Become to Be

Morning- Ran 3x400's for the all dash for cash, and they were really slow. 

Total mileage- 0.75! 

Morning- Had a nice 5 miler with the boys. They are really stepping it up! And so am I! I can't wait till really make a move in race, and take it home! Did some nice old 4x200's... Felt quick. Braden, and Abel wanted to go fast... So they went. I was like ok..... But anyways. Felt good. Did plyos. I am getting better at them every time! 

Afternoon- 0.5 mile run with 7 mile bike ride.... The back of the heel was killing... I don't know why. It felt fine this morning, but it was like every strider/step it felt like it was pulling!!!! I was hurting really bad. So I decided to let it rest. And just go on a little ride on my bike... And the same place started hurting during the run-a-thon.... I don't know what is up... But it is not good... Have a race tomorrow! :) Hope it doesn't affect my racing...

Morning- This morning run. I only went 1 mile do to some heel problems.... And I didn't really think I would race....

Afternoon- 2ish mile warm up. I just took out in the front pack. And we were going super slow.... And later a pack of 4 Pine View. Moved in (Abel, Braden, Colton, and I)! Nice pack. I kept saying, "good job to keep the boys moving!" Even some of them started to fall off... But I told them not too... And anyways. The last 600-800 meters. I felt the BEST I have ever felt in a race like this before. And I thought we had 1 more loop to go... So I thought I will make my move next loop.... And by the time I know its our last... I was too late.... But I had to make a choice.... I had a choice to make.... I read a article that said," Don't use woulda, shoulda, coulda....." So I should just not say that and just race... But it was a good race. I was really disappointed when I found out that we had our last loop... But I would have gone for it big time... I could have easily gotten 4th overall..... But whatever. Good job PACK!

Morning- 3 miles. My achilles (back of heel) had a lot of progress! :) Which is good. Hurt a lot less today! When I run it loosening up for some reason, and hurts less. Which I like! :) Felt good to run! 

Afternoon- Happy that the heel didn't hurt. Felt great today! But ran 5 miles with striders, and 0.5 mile warm up as usual. But had weights after. I am getting RIPPED! With my nice biceps! MUAHAHAH!!! Had a good day today... Didn't treat the heel as good as yesterday.... But happy to race a MURRAY!  

Morning- 3 miles. Heel felt a little better, but actually hurt more today than yesterday. And I had iced it, and stretched it.... Just gotta keep treating it! :)

Afternoon- 5 miles with 4x200's. With 0.5 mile warm up. Ok my arch was killing today.... I hated it. And the heel was alright, but it hurt a little thanks to not treating it well last night.... I treated it, but not as much as I should.... But I am working on it! Day by day! The 200's were just slow.... Like not too slow. But I just didn't want to kill them, because I thought my arch was going to pop out of place!!!! But roll, ice, stretch, heat, compression, and elevation. :) 

Morning- 3 miles. Nice and easy.

Mid-afternoon- 3 miles around state course.

PM-Warm-up for race. 2 miles. 

Report-

This race was crazy! It was packed!!! I was really negative after that race... But hey it was an alright race, and I will just build on it! And I just gotta race like the whole race. I have been racing 1 mile, then 1.5, then 2 miles! Now I just need 3 miles!!! And I am racing, not a fast pace that hurts... I am RACING!!! Just need to get past that decision thought. Just do it! The race was packed the entire race. I kept passing people about till 1/4 mile left.... Passed a few, but not much. And I just kept getting pushed the ENTIRE RACE! I was getting mad, so up the dirt hill... This kid... He must have been 210 pounds... Just huge, like 6"5".... Have no idea how he was up there... But ALL and I mean ALL of the kids were jogging up the hill... I was like ok enough of this! I just push my way up. And that kid got in my way! So I PUSHED HIM, and he kinda tripped, And I hurdled HIM!!! MUAHAHAH!!!! Teach you to get in my way! The race was a really great experience! :) Just gotta close that gap between the next pack. Need to step it up more! I didn't really consider the race "A RACE"... Because it was a fast pace that hurts, not racing.............................................. But NEVER THE LESS I will redeem myself! Need to stop talking crap... And start doing CRAP!!! MUAHAHA! Just start killing it, start to destroy our enemies, and I mean ALL OF THEM! Just crush them, make them think they shouldn't even be here! That they should not even consider racing me!!! Time to start working even harder! SUCK IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will always hurt, no matter what! So might as well make it HURT EVEN MORE!!!! Make your self puking at mile 2! And keep running as your PUKING!!! MUAHAHA!!! Just imagine that stuff coming out as you cross that finish line!!! YEAH!! Beast mode! Now that's what I call racing!

Morning- Ran 8 miles up the parkway run with Hunter. He called me up and was like hey dude come run with me! And I was like yeah dude! And he was like ok dude. And so we run dude. And dude my archilles hurt pretty bad today! Dude it was cause of not taking care of it dude. Dude it hurt a lot today... But I did take care of it today dude...

Dude....................... I like the word "Dude" dude... It's like my new word dude. How about you dude? I don't know dude?

But yeah nice run dude! It was HOT HOT HOT DUDE! Keep running dude! 

Morning- I attempted to run this morning, and only got like 0.25 maybe..... But Man, my achilles was just killing today.... Take a few days off... See if it gets better, if not! Well I am already P.O. (You know)!!!!!! I am just mad, because I started to really see improvement, hard work paying off, and running my guts out, and learning from that! And now I just get injured.... It's pretty stupid, if you ask me.................... But just take care of it... Roll, stretch it, ice/heat it, compression. Yeah I know the list! :) But hey.... I will be back for sure, before Nebo! And that is all I need to redeem my title, and even go harder! XC 4 EVER!

Biked 3 miles in the morning, felt like doing something...... 

Morning- 1 mile walkish.... Just checking out the achilles felt... It HURTS still!!! I hate it!!

Afternoon- Walked around and did a little walk and back. So maybe 1.5ish miles............

Did a work-out.... Hate not being able to do something... I feel sooo fat!!! 

Update on the achilles- 

Achilles is feeling a little better, but improvement on pain is gone down a lot! Which is good! Going up, and down stairs would kill Monday... And now it hurts only a little! Feels better. Gotta keep icing, healing, and taking care of it! :)

Did a little weight lifting with core stuff! Also played a little dodge ball! Didn't hurt too bad, but still hurt to run.................... But that will just set me back a little.... Also did some walking to see, if achilles still hurts. And it hurts less. But it is recovering! 

Morning- Iced, and stretch around and the achilles. Felt good. 

Afternoon- After doing the manger stuff. I actually decided to go on a bike ride! So I went about for 45 minutes. And my guess went 15 miles! Not shabby... I could not breath the first 20 minutes............ I felt soooo out of shape..... Because I have not done anything for the past 5 days... But try it again tomorrow! Did core stuff with weights/work-out. Felt great! Achilles is really healing up. And as far as pain level it hurts a lot less! I went down the stairs (like actually walked normal!), and it didn't HURT!!!!! YEAH which is really good. Because last week I would have to walk weird, and it would kill. But now it feels a lot better. Keep healing it! :) 

Afternoon- I was riding a excercise bike, while the boys did their work-out on the track. I honestly felt like the coach today, because there was no one really in charge... So I figured I will! >:) And found the boys listening to me!!! MUAHAHA! But biked for 40 minutes. Went like 12.5 miles. Felt good to do something! Achilles is feeling a lot better!

Morning- Went out about 9:30ish. And it was really nice outside! Went about 15ish miles on my bike! Felt great! Was gone for about 50 minutes! And I honestly gave myself the biggest pep talk you can ever thing of!!! (EVEN that one morning I kept talking, and talking about pep talks)! That's how much! I think I got the WHOLE picture of XC! It's not just about winning, or running fast.... It's about doing every run throughout the season, working your butt off every single run! Running your guts out in work-outs. And being dedicated, AND always pushing through EVERYTHING! It's really about feeling that pain, that agony! Feeling that which, others cannot! It's about surviving and pushing through-out the pain, and agony! How bad do you want it?!?!?!?! It's a serious question! HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?!?!?!?!? Tell yourself that!!! And ask yourself that!!!!!! I got thinking on this bike ride. Why am I doing this?!?! You KNOW WHY! Cause I want it! Cause I wanna stay in shape for XC! Once this stupid injury goes by! Guess what! I am coming back! Stronger, better, faster, and MOST importantly stronger and greater mental power! Its about how bad you want it! It's really about finishing the race no matter what the out comes are! Saying, "That you did your best! You went to every run! You kept working through-out the season!" Another thought came to mind! When the time comes, "you will have to answer that call!" Either it is next race, or hopefully region, and really answering that call at state! And if you make it that far! Well all be danged! You are going to REGIONALS! 

Another thought- Can you say at the end of this season you have worked your trash off! And you did your best! May not have performed your best at races, and work-outs... But as a whole can you say that you did your best??? Can you ask yourself that you went to every SINGLE morning run, and every afternoon run! I have only missed 3 runs total in the ENTIRE summer including up to the end of August! Morning, and afternoon! And 1, because of illness, other is because I was held in San Diego (gangs, people, some creepers) etc.... And 1 week do to injury.... But just thinking. I thought of all the work-outs. Bounding, hills, fartleks, weights, plyos, speed work-outs, 1000's, races, mileage runs, and more stuff! That's a lot for this one race that is 3 miles long. All these miles for this one race. All this work for 1 single race.... But why? First of all! It goes back! How bad do you want it?!?! Yup.....  That is all my thoughts this morning. 

 Oh one more..... I kept telling myself," I will survive, I will survive!" I don't know what it means, but it kept me going! Like going fast, and pushing up hills that were 8% grade..... So you tell me it doesn't work! GO AHEAD! GOES IT DOES!!! MUAHAHA! 

Afternoon- 3 miles easy! Coming back from an injury. And 0.5 mile warm-up. Felt good. Has far as pain level. The achilles felt great, but I could feel it a little tight. But I just ice, roll, and stretch it! Just glad I can run without pain! :) Just keep running, and slowing get it back. I will be back, before Cedar Invite hopefully! Today was great! Lifted and did some nice stretches! Homecoming this week! Sweet! Just gotta have fun with it! Great run today. Felt great to run! 

Afternoon- So this run was good. Just thinking about how mad I am, cause I am not running varsity for one race................. But on the run I just kept complaining/ragging my anger, and frustratation (spell check) at David. And he just listened, which was cool! Because everyone else would be like "MATT JUST SHUT UP!" Or I don't wanna hear it...... But I got thinking.... At least I can run! And at least I can run without hurting, and my achilles doesn't hurt! Cause last week I could not, even walk..... But now! I just have to say I am truly grateful that my body/achilles is letting me run without pain! Achilles felt great again, but I can still feel it there... But ice it again! :) 

OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been thinking...... DUN DUN DUN! 

Morning- 3 miles! Felt great! Just need to keep taking care of my achilles! Felt great! No pain again! Love it! Just hope it stays that way! :)

Afternoon- 0.5 mile warm up. Felt great. 2 mile run with Ryan, and Abel felt great! Just no pain! Felt great to run! I love running! It's sooo much fun! Did weights after! Felt great to lift! And I did the pop pecker! I learned I am pro now! 

Morning- 3 miles felt great! Achilles didn't hurt. Took it nice and easy.

Afternoon- Felt even better! Ran a nice 3 miles with 4x200's! Achilles didn't hurt the 3 or the sprints! :) I really wanted to get some quick turnover, and too be honest I just want to get back where I was, and come back even stronger! That's the PLAN! Just destroy! I really pushed through the 200's.... First 1 was a little fast, but oh well.... Times were 30,33,33, and 33! So pretty equal. Last one I felt that pain again! Like the internal agony! Like racing pain! Like running hard pain! I am ready for the race this weekend!!!!!!! I am going for it! NO REGRETS! 

Morning- 3 miles! Felt great!

Afternoon- 4 miles with striders. Felt great! I am ready to roll again! Achilles feels great! Just keep up the great healing and I will be back for sure! 

This race was great! A super great experience! I just gotta get back in speed work-outs, and long runs. And I will be back to my varsity spot! Running with the J.V. guys made me look at it from a different view.... With the varsity boys it's like wow... These guys are fast.... Same with the J.V.!!!! But it isn't the same. Varsity feels like you have to earn it! And it's true! But the J.V. are the future Varsity! So I guess it balances out... But his race a great! I felt great too! 5th overall and just 2nd on the team.... Kyler got me by 0.6 seconds... Which happens to me every race, just someone on the team... But great for them! Race felt great! Took me about 1 mile to get going, but when I got done with 1 mile I was going then! And about 0.5 mile left I started to struggle a little, but I kept going! :) And this kid from some school kept trying to pass me... And I finally said,"Ok kid your not beating me! And your not better than me!!!" So I finally stick on his shoulder, and he starts to freak out and speeds up! So I knew then to go! And I sped up a lot faster than him! And held him for about 5 seconds. Then he speeds up again.... So 1 more time I try it. And I finally broke him! I knew it! I knew this time I would break him! And I did! He just could not keep up! And I am starting to realize this whole breaking someone! DH did that too me at SUU.... I remember about 1 mile in like there top 5 just pack it in and just speed by! And it broke me.... I should have responded! But at cedar, or Region I am! Either way I am going to respond with force, or speed (maybe a fist in the leg) Just kidding.... But for reals! But with speed! I am going to stick right on their shoulder, and break them! Let them be destroyed for once! It's time to change! This is the time for me! I am going for it! I DARE TO DARE!!!! MUAHAHA! I am going to break them! Either I throw-up right on them! Or after the race! I am going too!!!! I am promising myself now!!!

Morning- 3 miles with 4xhill stadiums. And 4x100's total of 4 miles

Afternoon- 8 miles total. And 4x30 seconds hard! And 3x800's and 3x1,000's with indian runs! So first speed work-out in like 2 weeks! Felt great! Nick was really struggling on his last one (2nd one for me). And he finished it like a beast! We were all stuggling, but Nick was like falling off... And Casey, and I started to give him words, and a little push. To keep him going! Love our team! 0.5 mile warm as usual...

Afternoon- 4 miles with 0.5 finish..... Really stressed out.... And probally ran like a 2:20ish is my guess all up hill! So pretty intense.............

P.M.- 3 miles....

Morning- Michigans! Was a great experience! Finished just a little behind Casey! But hit "B" standard and like 20-30 seconds off "A". So first MIchigan this season... So not bad.... Felt goodish. Nice kick at the end! :)

Afternoon- 5? With 2x400's with equal recovery. And felt great! Keep running! Ready for Cedar! Just to kick some other runners trash! Just destroy them! Gotta stop saying... And start doing! It's really about who has the most guts!

Morning- 3 miles! Felt great! Almost fully recovered from achilles!

Afternoon- 5 miles with 4x200's! With 0.5 mile warm up. Felt great! Achilles is really turning around! Ready to race!

Morning- Felt great! 3 nice and easy.

Race Report:

This race was sweet! A HUGE confidence builder! Now I Know I can go this fast, and still keep us the pace! Felt great, and was ready for the race! But mentally I was just having a breakdown the entire race... But physically I felt great, which is a great sign! I just need to find the mental power, because I know I have it! I just need to active it, and use it! Then I will be UNSTOPPABLE! And I will be able to go into real BEAST MODE!!! MUAHAHA!!! But great race! After mile 1, and starting 2 Paul was starting to pass me, and he is just like sprinting up this hill. And I thought he was just trying to push up the hill, but he was going! He was daring! And I tryed to push up with him. But my form was just too lousy..... I need to work on that. Like after mile 2.... My form just goes down the gutter.... But I will work on it! Just stay focused, and learn from this! Great race overall! We won the J.V. boys race with 35 points! Which is really great! Considering we got 34 at wastach! So life is great! Keep getting more faster, and get more mental power! Once I got that down I will really be at my prime for racing! So great job Pine View! Keep working it up! And who knows we could take state! I will do my best to help! I will also be running more killer placings, and times! So here I come! There is a lot of positive to this race, and some negative! But I am going to focuse on the POSITIVE! So I can be ready for next race!

Morning- Wake up! And felt great! Went at 6:00 A.M.! Felt great to run! Ran 7 miles total! Felt nice, but a little sore from the race! Stretched great! So I am ready to roll Monday! Just keep working hard! And stay focused! Had a nice kick at the end! Just thought "what the heck!" It won't hurt to push the pace! So I kicked and just kept going faster, and faster, and FASTER!!! I was really surprised how fast I was going up hill! Felt great!