Goals were something like this:
4x800- 2:03 or faster (least pressured/concerned about)
1500
A- 4:05 to 4:06
B- 4:07
C- 4:08
1000
A- 2:38
B- 2:39
I was the most nervous about the 1500 because I wasn't sure if I'd just be sat on, which would make consistency really hard for me.
Monday: 9 Miles, looping around northern westerly. Was very surprised to go out in 6:12 for my first mile and expected that to drop, but kept running splits around there and felt very comfortable doing so. Encouraging. Got a little tight towards the end, but the pace never became tough (except for the hill climb at the end, which is always a little hard). A little chilly.
Tuesday: 6 Miles. Was originally supposed to have a workout, but practice was cancelled for a snowstorm. It seemed really cold outside and I didn't have a lot of interest in getting out. I waited a while and finally went. The first mile was cold and somewhat, but it was actually pretty cool after that. Beach running was very pleasant. Always better than the treadmill.
Wednesday: 7 Miles, 6xPark Ave. Was feeling tight and sore going in, so didn't want to put everything into this one. Went out a little easier and kept the splits more consistent than I ever have. Nowhere near my top times, but all the splits were very close and I felt more comfortable than usual.
Difficulty: 2/5.
Thursday: 6 Miles, track workout. Was surprised to have double workout, but I knew it wouldn't be too taxing. 8x200 at 33 w/60s recovery, before (60s recovery again) an all-out 300 in 41s seconds. Felt pretty good, a little tight. Difficulty: 2/5.
Friday: 7 Miles. Local Pawcatuck roads. Felt very sore and kept the pace very easy. One of the coldest runs in a while with blasting winds.
Saturday: 5 Miles, Class Championships.
4x800
I wasn't feeling too great before the 4x800. I was the third leg and soon enough it was my turn. It didn't seem like our leadoff ran too well and it seemed like the second leg ran very well, but it was hard to tell. We were in about 4th or 5th when I got the baton, but pretty much right behind a group of 2 or 3 teams. Barrington had a good lead on the rest. A Chariho runner just ahead of me went out hard and I stayed with him as he passed a few guys in the first hundred. He was really moving and trying to stay ahead of me, but I made a surge on the curve to get around. The first lap was really fast, probably around a 28. Our team was now in second, and I felt good to keep going hard another lap. After two laps, I had closed the gap between Barrington to about 20-30 meters. I wanted to get up to him, but was feeling tired at this point and couldn't get any closer. I knew I had gone out fast and didn't think I was on track for a really fast time. People were yelling at me to close the gap, but it stayed about the same for the final 400. I felt very tired and had trouble breathing in the 15 minutes after racing. Surprisingly, I ended up running 2:02.9.
1500
The 1500 was up next, my most important event of the day. I had only run it once in the season, so this would be my only opportunity to PR. At first I was nervous that I would be sat on, but it was great to hear that Mars would be running hard which would provide me with an opportunity to run a fast time and not worry about pacing, but just about staying with him. The gun went off. We went out fast and were 1-2 by 100 meters. Mars was smart about the pacing. When I was ready to settle a little, we kept going hard and it was only one lap into the race where I was starting to feel uncomfortable. Mars kept going, not letting up much in pace and it was really starting to take its toll on me as I was feeling very uncomfortable and desperately wanted to slow down. I managed to hang in there for a good amount of time, but eventually it became too much and I let him go (about 500 to go). He closed very well and pulled away from me. He ended up running 4:03.00 and I ran 4:07.12. Not an easy race, but well worth the end result.
1000
I wasn't sure what the 1000 would bring, but was pretty sure I could just try and stick with Nathan Coogan. Unfortunately, he ended up dropping out after running a RI #1 600 (1:22), and the two competitors I was left with were from Chariho. One was a sit and kick kind of runner and the other liked to run with someone faster and try to hold on as best as possible (also my strategy). While both were fast runners capable of running a fast time, neither would be willing to take the lead which meant I had to if the race was going to be even remotely fast. I was definitely concerned about not PRing with no one to push the middle laps. I was feeling too beat up for a fast solo effort. I became nervous, pretty sure that I'd lead the majority of the race, slow down too much in the middle, and be outkicked in the final two laps. That's pretty much exactly what happened. My first 400 was solid, but laps 3 and 4 were too slow and I was passed with 150 to go. I had no response and was beat by a whole two seconds, finishing in a mediocre 2:41.6. Definitely a little disappointing, but it makes sense with the triple and not having the right race conditions to go under 2:40.
Overall, 2 PRs is a great day. Hopefully I can get that 1000 down to a faster time before the state meet to qualify for the fast heat. I've actually been class runner-up eight times, but have never managed to win anything. Should come in either outdoor or in any season my senior year.
Sunday: 8 Miles, Sand Trail, Beach and Weekapaug Roads combo with two teammates. Wind was brutal at some points. Second time on the sand trail and enjoyed it much more this time.
Weekly Total: 48 Miles
YTD Total: 228 Miles
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