Fri 2/27 - PM 45 minutes

RLTAC to the Fens and Muddy River path. The most I was able to squeeze in before coaching the big HS meet. Much warmer today than it has been recently around here but also very windy. Right leg stiff, of course.

Thu 2/26 - PM 80 minutes easy

near reaches to Levittown to the Longfellow loop via Summerhill and Tiger Drive. Much-needed easy day, unable to do anything but putter at the moment. It was relaxing to be sure. Right thigh continues to be stiff and inflamed, I'm mulling my options as to how to go forward, i.e. whether to cut back on volume, just run easy, or continue to try and mix in workouts in the near term.

Wed 2/25 - 60 minutes easy

Tiger Drive to Longfellow loop. Right hammie feeling strained all day long, probably from the hike up Sanitas and exacerbated by yesterday's attempted workout. Ran as long as my schedule allowed, would have liked to go a little longer.

Tue 2/24 - PM RLTAC 55 minutes incl. 3x1600

A workout I shouldn't have bothered trying in hindsight, too tired from another pre-flight insomniac episode followed by spending much of the day on planes. Gliding along nicely during the warmup, a result no doubt of being back in thick air, but once it came time to run faster it quickly became apparent I didn't have enough energy to do even five reps. Got through three in 5:18, 5:19 and 5:20 with a lap jog before pulling the plug. Very very tired on the trip home. Right leg continues to be problematic, sore and inflamed along the upper attachment of the quad/hip flexor. It calms down somewhat when I run easy but any kind of fast stuff brings it right back.

Mon 2/23 - AM 65 minutes, Magnolia Drive

Like last year, started out a mile below where the pavement ends. Unlike last year, ran point-to-point instead of out and back, but the overall time was the same. I had planned on going longer but got a late start and had to cut the run short. The undulations weren't so easy to take at the elevation, but after a jelly-legged start I was able to move reasonably well. Wind was ferocious, including a gust that was as strong as I can remember, felt like being sandblasted. Followed up the run with a hike up and down Mt. Sanitas, very steep and rocky trail. Excellent view at the top.

Sun 2/22 - double, 2;15 total

AM - 75 minutes in the Garden of the Gods in CO Springs. Stupendous scenery, some of the trails were on very undulating terrain but the eastern half of the park is pure gold for running. Moving better than yesterday after a decent night's sleep, only downer was some acute soreness that developed in the medial left ankle at the 40 minute mark. Likely related to the water bottle I accidentally dropped on my shin before the run. Weather cool and dry, of course.

PM - 60 minutes very easy, Corona St to Washington Park and back. Shakeout after the morning run and spending much of the day in the car. Very relaxed. Ankle not a problem.

Sat 2/21 - PM 70 minutes easy

Along the creek path in dry, sunny Denver. Similar mild conditions to my last visit here, takes some getting used to. After sleeping very little last night and spending most of the day on planes, I was in no condition to go anything faster than a shuffle at the start. After 45 minutes or so I was sufficiently loosened up to increase the pace, and picked it up four or five notches over the last 20 minutes.