Fri 9/7 - PM 45 minutes easy

Dreary traipse around Brookline and Allston before heading over to the ballyard to wait under the bleachers for torrential rains to stop. A shame the rain didn't start sooner because I would have preferred running in that to the putrid humidity that preceded it. The t-storms did nothing to cut the mugginess just lowered the temp a bit. Like last year, early September more trick than treat so far.

Thu 9/6 - PM 60 minutes incl. 6x(3 minute, 1 minute)

First "workout" of any kind since the miserable cutdown session on the track in the rain before DNFing in my last track race. Set the bar decidedly low, aiming for a cruising pace on the 3 minute reps with hopefully a little progression within each, then some kind of turnover on the 1 minute reps to complement the longer slower stuff. One minute recoveries between everything such that each set took 6 minutes to complete. Fairly tired from the outset so plenty tired by the end. I could feel the effort flagging a bit but not to the degree that pulling the plug ever crossed my mind, simply adjusted the effort. Which is to say backed off on the pace a bit on the 3 minute reps. The final 1 minute was on the track and ended up being about 320m which was 20m more than I thought it would be. The previous 1 minute reps weren't at quite that pace I'm guessing. Right hammie didn't give me any trouble, although legs felt flat in general. Temps reasonable but humidity remains sky high, dripping wet by the end. Cooldown a very relaxed 10 minute barefoot jog on the grass. All in all a qualified success.

Wed 9/5 - 65 minutes

Quite a difference from yesterday. I should take days off more often, the effect was certainly salutary. Today was the first of what will likely be many "split sessions" involving running with the kids and then on my own later on before heading home. Went for a 50+ minute run with the kiddies, shockingly at a pace that wasn't all out hammerfest from the get-go. Whether this was done for my benefit or not I don't know, I doubt it, but it was appreciated. Nice road loop with modest roll here and there. Upon returning, supervised the rest of practice for almost an hour before capping things off with 15 minutes or so of barefoot running on the football field with 6 strides at the end done hourglass style. Insects were the only problem, as they were flying about in hordes thick enough to present problems with getting them stuck in my eye. Expecting to be dumped on by the remnants of hurricane Isaac but in fact the rains had passed through in the morning, leaving sunny skies and relatively pleasant conditions, albeit a bit sticky.

Tue 9/4 - off

First zero in a long long while. Something I had been aware of. Occasional very short very light days here and there but no days off for a long time now. I was originally planning on doing an easy run today as well but missed my one and only window after kiddie practice and before heading home. Once home, far too tired and disinterested to lace up the shoes. Combined with dismal muggy conditions, a no-brainer to take the evening off. Right hammie continues to feel off, last night I spent some time doing direct pressure and compressions on it which felt good at the time but I'm not sure what long-term effect it had, if any. Keenly feeling the end of summer and the overhaul of established routines.

Mon 9/3 - AM 70 minutes incl. Mt. Greylock road race

Mediocre effort, but saw it through to the end at least. I had hoped to feel more spry for this thing but in hindsight was kidding myself, flat and lethargic instead. Motivation even to warm up quite low. As such toed the line less than fully ready to go, which is not the way to approach this particular event with the steep sections in the first 3 miles. Felt plodding and slow from the get-go yet ran in the lead from gun to wire which says more about the strength of field than it does my fitness. Rather than force things when the course flattened out somewhat I made the conscious choice to stay under control. I avoided burying myself but didn't set any speed records by doing this. On the plus side, fatigue not nearly as overwhelming at the end as it was a week ago. Even better, the day was a very nice one with mostly clear skies and warm temps. Total contrast from last year's disgusting humidity and gloomy overcast. Enough of a breeze for various hang glider and parasailing maniacs to use the summit as a takeoff point but the wind wasn't strong enough to be more than a mild nuisance while running. Spent a good while at the summit w/o doing any cooldown to speak of, then rode the bike down. Today's race makes six of the last nine years that I've done it. Two times under 54:00 ('04 and '10), last year's dog close to 59, with the other three between 57 and 58 minutes. I was actually expecting a slower time at the top this year given the less than stellar effort.

Sun 9/2 - 80 minutes

Ashuwillticook rail trail, from south to north. I expected this to be straight recovery, given the climbing yesterday and the fatigue from the end of the workweek, but after a pokey first few miles the pace started dropping. Fairly reasonable but then the last 2.5 miles or so it got faster still and at a certain point  it got a lot faster until the last mile plus were close to threshold. Something of a progression in the end. After a break at the Adams end, rode the bike back to the southern end, which was a hammerfest pretty much from the get go. Grinding much too big a gear but couldn't help myself. A bit sticky but got started early enough to avoid the building heat of the day.

Sat 9/1 - PM 1:45

Final run of the summer in Northfield/Winchester, I'd guess. Originally the plan was to head out in the morning and do a loop that included going up and over Gunn Mountain. Feeling so flat and tired yesterday I thought better of it, slept in a bit and took my time getting started in making the trip out. In hindsight the right choice, not too hot or humid and the run was as long and productive as I could have hoped. Loop started down So. Parrish and Staddle Hill, decided at the last minute to go up Louisiana Rd. as far as the reservoir. Then tried to guess my way across the slope to the trailhead near Pine Rd, overshot the mark and found myself bushwhacking a bit to get back to the road. From there headed over to Old Wendell via School and Warwick streets. Able to maintain effort and focus up the climb, and capped things off with a trip to the top of Crag (Craig) Mountain, with a couple of pictures this time. Upload coming soon. Right hammie remains vaguely sore/strained, but not to a debilitating degree.

Northfield Mountain reservoir in the late afternoon sun