I'm mcloving it

So been sick all week with exams as well which was rough, but got out for a run after 2 essays in 2 hours for English. Just 2km did the last kilometre fast and felt great. Fairly happy I'm almost mended. Also getting into swimming this summer to try and help recovery and aerobic capacity for running. First swim tomorrow, should be fun but tough.

Victoria All Schools 2014 1500m

Yesterday night, pumped out a warm up with Chris, then some drills, then headed into the call room to get marked off and given numbers. They then took us out onto the track to do some strides and get spikes on. Chris and I were lucky enough to be given numbers 1 and 2 meaning we were both in the first lane to start. The goal was for me to just hang onto Chris as long as I could and see what happens. We didn't consider that it might be a slow race though and of course it was so it botched the plan up a fair bit. The start was quick though like normal, we had to get out fast to avoid being cut up and spat out the back of the field because of our starting place. I claimed the inside lane right behind Chris which was handy and after the first 100m the pace slowed so much I nearly ran into Chris in front of me. It then picked up slightly but nothing substantial and I found myself running next to the fifth best U18 800m runner in the world. The kid has a time of 1:50 for 800 so his kick is unbelievable. I just sat in the pack honestly feeling like I could run that speed all day. It was seriously slow. Then after 850m Chris went to the front and pushed on the pace. I stuck with them until just before the bell where the leaders pulled away from me. I just ran the fastest last lap I could and finished in 8th place with a time of 4:26. Really happy to be honest after such a slow start. Gives me loads of confidence to run under 4:20 if we go out in a quick first kilometre. Anyway got home and came down with a massive cold, now I've got a sore throat, huge headache and a stuffy nose. Can't run the 3000m today which is really disappointing. I think I am going to watch the races with Dad anyway though, should be good.
                                           
                                This is us on the first lap.

 
                      This is on the last lap, me trying to hold on to the leaders.

                         This is me on the home straight.

I can't even handle

Tonight running club for the third time this week. Doing a taper as the last run before the races. Warm up then the first rep is a 1km. Started off solid and overtook a guy jogging about 250m into the rep, he started shouting abuse, about how we need to learn respect and about how we need to not come so close when passing. To be fair I did pass him fairly close but no contact was made and I definitely didn't cut him off because I was moving too fast to change direction back into his line. I must've been 10m ahead before I was in his line again. Anyway Tom gave some lip back which probably wasn't a fantastic decision, but nothing I could do about it. Finished the rep with Haffie gaining on me the whole way in a quality time of 2:46 especially in wind like that (Cheyne reckon 3 or 4 second wind). Anyway half way through the recovery and the guy comes back around to where we were still sucking down air and starts having another go. Tom jumps right back into the fray arguing straight back. The guys argument was that we didn't own the track and we shouldn't use him as a guideline for racing. By the way the track he's referring to is not an athletics track but a 1200m tan loop which people of all ages, speeds and sizes use for exercise in general. He kept up the profanities and was obviously upset. I went outside and told everyone to settle down, Tom stopped shouting but the guy kept on having a go. I told him okay but no contact was made, however he continued to fairly ridiculous claims about how he has been the victim of Glenhuntly athletics club ever since he started jogging 3 years ago. I told him I understand but we're training hard and he was in the middle of the path and that I don't understand what he's upset at as nobody touched him, cut him off, or clipped him. He stormed off with the classic "you're all fuckwits, well done" I think someone gave him a "work mate" but I'm not sure. I understand his arguments but like driving the slowest drivers should stay on the left not in between 2 lanes. And there was entirely no reason to be upset other than being overtaken. In the end we did our next rep the 600m on the athletics track which is placed in the middle of the 1200m tan loop. Pumped out a 1:36 which I was happy with considering the quick first kilometre. The last 300m rep though wasn't great in 45s after a shaky start by me but brought it home the last 100m. 2.4km cool down for 6.7km all up.

Bit of last minute speed

Got down to running club for an easy run with Chris. 6km in no idea before doing some 150's. The idea was to start quick but build up faster as the rep went on. However we had to try and hold perfect form over all 4 150's. Was really fun to be honest. We didn't time them, but took it in turns leading and trying to overtake in the last 50m. Felt smooth and fast so looking forward to the races on Saturday and Sunday. Also have my first VCE exam in a couple of hours. I'm taking PE a year early this year to help the workload next year, so we'll see how it goes.

(1km + 200m) x 4

Got down to running club last night with a fairly big crowd. Chris, Tom, Haftu and I doing the distance session. Started off really fast in the first 1km hitting 3:02 and not even feeling it. Then 60s recovery before the 200m which was done in 33s. The next km was tough after a fast first one coming in at 3:04. The 200 got faster though in 32. Cheyne said try to go under 3 flat for the 3rd kilometre and I ended up running 3:00 with Haftu pulling me through the last bit. Then the 200, another 32s. Final k, led until 600m before Tom and Haftu came around me, I held on for a bit before they slowly edged ahead. They ended up running 2:59 and I pulled a 3:01. Really want to break 3:00 on the last km rep of the session soon. I've done it once before, but these days I'm going so much faster in the middle reps I just don't have that speed on the last one. It'll come soon. The final 200m was fast though. Chris went out unbelievably quick so I though I was running way too slow but I wasn't. I stuck with Tom before pulling way from him in that last 100m. I ran 28 or 29s while Chris did a huge 26 mid. 8.4km all together.

Not a long run

Couldn't be bothered this morning but got out for 12 and a half km's. 1:01:46 was the time, really easy. I have All schools track championships this Friday and Saturday. Doing a 1500m and a 3000m. Should be good.

Sprints

Met up with some mates from school for the same session as the last 2 weeks. 6 x 50m sprints times 10 with 1 minutes passive in between each group of 6 x 50m and some 2 minutes thrown in there so we could keep hammering. Felt great to be honest and didn't push as hard as I don't want to many tough sessions this week. Really slippery as well because of a bit of a morning shower. Definitely made me consider using the old spikes as we're on grass because 180 degree turns in old runners on slippery grass is a skill I don't have time to get the hang of. Managed to stay on my feet though, no worries in the end. Ran there and back for 8.8km all up.