Thu 9/22 - PM 65 minutes incl. 3(400-300-200-100)

An unexpected turd of a workout, although in hindsight shouldn't have come as any surprise. Combination of being overextended/tired and tweaked left hammie made it a total slog. Still not all there after last weekend. Numbers don't nearly match the effort expended to produce them:

77.0/56.8/36.6/18.1
77.3/56.3/37.3/18.5
75.0/56.6/37.1/18.6

recoveries of 300/200/100 within each set, which went by in 1:30/65/34 on average. Lap jog between sets in roughly 2 minutes which wasn't really enough for the purpose of this workout but I just wanted to get it over with. Wondered if I should cut out after the second set, fearing I was doing damage to the left thigh, but soldiered on and did some cross-fiber friction on the area afteward. Whatever's going on with the left side starts with the SI joint, which was fairly stiff and got the lax ball as well. Cherry on the sundae was the humidity, which has returned to gross levels after the cool dry start to the week. Muggies show no signs of leaving anytime soon either, ugh.

Wed 9/21 - PM 55 minutes easy

Area 51. Exhausting the options for runs back there of this length, but still beats the alternative. Got an even later start than yesterday and went with the headlamp as a result, not accustomed to wearing it before the clocks get turned back, when it's still warm out. Left hammie twinging at times, possibly did something to it riding the bike around at the wildcats' meet earler in the afternoon. Continued overcast and fairly muggy conditions.

I walk toward one of our ponds but what signifies the beauty of nature when men are base? 
-HDT

Tue 9/20 - 50 minutes easy

Area 51. Got home from work dead to the wide, thus another nap which felt like it went into deep sleep. Late start, considered taking the zero but wanted to get out the door regardless. Puttering along at the start, but actually moving pretty well by the end, some recovery from the weekend. Humidity is back, temps not quite as high as last week though.

Mon 9/19 - PM 75 minutes very easy

Area 51. Feeling the weekend's efforts, low energy level and also sore calves again although not nearly as bad as after Magnolia. Very relaxed jog in the woods as the darkness gathered. Continued cool and dry weather, once the sun set it got downright chilly and fast.

Sun 9/18 - AM 70 minutes incl. 10k road race

Final edition of the Lone Gull race in Gloucester. Went to bed too late, predictably after yesterday afternoon's long nap, and woke up feeling less than refreshed as a result. Nothing changed during the slow jog warmup. Standing on the starting line I felt not a whole lot different from Labor Day at Mt. Greylock, hoping it wouldn't go that poorly. Looking to expend as little effort as possible on the back end of my sandbagger's delight weekend double. This wasn't to be as someone who looked like age group competition decided to force the issue from the gun. No idea who he was although maybe I should have recognized him. Spent the first mile doing just enough to keep contact with the top 3. Passed the mile in 5:14, faster than I would have liked, and figured the pace would falter soon. In fact, the next two miles were both about the same number as I got in front of the ex-engineer and tried to consolidate the 3rd place spot. Unable to shake him w/o burying myself however. Course turned back to the north soon after halfway and in doing so turned into the wind that was coming off the water. Felt the pace slow immediately although the wind was only partly to blame as I was stalling anyway. Spent the second half doing just enough to hold my spot, kept waiting for a chance to let my foot off the gas but it never came. Mildly annoying but holding on to 3rd place and the reward that entailed made it worthwhile. A shame this race has seen its last, nice area which I shouldn't need a road race as an excuse to visit. Very slow 20 minute cooldown back and forth on the beach. Went for a casual bike ride in the afternoon, incl. marking the Longfellow Loop.

Sat 9/17 - AM 55 minutes incl. 5k road race

Maynard road race, now held a block from my door and as such even more irresistible than it has been in the past. New course fairly ordinary, but of course on very familiar streets. Dragging somewhat thanks to getting to bed quite late after going to the baseball game last night, even though I left before it ended. Looking to put this thing to bed without any unnecessary effort. Holding back consciously on the first mile which went in 5:35. Geared down a bit after that trying not to over-exert myself and found that second was getting too close so put in a surge that was probably longer than it needed to be. Two miles in 11:00, one more surge at a sharp turn onto Summer Street before cruising it in to the very unique finish in the middle of the municipal parking lot. I had planned on a longer warmup and/or cooldown, but both ended up being less than 20 minutes each. Figured I would do a second run later in the afternoon, slept away that opportunity. Clear, cool and breezy conditions continue, almost chilly last night.