Fri 12/10 - PM 75 minutes incl. 2(100-200x10m increments)

RLTAC. Digging into the bag of tricks for this session, aiming for something on the leg prep end of the spectrum. More taxing than I had remembered, I had thought of doing three sets but two was plenty. Including recovery jogs each set took more than 15 minutes as it was. Timed the 100, 150, and 200, hoping to run the first 100m controlled and then pick it up from there for whatever chunk remained. For tonight that meant 100 in 18-19, 150 just under 27 seconds, and 200 around 35. This pace felt much faster than it ideally should be, not surprising at all given lack of sharpness. Warmup and cooldown very easy, in part due to the ninja slippers which are taking some getting used to running on pavement. Teeny tiny mincing strides. Still quite cold but the wind dropped again today after sunset.

Thu 12/9 - PM 75 minutes

Area 51, with requisite hill drills near the end on White Pond Road. Took it relatively easy, legs feeling fairly good after yesterday's workout. What soreness there is can be ascribed to the ninja slippers I started wear testing yesterday. Not much left to the imagination as far as ground feel, I'm convinced the midsole on the shoes I was sent isn't the same as the shoe in the picture, which I tried briefly at the NB lab back in October. Coldest day of the season, brutal wind all day but thankfully it subsided by the time evening rolled around.

Wed 12/8 - PM 50 minutes incl. 4x1600

RLTAC, every step of the run done inside to avoid the continued cold windy conditions outside. Warmup 3 miles on the treadmill, no time for more than 4 reps on the track but I could have done at least one more at the pace I was going. 5:28. 5:25, 5:23, 5:17. Recovery jogs around 90 seconds. Each rep negative split, some more so than others. Kicked it home the last 250 of the last rep, felt controlled and surprisingly good. In fact, the last rep was if anything more relaxed and comfortable than the first one, which I'll take as a good sign. I was expecting to feel a lot more flat and tired. Left psoas held up fine, ankle a bit stiff to start but it felt better as I went along. Very pressed for time so the cooldown was seriously truncated to a 10 minute jog.

Tue 12/7 - PM 75 minutes

Planned workout at RLTAC went by the boards thanks to a surprise function hosted by none other than Deval on the gym floor, which I found out about upon reaching the facility. Nice of the staff there to keep us in the loop. Went for an easy run along the river via SW corridor and Boston Common. The workout might have been more of a chore than anticipated given how flat and tired I felt. Bedtime has been too late the last week or so. Conditions continue to be less than pleasant, baleful wind and cold. Once again I was dressed for it though.

Mon 12/6 - PM 75 minutes easy

Area 51, same loop as last Monday with the same hill drills near the end on White Pond Road. Left hip feeling better as of late, less tightness than what I was expecting. Ankle remains somewhat stiff. Took it easy throughout, although I wasn't as flat or tired as expected. Downright cold all day, with a strong gusty wind as well. Broke out the headsock for the first time this season, run would have been miserable without it.

Sun 12/5 - AM 90 minutes

Mostly in the park, up the Bridle path, twice around the loop and once around the reservoir before heading back. Pace got going around 30 minute mark and picked up steadily from there for the next half hour. Left ankle stiff but hip and thigh feeling pretty good overall. Another clear and windy day.