Fri 8/22 - PM 70 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

A low-key effort today after yesterday's workout. Started at an easy pace and it remained that way for at least 45 minutes of the run. Legs not as dead as yesterday but definitely sore. The week-long advil party due to dental work draws to a close today as well, which may leave legs feeling more fried than usual the next few days. On the hot side today, still dry though. I shared the pond with many many tourists, as crowded as it's been this summer.

Thu 8/21 - PM 75 minutes incl. 38 minute tempo run

First timed workout in months, it turned out to be a slog. Ran the Lincoln tempo with the first two miles of the Conant Road add on tacked on at the end. Looking to run in the neighborhood of 5:40-45 pace, splits as follows:

5:45 (even split)
5:55
5:39
3:20
5:28 (2:50/2:38)
11:50 for the add-on.

As the numbers indicate, terrain had a drastic effect on the pace, uphill miles were slow miles. Took my frustrations out on the third mile following the dog of a second mile, after promising myself to hold back on any aggressive moves until the last two miles. Speaking of which those last couple miles were a chore, esp. the sixth mile which seemed to go gradually up forever. Next time I do this particular loop I'm doing the last 3 miles in the opposite direction to see if it makes a difference. In hindsight, a flatter course would have been more appropriate. Not overly distraught however, as I did end up running within the desired pace range anyway. Barely. Having run the 4.6 loop so many times as a glorified time trial it's tough to adjust to actually doing it at actual tempo pace, which that add-on forces one to do. In addition, as light and smooth as my legs felt yesterday, they felt dead and clunky today from the get-go. The rolling course wasn't kind to them in this state. Warm conditions but not oppressive, dry for this time of year.

Wed 8/20 - PM 80 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Feeling extremely relaxed and unpressed through much of the run today. The same unhurried sensation as an active recovery run done at a crawl, but the pace wasn't that slow. Near-perfect conditions contributed to this as it was dry and relatively cool for this time of year. Strides on the way in that felt smooth as expected.

Tue 8/19 - double, 1:30 total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - 40 minutes easy. Another in the unending string of dentist appts. afforded the chance to get in a morning run without waking at the crack of dawn. Relaxed shakeout.

PM - 50 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden. Over Pine Hill and then back across 126 to the pond in short order. Moving more quickly for this run than the morning, esp. the last 10 minutes where the pace picked up significantly. After a somewhat humid morning, things dried out noticeably in the afternoon and there was a definite cool feel to the air.

Mon 8/18 - PM 75 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Relaxed effort today, although left thigh is feeling sore in the way I expected it would days ago right after bruising it. Pace a bit quicker than expected after yesterday's effort, but never felt uncomfortable. Conditions much more summer-like than they have been lately, sunny hot and humid.

Sun 8/17 - AM 1:45 boat ramp to TV tower

Successfully completed this loop which I had tried last month but had to cut short due to time constraints and building heat that day. Got an earlier start this morning, plus it was slightly cooler and drier thankfully. Still some concern that I would be able to finish the thing without stopping to walk on the final climb to the tower after legs got very rubbery coming down off the second climb on Schofield Mtn. Road. Kept the stride short and the focus narrow and it got done which was gratifying. Overall the weekend's various climbs went well and the training was worthwhile.