Become to Be

Morning- Practice was rather nice today. I ran 6 miles total with half mile warm up like usual. I had a good run today. It was a slow work out, but for sure will get way tough soon. 3 mile repeats at 7:12 goal pace. That's like my normal running pace. But I went 6:48, 6:44, 6:41. I need to tone it down!! Everyone does actually. Because the whole team was going crazy. But I did that pace with no problem. Required really no effort. 3 minutes recovery between each one. We had a lot of people from PV history run with us today. Mike, Tyson, Casey, and Kaylee. Got home stretched, and did a core work out.  

Morning- Today was grass run. I didn't even notice I was running! That means I am getting back in shape! Today I went 5.5 miles total. I felt pretty great through out the whole run, and during striders I worked on my turn over, and form. Then when I got home I did another core work out. But I really can't wait till high mileage weeks, and months! Gotta love running more, and more! Kids club today was something else... The kids just kept on complaining on how "hot" it was outside. It was only 93 degrees. That is not even hot here.... It's supposed to be around 110 today! But it's alright because they kept me busy I guess. Or I kept them busy from their familes for an hour. Good day.

Morning- Today was a tough work out. 30/30's. 1 mile warm up. And then 23 repeats. I felt sooo tired at 23 this time... I felt horrible today too.... Like sluggish, need to eat more healthy food, and stretch more. Because I could not get my legs going at all.... I started out sooo slow on each one. But this time we did them right. Your supposed to recover jog the whole 30 seconds. No walking, no stopping even for 2 seconds before you go again. Just a constant sprint, jog, sprint, jog. So it gets pretty tough. I am now happy with the work out. After I was very bummed about it... But it was good now that I think it over. I went way longer distance this time for recovery, and I didn't stop like 10 seconds before each one. So... That's why I think it was soo much harder this time. I will aim for 25ish next time.

Morning- Today for practice it was not team offical, but we held practice as a team though. Not very many showed up... But that's ok. It's July 4th! And I showed up 15 minutes late. I was up late last night, and slept through my alarm... So no more last nights during the week for sure! And I was pretty grumpy on the run, until about mile 4 I loosened my anger up a little. So I was calmer. But today I did 6. It was supposed to be a hilly run. So we went down into Hell's Hole. Extremely hard run today! With lots of hills, and one hill that is atleast 0.5 mile long and at 13%. So pretty steep. It was a beast to run up. But I really felt awful today.... My legs were hurting like crazy, and still hurt. I have not been stretching very well. So I need to do a better job at that. Right leg is giving me problems... Right quad tightened up a lot, than right calve....

Morning- 8 miles with 0.5 mile warm up. I felt amazing today! Way better than yesterday! By-run wanted to go "fast" so I went fast. I felt amazing today once again! And we looped it around some loop. And added some went we got back.

Morning- Went out at 10ish. And it was hot outside. I felt terrible.... I felt sooo sluggish. I wanted to die... But hopefully I feel better Monday!

Morning- Woke up feeling pretty well rested. Over the long weekend. Today we had 4xmile repeats today. My goal pace was 7:13. And I started out doing the normal team stuff. And ran up to the dirt mile feeling pretty good. I later than started my first mile repeat. 6:58. It was good. Had 3 minute recovery for each one in bewteen.  Next one was 6:57. And the third one required a little focus. But was 6:54. And for the last one finishing with a good 6:46. These are only at 80%. Which are pretty easy. But they will get way harder as we go on in time. So I will wait for late. And we start our first afternoon practice today! YA!!!

Afternoon- 3 miles with the team. It was super hot, but I really didn't feel the heat. But it was good. Had weights after. Those were pretty funny, and buff. 

Morning- Had grass run today! Love grass runs! They always feel soo nice. But 4 miles on the grass barefoot, and 8xbarefoot strides. The striders were nice too! And I worked on my form. Felt pretty good today. But legs were a little tight from weights, and the longer distance yesterday. But I stretched good. And kids club today was funnier than usual for some reason. But at the end we did a mix grades and did a relay. I was the anchor for my team. And the track was sooo sharp turns. But anyways my team was down by atleast 100 meters. And guess who it was?!?! Stoner! I kinda just thought ok, I can catch her easily! Nope! Within 200 meters I had to speed up fast! And at the end I was almost sprinting. But she got me by 10 meters.... I claimed she cheated. She cut off 1 corner!

Morning- Today was 30/30's. Just my favorite! Just kidding sometimes! They make you push but I got 26 repeats. I started to feel good after the warm up. But before like during core excercises I was super tired for some reason. I got plenty of rest last night. But I felt amazing after a few repeats. I started too get tired around 15ish. Like I was warm uped ready to go. And I started wondering if I could get into the 30's! But Krenny was with Kyler, and I for a while. Than his calve started bugging him so he had to drop out. Kyler started slowing down on each one after about 18ish. And I had to start pushing the pace. But Kyler did awesome! He pushed himself hard, and pushed my as well. But after 21 he dropped out. And I was alone... So I had to push by myself. I just wanted to get to 25. And as soon as I hit 25 I thought I was done. But I was going to 26 trying sooo hard to get where I needed to be (Had to travel 6 blue cones 150 meters, and on recovery was half of that so 3 blue cones, 75 meters). I was about 5 meters off of the 6th blue cone... I missed it by that much! Oh well. I did great! I feel very happy about this work out, and my legs have been just super tight, tight. I will ice bath tomorrow.

Morning- Today I was super excited for today's work out for some reason. I don't know why! But I was pumped! But we did the usual core work, and warm up stuff like normal. But today we had 5 miles total on the work out. And it constited of 5x10 second bounders, and 5x10 seconds hill sprints. You just pump really good on the bounders, and on the sprints you go all out for 10 seconds. So it sounds pretty easy right? But after a few you get tired. And then we add mileage down into Hell's Hole. And running back up was not much fun... It's such a beast hill! But I felt pretty good today. No problems, or complaintents today! :) Well atleast so far. I will have to see till afternoon practice. 

Afternoon- I found 2 other pairs of my trainers!! WOO HOO! But today in the afternoon was an easy 3 miles with the team. Amazing weather! Super humid though! About 80 degrees! That's amazing for having it 110 outside lately... But my right calve was bugging me pretty bad... But weights were good too.

Morning- Today was super humid as well. It felt nice till about half way through the run. Today I went on a 9 miler. It was supposed to be a "hilly" run. And it was! We ran up this beast hill! Just kept going on, and on... But my shirt was drained in sweat. Like I jumped in a pool. It was soaked! Just 4 miles into the run too! I felt kinda sluggish miles 2-4ish. But on the way back I felt amazing! And it was a very easy pace. But the distance was the challenge a little. And we went out towards the airport road? It was a very long run. But I felt good throughout most of it. Went by faster than I thought! Well time to end the week with a easy run tomorrow! :) 

Night- Did a night run! And I felt like crap for sure! We went at 10 pm. And I woke up from my nap at 9:52 pm. Bad idea to go run 8 minutes after a nap! I felt just awful.... That's all I have to say. And we saw casey driving! Kinda excited for the 5k this next Monday! But I am not going to worry about. Just have fun with it. That's it.

Morning- 0.5 mile warm up. Today was Monday repeat day! Or Monday miles! I had today 5 repeats today! That's the most I have ever done. But it's not too fast of a pace. I was supposed to run 7:12.4. But I ran 6:44, ~:53, ~:50, ~:46, and ~:45. So they were a little faster than the pace I was supposed to go. But they are pretty consistent. That's all that matters. That's what I gotta work on this year. Is consistency! If I can do that! I can do ANYTHING with running, and races! I felt kinda tired after them, but not very much. I did a mile warm up, and one mile cool down. I then did 3 minute recovery in between each mile. So that's where I got another mile. We did them on the dirt mile too. I keep on forgeting to say that stuff first. But I felt pretty good, after! 

Afternoon- Weights. No run in the heat today, becaus I am doing a 5k tonight! I am going for sub 17, or sub 16:45 for now. That's what I was last year. I am in pretty good shape now. But we will see what happens. If I don't get it. Oh well for now. I still got time to improve! :) And I planked for 4:31.44 2nd longest plank I have done ever! I could broken my P.R. But I didn't want today. Maybe Next weights I will! >:D

Night- All I have to say before I put this race report in. Is that I fall asleep at 9:30. And I raced at 10... Sooo yeah... Warmed up 1.15 miles. And I felt pretty good. Waited a while, and got to the line.

Race Report- I got pretty quick, but just died off within the first half mile.... I could tell I was slowing down, because the gap got bigger, and bigger from the top boys. And I felt pretty good for the first mile. First mile was 5:42. It was an alright first mile. Coming around the second lap I started to already get tired... And I came by the 2nd mile at a 5:56... I have never ran a mile that slow in a race before. But I started not feeling to hot after this part, and got kinda discouraged... And my pacer said 6:04 pace! I was like what the?!? I am better than that! So I picked it up a little not by much though. Just 5:58 last mile.... But better than nothing. And for the 0.02 was 7 seconds. So my 3 mile split was 17:36. Considering I am not in racing shape. I did pretty good. Abel, and Byron ripped it up! 

Morning- Today was a grass run. And everyone was for sure angry this morning, including me. I was very angry. But W/E... 4 miles with striders. Half mile with the kids club. But I didn't feel very good today, considering I only slept 6 hours last night... I usually sleep 8. But I was just frustated the whole run, and more mad. Striders I kinda mellowed out. But I just tried to work on my form after 4 of them. Dropping it though! :) Kids club was pretty good. I was just tired, and sluggish today. No energy for the little kids. But I want to get faster! It's going to take hard work, and some deternation to accomplish the goals I want now this year. So it's time to step it up. It's done on the course or run. Not saying it. So I will work on that. And I took a 3 hour nap today! So now.... I am super happy!

Morning- Today was 30/30's. All I can say is that these are hard! But did normal stuff, and one mile warm up like usual. I just turned off my brain, and this work out flew by, and so did I. I ended up doing 30 repeats. Which is the best I have done running the work out correctly. I had to really push that last few. But I made it through. And I started getting tired around 24ish. I felt amazing in the teens. But I was sweating like crazy. And on the cool down. My lungs, and brain were just fired up. Like pumping tons of blood. And my legs felt like jello. Which is a good feeling once, and a while. But I gotta step it up a little more. I can't stop at nothing. Even if it's breaking all my goals. I gotta keep pushing! It's going to take hard workouts like this, but even more! I felt pretty exhausted at the end of the work out. And I was very happy with this work out! Because I know I gave it my all!

Afternoon- 3 miles super easy with Abel, and Krenny. We met at the soccer park, and ran on the trails. It was nice, and a little cooler today. We had a nice conversation. I felt way better today than yesterday, and monday! So that'a a plus! And I stretched a little after we got done. It was a nice mellow run! 

Morning- Today was 9 miles with 2 mile tempo at "AT" pace. It was supposed to be 6:20. I felt pretty good for the first few miles. Than it got hotter, and we stopped to get water. We got going again. And we started our 2 mile tempo. I was pushing the pace, because I thought we were supposed to go faster. But splits were 6:19, and 6:09. I felt pretty good for the two miles, and they went be extremely fast. Finished up the run by running around random streets, and had to get mileage. So we did that. This 9 miler was soo much easier than last weeks. I don't even know why. It felt soo much shorter. But my legs felt like jello again. I kinda love that feeling of working hard. Stretched pretty good. 

Afternoon- 3 miles with the team in the heat. I started feeling the heat after mile 2. And I slowed down a lot from the group... I felt like headed, and dizzy. But I made my way back to the high school, and just cool downed. Put wet paper towels on the forehead to cool me down. I didn't hydrate very well, before this run. So that's probally why. But I felt awful... And I did some of the weights, but not all... Just not a good afternoon run... 

Morning- Holy molly! Running hurts really bad sometimes! Today we did 2xMeat grinders, which is running up Web Hill. It's about the steepest hill in St. George! And about a mile long, so pretty beast! Once you get to the top, you can see everything! It's pretty amazing! But we ran this year's region course once. And then went over to web hill. The first one didn't seem too bad, until about half way up. The pain started coming, and the cramps in the legs started to come as well... And I was tempted to walk sooo bad! That was my goal just not to walk! Even though I wanted to sooo bad.... But I was exhausted once we hit the top. And then jogged back down, which felt like forever down hill. Next one was even tougher for sure! I really died on this one... I started good the first halfish. Then about 3/4ish I died off. And then 1/5 left I started to get going again. This was by far the hardest work out we have already. There is probally more to come! "But the will to win, means nothing without the will to prepare!" I really wanted to walk on this one, but I just kept myself to keep going, and going. And eventually I made it to the top. But it required more than I had in me today for sure! I am proud of myself today. :) I honestly thought I couldn't do it... But I got a knew theme in my head this year, "It's Possible." If I say that, then it is possible. Abel (Taylor), and By-run (Byron) really helped me out on the last one. And Abel encouraged me to go with him, and By-run. Thanks guys! :) Than Coach Holt really helped me, and gave me words of encouragement that helped a ton! Thanks coach. But when I got done. I was really, really, really happy to get done. I was sooo thristy. I drank one million gallons of water when I got back to my water bottle. Just kept on drinking, and drinking water! This week has been super hard. I am proud of myself! This is going to be a good XC I can tell already. I am getting back into my groove! :D

Noonish- I went 5 miles. It was about 100+ today. Just at 12:30ish. And I felt it too... All my miles were like 8's flat. So this run was pretty dang slow.... I took it super easy, because I have been pushing super hard the past few days. And I figured I needed an easy day. So I did. I got home from camping at like 8ish. And fell asleep. I wish I would have wake up early and ran on the mountain. It was 48 degrees up there!! 48!! That's way better than 100+!!! But I went out a mile, and figured it would be cooler on the grass. So I ran a mile or so on grass. Then went a mile or so out again. And flipped it. And went home. It is super hot today.... Makes me wanna cry! 

Morning- Last night I was super excited for this weeks work outs. And I just couldn't stop thinking about kicking the crap out of them! But I got a little too excited, and pumped, because I couldn't fall asleep last night very well... I am starting to have a little struggle getting up in the mornings... I am getting plenty of rest just can't kept my mind off running EVER. But it's not a bad thing, because I only spend 2 hours plus on it each day. But anyways... Today was did 6xMile repeats from the V02 max test at 80%. I felt pretty good, just got a little tired running by myself. Abel, and Byron were a little faster, and then the guys behind me were a little slower (like pace for the work out). But I got 6:50 on the first one felt pretty good like always. The second one was 6:56. Oh my goal time was 7:12. Third one was 6:53, and I started feeling eh, because it's a little speed up change, but not enough to make you feel like your dying. So I hate that. Forth one was 6:48. I  started to feel more eh. And the fifth one Kyler ran with me, THANK YOU! Finally someone to run with. And that one was 6:52. The last one Coach had me run with Abel, and Byron and him. But we hit 6:14. I felt good on that one for sure! Because it felt like I was almost attacking! >:D Love that feeling. Gotta keep on attacking, and attacking! But the next few days will be that time. 1 mile cool down. Did 3 minutes of recovery between each one. 1.5 mile warm up.

Afternoon- I felt amazing today! Even though it was hot. Nice and easy 3 miles with the team. I was thinking about returning my shoes that I bought the whole time, during the run, and weights! And then Preston talked me into buying them! Little kid! >:( But I returned them back and got the Cohesion 6's!!! I have the 5's. I love them, but the 6's are sweet! I drank tons of water today! I made myself! And I said I would drink like what byron said. Which is a drunk someone of another country. Can't metion the name, because people would get offened. But weights were good too. I felt moviated to do great lifting today! Life is good! Got a job interview tomorrow, might move, and got new running shoes! :D

Morning- Today was 30/30's. But I had a job interview in the middle of our normal stuff, and our warm up. So I got that done with, and I worked my way up to practice. And I warmed up pretty fast, but controllable at my own good pace. And then I started immidately when I got back the school. Everyone else did atleast 5, before I came. So I came late. I started good, and took me a little go get going the first 10 or so. I felt amazing at 15. But around 20ish I started getting tired mentally, and wanted to quit... But I told myself to keep on going. And around 25ish I really wanted to just stop there. But I forced myself to get atleast 30 again. And I really had to push mentally to get to 30 repeats. I had to cover 150 meters (actually 146). With half of that so 75 meters on the recovery. I was exhausted after, and I was pretty prould of myself today! :) Same amount as last time... Maybe step it up a little next time? I think so. I will do so. Kids club was racing today. Some of the kids are sooo dang fast for the little kids! They kids are pretty nice, but sometimes they just get on my nerves... But all is well.

Afternoon- 3 miles super easy, and slow with David. I kept on telling him to go slow with me, because the next few days we will be going pretty dang hard. So he did. It was super hot, and I felt eh after. But glad to be done, because this heat is just terrible. But It's Utah... Good day overall for running! :) 

Morning- Woke up at 4:30 A.M! Went over to Coach's house so we could drive clear out to Enterprise to race a 5k. We drove up, I was pretty tired... And wanted to sleep... So I took a little power nap. And felt good after that. We warmed up like a quarter mile... Because we got there, like 10 minutes before the race started! And they loaded up the buses and went up to this canyon. And they left us!! Because we were using the Jong. haha. But we were freaking out, because the race started in 4 minutes, and we didn't have a ride all the way up the canyon! But this guy that was helping gave us a ride up. Like fast! His truck only went 80 MPH like maxed out. And was going 75-79 MPH! Really pushing the car! His car was shaking, and I was super nervous! This was the kind of aderaline I needed before a race! :) Anyways.... Now that I told you all that...

Race Report- Goal for today: Stick on Abel, and Byron the first mile, and hang in there as long as possible. And push till the finish. I started out super fast, because I thought Abel, and Byron were going to take out at a dead sprint like last time. But I calmed down into the pace. And the first mile flew by like crazy! But I just had to focus on staying on them. Stay on them Matt, stay on! So I did until about a little before the mile marker. And I fell back 30 meters... But first mile was 5:20ish. And I felt like I was pushing the first mile pretty good. And now I thought 2 miles left I can do this! Kyler, and Colton were also racing this race. Kyler was with me for most of it. But I slowed down a lot on this next mile, but I kept on trying to keep a alright pace. Not like die out... So I kept on pushing the pace every 0.15 of a mile, or so. Kyler fell off me about 1.7ish. And I kept my eye on the leading truck, and said, "Keep close!". But I was alone basically. Kyler fell behind 30-50 meters. And I had to push the pace myself. I really hate having no one pushing the pace with me... But I would throw little surges in, and push for sections. Then before I knew it. Mile 2 was done! 1 mile to go! 5k's are sooo short when you break them down! I can do one mile. I really tried to push this parth hard, but nothing crazy happened, until Colton just starts flying by me at like 5:10ish pace. I went with him. But sadly he died out quickly, and I softened the pace too... But that got me going again to finish. After running a few minutes in my mind, I thought 800 meters! That's my race! So I picked it up. And with a real 800 meters left. I really tried pushing, and pushing. I could tell I was going harder, because the pain level went up ALOT! But I was worried I couldn't hold that pace, but I told myself. To just trust it, and go! So I did. You don't know how far you can go, until you try your best! I re-learned that this race! I kept on pushing till the end. I didn't really sprint to the end like usual, but just kept the same pushing pace at 800 meters... If I could have sprinted I could have taken off a few seconds! But the course was 3.15 miles. I was very pleased with my placing, and time. 17:48 for the 3.15 mile course. Most of it was down hill. It's not a P.R. But it was a really performed race for what type of year it is for me. My three mile split was around 16:47-16:55. That's not too shabby. Average pace was 5:39. That's actually pretty dang good for me right now! :) So I am happy about that too. And I got 3rd overall, and got a medal. That was pretty cool. And made me feel like I actually accomplished something, and even got me really motivated for XC this season! Because I forgot what it feels like to medal. It makes you feel good, atleast me! :) Things learned from this race. Trust it, and go. You don't know, until you try. And stick with the top boys a little longer. Things to work on is keep the pace going harder each mile. And get back into serious racing shape! This was an amazing race! And I was super positive, and happy after! That's another good thought!

Afternoon- Went on a afternoon run with the team. Just an easy 3 miles. Went by fast, but just was super hot today. Was about 106 on the dirt, and 110ish on the road... Soo HOT! But felt good after, and good to get in. Ready to roll for rest of the week! :) 

Morning- Today was a hill work out. Down in Hell's hole. The trials were all washed out from the last flood. And so we had to do it up the giant hill going down into there.... But 2 mile warm up counting the barefoot warm up. But the hill work out was 4x1 minutes, and 6x30 seconds. It was pretty tough, but no where as bad as I thought. But it still pushed me. The minutes were pretty tough. But Trevor ran with us today, and paced pretty well. And pushing the pace. I felt like I did good on this work out. The 30 seconds were a little tough at the end. And we ran out. That was fun... NOT! But I felt pretty good, after we were done. And we went up by parkway to get mileage. And finished it to the school. Good morning, consider I thought it was going to be rough, due to the lack of sleep. But good morning. :)

Afternoon- Today was 3 miles with the team to AC. That was pretty good. I didn't feel the heat too bad this time, because I drank tons, and tons of water today. So the run was pretty good. We went pretty dang slow today. :) That is always nice. The legs felt a little sluggish, and tired from all the hard work outs this week. Weights were good, and I got a good lift in. Proud of myself so far this week!  

Morning- 10 miles at an easy pace today. I felt eh the first few miles. But felt pretty dang good, after mile 5. And we looped it around the fields. Just a little over 10 miles. 0.5 mile warm up. My blister is almost healed all the way. But I want to make sure it's healed all the way! Good day so far! Good run, I actually felt pretty good. I got the distance part done, just need the speed now! :)

Morning- I woke up, thinking it would be crazy hot outside, because it was 7:40. But I ate breakfast did some neighbor's yardwork and than went running. I went down by the elementary, and I decided to go check out Hell's hole from the flood last night! I can call this an "Adventure run!". I ran over there, and ran into the canyon. And the roller coaster trial was just destroyed. The whole track trial was all grinded, and ripped up everywhere. Cave ins everywhere. Rocks were all over. There was still water rushing through the dips. And it was just crazy. Looked like a tornado went through this place. I think Hell's hole is now pretty much destroyed on the roller coaster side. I went a little on the other trial to see, if the river was up any. And yup it was! Like 50 feet almost! It was way higher from usual. But if they don't fix this mess up. No more Dog-Town half's!! That would make me anrgy! But I walked around a lot, because I had already ran a little too far in there. So I just walked around two or three miles to see what happened. It was pretty cool too see. I was running on the roller coaster part, and this random family was walking their dogs. And this guy was like, "Cross Country?" I was like yup. He was like sweet. But also! When I ran out of the canyon. I felt like I wanted to die up that hill... My legs are dead, and my body had nothing in it today... My goal is to recover the rest of today, and sunday. And be ready to roll monday! :)

Morning- 1.5 mile warm up. 6x1 mile repeats. With 3 minute recovery in between each one. Times were 6:46, 6:48, 6:48, 6:31, 6:14, and 6:11. Something like that. The last few got a little tough, but nothing serious.

Afternoon- 5 miles at camp. The altitude really is higher up here. Felt good to run with the cooler temps in the afternoon. 

Morning- Another 15 miler day. Long day today! Another run up at XC camp. Went 12 straight out. I told myself that I would just have to run for an hour, and then I could finish it off. With about 30 minutes left I started to feel eh. After 8.5 miles. But we got going around 6:40 pace in the meadows. So the pace increased. But at mile 10 we ran up this giant hill. And I pushed up that sucker. And it was tough. But I did it. And I was exhausted when we got done. And I was glad to be done. Glad to get a 12 miler in. First one of the year! :) 

Afternoon- 3 miles easy. Well this run was the easiest run up here.  

Camp- At camp tonight we had our XC-imony. It really changed my thought on runnig in a good way.  

Morning- 6 miles up the giant hill at camp. It was tough, and I felt sluggish right when I woke up. I tried my best today to push up the hill. But it conquered me today speed wise... But I got it next time! >:D And I died on the way back.

Afternoon- This run was way better than the morning run. And just as hard, or even harder. But we went down into this canyon, and I took a nap today, so that's why I felt better on this run. But the canyon was all down hill, and we went 1.8 out to find the river where treassure got stuck a few years ago. And ran back up that was tougher, but I felt amazing for some reason! And I helped out the boys a lot to keep going, and myself. Good run! Felt amazingly great on this run! :)