Sat 9/8 - double, 80 minutes total plus 25 minutes in Walden

AM - 8x3 minutes with 1R on Lincoln Road in Wayland (i.e. the dirt road). Back and forth on a stretch of the road with a gentle roll to it. A controlled effort, based on the fire hydrant that I think is a half mile from the start, they went at about 5:20 pace. Given the continued infernal weather, with a gusty breeze to boot, I'll take it. The short rest ensured that no one overdid it with the pace. Calf a bit stiff on the warmup but not an issue once the workout began in earnest. Hit the wall on the cooldown, tired and dehydrated by that point.

PM - just under 30 minutes very easy to pond and back, with 25 minutes in the water. Calf stiff from the morning, had to tread lightly on it. Hit the water just in time for the much-anticipated late afternoon t-storm which was disappointingly short. Not as cool in its wake as I had hoped, but better than the steambath of earlier in the day.

Fri 9/7 - PM 80 minutes, Walden woods plus 20 minutes in Walden

Thankfully, the worst is past with the strained calf, although it still stiffens up after sitting down for any length of time. After two days of crawling along I had some pent-up energy so the pace was a bit quick even with the sweltering weather. Pond was a welcome relief. Air quality this afternoon was as bad as any day all summer, high ozone caused noticeable airway irritation after the run was over.

Thu 9/6 - PM just under 60 minutes very easy, GMNWR

Left calf continues to be stiff and sore, in fact worse today than it was yesterday. This had better be the nadir. First step out of bed in the morning was an ordeal, barely able to put weight on it. Stiffened up every time I spent any length of time sitting down with leg flexed. First few minutes of the run more limping than running, it did loosen up eventually enough to run but unable to do anything but a very easy pace. Intentionally chose the flattest route possible, any hills would have been problematic as well. Spent a good deal of time before and after stretching to massage the adhesions, made some headway with that but it will still take time to recover. I knew I should have stuck with my own drills the other day.

Wed 9/5 - PM 50 minutes, Walden woods plus 30 minutes in Walden

Had to go very easy both because of feeling flat and more distressingly, due to left calf being quite sore and stiff after straining it last night. Running hard uphill on an uneven surface after straining it doing drills was not a good combo. Hopefully it will come around by the weekend, but today it felt like garbage. Had to significantly shorten stride and avoid hills as much as possible. Put extra time in the water as a result. Cool conditions again today.

Mon 9/4 - PM about an hour, incl. 8x60 seconds on Heartbreak Hill

Feeling tired after a less-than-restful night's sleep, one too many 5k races in Lowell also taking its toll. Quickly reminded of how much I dislike running up this particular hill. Also did some drills beforehand, mildly strained my gastroc running backwards. Glad to get out of there at the end of the workout.

Mon 9/3 - double, just under 2 hours total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - just under 90 minutes easy, Track road to Area 51. I was obligated to go quite easy at the start, gradually felt a bit better over the course of the run but never moving that quickly. Warm morning but not intolerable, carried fluids which made things go easier. Active recovery.

PM - to and from pond, the most direct way possible, all that there was time for as I started a bit late. Very easy again.

Sun 9/2 - double, 1:40 total incl. mile/5k road race double in Lowell plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM/PM - Became far too interested in the idea of running a 5k after a mile, to see what it would be like. Not surprisingly the mile felt impossibly fast despite the pedestrian time just under 4:50 and the 5k turned into a deadlegged slog with mile splits of 5:12, 5:17, and 5:30 as the last mile fade continued despite this being a different course than the Good Times layout. Not that it mattered as the goose was overcooked by then anyway. Breezy day, it seemed like it was always a headwind during the 5k despite the various turns and changes of direction. I can definitely say I've gotten running around downtown Lowell out of my system for the time being.

PM - repeat of yesterday evening's run, only slower and without strides at the end. Took it easy, looking to get into the water more than anything else. Another sunny day to warm the pond, but once the sun started to set the air got cool again.

Sat 9/1 - double, 85 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - just over 40 minutes easy, Area 51. Not yet quite awake, so took it easy. Sunny morning but dry and cool with a building breeze.

PM - 45 minutes, Walden woods with 20 minutes in the water. Moving better than in the morning, still nothing spectacular. Got in the water as the sun was setting.