Cruising Through Racing Season

Here we are in the meet of track season!  (I hope SOMEONE gets that pun.)

First two outings were solid.  3:52 in my season opening 1500 at ASU.  Considering the fact that I've done 0 speed work, I was relatively happy with the race.  It could've been better, but it also could've been worse. 

After that race, I hit a pretty hard wall in training, and it was definitely affecting me in my workouts the next week or so.  I found out that it's really not terribly feasible to run high volume weeks, and pair them with high intensity track work. 

Trying to push through those weeks set me back a bit and had me feeling a bit run down.  Luckily we took a day off, backed off the volume, and my legs came around in time to feel ok for the Stanford Invitational 10k. 

The 10k was a good effort for me overall.  Landed a 52 second PR, and ran 29:00.  (I actually PR'd through 5k as well, 14:25, but hopefully that one doesn't last long). 

I was with the pace until 8k, and then began to struggle a bit.  Ran splits of around 70-72 through the last few laps and closed in 65-66 to try and salvage a good time.  Thankfully it wasn't a fiery crash and burn, just a slow die off.  I think I can thank my current aerobic fitness for that. 

Check out the video HERE 

So we've backed off some on the volume, and am now hitting the pool a few times a week to supplement.  My legs are definitely coming around, and feeling much better.

Had my best workout in awhile down in Sedona this week, running 6xmile cruising from 4:43 down to 4:39, feeling relaxed and in control.  That bodes well for my fitness, and indicates that I'm ready to break through and run another good PR. 

Next week I'll be heading out the famous Mt. SAC Relays, the site of my best race of the 2013 track campaign.  We won't be backing off too much for this one, but I think that regardless of how my legs feel, I'm going to post a good time. 

After Mt. SAC it's two weeks to the Payton Jordan Invitational, where I'll chase down another big 10k PR. 

All roads point to Stanford on the 4th, than the US 25k Championships on 5/10 where I'll try to land my first top 10 US Championship finish. 

If you haven't checked them out, check out some of my recent blogs for other sites!

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Nick
The Moderately Talented Distance Runner