We're checking in again with Sam Peterman, a senior in Section 6. She'll be blogging for use all season long, letting us know the ins and outs of training and competition.
Catch up with all prior entries here
Monday September 19, 2016:
Today I was still at Duke for my official visit, and I was able to run an hour on the trails there. The run was good, but I was sore from the previous week of training and I believe that traveling and the lack of sleep contributed to it. So my legs didn't feel great, but I had such a good time! The trails there were awesome, it had a good amount of hills, and it was a lot of fun to see where I will be running next year!
Tuesday September 20, 2016:
I had another hour run today with the team. We didn't lift since we had a dual meet the next day, so the practice was not tiring. Today I focused on staying hydrated since we have a meet tomorrow, and I didn't drink as much as I normally do on the trip, which is fine, so I really kept up on my fluid levels.
Wednesday September 21, 2016:
Today was the first dual meet of the season! We ran it at Sprague Brook Park, where I do some of my trail running, but I wasn't familiar with the course so it was something new. The race was going great until probably the last half mile where one of the signs was backwards so I wasn't sure where to go. I had three options of going straight, left, or right, so I began to run straight, then I knew it wasn't right so I turned back by the time I got back to the intersection I only had to wait for a few seconds for the other runner from the other team to get there. Then she told me we had to take a right so we were on our way. At the time it was a little bit frustrating, but it was only a dual meet and sometimes courses are marked wrong. It happens. Our team won, which was great! Overall it was a good experience and a lesson to make sure you know the course even when they are supposed to be well-marked!
Thursday September 22, 2016:
We began practice with working on our speed by sprinting for 30 meters, then walking around the track until did the 30 meter sprint again. We did this six times then we were off for an hour run. I felt great today, my muscles where feeling great and the run went by fast. It was a good stress reliever run as well, school work has began to pile up and it stressed me out, but this run made me feel so much better. I was able to clear my mind and focus on something other than school for awhile. After the run, I had a lift in the weight room.
Friday September 23, 2016:
Workout day! Today I had 6x1200 on the track with a goal pace of 4:25, and about 4 1/2 minutes rest. I had a long rest because these are supposed to be at about race pace. Today I had a great workout. My slowest, and the only time I missed my goal pace, was on the first one with 4:27, the I began to pick up the pace with 4:23, 4:18, 4:13, 4:14, and 4:07. Today I focused on keeping my hands relaxed so I won't tense up, and every time I began to think about my legs getting tired, I began singing a song in my head to keep my mind off the pain. Doing this was a great way to distract myself from the workout and it keep me mentally strong. Afterwards I lifted in the weight room.
Saturday September 24, 2016:
It was a long run day today. I ran 90 minutes, all of it on hills. If I wasn't going up, I was going down a hill. I ran out on country roads, and going up and down the hills gave me a very nice view of everything. Oddly, I wasn't sore or tired from the workout yesterday so I felt really good on this run. Afterwards I made sure I stretched well, so I wouldn't get sore later in the day.
Sunday September 25, 2016:
Day off! Today I didn't have to run, so I was able to relax and get all of my homework done. This week was another great week of training in the books.
Total Miles: 46.12 miles
This week's lesson:
This week I have learned that sometimes all you need is a run to make you feel better. Like on Thursday, I was in a bad mood and stressed, but I went on a run and felt better. Also, I wasn't upset or anything on Saturday, but after my run I was in a good mood all day because it was such an enjoyable run. Every now and then, life may become difficult, but there is no better way to feel better than going on a run to clear your mind!