The elite heat of the girls 1600 had one of the most competitive lineups I've ever seen. Fourteen of the girls had posted times under 5:04 to get in. Twelve of us went under five minutes for 1600m and hit five flat or under for the full mile. It was honestly an incredible race.
Leading up to the race, we were given the VIP treatment. The Chandler Rotary club was generous enough to pay for all of our hotel and travel expenses, and when we arrived, we were given a full tour of the arena, full introductions on the starting line, and any other perks that we could need to be ready for our race. It was very similar to the Nike Nationals experience.
Courtney and I arrived with her dad in Arizona fairly late Friday night. There were some delays with our flight, so we touched down around 9 pm. We were all pretty tired and ready to get some sleep, so we had a quick dinner and checked into our hotel. There was a slight mix-up with rooms, and a very sleepy older man had to come to the door and inform us that the room we had been issued was already taken as we tried hopelessly to make our key work, but it all got sorted out.
Saturday, I went on a two mile shake-out run first thing after waking up. Courtney and I found a clearance Nike outlet in Tempe, so naturally we spent quite a bit of time there before our race. About three hours before we ran, we did the customary Olive Garden lunch, then headed over to the track. The mile ran at 6:20, so the sun was just going down as we raced.
The race itself was a little frustrating. I got boxed in during the first 200 meters, so I ran the majority of the race in lanes two and three, and had to drop all the way to the back of the pack and go around to move up in the third lap. I ended up running a five flat for the full mile, and a 4:58 for the 1600m. It was definitely not what I wanted, but for the first meet of the season, it was good enough. I am going to use this meet to keep me motivated for Mt. Sac, and constantly working to improve.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Chandler Rotary Prep
Today, in preparation for Chandler Rotary, I did my last real workout before the race. And boy did it boost my confidence. The workout was 400m in 75, 100m jog recovery, 800m in 2:30, 100m jog recovery, 400m in 75. So basically it was a five flat mile solo effort at altitude. My first 400m was about 2 seconds fast, and my 800 was about 3 slow, so it was more like a 5:01, but hey, I still think that'll get me where I want to go when it comes time to race with other people when I've actually prepared to race. Look out Arizona, here I come.
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
How to Identify a Runner in the Wild
Imagine this scenario. You are out for a walk, minding your own business, when suddenly you hear a rustling along the side of the trail. Preparing for the worst, you brace yourself. Out from the brush leaps...a runner.
How does one prepare themselves for this? How do you identify a runner in the wild of the trails around your hometown? More importantly, how do you recognize one when they are mingling with you in a public area and protect yourself from the spout of splits, trivia, and running information that could burst forth from them at a moment's notice?
Fear not. Here, I will teach you how to identify a runner when one is in your presence, and how to prevent them from thinking you want to hear every time that they have ever run.
Typical Markers of a Runner:
Sports bra tan lines: (Typically found only on the female runner) As the serious female runner often sheds layers as temperatures go up, you can spot one using the telltale sports bra tan line peeking out from their tank top. Depending on how late in the season it is, or how often the runner in question sheds layers during exposure to sunlight, the depth of the lines may be different. If you ever see one with a clear white outline on someone who is a deep tan everywhere else, you should maintain eye contact and back slowly away while making soothing noises.
Watch tan lines: These come often to the more serious runners. As they are used for timing splits for intervals, long runs, and tempos, you will not find one on your less dedicated athletes. Always keep your eyes peeled for this warning sign.
Sock tan lines: You can find these on just about any runner. If sock tan lines start appearing on your close friends or loved ones, it might be best to stage an intervention or confront them before they become a full-fledged runner.
Uncomfortably Small Biceps: Runners are not at all known for their muscular strength. As they aim more for muscle endurance and speed, they care very little for bicep size. Even in males, you will note that the biceps are much smaller than the average size in non-running males.
Ill-Fitting Pants: Often you will find that the pants of a runner don't fit as well as those of a non-runner. They tend to be too large in one area and snug in another, especially in middle-distance runners.
Killer abs: If you are out swimming with friends and you notice that one of them has a perfect six pack without doing core workouts nearly often enough to justify them, I would suggest that you end your friendship as swiftly and gently as possible. Anything is better than befriending a runner.
Escaping an Interaction With a Runner:
Keep your eyes down. Whatever you do, don't attempt to run away. This will only excite them and cause them to chase you down. Avoid any conversations that could lead back to running. (Topics include exercise, food, weather, vacation, shoes, apparel, health, etc.) Call your local authorities if you spot one out in the wild, and get help if you ever find yourself encountering one.
How does one prepare themselves for this? How do you identify a runner in the wild of the trails around your hometown? More importantly, how do you recognize one when they are mingling with you in a public area and protect yourself from the spout of splits, trivia, and running information that could burst forth from them at a moment's notice?
Fear not. Here, I will teach you how to identify a runner when one is in your presence, and how to prevent them from thinking you want to hear every time that they have ever run.
Typical Markers of a Runner:
Sports bra tan lines: (Typically found only on the female runner) As the serious female runner often sheds layers as temperatures go up, you can spot one using the telltale sports bra tan line peeking out from their tank top. Depending on how late in the season it is, or how often the runner in question sheds layers during exposure to sunlight, the depth of the lines may be different. If you ever see one with a clear white outline on someone who is a deep tan everywhere else, you should maintain eye contact and back slowly away while making soothing noises.
Watch tan lines: These come often to the more serious runners. As they are used for timing splits for intervals, long runs, and tempos, you will not find one on your less dedicated athletes. Always keep your eyes peeled for this warning sign.
Sock tan lines: You can find these on just about any runner. If sock tan lines start appearing on your close friends or loved ones, it might be best to stage an intervention or confront them before they become a full-fledged runner.
Uncomfortably Small Biceps: Runners are not at all known for their muscular strength. As they aim more for muscle endurance and speed, they care very little for bicep size. Even in males, you will note that the biceps are much smaller than the average size in non-running males.
Ill-Fitting Pants: Often you will find that the pants of a runner don't fit as well as those of a non-runner. They tend to be too large in one area and snug in another, especially in middle-distance runners.
Killer abs: If you are out swimming with friends and you notice that one of them has a perfect six pack without doing core workouts nearly often enough to justify them, I would suggest that you end your friendship as swiftly and gently as possible. Anything is better than befriending a runner.
Escaping an Interaction With a Runner:
Keep your eyes down. Whatever you do, don't attempt to run away. This will only excite them and cause them to chase you down. Avoid any conversations that could lead back to running. (Topics include exercise, food, weather, vacation, shoes, apparel, health, etc.) Call your local authorities if you spot one out in the wild, and get help if you ever find yourself encountering one.
Run For Fun In The Sun
It is currently 52 degrees and sunny out, and I could not possibly be happier. Spring running is the best kind of running. It's refreshing to be able to run in shorts and tank tops again, and all of the favorite trails open back up after being buried in snow for the last five months. And there's just something energizing about having the sun on your skin while you're out and about trying to get a workout in. And you don't have to resort to treadmill workouts anymore. And outdoor track season starts. Cross country is fun, but every meet feels like it's over so quickly. You look forward to it for weeks and in less than three hours, you have to turn around and go home. But with outdoor track, you typically get a full day (or even two) to spend time stressing about your races, seeing friends from other teams, meeting new people, and eating dry bagels and pasta. And you get mad sports bra tan lines.
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And if you're foolish (or adventurous) enough to hit the trails the second the snow starts melting, you come out with stories to tell your friends later and a refreshing mud mask for your legs. You'll have to sacrifice the purity of your Nikes, though.
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But hey, I think a little mud on the shoes and a lot of uphill running is well worth a view like this. Training in Park City is the best. And when I'm running here, my work becomes my play as well, which is how I think it should always be. If you don't enjoy what you're doing, it's just not worth it, regardless of how well you do it.
Also, my first outdoor meet is next Saturday. I'm probably only doing about four meets this season, unless I qualify for the post-season meets that I'm hoping to. I'll be starting with the Chandler Rotary Invitational in Arizona, which should be tons of fun. Several of my NXN Southwest teammates are also going, and it should be a very competitive race and an even better weekend. After that, I won't race again for about a month, when I'll do the Mt. Sac mile at the relays in California. That's actually the same race that I ran my mile PR at sophomore year, so I'm really hoping to do well there. The only two Utah meets I'll be doing are the BYU Invitational and the state meet. I'm aiming to get my mile time down, as well as place well at some more competitive meets, since my goal is to qualify for the Dream Mile. (Possibly the Brooks PR invite as well.) They're some pretty big expectations, but I honestly think that if I can get through this season without injury, death, or some other natural disaster, I can meet them.
Wish me luck!
Sunday, March 8, 2015
I Blame Running For My Lack of Interior Decorating Skill
Anyone who has ever been to my house can verify that my room is positively plastered with running paraphernalia. Things that I've picked up at races, pictures of my team and me running, posters for motivation, you name it, it's there. There's a reason behind everything on my wall, despite the doubts of my peers and my sister who shares my room.
My flags were the beginning of her woes. Freshman year at Footlocker Regionals and Bob Firman, I was informed that everyone who knows anything about running takes a flag from every meet they can get one from. I have souvenirs of this sort from four years of Bob Firman, two years of Footlocker Regionals, three years of Nike Regionals, two years of Nike nationals, and a year of the Mt. Sac Relays.
Next after the flags came the schedules and posters. I always keep my seasonal schedule right next to my bed so I can overthink every race in advance, and I have a "Go Lyssa!" poster beside it to prove that my younger sister didn't always think I was crazy for running.
My favorite things, though, have to be my State poster, my NXN poster, and my Dream Mile poster. The state poster always reminds me where I started. My team and my friends have pushed me to go farther than I ever thought I would. NXN reminds me what I have accomplished, and what I could be capable of in the future. And the Dream Mile poster reminds me of my goals every day, and gives me something to strive for.
So, despite Annie's insistence that we look like horders as a result of my wall decor, I refuse to give up any of my eccentric collections. They're all too meaningful. (Except maybe the picture of the cat in the cowboy hat. That one's just funny.)
My flags were the beginning of her woes. Freshman year at Footlocker Regionals and Bob Firman, I was informed that everyone who knows anything about running takes a flag from every meet they can get one from. I have souvenirs of this sort from four years of Bob Firman, two years of Footlocker Regionals, three years of Nike Regionals, two years of Nike nationals, and a year of the Mt. Sac Relays.
Next after the flags came the schedules and posters. I always keep my seasonal schedule right next to my bed so I can overthink every race in advance, and I have a "Go Lyssa!" poster beside it to prove that my younger sister didn't always think I was crazy for running.
My favorite things, though, have to be my State poster, my NXN poster, and my Dream Mile poster. The state poster always reminds me where I started. My team and my friends have pushed me to go farther than I ever thought I would. NXN reminds me what I have accomplished, and what I could be capable of in the future. And the Dream Mile poster reminds me of my goals every day, and gives me something to strive for.
So, despite Annie's insistence that we look like horders as a result of my wall decor, I refuse to give up any of my eccentric collections. They're all too meaningful. (Except maybe the picture of the cat in the cowboy hat. That one's just funny.)
Why Do You Run?
Why do you run? This is a question that gets asked far more often than most civilians would think. The idea that someone would willingly put themselves through what non-runners consider to be miles of pure agony is foreign, unusual, and even frightening to some. So, today I am here to shed some light on the beautiful reasons why people run. Or at least some of the reasons, since not everyone runs for the same reason.
I run because...
Walking is just too darn slow. Even going on hikes can be frustrating for a runner because though the scenery is beautiful and the company is pleasant, you just know you could've been at the peak hours ago if you had run it. (Granted, you would also probably be crippled by the several miles of uphill running, but no one needs to know that.)
It gives you an excuse to buy tons of exercise clothes. As someone who worked one summer at Adidas and one at Nike, I can verify that 100% of an athlete's income will go directly back into the company they work for if it is sports retail. Let's face it. Sports apparel is comfortable, flattering and convenient. But if you are completely sedentary, people will question what you need 10 pairs of running tights for. It gives you a killer bod. You could probably use the abdominals of most athletes to grate cheese. Not that you would. Because that's completely disgusting and unsanitary. But hey, it's nice to have that option.
You get huge biceps.
Just kidding. Sorry boys, unless you are Elijah Armstrong, you will never develop massive arms by running.
You meet cool people. Traveling everywhere and interacting with people who share interests and insanities with you tends to help you bond with others and form friendships. It's pretty neat.
If you run for Park City high school, your teammates will occasionally yell, "Chacca run, Lyssa!" at you. This one probably doesn't apply so much to other schools, but it makes running totally worth it. Listen to Chaccaron Maccaron sometime before a race and you'll understand. Or you won't. But my team likes it.
You have time to ponder things. Like how much homework you have to do. Or which season of Bones you're watching. Or things that actually matter. It's like yoga but with more sweat and less flexibility.
I run because...
Walking is just too darn slow. Even going on hikes can be frustrating for a runner because though the scenery is beautiful and the company is pleasant, you just know you could've been at the peak hours ago if you had run it. (Granted, you would also probably be crippled by the several miles of uphill running, but no one needs to know that.)
It gives you an excuse to buy tons of exercise clothes. As someone who worked one summer at Adidas and one at Nike, I can verify that 100% of an athlete's income will go directly back into the company they work for if it is sports retail. Let's face it. Sports apparel is comfortable, flattering and convenient. But if you are completely sedentary, people will question what you need 10 pairs of running tights for. It gives you a killer bod. You could probably use the abdominals of most athletes to grate cheese. Not that you would. Because that's completely disgusting and unsanitary. But hey, it's nice to have that option.
You get huge biceps.
Just kidding. Sorry boys, unless you are Elijah Armstrong, you will never develop massive arms by running.
You meet cool people. Traveling everywhere and interacting with people who share interests and insanities with you tends to help you bond with others and form friendships. It's pretty neat.
If you run for Park City high school, your teammates will occasionally yell, "Chacca run, Lyssa!" at you. This one probably doesn't apply so much to other schools, but it makes running totally worth it. Listen to Chaccaron Maccaron sometime before a race and you'll understand. Or you won't. But my team likes it.
You have time to ponder things. Like how much homework you have to do. Or which season of Bones you're watching. Or things that actually matter. It's like yoga but with more sweat and less flexibility.
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