Time Off, Then Outdoor Start- Weekly Log: March 20-26

Had a nice time taking two weeks from running, March 11-March 23. 0 for last week.

Monday-Thursday: 0. Enjoying the final days off.

Friday: 8 Miles. Was supposed to start practice Saturday, but wanted to get something in before a potential workout. Stupidly forgot my trail shoes and did the Rhody loop after school. Felt long and was a little heavy, but felt mostly good. Didn't have great grip.

Saturday: 5 Miles. Was hoping to have an easy workout because I hadn't done anything fast in two weeks and was feeling pretty sore from the previous day. It was track and the plan was 10x400 @70s w/60s recovery. That sounded like a moderate workout back in indoor and now with soreness and two weeks it sounded like it was going to be tough. It was pretty brutal. Felt good on the first couple, but got really tired after four and had trouble getting through it. Hit all my splits just fine (except for the first one) but was pretty exhausted. Completely out of breath as I soon as I finished each one, as it was humid out. Wind on the homestretch made me feel pretty weak. 5 minute break then some jumping exercises and another 400 in 74 (supposed to be 80, but coach said to pick it up midway). Difficulty: 5/5. Perhaps harder than anything in indoor. Felt really out of shape and not my usual self. Extremely heavy and sore on the cool-down.

Sunday: 6 Miles. Light burlinggame. Kinda fun but was tiring out on the technical sections. Felt really sore coming in, but only a little sore when finished.

Weekly Total: 19 Miles
YTD Total: 437 Miles

Really excited for this outdoor season as I feel I can make big improvements in all three of my events- 800, 1500, and 3K. There's also many fun meets mixed in there as well. The dual meets are really fun. I'm hoping Saturday was just a result of the two weeks off/humidity+wind and I can get back to where I was in indoor. I'm hoping I'm capable of times of 2:04, 4:10, and 9:05 in the first two weeks.

First Look: Outdoor Schedule

A few weeks I just saw the outdoor dual meet schedule for the first, and slowly have been the dates and locations of major meets. Today I saw the full Westerly schedule. I put in on the 11th grade page, but it's here as well.

West Warwick and Narragansett will be new additions to tracks I've running, and a possibility of also running at some out of state tracks. There's also a number of meets I've have been to before like the Stonington dual meet, Loucks Games, Moretti Invite, Retro Relays and NBNO. I'm certainly not locked in for any of them, but am really hoping to go to loucks as I know there's great competition and I want to go to NBNO as well. It'll be fun to crush some Stonington distance runners at the home track, and the relays meets are always fun as well (no idea what retro relays is). They changed the schedule a bit, moving up Classical Classic to weeks and changing from boys only to co-ed, while giving Moretti invitational, a meet that was co-ed that slot (moving it one week back, it served as a meet for those who did not qualify for schomp). I'm also happy to go to Narragansett a couple of times and Portsmouth with their fantastic 8-lane track.

Indoor Recap (16-17)

Indoor's finally over and while it went by quickly, the season was long spanning from late November all the way to mid-march. I can easily say that it was both one of the most enjoyable and one of the best seasons I've ever had. While not the giant improvements in PRs of the 15-16 indoor season, I mostly had consistent success and improvement which is probably my number one goal in running (something I lacked/didn't not do as well in the 15-16 season). Not everything went to plan, but overall I was happy with the results I produced and I remember this season more than others. Things are looking pretty good for outdoor.

I wasn't hitting big times in December, but the PRs came back in January in abundance and continued throughout March. Here's my progression in each event with final PRs in bold (click to enlarge any photos).

As well as PRing in events, I improved or maintained placement at many high meets.

I won a couple races as well, but none of them were that big or meaningful:

-RI Classic 3000

-URI Classic 1600

-URI Classic 1000

-Division Championship 3000

Coming into the season, I had some big goals. Here's how I did on them:

-Run under 4:30 in the Mile PASS: 4:29 at the East Coast Invitational

-Run 8:50 in the 3K at the Yale Track Classic (Jan 21) PASS: 8:44
-Get my 3K down to 8:40 FAIL: But not far off with 8:44
-Run a 600 under 1:30 PASS: 1:29 in a dual meet
-PR in the 800 (2:04) PASS: 2:03 at East Coast, then 2:02 in a 4x800 at Class
-Run 2:36 in the 1000 FAIL: 2:38, really just needed another opportunity
-Run close to 4:05 in the 1500 FAIL: 4:07, but only ran it twice all season

-Win a Class and Division Title FAIL: Got the division as expected, but just missed a class title in the 1000

-Place Top Three in the 3K at the State Meet PASS: 3rd in the 3K

-Place Top Six in the 1500 and 1000 at the State Meet PASS: Didn't run 1500 and 5th in the 1000
-Place Top Six at New Englands in the Two Mile FAIL: Way off, placing 16th
-Qualify for New Balance Nationals and run a 5K sub-15:20 FAIL: Made it, but ran 15:35

Kind of a mix of pass and fails, but most of them were close were enough to actually pass.

Highlights

• Yale Track Classic- Easily the best race of the season, smashed the time I was going and ended up being a #2 RI and a US #32
• Consistent success in the mid-distance events: lowered many of time to what I wanted, and easily could've brought every one of them at least 2 seconds faster if I had more races
• Qualifying for Nationals and running a track 5K: It was a great experience going to nationals for the first time and running the 25 laps, a much more enjoyable experience than expected.
• Placing Well at States: Really happy to get third place at the states and follow it up with a 5th place in an event I'm only decent at

Low Points

• 3K Struggles: Pretty much every meet except Yale I felt good in the 3000 for a good portion but faded badly in the last 1K to run a mediocre or even bad time
• Needing Competition to run well: In nearly every 3K, I had to do the majority of pacing and typically fading after 8 to 9 laps. I was unable to run well without competition, something I used to excel at.
• New Englands- Really ruined a perfect season with a horrible placement and time. Was about 25 seconds and nowhere near top 6.

Time-wise, I was really close to hitting all my goals but just off. I think all three would have been do-able in the right kind of race, I just ran out of races.

The season's over and there's nothing I can do about it, but there's plenty coming in outdoor. Right now, here are my goals:

Dual/Minor Meets

-Break 9 in the 3K

-Break 4:10 in the 1500

-Break 2:05 in the 800

-Win every 3000 I run

-Anchor a DMR at Injury Fund Relays

Invitationals

-Win something

-Run 8:40 in the 3000

-Run close to 4:00 in the 1500

-Break 2:00 in the 800

-Run a fast 400 (relay/practice)

-Run a distance event in an out of state invitational (Penn Relays/Loucks Games) not sure about this one

Championships

-Run a 8:34 3000

-Get second at states in the 3K (at least third)

-Place top six in the 1500 at states

-Help qualify a 4x800 for States

-Get all class/all division in every event I run there (top 3)

-Win the class B 3000 (or another event) 

-Win an event at division

-Don't have a bad race

-Place top 6 at New Englands with a 9:10 3200

-Qualify for the championship 5K and 2-Mile at NBNO

-Run 15:10 and 9:10 at NBNO and place top 10 

Misc

-Beat Mars Bishop

-Beat Sam Toolin

(hopefully they won't see this)

Ranking every track, worst to best (that I ran):
5. PCTA
4. URI
3. Yale
2. Reggie
1. Armory

Big change from last year (randomly liked Yale this year but got really tired of PCTA. Excited for outdoor.

New Balance Nationals Indoor- Weekly Log: March 6 to 12

One of the best parts of this season was qualifying for nationals. While it's unfortunately not too far away, it seems like a great opportunity to race on a great track with great competition, especially as I somehow sneaked into the fast heat of a championship event. Very light week to fully recover from new englands.

Monday: 0.

Tuesday: 5 Miles. 6x400@75s w/60s recovery. Felt good, was surprisingly a little heavy. It was a little humid out which made the breathing hard. Difficulty: 2/5.

Wednesday: 0.

Thursday: 6 Miles. Easy shakeout. Heaviness was back (I guess from not running) but didn't prevent me from feeling smooth. It got better as I progressed.

Friday: 5 Miles, Nationals. I was scheduled to run at 5:40 in the fast heat of the championship 5000. Since I was in the fast heat, I knew the field would be extremely fast and I likely should be near the back and probably would finish in the back. My plan was to try and run consistent 37s but stick with someone for as long as possible (don't drop off everyone early). I was hoping for a time in the 15:20-15:30 range.

Pre-Race
We got there super early (10:15), 7 hours to race. This helped me relax as I knew I had a long, long time. As usual, the time went by quickly. Arrived at the armory at 3. I slightly altered my eating for this one as I had lunch at 12:30, then a lighter meal at 3:45. Usually I try to eat 150 carbs three hours out, but today it was something like 100 carbs five hours out and then 80 carbs 2 hours out. I'm not sure if this was better, but I didn't feel as full as usual right before the race. It was difficult to eat the food 2 hours out because I wasn't very hungry. At 4:15, I did my first warm-up. I had a chance to watch the slow heat of the 5K which reminded me through people fading badly that it was 25 laps, something I've never done before. From then on, I was extremely nervous. The warm-ups didn't help as the warm-up area was two extremely crowded hallways with numerous people walking, running easily and sprinting/striding. There were many times in the warm-up where I had to stop because there wasn't enough room or narrowly avoided slamming into someone. Easily the worst warm-ups I've done in indoor track (not including rushed warm-ups because that wasn't due to a problem with the facility). As it got closer and closer, I became extremely nervous. I was losing all interest and excitement besides having high levels of both for months before the event. Eventually, I used the bathroom for the final time (always nervous about not getting everything out pre-race) and finally went to the check in area. The girls 5K was about 5 minutes in, so it was about 15 minutes to race time.

Great bibs.

I recognized some competitors, but overall barely knew the majority of the field. Usually, there's at least 5 or 6 people I'll know and at least 1 or 2 I know well enough to talk to, but here there was only one runner I had previously seen in person and a few others I had known from seeing their name on the start list or in videos at other meets. This certainly did not ease my nervousness. I finished out stretching and put my numbers on. I was taking my time because I thought I had time, but was suddenly told that I need to get ready now and hurry up. Wasn't thrilled about that. I saw a runner pour water on his head, and since I had been feeling really hot for the last hour the idea was too tempting to pass up. I didn't have water with me (bad preparation) but fortunately there was cold dispensable water for athletes in the waiting area. I poured two cups on my head. We watched an incredible girls race as the top girl broke the indoor national record with a 15:55. I was nervous that I might not even beat that. We did a stride out and were introduced one by one and called up to the line. It was the first time where I've seen my live on a TV in the center as they called my name. Cool, but somewhat scary and nervewracking. All 13 of us were on one line and I could barely get on the line, so it was relieving when they brought us up to the stagger. It was finally time to go.

Race
I was prepared to go out fast from the gun as usual. I had been used to going out no slower than 33, but I wasn't sure what to do here. Two guys in the stagger went out fast while the other hung back a little so I stayed with him. We went through 200 in about 35, and I found myself back of the pack. There was another guy about 10 meters back, I guess taking it out even easier. It turned into a long string of all the competitors as I went through 400 in 72. By 600, the last guy had caught up and passed me and two guys managed to break away and open a 30 meter lead. I was now at the back of the chase pack. Went through 600 in 1:48. Despite being in last, pretty much everyone was right on each other and close to that. Passed 800 around 2:24 and 1000 about 3:00.

I was pretty comfortable and feeling good, yet it didn't feel easy to just hang there in back and it was taking some effort. Usually, when I try to hang on I get right on the person, but here I was at least a good 5 meters back. I hit a few consecutive 36s to close out the 1600 in about 4:49. That was certainly faster than I was looking for, but I didn't know what would happen if I dropped off the pack earlier and ran solo in last. The chase pack soon caught up to leaders at 2K. I went through in about 6:01 and now was having trouble getting right on the last guy. I was about 10 meters back but still feeling good and not falling back anymore or fading. I was surprised to see the original leader and sub-15 minute runner had dropped to end of the chase pack and I was now about to pass him. I didn't really want to pass him, but knew it wouldn't be good to hang on to him as he faded, so I made a small surge around and was no longer in last. While far from exhausted, the number of laps to go seemed insane and I tired to think of it as if I was running 3K. Finish the 3000 first, then think about the laps to go.

The gap between me and the guy in front continued to grow, but I still didn't completely fall off going through 3000 in about 9:06 and 3200 in 9:45. I knew I was on a really good pace and 10 to go didn't even seem that bad. With about 8 to go, I started to get tired. I had slowed tremendously and was now just hoping to hold on. It was hard to figure out splits or project my final time and I was just focused on finishing. I passed another guy who had fallen far back, but wasn't able to do much in a very slow last 1K. I was lapped by the winner with two to go and the next few guys as I hit my final lap. I closed slightly better than the splits I had been running but I knew in the final few laps that my time had gone from low 15s to much slower. I managed to pass a guy in the last 150 and finished in 15:35.99.

Post-Race and Thoughts
My initial reaction was definitely disappointment as I wanted to run low 15:20s and was on pace for much greater than that, but faded badly to 15:35. When I thought about New Englands, this was clearly much better than that and I at least didn't finish out the season on bad note like I have numerous times before. Overall, I think it was okay, maybe slightly leaning towards the good side. I had a big PR, but really didn't hang on for a better time at the end. I'm already thinking about NBNO and if I manage to qualify for the 5K, I definitely want to go under 15:20.

I immediately felt exhausted, hot and thirsty afterwards. It took a little bit to recover, and even the cool-down felt terrible. I was surprised to find out my coaches thought I did really well.

A few other takeaways from this meet/experience:

• Fantastic track. I think this definitely helped keep me going in the middle as it just felt smooth and natural. I like how it was somewhat of a stadium format with people watching above from every side. It was a new experience having my name called in front on that many people then seeing myself on a TV screen in the center. Easily the best indoor track I've ever run on.
• Easily the best website for a meet I've seen. Full-length HD race videos with commentary (see 5K video here), quality pictures, live results, and a listing of everything you need to know.

Saturday: 0. Really feeling it.

Sunday: 0. Same.

Weekly Total: 16 Miles

YTD Total: 418 Miles

Will be taking a week off. I'll work on a indoor recap/outdoor outlook post next.

Weekly Log: February 27 to March 5

New Englands finally here after a two week wait.

Monday: 8 Miles. Easy river road out and back. Felt really good and coasted in the mid-6s.

Tuesday: 6 Miles, track workout. 4x800 @2:20 w/120s recovery. Supposed to be 2-Mile pace. A little tiring but not bad at all. Struggled a little with the pacing, wasn't super consistent (from first to second 400). 2:20/2:17/2:18/2:17. 5-Minute break before easy 400s at 75s w/30s recovery. Really easy and event went a little fast. 70/73/70/74. Difficulty: 3/5.

Wednesday: 8 Miles, early Hopkinton run. One of the few early morning runs I have do before school a few times a year. Was worried about 40 degree rain, but luckily it was very light the whole time and not all uncomfortable. Pace was slowish, but that was expected in the dark. Picked it up towards the end and felt really good besides the stomach distress.

Thursday: 5 Miles, track workout. 4x300 at 50s, 6x200 at (1-5 at 34s, 6 hard). Pretty easy stuff and didn't have any trouble. Recoveries were 60s with a longer recovery between the two sets. Pretty much right on or slightly under. Last 200 was a 27, and it didn't even feel much harder than the 34.

Friday: 7 Miles. New England shakeout. Relaxed and the run went by pretty quickly. Feeling good.

Saturday: 5 Miles, New Englands. I was excited for this two mile for two reasons:

1) I wouldn't have to run at PCTA for the 12th or 13th meet this season.

2) I wouldn't have to do much of the pacework myself.

It was the second one that was really important, great competition. It helped me out at Yale and I thought it would here too. Until I was moved to the slow heat. Despite being seeded 14th of 34, enough people behind dropped out that I became 15th (not sure how I moved down) of 28, meaning I was the top seed in the slow heat. That pretty much ruined my day and killed any confidence or excitement I had to race. I felt off and wanting to quit pretty much from the start, and turned in my first bad race of the season, 16th overall in 9:45.

Pretty much every one of my 3Ks/2-Miles have been bad this season, except Yale which was perfect. Otherwise, its been a similar trend of having to do a majority of the pacing, being on a great through the mile but fading badly the rest of the race. New Englands was no different. I went through 400 in 67, 800 in 2:17, and the mile in 4:45, but came back in 5:00. Definitely somewhat frustrated/depressed but I'm somewhat just glad its over. I'm confident I'll fare better at nationals, where I have guaranteed competition even in the slow heat, as everyone must either have a 3K time of better than 8:48.9 (or 3200/2-Mile equivalent) or a 15:12 5K time. Looking forward to it, but also nervous.

Sunday: 0.

Weekly Total: 39 Miles

YTD Total: 402 Miles