Fri 1/23 - 50 minutes easy

Tiger Drive to Old Marlboro. Something of an existential crisis in getting out the door this evening after spending the day at work with a hacking cough that wore me down to the nub. In fact the throat felt like garbage from the moment I woke up which was an unpleasant surprise to say the least. All the coughing resulted in a mild headache as well as what I can only describe as sore lungs. While not wanting to take yet another day off, the fact that exercise could be just a way to dig the hole deeper weighed heavily. In the end I rationalized that I could get some of the secretions out easier if I went for a light jog, although in truth compulsion played a larger role. Feeling flat and tired fro the first 20 minutes or so, after which things started to normalize somewhat. In fact I was even able to do some short pickups, with long recoveries between them. No wheezing or coughing fits during this. On the negative side, right hammie and TFL felt pegged from the start although somewhat better after rolling on the lax ball post-run. Chilly but very little wind, the calm before the storm.

As an addendum, because I forgot to hit "publish" on the previous day's post. Thursday 1/22 was a day off. Feeling very conflicted, got as far as putting on all the gear and standing at the door before deciding I just wasn't up to it yet. 

Wed 1/21 - PM 60 minutes easy

Summerhill to Area 51. Took the day off from work which allowed me to recover in bed during the day. Feeling better by the hour as the afternoon progressed, thankfully. Throat still sore of course, irritated from coughing yesterday mostly, but I figured I'd be okay for an easy jog. Took it easy from the start and kept it that way throughout. Thinking originally was something in the 45 minute range all on roads, ended up on the ice-covered patrol road instead. Skittered along the trail even without any enhanced traction, going slowly enough for there to be no slipping or straining of stabilizing muscles.

Tue 1/20 - off

Sore throat developed overnight, much to my chagrin. Slept very poorly as a result, hoping it was a figment of my imagination rather than suck on a cough drop. No such luck as dry raspy cough developed by afternoon. This coincided with a lovely couple of hours getting my eyes checked at the doctor's office. Things only went downhill from there, increasingly clear that I wouldn't be running today. Paying the price for overdoing it this past weekend. The usual progression of symptoms do seem to be moving along nicely so hopefully it'll be done with by the weekend.

Mon 1/19 - AM 85 minutes easy

Area 51. Easy putter after overdoing it the past few days. In hindsight Friday's run, while short, was a bit much in terms of intensity and yesterday was just piling on. Need to pull it back for a few days coming up. Trails are even more of a rutted skating rink after yesterday's rain and warmth followed by yet another refreeze overnight. Strolled across Puffer Pond again, ice still plenty thick enough and still too nervous to run across.

Sun 1/18 - double, 75 minutes total incl. 3(800, 400, 200)

AM - 25 minutes, treadmill. Opportunity presented itself for a morning shakeout indoors. Went right to the old standby cutdown, 6-10 mph changing speed in segments of progressively greater length until 9 mph when it went back to 30 seconds per tenth increase. Felt reasonably relaxed overall, if a little stiff.

PM - 50 minutes incl. 3(800, 400, 200). Flatter and more tired than I would have liked. After spending the day walking around the city I had a feeling it might turn out that way. Looking to hit multiple paces and do so relatively smoothly. Working again on the timed rest template, with 800s on 4:30, 400s on 2 minutes, 200s on 3:30. A bit more rest than previous workouts in this vein but still a bit pressed particularly after the 400 which I could feel. Speaking of the 400s, it took more out of me than hoped to hit the planned 73 pace. Originally intended to top this session off with a 600 in spikes at or faster than mile pace. Became abundantly clear after the second 400 that wouldn't be happening. Splits:

2:35.7/73.0/35.3
2:34.5/73.2/35.2
2:33.9/73.5/35.2

Right hammie still a bit off, lack of stretching yesterday has a lot to do with that.

Sat 1/17 - AM 70 minutes easy

Area 51. Took it easy after yesterday's tiredness. Some stiffness in right hammie, somewhat concerned about slipping on the packed snow and ice but enough traction to avoid that it would seem. Puffer Pond frozen over, looks to be six inches thick in places which made crossing it an irresistible proposition. Still a bit unnerving as the ice was making noises in the sun with the water moving around underneath. Cold temps but only a little bit of breeze.