Thatcher's Running Blog

I did six miles pretty easy today. 7:00 pace. It felt pretty good. I also did some striders after.

Today was my first day with the BYU team for tryouts. We met at 2:30 and had a long, boring meeting. We then ran straight from there to Kiwanis Park. (I forgot my flats, and I wasn't very happy about that.) I learned that we were doing four or five mile repeats. (Coach would decide.) So we warmed up to the park and did a little extra around the park. 

Coach put the team into two groups. 1.The varsity returners and a few of the better guys, and 2.The freshman, return missionaries, walk-ons, and some others. He wanted the top guys hitting 5:00, and the second group hitting about 5:10. Naturally, everyone started out faster. On the first one, I felt good. After some 800 guys stopped halfway, I was second in the second group behind Spencer Gardner. I kept the pace the last 400, and a few guys passed me at the end. It was 5:01. The second one was 5:07. It was a little harder, and I was in the middle of the group. The third one was 5:14. I was in about the same position. On the fourth, I started fading. I had a sideache, and felt dehydrated. I did a 5:22. The last one I felt the same, and did a 5:22.

It was a pretty good workout, but I didn't feel good on the last couple. I think I need more water during the day. The good thing is, I beat Trevor Sharp (who is on the team) on at least three, I beat George Barlow (who has a scholarship) on at least two, and was close to, and beat some of the other guys on the team. After the workout, we did a lap and ran back to school.

I ran with the team again today. It was a recovery run. It was a little harder than I would have liked, but it felt pretty good. We ran in a big group on the Provo River Trail. (It got spread out some) I ended up running with Trevor Sharp, and a few freshman and return missionaries. We went out for thirty and back for thirty. We averaged about 6:37 pace. My legs are a little bit sore from yesterday, but not too bad.

Today we went to the field by the track and did 800's. We warmed up to the track and did a couple loops around the grass. Coach had us do 4 so we would be more rested for the race. (He had the top guys do six.) I was in the second group again. Ever since Monday's workout, my legs have been pretty sore. I wasn't sure how well I would do, but I decided I would give it my best shot. We started out and I was in the middle of the second pack. We came through the 400 at 70. I then moved up to the front of the pack, behind Spencer and a few others, and finished in 2:20. The next one, I finished up just behind the lead pack, at 2:19. On the third one, I held back a little bit, and kept it at 2:20. (The top guys in my group were at 2:16) On the last one, I took the lead in the beginning, and Spencer and another guy passed me about 200 in. I caught up to them, and finished right behind them at 2:20. 

This workout felt very good. My legs felt really sore, but it didn't matter. I beat George Barlow and Trevor Sharp on all of them. (Maybe not the third one) I also felt like I had a lot left after the workout, and during each interval. I am ready for saturday.

When we finished, we cooled down for twenty minutes.

We went over to the course and ran it today. It was easy. About 7:15 pace. I did four striders after. I'm excited, and the course isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Today was the BYU Autumn Classic. I ran unattached in the college race. My goal time was 21:00, which obviously didn't happen. The course had to of been long, considering the winning time was 21:00. (I ran a 22:51)

I started out pretty fast, a little too fast actually. I realized I was a little bit too far up, so  tucked in behind the BYU guys instead of next to them. The first lap went pretty well, and didn't seem to bad. I came through the mile at about 5:20. (I'm not sure) After that, it got harder. I managed to pass some people during the race, but not many. I don't really have much more to say, but it was a pretty good race. It was very slow, but I beat most of the people I wanted to beat. I beat Trevor and George, who are already on the BYU team; and I beat Neal and Anthony, who are also trying out. I was also pretty close to others on the team, with the fastest freshman about 50 seconds ahead of me.

I talked to Coach Eyestone after the race, and he said it was good. He said we will have hard workouts next monday and wednesday, so that's all I know. I'm assumming that I will know for sure if I make the team next week.

Today the team did a tempo run. Coach told us we would be doing a five mile tempo run. We warmed up on the Provo River trail for about 2.5 miles. We then stretched and got our flats on to get ready. We did the tempo on a five mile loop on the road that goes by the lake or something.

I started out near the pack of the pack by some of the freshman and some guys who were turning around early (800 guys and others). The first mile felt pretty easy and controlled. It was about 5:17. During the next mile, I settled in with George and ran right with him. The second mile was about 5:21. The third mile felt good, and I stayed right with George. We caught a couple guys this mile, and it was at about 5:21. The fourth mile wasn't quite as easy, but it felt nice and controlled, at about 5:13 or so. I felt good there, but coach stopped us after four. It was pretty hot out, and he didn't want us doing to much after the race. I was disappointed that we didn't have another mile, because I had a lot left. We were gaining on a group of four or so in front of us, and I was pretty sure I could of caught them with another mile. I made sure to have some left for the last mile. But, it was still a good workout. My total time was 21:12, which is a 5:17 pace. It felt great, and I never exerted myself like it was a race, I just kept it controlled. I jogged the last mile back to the car with Neal.

I cooled down with Neal and Anthony. We accidently went back the wrong way, so we got in a little extra. It didn't matter though, because we couldn't lift with the other guys yet anyway. It was about a three mile cool down.

We did a recovery run today. I'm not sure on the distance (someone said eight miles), because my garmin didn't have a signal. I would guess the pace was in the 6:40's. We started out slower and got down to around 6:30 for the second half of the run. We went out on the road and eventually got back onto the provo river trail. My legs felt slow and tight the first little bit, but they got better about five minutes in. The run felt nice and easy, but I felt sick to my stomach. 

The guys who are traveling to the meet on Saturday did their hard workout today, and the rest of us went for an hour run. We are doing our hard workout tomorrow. We went on the Provo river trail, and ran as a nice group of eight. We had seven freshman and one sophomore, it was pretty cool. We started out at a pretty nice pace, but picked it up a little but. We had one mile at 6:08 which didn't even feel hard. I turned back at 31:30 or so with George and another freshman (I forgot his name). We were going about the same pace, but backed off a little for the last three or four miles. That felt much better. I think our average was around 6:40 for 9.6 miles.

Today the guys who weren't traveling to the meet went to Kiwanis Park for intervals. We warmed up about 2.25 miles to the park and around. My goal for the workout was to be near the front of the group. We did 1600, 1200, 800, 800, 400.

The mile started out pretty fast. I started out near the middle of the pack and slowly moved up. I finished third behind Spencer and Brandon. The crazy thing is that I did a 4:48 for the mile! Spencer was at 4:45. 

I started out the 1200 about the same. After 800 meters, I passed George and pushed it into third place again. I ended up about two seconds behind Spencer and Brandon at 3:37. 

The first 800 was uphill. I started out near the back of the pack for the first 400, but moved up after that. At about six hundred in I passed George and Trevor. After that, I sprinted to the finish and almost caught Brandon. I finished at 2:21.

On the second 800, we started out a lot faster. I was at about 67-68 at the 400, and I moved up a little bit after that. I finished at about 2:16, but the leaders were at 2:10.

On the 400, I started out fast, right behind Spencer. I just tried to hang on, and ended up at 68. Trevor and Brandon passed me, but I stayed right behind Spencer. It was mostly uphill.

I felt pretty tired afterward, but it was a good workout. We cooled down about 2 miles to the school.

Today I ran with Neal, Anthony, and Miles. We went out for four and back for four. We started out at 6:55, and got faster. I didn't really want to go that fast, but it wasn't too hard. I just stuck with them. Our splits were: 6:55, 6:48, 6:37, 6:41, 6:24, 6:22, 6:23, 5:40. Total was eight at 6:30 pace. It was weird though, I was carrying on a conversation at 5:40 pace. I've never done that before. It wasn't easy, but it felt moderately hard.

I ran with Neal today. We went out on the Provo River Trail. I wanted to keep it easier, and we kept it a little bit easier, but my legs were pretty tired. We averaged 6:47 pace.

We were going a little bit too fast on the way out, so we slowed down a little bit on the way back. We had several 7:00 miles on the way back. We pushed the last mile a little bit, and it was 6:19.

It was a good finish to a good week, but also a tiring week.

Me, Neal, and Anthony stayed back a little bit from the top guys today. We weren't feeling great, and didn't want to be tired for tomorrow's hard workout. We did nine miles in 60 minutes. It was about 6:40 pace, but actually felt quite a bit slower than that. We picked it up a little bit on the way back, but I told them we should back off some the last couple miles, so we did. It felt okay, not great, just okay. 

Today we did ten 900's. The plan was to do 1000's, but the course was short. It was at least around 900 meters. I warmed up about two miles and did some strides.

This workout wasn't supposed to be especially fast, because the rest was only one minute. My times were: 2:53, 2:50, 2:50, 2:50, 2:49, 2:47, 2:49, 2:46, 2:46, 2:45. I slowly moved up in the second group throughout the workout. (Because my times got faster, others didn't.) By the last three, I was pretty close to the front of the second group, and close to some guys who were on the traveling squad. I didn't really kick all out until the last one, and I passed two guys the last 20 meters. It was a good workout, and it felt great to be with some guys who are in the top nine.(on my last three)

I only cooled down about a mile because I had a really bad sideache.

Also, I talked to Coach Eyestone, and I made the team. I'm not sure exactly what's going on, but he said I'm on at least until December. In December, he has to make more cuts. I hope by then I don't have to worry about cuts, because I hope to be much better by then. (relative to the other guys on the team) I'm glad I've made it at least this far!

Nine easy miles today. I got there a little bit late, so I ran with Trevor. We tried to catch everyone else, but we got stuck at a stoplight. We just took it easy from there. I'm not sure on the distance, because I forgot my garmin, but Trevor said it was about nine miles. The total time was 61 minutes. The run went by nice and fast, because we were just talking the whole time. It was a fun and easy run.

We did an easy 40 minutes today. It was about 6:55 pace. It felt easy, but I felt sick to my stomach. It was probably the big lunch I ate an hour and a half before I ran. Tomorrow there is a time trial for all of the guys not on the traveling squad. I hope to be up near the top.

Today we had a time trial for the guys not on the traveling squad at Kiwanis Park. It went pretty well. My time wasn't great, but I think this is a pretty slow course. I warmed up about two miles, and I was feeling good. I was ready to have a good race.

We started out at a good pace. I settled into third place to start out. I thought about going for Spencer and Brandon, but decided not to. About 500 in, a few guys passed me, but I stayed with them in the second pack. We came through the mile at 5:10.

I stayed with the pack on the second mile, and we kept about equal distance behind Spencer and Brandon. We came through the two mile in 10:30.

On the third mile, the pack got closer to Spencer and Brandon, but it wasn't feeling too great. Somewhere in this mile, James passed me, and I passed Aaron. I tried to go with him, but I didn't have it. I came through the three mile in 16:00.

On the fourth mile, I was by myself the whole time. James had passed Brandon, and was up with Spencer. I tried to get up to Brandon, but he pulled away the last half mile. I didn't finish very strong, but my last 100 or so was good.

I finished up in fourth place, with a time of 21:28 or so. I didn't think this was a great time, but I looked at the Provo Bulldog Invitational results, and the winner was at 17:06. The course is essentially the same, minus one lap. I was at 16:00 for three miles, so I think I could have done around 16:20 for the 5k. (Since my third mile would have been faster.) So it looks like this is a pretty slow course.

I think I raced well, but I need to work on my last half mile or so. Usually my problem in races is the last 200 or so, but today was different. I kicked in the last 100 much stronger than I usually do, but today Brandon gained at least 10 seconds on me in the last 800-1200 meters. I think most of it was mental, and I need to concentrate on that last 800 meters.

I ran with some of the guys on the team today. I did about twelve miles. I actually felt pretty good after the time trial yesterday. My average pace was about 6:30. 

I did a 60 minute run today. Plus a half mile warm-up. It felt easy, about 6:40 pace. We just ran on the Provo River Trail today. It was really nice outside. I think I'm going to add morning runs in a few days a week, starting tomorrow.

Today we did a 5000 hard, and a 3200 hard. We warmed up to an elementary school about 1.5 miles away and also did one loop on the grass. We did a fartlek, at least that's what I would call it. We did 400 hard, 400 easy, 400 hard, 400 easy, 400 hard, 400 easy, 1200 hard, 800 easy, 600 hard. The hard was supposed to be at 5:00 pace (so 75 for each 400), and the easy at 5:40 pace (so 85 for each 400). I didn't get my splits, but I finished up at 16:40 for the 5k. I think I was about 10 seconds off of the goal pace. I was the fifth guy, right behind James. It was six seconds off of my best 5k on grass, which was at the region meet last cross country season.

After that, we had a ten minute break. The 3200 was broken up with 400 easy, 400 hard, 400 easy, 800 hard, 400 easy, 800 hard. My goal pace was 72, 82. I started out in fifth place, and basically held it. One guy passed me, but I passed him back. Going into the last hard 800, Trevor blew by me, but I went with him. I was able to stay right next to him the whole time, but I think he barely beat me. (By less than a second.) So I finished in sixth for that one. My finish time was 10:22. We gained on James a lot in the last 800, and he was about 10:19. Aaron was about 10:17. Brandon was 10:05 or so. It was a good workout, and I ran good times, but my goal is to be with the top guys in this group. After the workout, we cooled down about 2 miles.

This afternoon I ran by myself. I just did eight at about 6:50 pace. It felt really easy, and really good. It was pretty hot outside, but not unbearable. 

Tonight I helped pace little kids in a mile race at the BYU Track. I did two miles, one at nine something, and one at eight something.

Later tonight, I ran over to the Fieldhouse and lifted weights, one mile total.

Today we did 800's on the field by the track. Coach wasn't there, because the top guys left for Griak today. He said that he wanted six eight hundreds at 2:15 (65, 70) with three minutes rest. This was easier said than done.

We started out warming up about two miles. I felt okay, but not great. My legs were feeling a little sluggish, and I was sore from lifting weights yesterday. We got started, and it felt fast. These were the fastest intervals we have done. (So the 65 felt pretty fast.) I started out pretty good, at 2:18. The first one wasn't too bad. The rest was really short. We had to jog back to the start, and by the time we got there, we had about thirty seconds before we had to start. The second interval was about 2:19-2:20. Brandon was about 2:15, James 2:19, and I was right with Neal. The third one was 2:17. I was in about the same position. On the fourth one, I did 2:17 and was about the same position. The fifth one, I beat James, and was only a second or two behind Brandon. It was also 2:17. The fifth one hurt a lot. The sixth one, I was also 2:17, maybe 2:16. I was right with Aaron and Trevor barely ahead, Brandon just ahead of that.

I was the third or fourth guy on average. I beat everyone except for Brandon on at least two intervals. I wanted to be up front, but I was feeling off today. The leader on every interval was at most three seconds ahead of me. I think that I should be up with Brandon, I just need to push it a little harder, and make up those couple of seconds.

 When we were done, we cooled down two miles. I didn't feel good today, I felt pretty sick afterwards.

I started off running on my own today, but I stopped and at the bathroom, and saw Trevor run by. I ran with him the rest of the way. We averaged about 6:50 pace. It felt easy.

I did my long run today with Neal. We went out on the Provo River Trail. We averaged about 7:00. I wasn't feeling great, but it was a pretty good run. I just wanted to get it done. My legs didn't really feel tired, but I just didn't feel like going any faster. 12 miles total.

Tonight I went and lifted weights. I jogged there and back.

We did intervals at Kiwanis Park today. The workout was 1600, 1200, 800, 800, 400. We started out by warming up 2 miles. The 1600 was okay, I did 4:45, but wasn't in the best place. The 1200 was bad. I was at 3:45, and near the back. The 800 was also very bad. I was near the back at 2:28. The second 800 was a little better, 2:18 (but also more downhill). I beat a few more guys. The 400 was okay, 69, but I didn't feel great.We finished by cooling down two miles.

This was a very bad workout. I felt tired on the warm-up, but didn't think much of it. The 1600 felt okay, but after that, I felt terrible. My legs just felt tired. They weren't tired like they are after high mileage or something(like they were in the summer), but I just couldn't get them going any faster. I also had a terrible headache after the workout, and I may have been dehydrated. I need to get more sleep, and I need to drink more water during the day, and I will be ready for the UVU meet on Friday.

Went running on the provo river trail. It was pretty uneventful. We averaged 6:45 for nine miles. I am feeling a little bit sick, I hope I'm fine for Friday. My legs felt great on the run today, much better than yesterday.