Fri 8/3 - PM 60 minutes plus 20 minutes in Walden

Last run in the steambath before skipping town for higher dryer country. Got in a set of drills on Pine Hill as well, although not getting much lift at all what with calves still being sore from Tuesday. Legs are noticeably better though which allowed for a somewhat quicker pace thankfully. Hottest day of the week, with the dewpoint creeping up into the mid 70s, gross. Looked like the pond would be closed for an evacuation due to a missing person search, but thankfully they didn't bother clearing people out of the far end which is where I went.

Thu 8/2 - PM 80 minutes very easy plus 28 minutes in Walden

SSDD. I should have seen it coming I suppose what with inevitable DOMS but the calves felt at least as sore today as they were yesterday. Combined with gross humidity, made for a slog of a run. I wanted to spend a little longer in the pond but not quite as long as I actually did. Feeling more tired than usual thanks to piss poor sleeping weather.

Wed 8/1 - 80 minutes very easy plus 20 minutes in Walden

Puttering jog in the woods, with legs in about the state I expected them to be after yesterday's race. Calves in particular are shredded. Did myself no favors by bumping into the side of a desk at work and giving myself a charlie horse on the right thigh. Tried to stay on relatively flat terrain for the run which is easier said than done. From the waist up felt quite fine, not that it matters. Getting in the water was even more welcome than usual with the combination of sore legs and high humidity.

Tue 7/31 - PM 65 minutes incl. 10 mile road race

Hard earned small potatoes. Reasonably strong performance, raced well in terms of passing people in the second half, but the whole thing was unsatisfying as I was unable to chase down a competitor in the old fart division who (as usual) had gone out way way too fast. At least 150m down to him at the 8 mile mark, told myself I wouldn't give up on it, but by mile 9 it was still around 100m and I just about had given up. Still at least 60m with 800 to go, got down to 2-3 seconds or so near the bitter end. Early on I was convinced I had gone out too hard myself the first 2 miles, in an effort to get some wind protection. Slower splits on the 4th (uphill) and 5th mile did nothing to dispel the notion. Felt like I was right at the edge of blowing up during mile 6, but the ship righted itself in the seventh mile and I proceeded to pass a couple guys, one who had passed me just after 4 and the other one of the wind blockers who I let go at the 2 mile mark. Last 2 miles a chore running into the wind with a nice gradual uphill thrown in as well.

Splits:
5:26
5:22 (downhill)
5:45
5:29
5:44 (up)
5:48 (dragging ass)
5:36
5:31(surprising, as there was a hill in this one)
5:39 (headwind and gradual up, ugh)
5:26 (desperate failed chase)

Warmup and cooldown both largely absent, not particularly motivated to do either. The longer races I'm finding myself inclined to use the early stages of the race as an extension of the warmup. I found myself feeling more recovered than expected within five minutes of finishing which makes me wonder what was left out on the course. However, I certainly didn't go out too slow. That middle portion, which felt under control if only barely, seems to have been the slack part. Weather about as favorable as one could hope for, humid but quite cool for this time of year.

Mon 7/30 - PM 30 minutes plus 15 minutes in Walden

With various errands and appointments waiting in Maynard, only time to run to the pond, a quick dip, then run back. Although it was going to be a light day regardless after the weekend's travails combined with the decision to race Newburyport tomorrow. Feeling in a bit of a rush, which made for a quicker pace than what I otherwise might have done. Felt a bit forced on the trip out, less so on the run back. Fantastic day, with the humidity of the past few days nowhere to be found. Right leg a bit problematic, tweaked hammie which I've been noticing for a couple weeks now plus some stiffness in the calf after running up and down the hills over the weekend. Did some compressions on both areas and they felt much better for it. Also rolled on the left SI joint which has felt tight of late.

Sun 7/29 - AM 95 minutes

Truncated version of the long run from 2 weeks ago. Same route for the first 45 minutes, into town then down Birnam and Winchester to Pierson and Mine. Then on to Staddle Hill, up and over Burt Hill, and over to the covered bridge. No break at the bridge this time, and went straight to the TV tower via Gunn Mtn Rd skipping the Schofield Mountain portion of the run entirely. Slept very poorly last night, between the humidity and whatever animal was sniffing around the tent at 3 AM that woke me from a fitful sleep. I knew within 10 minutes of starting the run that I'd be cutting things short, only a question of how. Hopefully the route chosen is a suitable compromise. Actually picked it up a bit the last half hour or so, but it wasn't sustainable for the extra 45 minutes plus the entire loop would have taken. Further evidence of this was that I spent much of the afternoon in a deep sleep. Very tired right now. Humid and overcast all morning, with showers starting up as soon as I finished, just in time for the bike ride down from the top of the hill.

Sat 7/28 - double, 2 hrs total

AM - 85 minutes, boat ramp to the summit of Mt. Crag (Craig?) via Old Wendell. Slightly different route than two weeks agoat the start, headed out via Mine and Pierson instead of Staddle Hill. After persuing the map, decided to extend the finish of the run up the road a bit and then up the M-M trail a bit more to the summit of the local mountain, rewarded with a nice view in multiple directions. Wish I had brought my camera but too pooped by then to go back and get it. No matter, there's always the internet. Also took a longish stop at Hobo Falls, exploring further up the trail to the falls (such as it is). Humid of course, mostly overcast although I did finish up before the rains started.

PM - 35 minutes easy with drills and strides in the middle. Out and back along the rail trail from the Hampshire Mall to Pratt Field. Barefoot drills on the field. Rained all afternoon, just starting to let up when I hit the bricks. Planned on running to the river and riding the bike back, but that went by the boards with the crap weather. Drills more worthwhile anyway. Tired for sure.