Sat 7/12 - double, 2:10 total incl. 5k in 15:59

AM 70 minutes incl. 5k in 15:59. Relatively controlled effort, although I was feeling a bit haggard from the get-go after a night spent in a tent in the sticky weather. The humidity continued to be high for the race as well. First mile of 4:57, dragged out a little quicker than I would have liked, followed by a pair of 5:15s. Two relatively small hills in the second and third mile, but not a killer course by any stretch of the imagination. Once my position in the field was established at about halfway I was only going as fast as I felt like, with motivation not being sky high. Longish warmup and cooldown in the woods surrounding the race course. Conditions practically required a swim afterwards but there wasn't any place available.

PM - 55 minutes, Staddle Hill to Louisana road, back down and across the ridge. Legs dead at the start and finish but able to get up the climb to E. Nfld. reservoir better than expected. Although I was completely gassed in doing so. The long cooldown this morning probably had some effect, as did the annual hike up to Mt. Sugarloaf earlier in the afternoon. Short, but steep.

Fri 7/11 - PM 40 minutes

Loop in and around Mt. Hermon campus in Northfield including stretches on Boyle and North Cross roads. Nostalgic as always to be running in this area. Running out of daylight by the time I arrived, not that I was planning on going any further than 45 minutes regardless. Some soreness in left tib anterior which has returned in a mild form of late. Finished up with three laps of ins and outs on the NMH track. Felt pretty good although it would have felt better without the muggies which came back during the afternoon.

Thu 7/10 - 85 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Continuing what now appears to be a trend. The route has been different each day this week, the overall time about the same. Feeling better overall today than yesterday, higher energy levels and less fatigue late in the run as well. Sunny and warm today but dry and that makes all the difference, a pleasure to be outside.

Wed 7/9 - PM 85 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Moving along well for most of the run today, as expected after a day off. Ran out of gas a bit towards the end. Strides on the way in that were on the lackluster side of things. Weather a concern as the humidity was again horrendous all day up until the 40 minute mark of the run, when the eagerly awaited rains came and the temp dropped 10-15 degrees. The rains also chased the tourists away from the pond, a win all around.

Tue 7/8 - off

Awful awful weather plus accumulated fatigue leads to second week in a row of bailing out on a planned workout. Not that it matters at this time of year. Felt like it was more humid than the heat wave last month, plus the infernal SW wind was going all day. More of same tomorrow when I won't be taking the day off, alas.

Mon 7/7 - PM 85 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

To Farrar Pond and back. Energy levels a bit better today despite disgusting conditions of heat and humidity, along with an increased number of deer flies. Getting in the pond was a welcome relief to say the least. Some lingering soreness in right adductor undoubtedly from the bike ride yesterday.

Sun 7/6 - double, 80 minutes total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - 25 minutes very easy. Felt utterly useless, barely able to move. Shuffled along for as long as I could stand it and headed home. Slept a decent amount but not yet awake certainly.

PM - 55 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden, plus the 40 minutes round trip on the bike to get there. Scheduling forced me to cut the run short a bit, in hindsight I should have driven over to get in more time running but I didn't feel like using the car. Not as flat as the morning but not moving particularly well either. Plenty tired by the time I got back home. Humidity is unrelenting and unlike the past few days temp is getting warmer. Next few days look to be particularly bad.

Sat 7/5 - double, 2 hours total plus 15 minutes in Walden

AM - 55 minutes, round trip to 10 Spencer via rail bed. Took the most direct route other than straight down rt. 27. Tired from yesterday and took quite a while to feel at all close to fully awake. Legs stiff, right hammie not as bad as it was yesterday evening but still feeling a bit pinched. Continued cool, overcast and very humid.

PM - 65 minutes with 15 minutes in the pond. Not as much energy as I would have liked, chose to keep the route mostly flat and the pace slow. Legs still stiff even after the morning shakeout. Disgustingly humid, no signs of that abating.