Thatcher's Running Blog

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.