It’s been a great week so far.
I’m not just saying that because I had such a good time this last weekend in Lewiston and Spokane (scroll down to read about both races). No, I think having run a 30:22 8k race this last weekend left me a little hungry. It left me wanting to get a little faster over the next two weeks. Sticking my neck into the uncomfortable is something I can do readily, if I know what I am getting myself into. Sometimes I am cautious. Sometimes I may see something that others don’t simply because it isn’t there for them. Six weeks ago I started a journey, I met the team that is now a new chapter in my life. I’ve made some good friends, and I’d hope they would say the same about me. I am blessed to have this opportunity, and I am glad that I get to spend the next week and a half with them, and even beyond.
This week we had two workouts, with two more “hard days left in the next 8 days before our last race in 9. We had a workout on Tuesday that was to be an anaerobic day. To make it worse it was windy, it was REALLY windy. Cheney isn’t a place that is calm and collective every day of the year. With four distinct seasons, you definitely get every weather type, but one that is around most consistently is the heavy winds, Tuesday they were at their strongest in a while. The workout was to be 2x mile repeats at race pace (around 6 for me) followed by 4×800 sub race pace. Well that was probably not going to happen, but we were told to give at least that effort in the workout. So away we went. Not having a watch on it from the coach, I started my own, I am a numbers guy. I like to see where I am. Well I can honestly say I surprised even myself on this horribly windy day.
The two miles that I ran were a 5:50 and a 5:56. Definitely a strong performance. My 800′s were a little bit off, but still went well! I went 2:55 for the first one, so definitely on the pace that was set prior to the windy day. Then the next a slipped 10 seconds to 3:05, and bounced back with a 2:59 to finish my day. Coach stopped me from my last one because of my busy weekend. So overall it was a good day! I felt strong and confident in it!
Today was also another day to feel confident. We met at the track at 6:30 warmed up and ready to go, then started with a 1200(3 laps), at a pace that started fast and got slower, so for me my guidelines were to go 80-83 seconds then 85-88 seconds and finish up about race pace at 90-93 seconds, then head out for a 30 minute tempo run, come back to the track and run another 1200 in reverse order. I do know the first 1200 was well under the pace that I was supposed to be running, a 75 second first lap, followed by an 800 that got me to about 4:06 (4:30 would be race pace for me). The tempo went well, trying to keep with the guys is always a little difficult for me. I did end up falling back, but made some ground up towards the end of the tempo. Then back on the track I definitely hit the first 400 on the head running a 90 second lap right on pace. The next two laps (I am just unable to remember the splits today, sorry about that), I finished in a 4:09 a great pace for the final 800 at 2:39. I do think I was successful in bringing the pace down with each lap.
So moving forward what does this mean? I have 8 days before I am in Arizona. I have had a few great weeks of workouts. I feel stronger, I feel like I am getting faster. I have confidence that no matter what happens in 9 days, that I have had a great time in the last 7 weeks. Do I think a sub-30 minute 8k is possible? You bet I do. Anything is possible right? Running 23 seconds faster over 2 weeks, and at an extensive elevation gain will be tough, but what do I have to lose really? 7 weeks ago I didn’t even think I’d be sitting here typing out a message about running 8k’s. I didn’t think I would be talking to you about a part of my life I thought I had given up 4 years ago. I didn’t think I would run cross country again. It was the farthest thing from my mind. I’m grateful that Coach Zeller gave me a chance, if only as a fill in. It’s funny that first conversation I had with him. I was just being asked to finish races, help if I could get in the mix with Nathan, Quin, David, Isaac, and Jordan, I don’t know that I’m completely in the mix. I don’t know if I will get fully there in 9 days. Breaking 30 will get me close. Closer than I was when I started this journey at least.
It’s about time for me to completely give myself over to what this blog is about. Taking risks. Taking Chances. Above all,
Nobaching Down
Great posts, Brandon! Your site looks really good, too. You’re such an inspiration (both your commitment and your attitude). I want to be like you when I grow up!
I almost changed it up today, to a more red theme if I could find one, but then I realized I needed to go to class, so I didn’t! I like this set up though! I’m humbled that you want to be like me when you grow up! I want to be like you! I want to complete marathons every where! That has been one of the hardest parts about this cross country thing, not going LONGER! I mean I’m running more mileage than I ever have, at faster paces. I think it will be a good thing. Boston Qualifying is around the corner. Maybe over Thanksgiving Break, maybe Winter Break, or Spring Break, or the Spring. I don’t know which one I will run. I don’t have marathons lined up like I did last year! I do know that I will run long again though in two weeks, in roughly 12-14 days I will go out and run 20 miles just because I have the ability.