Sat 8/8 - AM 60 minutes incl. 5 mile road race in 32:00

A demoralizing stink bomb. Found out much to my chagrin that no matter how much slow running I've been able to do over the past month or so, it doesn't mean I'm ready to run fast and I'm certainly not, not even close. Right adductor tight and sore from the beginning of the warmup, expecting some stiffness just because of the morning but it wasn't feeling any better even after 20+ minutes of warmup jogging. It proceeded to bother me every fucking step of the misbegotten attempt to race the hilly 5 mile course, even though I gave up on racing soon after 2 miles (reached in 11:10) and got a head start on the cool down from that point on. Looking back at the past 8 weeks of the log I was certainly kidding myself when it came to thinking that I had a chance in hell of running anything close to what I have in the past on this course. Injury issues notwithstanding there's the small matter of not being at all sharp or fit what with all the time off in May and June and the complete lack of sustained fast running since then. What was particularly appalling though was how sore both adductors felt afterwards--there's simply no strength whatsoever in my core right now, no ability at all to stand up to the rigors of more forceful contractions that come with running faster. The week leading up to the vacation I had the distinct feeling progress was being made. Certainly the vacation wasn't the best thing for what's been ailing me what with all the downhill pounding, long hikes, and lack of consistent stretching and strengthening. I had hoped getting back on the straight and narrow since returning would put things back in order but it obviously hasn't. Best case scenario is that I can keep jogging slow for simple base while putting more time and effort into strengthening the core, as such the swiss ball will be dusted off and put back into service. Of course even jogging the next few days may not be advisable after the damage done today, may need some time to cool off first. Ugh. Worst case is that I have to quit cold turkey again and take more time off for this exceedingly pernicious injury and its aftermath that just keeps lingering on and on and on and on and on. I had a feeling back in April that it would end up taking months to recover from the strained adductors, now I'm wondering if it might be years. Fall racing season is circling the drain as I write this, going going gone...

Fri 8/7 - PM 65 minutes plus 25 minutes in Walden

Shortening the run again in advance of tomorrow specifically but more generally the weekend in general, when I plan on the volume being higher. Right adductor not quite as bothersome as it has been, as has been the case of late it felt better after a half hour or so. Dry and warm conditions again today.

Thu 8/6 - PM 95 minutes plus 24 minutes in Walden

Moved the volume back up today, energy levels much better after the lighter day yesterday. Right adductor stuck and sore pretty much the entire time, which was annoying in the extreme although it did improve somewhat the last 20 minutes. The injury's aftermath continues to linger, no real end in sight. Sunny warm and dry, great day to be outside.

Wed 8/5 - PM 65 minutes plus 24 minutes in Walden

Dragging ass from the word go today, very tired throughout. Right adductor didn't help matters, continues to feel stuck and inflamed. I wondered which of these two factors was slowing me down more today and decided it was the exhaustion. Planning on scaling back the volume anyway from the past few days and it certainly came at the right time. Still humid but cooler thanks to overcast conditions, the muggies are on the way out thankfully.

Tue 8/4 - PM 90 minutes plus 24 minutes in Walden

The run-down feeling continues, energy levels on the low side. Not planning on going as far as yesterday's run but ended up doing so anyway. Right leg bothersome most of the way, adductor tight and sore with TFL flaring up afterward. Took a good long time to do stretching and strengthening afterward, something which has been missing of late and has a lot to do with the aforementioned leg issues of late. Adding to the fun today was a subtle but insistent cross-current on the pond. Continued warm and humid, about the same as yesterday.

Mon 8/3 - PM 90 minutes plus 24 minutes in Walden

Something of a slog, felt low on energy the entire run thanks to the sleep deficit I've built up over the vacation. I wanted to pick up the pace at times but it wasn't happening today. Right adductor tight and sore at the start but it eventually loosened up. Warm and fairly humid.

Sun 8/2 - double, 1:30 total plus 22 minutes in Walden

AM - 30 minutes very easy. First run back at sea level, return to thick air and of course humidity. Didn't miss it one bit. Both legs stiff, right leg sore in the usual places, took almost the entire run to feel at all smooth. A slog.

PM - 60 minutes plus 22 minutes in Walden. Had a late lunch which meant a late start which cut short the length of the run. Lunch still only partially digested. Less stiff of course although right leg acted up somewhat when I tried picking up the pace mid-run. More humid in the afternoon than the morning of course, felt especially good to get in the pond. As expected, the water went from bracing to tepid since the last time I was in it two weeks ago.