Sat 8/25 - double, 1:50 total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM 80 minutes incl. 6k xc race @Great Brook - nostalgia factor made this one irresistible to me, alas it's just not as fun to race on the Great Brook trails as it is to train (or ski) them. Abysmal conditions didn't help, already warmer at 8:30 AM than it was yesterday evening when I went for my run. Adverse weather dovetailed with feeling pooped out from the past week of training and Tuesday's effort. After a lackluster 20 minute warmup I knew no great effort was forthcoming and so I held back from the start. Still probably ran too hard but I was able to keep it sane. As such I found myself among people I would usually beat like a drum. Course was of indeterminate length, pace/mile calculations on results would indicate it was 3.7 but I would guess closer to 6k. Course included some short steep hills both up and down and it was too early in the morning for me to pick my way down with any kind of alacrity. Long, slow cooldown which mainly involved finding a spot for a dip that wasn't disgustingly scummy. Thankfully I found it eventually, the best part of the morning by far.

PM 30 minutes very easy to and from the pond plus 20 minutes in the pond. Went as late as possible, in fact sun had set by the time I got out of the water. Conditions improved marginally over earlier in the day but only due to the sun setting, and still disgusting by any measure. SW breeze created annoying current that almost pushed me into the shore.

Fri 8/24 - PM 85 minutes, Walden woods plus 20 minutes in Walden

More seasonable temps returned today, along with the humidity that's been around all week it made for less-than-desirable conditions. I was melting by the hour mark, feeling the onset of dehydration by the time I reached the pond at 75 minutes. Not moving especially well as a result, right down to the 5 lackluster strides on the way in, but the left psoas that's been twinging for the past few days gave me no trouble today. Getting in the pond was nothing short of delightful.

Thu 8/23 - PM 90 minutes in Walden woods plus 24 minutes in Walden

Felt reasonably good other than some continued soreness in left psoas. At times I was feeling general soreness on both sides of lowermost abs. Maintaining balance on the uneven trail surface has a cost. Five strides on the way in, not that much pop in the legs at that point. Still cooler than normal, but just warm enough for humidity to be an annoyance. Pond felt distinctly cooler than the last time I was in it. I find it hard to believe the water temp could drop after three cloudy days.

Wed 8/22 - PM 75 minutes very easy, Area 51

Started quite slowly, gathered just a bit of steam before petering out around the hour mark. Sore from yesterday, left psoas continues to twinge. Not sure if I ever actually pulled it, but the running up and down hills lately must have something to do with it. Another cool and overcast day. Whether it was that or the summer drawing inexorably to a close, the deerflies weren't a problem.

Tue 8/21 - PM 60 minutes incl. Lowell 5k in 15:50

Mile splits of 4:56, 5:01, and (ahem) 5:21. I packed it in somewhat the last mile once I knew the magical sub-16 was in the bag, plus I was feeling at the end of my rope. Conditions tonight were very close to ideal, only a slight breeze to contend with. Cool temps and dry conditions, the autumnal weather continues and it's been great quite frankly. Some stomach issues before and after the race, I'm starting to suspect a dietary connection but it could also be related to nervous jitters. Legs felt good once I did some strides, overall much more present and focused today than on previous runs on this course. One more next week and it's over.

Mon 8/20 - PM 75 minutes easy, Walden woods

Feeling very tired to start today, not a surprise after the weekend. Never really got going as a result, although I did do five strides on the way in that went better than expected. Unable to muster up enough energy or interest to jump in the pond today, cool overcast conditions didn't help.

Sun 8/19 - double, 2:10 total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - just under 100 minutes in Northfield/Winchester on the Gunn Mtn. rollercoaster. Started from the boat ramp, over to Burt Hill, up Schofield Mtn. road and finished going up Bolton Road. Another purposeful effort, like Friday afternoon on a tight schedule. This time it was in order to get home in time to run numerous errands. Legs took a while to de-stiffen, but left psoas wasn't an issue at any time during the run which was a relief. Maintained focus through all three major climbs, never felt overextended. Overall a solid effort although a bit short time-wise for a long run. Cool and overcast conditions made it much easier, had things been like they usually are at this time of year it would have been a lot more challenging.

this morning's route

PM - 30 minutes very easy to and from Walden plus 20 minutes in the pond. Legs not as sore as I would have thought after the ups and downs of the morning. The cooler day serves as a preview of what things will be like a month or so from now, at least on dry land. The pond will be a bit cooler by then. As it was, no problem getting in today.