With 120m to go in an 800m, I sit in 3rd and I just can't go any faster.
This is ridiculous I'm not tired I just cant move my legs. Move MOVE...
nothing happens. Oh well, it's the second week of February and my speed is nowhere to be found. I run 1:59, a time slower than Freshman year, but one that I am far more at peace with than 2 years ago. I remember running 1:58 flat and throwing a shit fit.
The circumstances are different. Then, I had been doing speed leading into the season. Probably too early. Actually, definitely too early.
Now, I have been doing nothing but my staple 10 mile base runs, 4 mile tempos, 10 mile tempos, and 14-15 mile long runs for 8 months leading into the season. The last time I ran a lap as fast as both of my laps in the 800m was about 9 months ago.
Skip to Tuesday's track workout
Last rep. 350m, go through 200m just under 29 and hold it. Last rep
As we take off my left calf is sore, but that's to be expected, it's been sore since I got back. No speed in my legs.
Pump and stay light, just another worko-FUCKFUCK
It feels like something clamps on my calf and I just hit the ground. Strained it.
Luckily I'm only out 10 days, and swimming is an old friend (or foe, depending on the day) of mine so I should be alright. Should be.
I just finished up a light weight session, 6 days after I strained it and it feels pretty good actually. With any luck, I'll be able to do Thursdays workout (or part of it) and possibly race this weekend. Possibly.
Injuries are a part of running. In the training room, I had a Freshman teammate ask me if I was freaking out because of the time I was missing.
And you know what, 2 years ago I totally would be. But I just had the best training of my life, and 10 days isn't going to do anything to derail that. I AM getting a little worried that my speed won't be there until very late in the season, but that's to be expected.
I think I'll lay off the hills for a month, it definitely played into why my calf busted.
Patience is infuriating at first, but eventually you get used to it. I've waited a year, I can wait 10 days.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Back on Track
Alright, lets get to it.
The training paid off.
8 months of shit I just hated doing - 4 & 10 mile tempos, mile repeats, averaging 65-75 mile weeks in singles, 14-15 mile long runs, all that shit.
Totally paid off.
I was hesitant to post how my progress was going because I was sick the end half of December and the first week of January, and coming back to school we didn't do much to start out aside from what I had been doing (as coach said, NCAAs was 5 months and a week away from the day we got back), so there wasn't anything to say.
California is really nice? I love being back on campus with all my friends?
But, alas, this a running blog. And running was pretty standard (but seriously though, SoCal is fucking nice to train in).
The goal for the season is NCAAs in the 1500m. They changed the 'standards' to make them the Top20 times instead of any sort of mark, so there you go. To make it, just be in the Top 20 in the country.
Let's begin.
We had a rust-busting alumni meet where I ran a solid 900m-ish grass loop, but can't really indicate track fitness.
My REAL opener was at Azuza Pacific last weekend opening up the 1200m leg of the DMR.
I didn't really know what I was capable of, but I thought 3:06 was in the cards if I played it right. I didn't know who else would be there, and based on previous years and times I was guessing I would time trial.
I was wrong, but gratefully so.
The gun went, and I slipped in behind a BIOLA (Bible Institute Of Los Angeles) kid as he took the first 100m out hard
[Side note: I'm Jewish. Bible Institute? #LetsGoJews]
I haven't been acclimated to pace just yet, and I thought we were going out slow, and I was antsy
Go around him, no your stride is light just sit what are we at? 60...61...62..oh thats perfect 62 low just sit just sit
It was just so smooth. We passed the 500m mark and I could feel him slowing down and I tried to go around
Eyes flick back in anger, pace picks up. He wants to fight this out. I'll fight this out
He leads through 800m but considerably slower
2:04...2:05...2:06...2..
We pass in 2:06.high and I just wait around the turn and shift gears with 300m to go and walk away from everyone.
Coming around the turn I just drive
Fuck, I love this shit
Hand off for a 3:08. Not bad, last 300m of 44/45.
That was Saturday.
On Tuesday, I ran a 4.34 mile TT loop that the team has been running since the '80s in 22:46, the #10 time ever on the team. Just out there cruising.
So, ya. I'm in shape.
Am I in shape to run 3:50?
Not yet.
Will I be?
I'm starting to turn from believing I can to knowing I can.
The training paid off.
8 months of shit I just hated doing - 4 & 10 mile tempos, mile repeats, averaging 65-75 mile weeks in singles, 14-15 mile long runs, all that shit.
Totally paid off.
I was hesitant to post how my progress was going because I was sick the end half of December and the first week of January, and coming back to school we didn't do much to start out aside from what I had been doing (as coach said, NCAAs was 5 months and a week away from the day we got back), so there wasn't anything to say.
California is really nice? I love being back on campus with all my friends?
But, alas, this a running blog. And running was pretty standard (but seriously though, SoCal is fucking nice to train in).
The goal for the season is NCAAs in the 1500m. They changed the 'standards' to make them the Top20 times instead of any sort of mark, so there you go. To make it, just be in the Top 20 in the country.
Let's begin.
We had a rust-busting alumni meet where I ran a solid 900m-ish grass loop, but can't really indicate track fitness.
My REAL opener was at Azuza Pacific last weekend opening up the 1200m leg of the DMR.
I didn't really know what I was capable of, but I thought 3:06 was in the cards if I played it right. I didn't know who else would be there, and based on previous years and times I was guessing I would time trial.
I was wrong, but gratefully so.
The gun went, and I slipped in behind a BIOLA (Bible Institute Of Los Angeles) kid as he took the first 100m out hard
[Side note: I'm Jewish. Bible Institute? #LetsGoJews]
I haven't been acclimated to pace just yet, and I thought we were going out slow, and I was antsy
Go around him, no your stride is light just sit what are we at? 60...61...62..oh thats perfect 62 low just sit just sit
It was just so smooth. We passed the 500m mark and I could feel him slowing down and I tried to go around
Eyes flick back in anger, pace picks up. He wants to fight this out. I'll fight this out
He leads through 800m but considerably slower
2:04...2:05...2:06...2..
We pass in 2:06.high and I just wait around the turn and shift gears with 300m to go and walk away from everyone.
Coming around the turn I just drive
Fuck, I love this shit
Hand off for a 3:08. Not bad, last 300m of 44/45.
That was Saturday.
On Tuesday, I ran a 4.34 mile TT loop that the team has been running since the '80s in 22:46, the #10 time ever on the team. Just out there cruising.
So, ya. I'm in shape.
Am I in shape to run 3:50?
Not yet.
Will I be?
I'm starting to turn from believing I can to knowing I can.
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