Change of Plans

This past weekend went well at 1500m night.  As expected, there were a few big breakthroughs for a handful of guys and girls this year.  Among the notables, Rob Denault managed to run 3:45 mostly on his own, and a bunch of the other high schoolers got down into the low 3:50 range.  I came in with a 3:58.72 PB, and left with a PB of 3:58.27.  We had a pacer who led us through 800 in 2:07, which was a little slow considering we were 28 at the 200 and 61 at the 400, but nonetheless it was good to get someone else to run up front and let me tuck in behind.  I was hoping that I would end up in the 3:56 range, as I am certain that my fitness is way ahead of last year, but at the same time a PB is a PB, and I can't complain about that.  But, my coach and I have decided to change things up a bit.  Originally, the plan was to try and hit the 5000 A standard, and try to snag a ticket to Pan Am Juniors at nationals, however being 31 seconds off the standard with only 2 more weeks left in the qualifying period makes it a little improbable, but not impossible.  Additionally, the 1500m specific work that we've been doing over the past few weeks is another reason to scrap the old plan and go hunting for some PBs. We're aiming at a 1500m on the 30th, a 3000m on the 6th of July, and another 1500m to close out the season on the 13th.  None of this is set in stone quite yet, and it may turn out that I can't even get into a few of these races, but that's the plan.  I also have a series of ball-buster workouts on the horizon, so that should give me a real good idea of how the next few weeks will turn out.  I should probably get back to studying. I have 3 more exams left, and I can't wait to scribble correct answers all over them!

I've been taking some tips from Mr. Bean, I should be fine!

P.S. The video of my 3:58 in London can be found by clicking here

Ready to Rumble

Well, I'm heading out to London tomorrow for 1500m Night and it looks like it will be a great day to race.  There are 127 entries in the men's 1500m so far, and on the lightning fast Western track, you can bet on more than a few blazing times.  I expect that I'll be placed in the 2nd heat tomorrow, with about 12 other guys with PBs of between 3:57 and 3:59.  It's going to be great weather, so there will be no excuses tomorrow.  I had a perfect week of workouts as well, so I'm excited.  Wednesday was the big one where we started the workout off with a 3:08.2 1200m time trial, which is 3:55 pace.  If you recall, in Human Jousting, I was getting excited over a 3:17 1200m, which turned into a 4:03 at Metros.  Clearly I'm in better 1500m shape now, but we'll have to wait see how things go tomorrow night.  In other news I had my last full day of high school today!   It's hard to believe that four years have gone by so quickly, but you know what they say, "time flies when you're having fun".  I have to give a shout out to all my friends at Don Mills C.I. for keeping it real, and for 4 years of awesome memories that I'll never forget!

Mediocrity at it's finest!

Another mediocre performance in the books, and I'm just trying to break the mold.  I was 4:02.97, and even though it was meant as a tune-up for next week, I thought I had a good shot at going sub-4.  The upsides of Saturday were that I ran in lane 2 most of the race, and finished 6 seconds faster than I did at the same meet last year, the week before I broke through with my 3:58.  I'll be running the same meet this year, and I'm ready for a new PB.  I mean, 3:58 is so last year!  And so is 8:42, but let's just take things one step at a time.
I had a great idea last week, allow me to elaborate.  With the summer heat upon us, 30+ degree days are soon to become the norm.  Last year, mother nature got the best of me, and running went way downhill by the beginning of July.  I closed my season out prematurely last year, after running 4:10 and a 2:07 800m relay split.  But this year, I'm prepared.  No matter how hot the weather gets, and no matter how bad I feel on my runs, I will have the upper hand this year.  Mother nature gave me a taste of what she had in store for this summer a few days back, and I shrugged it off like when a ladybug lands on your shirt and you frantically scream and swat at it to get it off.  I found a secret river deep in the North York Jungle (Sunnybrook Park), that will now be my primary method of defense against the heat.  How, you ask?  Well, this week I went on a run with a buddy from school in 32 degree heat, leaving us pretty gassed by the halfway mark (or at least I was).  We continued to sweat our brains out for a few more miles until we hit the jackpot.  An operating water fountain (very rare in Toronto), and a river!  We drank a gallon at the water fountain, and went for a swim in the river.  It was actually cold enough to give me goosebumps, thus defeating the heat (Like the Mavs)!  I plan on spending many of my summer days cooling down in this river post-run, so bring it on mother nature!

Searching for a PB

Sorry for taking so long to get blogging about Ofsaa, but I have been loaded with schoolwork that I've missed out on while in Sudbury.  It was another great year for Ofsaa, with a great 3 days of racing, but this year Ofsaa wasn't as nice to me.  The past 3 years, Ofsaa gave me a few sweet PB's, but my luck ran out this year.  I ran 8:51 for 15th place, but I was completely out of the race by the time we passed 1km.  The first lap went out in 63, I came through near the back in 66, and the pace continued at that pace for a few more laps.  I went through 1km at 2:48, well back of the contenders.  I was hoping for a top 8 finish, and looking at the results, my grade 11 time would have put me in 9th, so there really was no excuse for not being up there, I just simply didn't have it that day.  And my 3000 race result wasn't the only thing I overestimated that day.  As soon as the meet ended, I jumped on the school bus to head back to civilization, and we stopped in at McDonald's halfway back.  I was pretty hungry, and I was just thinking about how nice a couple burgers would taste.  One of my buddies next to me said he was going to go for 6 burgers, and I thought this was my time to beat someone at something on this trip.  I sucked at Ofsaa, and this was my one chance at success.  But I was wrong.  I ordered 4 burgers, a drink, and 3 fries, but after getting through half my meal, I was already auctioning off my final burger and the rest of my fries.  It really wasn't my day.  And don't expect to see me at another McDonald's for a long time.  Anyways, it's good to be back at home, to give myself a chance at a few fast 1500's this upcoming week.  I'll be running on the weekend, as well as the 18th (1500m Night), and I need a PB!  And I also need to get back to school and hand in my English project!  Goodbye for now!