Fri 2/3 - PM 80 minutes

Lincoln woods. The novelty of being able to run on the trails in February hasn't worn off, nor do I foresee it wearing off anytime soon. Started slowly like the last two days, calf stiff of course although not quite as much as Wednesday. Took a 10 minute break at Devil's Staircase, stretched the calf as well of course. Picked up the pace somewhat the final 20 minutes, favoring the left side somewhat but still encouraging given the way the calf was behaving earlier in the week i.e. shutting down around the hour mark. Clear and chilly conditions, windy during the day which subsided a bit by the time I started.

Thu 2/2 - PM 75 minutes easy

Lincoln woods. Same amount of time, different part of the woods this time heading over to Sandy Pond and Pine hill. Calf still stiff of course, marginally better I think than yesterday though. Not treading on eggshells like yesterday. Definitely felt better after a stretch break about halfway through. Being able to run on the trails has been uplifting for the soul, to say the least. Overcast dull gray skies all day, temp average for this aberrantly warm winter.

Wed 2/1 - PM 75 minutes easy/very easy

Lincoln woods. Interesting run for a variety of reasons. Not originally planning to run in the woods due to rain in the afternoon forecast which never materialized. Saw the opportunity but with the caveat that I'd have to do it in the trail shoes, on uneven and possibly slippery terrain, neither of which would be good for the calf. Decided to make a go of it while being careful about it. First 20 minutes of the run I was stepping as gingerly as possible through Mount Misery with the lateral head of left gastroc feeling like it would snap at any moment. Wondering what the hell I was thinking when apropos of nothing the spasm released 23 minutes (or so) into the run. While not pain-free it was better after that. While some of the tightness returned later in the run, once again it released and I was able to finish the run off without feeling like I had done any major damage to it. Took it very easy throughout, taking no chances and not forcing the issue like I did the last time I ran here. Hopeful that the cross fiber friction on the affected area is having some effect. Warm enough for shorts as well, quite the contrast to a year ago on this date, which fell between two major snowstorms.

Tue 1/31 - PM 65 minutes

Area 51. Same length of time and locale as yesterday, but in all likelihood not as much distance covered as I was stepping gingerly on the left calf much of the run. Yesterday's modest pace push left it in a bit of a state, stiff and sore at the outset. Took it easy as a result, eventually it loosened up sufficiently to enable going a bit faster. That lasted until around the 50 minute mark, when it stiffened up in an almost identical fashion to yesterday. Jogged it in from there. Not making it any better with this crap, but the hope is I'm not making it much worse either. The length of runs may well decrease in the near term, we'll see. After the run, used the lax ball of course, with more emphasis on cross-fiber friction than compressions. Felt like it would be the best thing for it, time will tell on that idea. Also went back to wearing the earth shoes to work, tired of wearing thick-heeled crappy old running shoes to work and hoping that in time, the negative taper of the earth shoes will help restore some flexibility to chronically tight calves. Of course, I could be kidding myself.

Mon 1/30 - PM 65 minutes

Area 51. A qualified success considering I was doubtful whether or not I should run at all after yesterday's frustrating outing. Unlike most days, I spent much of my time at work standing or walking around as opposed to sitting in a chair. I think this helped prevent some of the tightness from developing in the calves. Still, started out somewhat gingerly. Once I felt like the calf wasn't going to go on me the pace dropped, except for negotiating particularly icy patches. This kept up until close to the end when the muscle became fatigued, suddenly and quite obviously. Once it reached its limit it stiffened up a lot and that was that, jogged it in again. More rolling and such afteward, the whole belly of the muscle a tender spot, but I do feel like I just might be getting a handle on how it responds to varying degrees of stress. Time spent is a definite factor, something that hadn't really occurred to me. Strong NW winds all day, which died down to a large extent after sunset.

Sun 1/29 - AM 80 minutes

Out and back to Brues woods, 40 minutes or so each way with an hour break in the middle to check the camera and tromp around taking pictures. Went too fast on the way out, felt forced and clumsy. Left calf stiff of course even though I rolled it on the lax ball beforehand. The real fun was on the way back however, as the calf stiffened up while going up a short semi-steep rise and got progressively worse from there. A hateful little ball of spasm by the end. Yet another re-aggravation I suppose, yet another that was unforeseen. Both calves so incredibly tight right now. Very very frustrating, like I need to point this out. Sunny conditions, with a brisk gusty WSW wind.

Sat 1/28 - PM 65 minutes

Area 51. Rolled on the lax ball before heading out the door, which helped with the chronically stiff calf. Some of the trails were more hockey rink than I would have liked, although that's looking a gift horse in the mouth considering how unusual it is to be able to get on trails at all at this time of year. Took it slowly and stuck to the edges of icy paths to avoid any wipeouts. Once back on dry pavement, felt good enough to pick up the pace to something approximating LT for a few minutes. As close to satisfying as I'm going to get right now.