Fri - off

Not originally planning to take a zero today, in fact I was mulling over heading into town to do a workout indoors as it would be my only chance over the weekend. With the awful weather forecast that idea had some attraction but in the end too tired to see myself pulling it off. In fact, too tired to see myself pulling off any kind of run period. Continued bitter cold weather contributed to this decision too. Right leg feeling off and stuck which was a source of frustration, possibly some unperceived slipping yesterday even though I had traction with the yaktrax.

Thu 12/12 - PM 80 minutes easy

Area 51. Not willing to let go of the trails just yet, thankfully the cold dry conditions that have followed Monday and Tuesday's gloomy winter mix made for near-perfect conditions for the yaktrax. Just over an inch of desiccated wind-packed snow with crunchy remnants of what was slush 48 hours ago underneath. From 5 to 20 minutes of the run were pure suffering thanks to frozen fingers, not helped by the overly drawn out process of getting the damn yaktrax on my feet. It seems the gloves don't exist that are capable of preventing this phenomenon. By the time I got to the Puffer Pond fishing pier everything felt toasty and no problems the rest of the way with the fingers. Other than that, right thigh feeling pinched and stiff with restricted range of motion. Much better after doing a good amount of rolling and stretching afterward.

Wed 12/11 - PM 65 minutes incl. 5x3 minutes, 4(60 sec, 30 sec)

Levittown. Out the door relatively early to get this done as I was had no time to waste before going to the ballgame in town later on. 15 minute jog warmup and then right into the first 3 minute rep, with a minute recovery between each. From the get-go the right hamstring was feeling hung up and stuck, which contributed to a weak and compromised feel to my stride overall. No idea exactly what type of pace I was carrying but it didn't fee that I was moving particularly well. By the last two reps I had to be careful not to wear myself out on the first minute. Some of this could also be from general fatigue, certainly justified in not trying to workout yesterday as it would have been a waste of time. After the longer cruise intervals were done took a 5+ minute break before doing the shorter stuff. 90 second jog after each 60 second pickup, 60 second jog after each 30 second pickup. The leg actually felt a bit better while doing these but started to stiffen up as soon as I was finished. Relatively short length of the workout kept me from being totally wiped out afterward but even so I was pretty tired by the end. Brief cooldown was all I had time for. Colder weather firmly entrenched, with a moderate wind.

Tue 12/10 - PM 50 minutes

Tiger Drive to Longfellow loop. More snow, crap on top of yesterday's shit. Trails inaccessible for the time being as a result. I may have done my last session on an outdoor track for a while as well. This complicates things for the week in that my chances to get indoors are today and Friday. Brought my stuff to work with me with the idea that I'd give it a go, but by the end of the day I knew I was too tired and sore for it to be worth the time and effort. Need two days after Sunday's race even if it means having to go on roads. Snow and temps falling through the freezing line made for slick and at times near-treacherous conditions on some side streets. Despite this the pace was actually on the quick side for a good chunk of the run, likely due in part to the fact that I knew it would be a shorter run. Right ankle stiff from yesterday's slip-slide but felt better after stretching afterward.

Mon 12/9 - PM 80 minutes easy

Area 51. Garbage weather arrived in full force today, snow followed by rain making for the most dismal footing possible, i.e. slush everywhere. Not particularly deep but plenty enough to ruin footing on anything not paved and cleared. Looking for a very mellow active recovery putter, should have stuck to roads but unable to stay away from the trails. Went with screw shoes, as much for insulation as traction and made a conscious effort to keep the effort easy. Noticed near the end of the run while taking a break that the right medial ankle was stiff and sore, possibly from the race but more likely from the inevitable slippage on snow underfoot. Hard to express how much I loathe this specific type of weather.

Sun 12/8 - AM 60 minutes incl. 5k road race

Further confirmation of lack of fitness. A year and a week after cruising 5:10 pace on this pancake-flat layout I could only manage 5:30 pace this time around. While the course was altered slightly, something I found out on the starting line, the change from last year's lollipop out-and-back to a straight out-and-back cost at most a second or two thanks to the 180 degree turn at halfway. Colder this time around too but not prohibitively so. What was clear within the first minute or two after the gun was that I was feeling as flat as the course and this would be a chore. Within the first 800m I was passed and put into fourth place by another old fart. Tried to latch on but it was apparent to both of us I think that I was working too hard to pull it off and as result lost contact soon after the mile mark (reached in 5:16). After this break I could feel myself slowing. Second mile slipped to 5:40 as I was in the process of mailing it in but holding out what seemed like vain hope that one of the two guys in hailing distance would fall apart. To my surprise that's what happened with most of the gap disappearing between 800 and 600m to go. Went from hoping to be in range for a final sprint to making the pass earlier than I would have liked and playing keep away until the line. This added motivation brought the 3rd mile to something in the 5:30 range, yippee. Once assured of holding off the nearest guy behind me I stopped pressing quite as much, although no early cooldown was in the cards. Overall the effort felt quite taxing, and certainly like it should have yielded a faster pace. While the right leg held up reasonably well once again and is certainly much improved from where was a month or so ago, I have to wonder to what degree it's compromising my economy and making it harder to run a given pace. Also a bit overextended with all the stuff going on over the weekend up to this point but that's not a poor excuse. Cooldown was a very slow putter around the parking lot. I had every intention of tacking on an easy half hour shakeout in the afternoon but when the time arrived for it I could tell it wouldn't be happening after all.

Sat 12/7 - AM 70 minutes easy

Area 51. More easy jogging, too early to do much else. Right thigh even stiffer than it felt after yesterday's run, lack of stretching and too much sitting around will do that. Some foam rolling after the run made it feel a lot better. Last night's weather culminated in the first accumulating snow of the season but it didn't last long and was mostly gone by the end of the run. Overall a nice morning though with no wind and clear skies.

FRI 12/6 - PM 45 minutes easy

Area 51. No time to run any longer or I probably would have. Easy putter with right hammie predictably stiff from yesterday. Finished up just as fairly insistent rains were coming in, although not too cold out yet.