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Best Workout of The Season: Part 2

October 2, 2018 (Afternoon)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: rainy and 60s

Comments:
You heard it hear first folks.... BEST WORKOUT OF THE SEASON PART 2 (thus far of course). I was debating using this title again, as the last time I used it was last year's 1200m workout at McDonald Middle School. However, this workout went so much better than expected. Let's break it down.

Today's workout was 8 x 1K repeats with 3 minute rest at the Arboretum. The ground was extremely mushy and it was a bit rainy throughout the duration of the workout. My dawg Jaylin face planted on the first and the unexpected Lucas Werner biffed it on the second rep lmao. I almost fell too for many of the reps, but the weather was feeling good and as Chris Chavez would say..... well you know (also ignore yesterday's log, that's just not the mentality we need).

Of course, I incorporated my new running methodology of the classic "Dick and Drop". The plan was to hit 3:20 for the first five reps and then go from there.

I wanted to feel good on the first few reps, so I hung back behind the main group. I came through in my target pace of 3:20. The 2nd rep was much faster than I had originally anticipated, as I accidentally got dragged. I slowed it down and hung back by a few second for the next 2 reps, but then on the 5th rep I was still feeling really good running a 3:13.

With 3K left in the workout, I said out loud before the next rep "Now the race begins". Of course, Tyler said "isn't that where you died during the last race". Which fair point, fair point, but this where I started to make some moves. I just into the lead group of Tyler and Garrett and finished 3:11 on the 6th rep. Then on the last two reps, I made an ambition move and took the lead. My legs and lungs were feeling absurdly good and I just kept on surging ahead and pushing the pace. I was astounded when I was able to end with a 3:06 and a 3:02. Mitch summed it pretty well "fuck Riley, from the beginning of season to now, you've gone 0% to 100% real quick".

I don't know where that came from or how I've just suddenly come back from the dead (promise I'm not blood doping lol). But I think back to about two months ago when I would go on 4-5 mile runs feeling like absolutely garbage and just hating running. I think back to a month ago, when I was extremely demotivated, had already given up on XC season, and didn't think I had any shot at top 7 this year. I'm not saying this one good workout is suddenly putting me in the top 7, but with the last race and the last week of workouts, I'm getting more and more confident that I can get that 7th spot. I'm extremely excited to see what happens with the rest of the season and if I can keep this up. Overall super happy with the workout and happy I get to bring that title for this year. Hopefully, I have the opportunity to use this title again, but it'll have to be another really special workout for me to do that.

Also boiz, I might also be hopping on the Strava Train. I'm not giving up the log (well at least until after graduation), but I've been wanting to join for a while and will be using that 100% after I graduate. So, i'll let you know if I end up hopping on that.