Sat 6/14 - PM 35 minutes plus 15 minutes in Walden

pretty much a repeat of yesterday, quite on purpose. Legs feel like they appreciate the break in volume. I would have predicted a relatively high energy level as well but I foolishly decided to try sleeping last night without taking any advil and the right jaw put paid to that. I ended up giving in at 2 AM or so and taking one. Quite suddenly I'm dependent on medication just to get to sleep and it's quite disturbing, also not sustainable. Given the diffuse nature of the pain and the fact that it's definitely related to the teeth I just got filled last week and not the one with the root canal, I'm interested to see what the dentist has to say about it next week. As it is, two rotten sleep disasters in one week have likely compromised whatever I was going to be able to do in tomorrow's race.

Fri 6/13 - PM 40 minutes plus 15 minutes in Walden

Easing off the volume in advance of Sunday's race. Another excellent day, warm but not too hot and dry. Some soreness still in right hammie.

Thu 6/12 - PM 55 minutes incl. 800, 5x200 plus 15 minutes in Walden

Mixed bag of running today. Originally planned on a shorter easy run with aquajogging, during the day I got it in my head to finish yesterday's workout. Conditions being spectacular I gave it a go after an unorthodox warmup including the aquajogging. Ran the 800 in 2:25.8, feeling a little flat quite frankly, then a series of 200s that were all between 34 and 35 with 1 minute recovery intervals. Left tib muscle sore and felt weak which put a hitch in my stride, but other than that the effort felt controlled. Still not sleeping well thanks to toothache, looking to change that with advil the next few nights.

Wed 6/11 - PM 60 minutes incl. 2x800, 600

Third failed workout in a row. Looking to run 4x800, 4x200 with the usual 2.5R between 800 reps which seemed eminently doable. After running 2:24.4 and 2:25.3, the next rep went out in 73 and steadily losing steam until 600 at 1:51, heading for a 2:29 at best. No doubt whatsoever that the cause today was the sleep disaster two nights ago, esp. in light of the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open on the way home from work. Didn't sleep that much better last night either. Felt more energetic after a long nap but it didn't take much effort to dissolve that veneer. Within two minutes of stopping the workout I felt almost as tired as I had before. Sleeping with the sore tooth/jaw/gum/whatever continues to be problematic. Much nicer weather today, still on the warm side with temps in the 80s but far lower humidity.

Tue 6/10 - PM 50 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Taking it easy again today, shortened the run due mainly to poor air quality. Today was the hottest day yet, with atrocious humidity. Also dog-tired after another toothache-related insomniac disaster last night. Although this time it was more from sore jaw muscles and gums. Unexpected and highly unwelcome. Putting off the planned workout until tomorrow, a decision made over the weekend which was certainly vindicated.

Mon 6/9 - PM 75 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Spent all day at work slowly melting from the insufferable heat and humidity, so expecting the worst. It ended up being not quite that bad, still no picnic but cloud cover and a breeze that coincided with the start of the run took the edge off. The pond was welcome relief. Left tib muscle continues to be sore but loosening up with time, exercises for it still needed but I keep forgetting to do them.

Sun 6/8 - double, 100 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - 45 minutes easy, Area 51. Sunny, hot and quite humid by the time I got out there as it took a while to get going this morning. Left tib muscle sore and felt fatigued, from the hard effort last night in spikes of course. Took most of the run to loosen up. Stepping gingerly until then. Exercises may be necessary again.

PM - 55 minutes plus the inaugural aquajog of the year. Still taking it easy due to heat and sore legs, the pond was looking quite good by the time I reached it 45 minutes in. Attempted a modest pickup on the way in but it petered out within 400 meters.

Sat 6/7 - PM 50 minutes incl. 3k in 8:49.5

Race went better than expected. Hot and quite humid, made more notable by the fact that it's been nothing like it so far this year. Feeling sluggish from not sleeping enough lately as evidenced by bailing out of the last two workouts. Had the race been in the morning I would have been dead meat even though it was cooler then. As it was, no need to spend lots of time warming up. Felt flat enough warming up that I was thinking about running 71-2 pace and seeing if that was sustainable, but the first lap went in 69 and didn't feel unduly hard. The next four laps all went in 70-71 for a 2k split of 5:52. The pace felt more relaxed than expected. Next lap was closer to 73 as I sagged along with everyone around me. Still concerned about stalling or blowing up so I held off on making a move until 300 to go. Last lap somewhere around 69, not much of a kick but again better than what I was expecting. Some soreness in left calf and tib on the cooldown. After this I think the 5k next week could go better than originally planned. Certainly the May road race results didn't point to running under 8:50 in this weather.