Fri 9/5 - PM 75 minutes easy plus 20 minutes in Walden

Today I had planned on shortening the length of the run as a bit of a breather, as it turned out it wasn't much shorter in terms of time but the pace was very gentle. Legs not feeling any better or worse than yesterday, but very tired overall and feeling it all day at work as well. Not quite as warm as yesterday, SW breeze all day and clouds blotting out the infernal sun for much of the time I was out there which was welcome respite, as was the pond.

Thu 9/4 - PM 70 minutes incl. 5.6m Lincoln tempo

Atrocious heat and humidity typical of early August rather than early September made this a complete slog. Plus I did it at possibly the worst time of the day to boot. There was no point in putting it off until tomorrow as the forecast isn't much better. Loop was the first 3.6 of the tempo and then the last two miles on Conant, heading downhill this time.

5:47
5:51
5:47
3:24
11:45 for the final 2 miles or so on Conant

with the conditions being worse than the last time I ran this course a few weeks ago I knew the splits would likely be slower. Originally planned on doing the 6.6 miles again, but decided after about 5 miles to cut things short and not bother with the last mile, it would have been a struggle to break 6 minutes. Really, really could have used a dip in the pond on the cooldown. Legs heavy, overall feeling tired which is no surprise given recent struggles with toothache. Foot bump hasn't gone anywhere or gotten any worse.

Wed 9/3 - PM 85 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

moving better today although still feeling tired after another night of being afflicted by toothache woes. Did strides on the way in, shorter and quicker than usual, felt better doing them this way. More relaxed to be sure. The foot bump maybe a bit more sore than yesterday, hard to tell really. The new shoes may or may not have something to do with it, more likely the steep descents during Saturday's run in said shoes. Very much in the watchful waiting phase. Right calf very tight, not sure how much stems from the track workout Monday and how much from favoring the foot with the bump on it. Warmer today than yesterday as the overcast cleared out.

Tue 9/2 - PM 80 minutes easy plus 20 minutes in Walden

Taking it slow today, maybe a notch above active recovery pace. Slept poorly thanks to continued tooth pain, didn't bother me Sunday night but back with a vengeance last night. Miserable, and left me dragging by the time afternoon rolled around. Also preoccupied by the bump on my right instep, hoping it won't amount to anything serious. No real pain as yet, some soreness mainly from pressure of shoelaces. Whistling past the graveyard at the moment. Overcast conditions made for cooler temps, kind of sticky but not terribly so.

Mon 9/1 - PM 85 minutes incl. 5(400-300-200-100)

First "leg prep" session, got a bit tiring the last two sets but overall under control and relatively comfortable. Tried to think of the reps as glorified strides, leaving something in the tank while getting some turnover. Recovery was 200 jog (i.e. 60 sec) after each 400 and 300, 100 jog (30 sec) after each 200, and 500 jog (2:30) between sets. Splits as follows:

73.3/54.7/35.3/17.5
73.8/54.1/35.5/17.7
72.6/54.1/35.2/18.0
73.2/53.5/35.6/17.6
72.8/53.5/35.2/17.6

found the appropriate rhythm early and kept it going the rest of the way. Thankfully no stomach issues like last week's session on the track. Warm sunny day, low humidity, some breeze but not overwhelming. The dip in the pond during the cooldown was nothing less than sublime. The only downer on the day was the discovery of an ominous bump on my instep after getting home and taking off the shoes for the evening. No idea how or when it got there, will bear close watching and I started obsessing over the spot immediately upon noticing it.

Sun 8/31 - double, 95 minutes total plus 20 minutes in Walden

AM - 50 minutes very easy to easy on Pine Meadow road in Northfield. Out and back on the flattest road I could find in the area. While I wouldn't want to run in this spot on a windy winter day or in the late afternoon in summer as it's completely exposed, at this of year in the morning it was quite pleasant.

PM - 45 minutes easy plus 20 minutes in Walden. More strides on the CCHS driveway slope as well. Kept it very relaxed including the strides. Tired from the drive back home in the afternoon. Legs feeling decent given the loop I ran yesterday.