute at AT pace (5:50-55?). But I was during very well the first 10 minutes and was well relaxed. And I ran with Archie for a while till he had to turn around. And then I started to fall off pace a little by not having anyone run next to me. And then the turn around. I flipped it weird, and lost all my speed... So it took me a little to get speed back... But then I saw Paul, and was chasing him for a while. And the last 10 minutes I just kept speeding up trying to motivate myself to get up to him, but I just convince myself... And I kept pushing, and pushing. And with about 2 minutes left I started up the little hill, and pushed that pretty hard. And I was going to catch Paul, but then we were done. I got further than last tempo! That's a good sign! But I was kinda discourage, because I should, and need to be with the head group as long as I can... But was 2nd one in weight room (Abel was first). And I told him about it. And then..... Lifting went by way fast! And it actually didn't hurt too much by surprise! And then I was benching, Abel, and I were spotting each other. And he said,"Put on ten more." So I did and then I did the same. And I didn't know how much it was.... It was a plate (135 lbs)!!!!! I was dying.....  Cause I didn't know it was that much weights.... But pretty good day. Ok!!! This is when the story starts! So I got home, and felt really tired, and discouraged even more from practice.... But I had a feeling to meditate like we did at, before Region IX (9) XC (Cross Country). And I started out visualizing myself just on a slow jog. Just like warm up pace. And then I just kept visualizing that, until I got back to the place I started. And then I was doing some stride outs. And slowly jogged back. Picturing myself taking out perfectly, and getting in a good placing. And I then did some agilities. And I got to the starting line at the Pine View Invite. And I took out perfect in the top 5, and worked my way too the front on the back stretch. And the first lap went by 61 (1:01). And I then sprinted the turn. Then I took out faster on the back stretch, and I then started to sprint the last 200 meters. And the last 150 I sped up, even more, and 125 even more! And by the last 100 meters I was at FULL SPEED! Going as hard as I could with every last ounce of energy in me! And I finish the race with a time of 2:01! And then I slowly opened my eyes, and I slowly got up, and.......... I found my new drive.... It's forcing myself to do something. Like at Region I forced myself to win the race. And now I am going to force myself to go 2:01! And in order to do that I need to run work outs right! So that's it! That's my story! I also had another feeling to say this one on the blog... So all of you reading this I hope you enjoyed this true story that happened today. And I invite you to try it someday. It certainly helped me. I hope it will help you!  

Morning- Really nice, and easy 3! Felt really nice!

Afternoon- Went on a distance/recovery run! It was really nice, and I can tell I am in better shape then ever before, because usually on a 8/10 miler I get more tired towards the end... But this time I wasn't as tired! That's a great sign! Just a another confidence booster! I love these kind of runs! I just enjoyed it the entire time! But great week so far! Learned things, and hopefully I keep learning more! I am really looking forward to the track season now!  

Morning- Nice and easy 3. Normal pace. And we did plyos. Those were pretty nice.

Afternoon- 3 miles total for warm up and cool down. Work out was 8x200's at race pace. so 32's. Pretty nice. First one was 34. And the next was 34. And the third one was a 32. And after that I just got into the groove. And hit 32's rest of the way. So 34, 34, 32, 32, 32, 32, 32, and 32! So pretty chill work out. Not too tough. Had equal recovery basically. And then around the 6th one I could tell people were getting a little tired... So I just tried and relax. I really worked on my form, and breathing really hard mentally! I had such good breathing today! I learned, if I work my foot work with my breathing then I stay more relaxed, and then I know I can go harder! Cause I stay relaxed! Had weights after. Those felt pretty good! I am still sore from other work outs. But I stretched, and rolled today! Good day! 

Morning- Normal 3 with the team. Coach talked a lot with Byron (more like arguing!) 

Afternoon- 5 miles easy. Went up to prostpecter trail. The way there was pretty easy, but on the way back it started to get a little harder, and right before school ended. Coach showed me something on my blog, and found out my password so I changed it! Take that Coach! And I cannot enter my total mileage.... 

Morning- Went out with Mike, Byron, Casey, Abel, and Dave. Pretty nice group. 6 miler with 15 minute tempo at LT pace. Goal time 5:24-5:29. Started out fairly well. I felt pretty amazing during, and after the tempo. I kinda extended the time a little, because I didn't look at my watch for a while oops! But I went an extra 1:30... But that's ok. Cause that averaged my pace out a little, and I averaged about 5:47-5:52. Off of goal time. But I stay positive, and I kinda reminded myself of something. Just go all out, and see how long I can hold on! A lot of people will hold back just a little to speed up at the end, but there is no point in really doing that, because there is too much ground to make up! So that's why you go all out, and see how long you can hold on, and push the rest!

Morning- Went out with the boys. We met at the high school about 9:15... Cause Mike was late...  But we ran old man hills. 7 miles total. I had 4x400's, and 2x200's. I felt really weird.... It's a feeling I never want to feel again that all I know. But I hit a 1:12, 1:11, 1:16, and 1:13. And the 200's were 37, and 36. Very good work out. But gotta work on stick'in it to the man!

Afternoon- After hiking for about an hour, and doing 2 and a half hours of yard work. I went I did my 3. I went pretty slow at first, but by the end I was going 7:00 minute pace. Not bad. I was really tired, because I have not ate, or drank anything all day.... But I went running with David to the Elementary school, and did some nice old laps! :) 

Morning- Went with the team to AC. Normal morning run. I am getting my mojo back! I don't know what to call it... But I am getting my mind set back quick! And we did plyos. Those went pretty nice.

Afternoon- Did 1000's today! With 2x300's at F pace. And that's almost all out. And I hit 3:24. I was off a lot... But I fixed that the next few. And I ran a 3:19. Still felt a little eh... But on the third one I had to start pushing, and I was breathing hard. And hit a 3:20 barely.... But then I hit a 3:19 the last one. I was glad just to get done. And then we had the 2x300's. And we waited till we fully recovered from the 1000's, and then hit a 44 the first one, and then 46. Not too bad at the end of a work out. But that's the point of the work out. Run fast to get you tired, and then dig like crazy to hit great times! That's how it's done in a race! On cool down I was pretty tired from the work out, which is great! And I got the burning feeling back again! :) 

Morning- 3 Miles. Nice and easy. But legs felt heavy for some reason... It was raining, which was kinda nice!

Afternoon- 4 miles easy. Felt nice, and focused! I felt great! Had a great conversation, and I felt amazing! Had weights after and then I felt pretty great! Nice day to recover!  

Morning- 3 miles. 

Afternoon- 6 miles total with 12x200's. I hit a 34, 34, 33, 33, 32, 33, 33, 32, 33, 32, 31, and 32. I felt good, but my foot hurt super bad..... Good work out! A lot learned! 

Morning- Nice, and easy 3. Foot hurt a little.

Afternoon- 3 miles with striders. I was able to do my 3 miles pretty easy, without my foot hurting, till the last little part.... Then on striders I was only able to do 2. and then I had to stop... But my foot hurt. Hopefully it doesn't hurt too bad, because I run the Half marathon tomorrow! :) I am icing, and rolling. I don't want to get injuried again!!!! 

Woke up at 6:45. I felt ready, and confident for the half marathon today! I just kept focusing on getting ready for the race. Ate breakfast, and then Byron picked me up. Waited for the race for a while. Did a 1.5 mile warm up. And I felt ready! But a little nervous, and my heart rate was 60 this morning... Guess I was nervous!

Race Report-

Took off pretty well with the group. Just told myself to relax, and then the first mile was like 5:39. I just tried and stay with the group, and then they all took off. So I was with Paul for a little. And mile 3 I hit at 17:51. Goal time was sub 1:20. So I was on pace, and was ready to push at the end. And then we started down into Hell's hole. With lots of roll coasters... I was like I run in here all the time! So that got me going a little, and 2 people passed me, and then 2 DH kids passed me (Josh, and Jaren). Then at mile 5 I was still on pace, and Coach Holt ran with me, and gave me some motivation. I later then passed the 2 guys that passed me, but the 2 DH kids were still ahead of me.

After hitting the bridge I was getting back into gear, still hitting my pace. And I was making ground on the DH kids. I started to feel the pain, and knowing not to stop. So I was focusing on my form. And I could see someone making ground on me quickly. So I used that as motivation to keep going, and not get passed. And after a mile or two. Guess who it was?!?! It was Nick's Dad! I was like wow! He is one fast guy! And I ran with him for a while. Catching the DH kids. And at a point all 4 of us were stride for stride. Which was pretty cool.

After hitting mile 8. I wanted to start getting done, and knew I still had a lot of race to go. I was hitting my pace, but right about here is when I fell off a little on my pace. And I told myself to pick it back up, but it was just so hard keeping pace for that long. And I was like tempos are easy compared to this! So hitting mile 9. I was still with the group of 4 (including me). And I was leading for a while, because the DH kids would stop at every aid-station and get water. So I took advantage of these oppurtunties, and I would speed up just a touch. And it got them scared so them would quickly start sprinting back up to pace, which cost them a lot in the end! Suckers!

Hitting mile 9.5ish. I really started getting tired, Legs were numb, and my body was because of the tempature. Good weather though today. And I was still with the group, until mile 10ish. That's when I started to really loose my pace, and fall off... It was just so hard to keep going. And then this HUGE hill came out of no where... I really pushed up this hill, and got some ground on them again. I wanted to run with the group again, but they just kept speeding up. I just couldn't match their pace... My pace was really suffering now. I really started to dig a lot now. Hitting mile 10 I was hitting "the wall".... I really kept on trying harder, and harder, but no effect was happening....

Mile 11. My legs locked, and my whole body was numb. I could barely move my legs... This part really hurt me, because that's when the group took off, and since my legs locked. I couldn't catch up... The gap grew bigger, and bigger. I was going pretty dang slow on this part... Mabey at the fastest hitting a 6:50..... I was going sooo slow.... But I just wanted to finish right now.... I kept looking at my watch. Counting down, until I finished! :)

Mile 12- I could tell I was getting close to finishing. And I started to get my legs back slowly. And getting back to pace. And then I really started digging here, just wanting to get done with this! So I think I am done. And boom! I see Coach Holt yelling my name. And that gave my hope quick! And he said," I want to see a kick! Only 400 meters to go!" So I started to pick up my pace. And I was going, until about 200 meters. So I reminded myself I was almost done. I kept going, and then boom I finished. I felt terrible.... Legs hurting, brain hurting, body frozen.... I was all numb, and cold.... I thought I was going to die.... This was by far the hardest, or one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am pretty happy with my results! No pity parties today! But I feel great now! After eating, and sleeping all day today! I decided to entry my race into my blog! And thinking over, and over. It was a good experience what running is really like! I hit a 1:22. I don't know seconds... But I think it was in the 30's. I was pretty happy, until I realized I was the last Varsity boy to finish... So that kinda got me bumbed, and still is. But I gave it my all. I guess some people are better at things in life than others! But I am still going to work hard!

 This was a great experience. Got me thinking about how bad running can hurt. And thinking that I am a 800 meter runner in track. And I just ran a half marathon!!! All I can say is that 800 meters is sooo short.... So on the test thingy this Tuesday. I am going to just go all out! I don't care, if I burn out. I am going to run fast!!! I believe in myself after this experience. I am pretty happy with my time, and placing. Abel, and Paul are just soo dang fast! This is their first years both of them. And they are either faster, or the same speed as me. And I have been running for 3 years now! And boom they are just as fast in a few months, but I know why. They work super hard everyday. They have a desire to run fast! They are great kids, and I hope we just bond more as a team. So we have a unbreakable team bond! Let's go get that title boys! :)

Morning- Nice and easy 3. Felt good.

Afternoon- 3 miles with striders. I felt pretty good! My foot didn't hurt. And I didn't have any problems. I just need to keep focusing on good form, and mental toughness! I love running it's great! 

Morning- 4 miles with 4 fartleks. I had to push pretty hard mentally, because I was a little tired. And I was able to push pretty hard. I love working hard! 

Afternoon- 3 miles easy. I had some stomach problems.... But it wasn't too bad. We did some more Decathon training. Have the Cosmin test tomorrow morning! 

Morning- Did the Cosmin test. Had 1.5 mile warm up, and cool down. It was freezing, but I wore plenty of layers to get, and stay warm. I wasn't cold during the test at all. I ran 788 meters, which is equal to a 2:03 800 time. Which is mind blowing for me right now! And it gets better! I didn't even complain once! But I just told everyone good job on what they did! And it was a great morning! I loved this morning today!

Afternoon- 3 miles easy on the track, after all the Decathon stuff. 100 meter: 12.77 (P.R.), 200 meter: 25.7 (new P.R.!), and shot-put: 24" (feet) (NEW P.R.)!!!! One of the best days of running I have had in a really long time! I wish I could have all my running days like these! Everything just goes soooo well! I also learned that if I just focus, and not sike myself out, then I just perform amazing!!! I love running! I will say it again,"I LOVE RUNNING!!!!!!!" Makes me sooooo happy!!!! :)

Morning- 3 miles nice and easy. Coach was being a funny boy!

Afternoon- 3 miles with striders. 4 miles total. With the decathon. Did some nice old laps. I ran the 300 hurdles. My goal was not to trip. And I did not. I was pretty slow, but I threw 46"4" on dicus. And then long-jump I did 13 feed flat. Not bad for me. But I had fun with it. Great day! I am not more determined, more committed, and more focused on what I truly want in running, and life! :)