Track and Field Blogs - Scott Bauhs

Everything is coming to an end here for Chico State. I have two finals tomorrow and two Papers to write and then I will get on a bus with the team down to Mt. Sac for NCAA's. It will be a busy week and I shouldn't be taking time to write a blog but blogs are easier to write than papers.

Recovering from track 10k's are hard. I don't know what it is about them, I guess our bodies aren't meant to run 25 laps on rubber with thin little spikey shoes but I always feel like my legs forgot how to run and I question whether I will ever be the same again. I had an easier time recovering from both the 12k in Scotland and the half marathon last season than I do from running track 10k's.

It doesn't help that it has been near or over 100 degrees for the past week. During the winter I am always dreading the wind and the rain and I long for summer but when summer comes I realize that it comes with its own set of problems. My first real workout back from the 10k was supposed to be 5 X Mile (each one a bit faster than the last) with 1 minute recovery on the road in the park. It ended up being 4 X Mile (each one a touch slower than the last except for the second: 4:53, 4:51, 4:54, and 4:57). It didn’t help that I started the work out at around 2:30 with the sun blasting me with its full fury, a mistake that I vowed never to make again.

My next work out was slightly more successful: 3 sets of 3 400’s with 1 minute recovery (1 lap after each set). I did this workout at around 7; it was still around 100 but the sun wasn’t quite as angry. I wanted to start around 3k to 5k pace and finish just short of 1500 pace. I ran something like 63,62,63, 62,61,61, 60,60,60. I am happy with the times but I was trying with all my might to break 60 towards the end and it just wasn’t happening. Normally when I do 400’s with 1 minute recover the minute is plenty for my breathing to slow down and for me to be ready for the next repeat but when it is 100 degrees that minute seems to go by a lot faster.

This morning I ran my final workout before this weekend. I got up at a very painful 7 AM and meandered over to the track. The morning is the only reasonable time to get in outdoor exercise in this climate so I had to shake myself out of bed at all costs. My workout was 4 X 1200 at descending pace (first 400 at 10k, second 400 at 5k, and third 400 at 3k pace). I love mixing up the pace and breaking up rhythm in workouts. It takes a lot more focus than running even pace and it is a great workout to get ready for tactical races. It was nice to run in the morning air but my legs did not want to wake up. I’m used to doing occasional shorter runs in the morning but a workout is a whole new ballgame. I normally do 2 200 meter strides in around 30-32 to get my legs moving and those strides ended up being two scary 34’s. My coach persuaded me to do another and to my relief I was able to run a 31 before I got my work out going. My splits were 3:18 (68,66,64), 3:17 (68,65,63), 3:14 (68,64,62), and 3:14 (68,65,61). The 68’s felt like nothing, but the faster paces were still pretty though.

I have a lot of strength in my legs but getting them really moving is another thing. I have a lot of work to do before the Trials but I have stronger foundation than I have ever had in my life. My legs don’t like me right now but I have faith that by the trials they will feel nicer out there. This weekend will be a great test for them. I am not underestimating the competition. Last year I was the underdog and I pulled off quite an upset, this year I am the favorite and I am going to do what I can to make sure that no one follows in my footsteps. It helps that I am going to be fresh for the 5000 and most of my competition will be doubling back from other events.

Alright now I have to get back to my papers.