Raced another 3K this week at UMaine's track.
Monday: 7 Miles- Rye, NH
Easy coastal roads with Andrew. Unfortunate bathroom stop a mile in but other than good, felt really good.
Tuesday: 11 Miles- Durham, NH
Long Snell with Forest and Earl. Felt smooth but stomach was bothering me throughout.
Wednesday: 10 Miles- Durham, NH
3x1200/1200 alternating 5:45 pace and 7:00 on the stadium loop. I was disappointed to get such an easy workout when guys I've run similar times to did more quality workout on the indoor track. Hit close to 5:35 and 6:35. Not a nothing workout, but not a whole lot either. Difficulty: 1/5. Cold out.
Thursday: 12 Miles- Durham, NH
Jenkins into Bennett with Forest and Jeff. Felt decent although a little tight for a while then legs got very tired the last few. 3x200m strides which felt forced.
Friday: 10 Miles- Durham, NH
Longmarsh with a group, felt pretty terrible all around.
Saturday: 7 Miles- Durham, NH
4 outside in the blizzard, felt comfortable outside of the sections where snow was blowing into my face/eyes. Wanted 6-7 outside but everyone else was going 4 and my hands were starting to get really cold. Finished up with a few miles inside + strides.
Sunday: 8 Miles- Orono, ME
First visit to UMaine, was excited to race somewhere else especially as I've always missed the races here. Very long day leading up to the race. Woke up at 4:45AM to eat breakfast/get prepared for the meet before walking a mile with Andrew to our cars at the Dover train station (had to move off street due to parking ban). 3.5 hour ride to UMaine where I found the seats to be really uncomfortable and had difficulty sleeping.
Got there at 10:30 before waiting 6.5 hours to race, the time went by quickly but I felt very sleepy and exhausted and my fears of running poorly only increased. Eventually we got through our warm-ups, strides and were on the line to race. Watched Jeff solo an 8:51 from the slow heat as he had no time to get in the faster section, then Andrew and I were in the faster heat.
From the gun, I got out in the perfect position, behind the top guys (this was a stacked heat) but ahead of people I would need to pass earlier on. Alec Troxell was going for sub-8:30 and there were a train of guys keeping pace with him. I didn't want to drop off so I just kept pace with the guy ahead of me hitting the same splits as the guys in front. This felt really fast (4:30 pace) for the first few laps, then the Maine guy ahead of me (Myles) let them go and the pace felt really comfortable. 2:56 through 1K.
The rest of the race I sat and counted laps on Myles, who began to tire and slow. We went from running 32s early on (191m track) to 36s. I told myself to be patient and a big move too early could be a mistake. 4:46 through the mile. I kept waiting and waiting. My plan shifted from going with 6 left to 4 left and just after 5 to go, I went for it and completely committed to the move. 3:05 for the second kilometer (6:01).
Went for it the last 900m or so, hitting 32s/33s and somehow finding a 29 low on the last lap (about 30.5 for 200m). I believe I closed in a 64/65 for the last 400m which is one of the best kicks I've ever had. Breaking this race into each kilometer (hang on/sit/kick) made this feel mentally easier than a lot of 3Ks I've run that are just a grind. I feel I'm racing much more confidently this season/year. In the past, when it gets tough I start to think about dropping out or falling back. Now I think hanging on or making a move. 2:52 last 1K.
Ended up 6th in 8:53, which I was happy with and a step up from last week. After not breaking 9 since October 2020, it feels nice to get back there. Unfortunately, my 3Ks will be limited going forward although it feels like I'm finally on the path to sub-8:40.
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| 18th Time sub 9 minutes (#2, #6, and #15 converted from 3200) |
3 mile cooldown on nice campus paths, wanted more but we had to leave for the long ride home. Right calf very tight just above achilles.
Weekly Total: 65 Miles
Good step forward and glad to maintain 60+ for mileage.
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