I am writing this blog on Tuesday, where has time gone! This past week was my senior prom. Yes, I'll admit it was kind of bittersweet. Before we get to that, I must talk about the crazy weather going on in Central Illinois: rain, rain, and more rain. As you may have heard, there were record rainfalls this past week. It was crazy. The riverfront area in downtown Peoria was and still is completely flooded over, and the river is almost the highest it has ever been. On top of all this rain, it snowed during my Friday meet. Snow in April is unbelievable, but it is Illinois and you can't expect anything.
My training for the week consisted of a few long runs and a speed workout. Monday was the only speed workout of the week. It was quite long-16 x 400m. I was supposed to run the first block of four at 68 then the second at 66 and so on. The first set we got 30s break then 60s and so on. So you would think times would drop. I was good for the first two sets, but could not get any faster after that. I ended up averaging 66s so all in all not a bad workout, but it could have been better. Tuesday was a distance run and Wednesday was the huge storm. I did not get to run but I did do a lot of ab work. Thursday we were able to get in a shorter run just before the meet on Friday. Friday rolled around and I was finally racing in a semi-big meet. The meet was chilly at about 39 degrees and grueling winds where there were no buildings surrounding the track. It was an ABC Meet, which can take a long time. I was supposed to run the 4x8, 800, 400, and 4x4. My split in the 4x8 was 2:05 and we got second in that. For the 800 I was able to run a 2:01 setting my season best. Now here is where things get kind of insane to say the least. If you remember a few blog posts ago I mentioned the dippin dots snow. Yes, it began to snow and again the snow looked like Dippin Dots. That’s Illinois for you. I was so cold standing there waiting for the open 400 and there was only one event between the 800 and 400. While it snowed, I got in my lane, got my blocks and prepared to run. Right before the official told us on our marks, sirens went off all around us. We had to clear the stadium. I could not believe it. I got inside the school and they ended up calling it because it was miserable outside. I wish I had run the 400 though.
Before I talk about my Saturday, I would like to thank two of my most loyal fans. Grandpa and Grandma Inskeep. They are almost always at my track meets. It was freezing, windy, and snowy at my Friday meet but they were there cheering me on. They are great supporters and I really look up to them. My grandpa always finds a spot at the finish line, one of the best seats in the house. He always gets my splits for me.
He has a little notebook where he writes down my 400 split times and my teammates (if it’s a relay) and then he shows me what they were at the end of the race. He always gives me good advice and I love listening to him. My grandma always encourages me whether it is in a text or when she talks to me before a meet or after. Thanks grandma and grandpa!
He has a little notebook where he writes down my 400 split times and my teammates (if it’s a relay) and then he shows me what they were at the end of the race. He always gives me good advice and I love listening to him. My grandma always encourages me whether it is in a text or when she talks to me before a meet or after. Thanks grandma and grandpa!
Now, Saturday was Prom. I was quite busy with school, track, and getting college things done so I didn’t get my tux till Wednesday and my mom had to have it rushed for me to have for Saturday. I went with my girlfriend, Melanie and she looked gorgeous. We had a blast. My dad let me drive his car, which was fun. The food was ok and the DJ was better than any other ones I’ve heard (the school normally makes students DJ which is kind of bad but saves money). I got to hang out with my friends and really enjoy my senior year since most of us will be going in opposite directions come August.