The season is rolling: Mt. SAC, LA, and Cardinal

I didn't ever think I would consider Los Angeles a second home, with it's bumper to bumper traffic, millions of people, and sprawling urban features, but after four great years there it was hard not to. Mt. SAC was rolling around the corner and I was looking forward to racing again but I was almost equally excited to make it back to Southern California and soak it all in again.

We had taken a fairly large group down to race, many in the 5k, and hoped for some good performances two weeks before Cardinal. Aaron Braun continued his stellar season with a nice win, and pr, in the top heat of the 5k. As for myself, I was able to climb a bit closer towards where I need to be. At this point my fitness is spot on but my racing finesse is still behind. However, like a putting together a puzzle, I have all the pieces, now I'm just lining them up. I'm not worried, they will fall into place.  I finished with a 14:14, staying relaxed, which was a goal, but let the last 2 laps slip away. On a whole though the race served its purpose.

I stuck around a few days after the race to pay a visit to UCLA and check out the Bruin and Ducks go head to head at Drake Stadium. I set up camp on my coaches couch and took the opportunity for some easy sunshine runs on Ocean Ave. The dual meet was incredibly exciting. I was running around cheering on old teammates while secretly envying them because they were competing. Boy did I want to be out there too! In the end the meet came out to a tie - a pretty difficult thing to do in track and field. Before heading back to 'Zona I had a nostalgic steady state on our training course in Beverly Hills and quick weight room back at school. Thoroughly revitalized and the car filled up with expensive Cali gas I hit the road.

The racing season seems so short, the Stanford Cardinal meet is already upon us. We are finishing our final preparations and soon enough we will be flying out. If you want to enjoy some great racing and fast times most definitely tune in for the meet webcast. Check back in after this weekend for a recap - I'll be sure not to disappoint!

1500: Sun Angel Track Classic

Had a rust buster of sorts this past weekend down at ASU. I haven't anything near as quick as a 1500 in a while. I would have to say the 1500 is one of my more favorite of distances. Probably goes back to my high school days, the good old days (am I that old now???). The weather was stirring up all sorts of crazy things this weekend. Flagstaff was going to get more snow (ugh) and it was slated to be cold and rainy in Phoenix (blah). We are distance runners though, nothing phases us, not even inclement weather.

Although the skies were overcast it stayed relatively dry leading up to my race. I was loose but jittery warming up. Inconsistency riddles your mind with doubt. How would I react this time around, I asked myself? I had to go back to the basics for this one. The pace lagged early, a smooth 66, then a 62. Coming back around the home stretch I shared the lead on the outside of lane 1 but was antsy. I can't count the number of times I've gone to the lead with 500 meters to go in a 1500 but you can add this race  to that list. Out to the front I went, not terribly strong but I knew I had another gear. Closing in on 200 to go I was passed strongly by three runners. I maintained the initial gap and searched for the other gear I would need to finish them off the last 100. I searched... and searched. One last inquiry to my body told me I didn't have it! Even as I tied up and another runner passed me I begged my body to give me that final jolt of speed I was so used to having. I didn't get a reply.

I have had a lot of mixed results this season. Haven't had a ton of consistency yet, in training or racing, but I know I have all the pieces, I just have to put them in the right order for success. I walked away from my race probably much more dismayed than I ever should get. However, cooler heads prevailed (thanks Natasha :) and set me straight. The race served its purpose as prep for the 5k this next week at Mt. SAC. Me, and a whole bunch of other runners are looking to ride the wave in LA to some fast times. Have to look alive this week or you will get left behind!