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.