Fri 2/6 - 80 minutes very easy

Out and back along the Comm Ave carriage road, Auburndale to the top of Heartbreak. No stone left unturned in trying to find places to run where life and limb aren't risked at every turn. While there were some stretches of the road that weren't entirely clear of snow and I had to start out heading eastbound with the wind at my back making for a chilly return trip, overall it was worth the trip. Having firm footing did nothing for the right calf which felt some degree of terrible from beginning to end. Yesterday's effort on the treadmill did it no favors of course but this is ridiculous. It's becoming apparent that the foolish double of the past weekend left much more of a mark than I had originally realized. I'd like to do some skiing but the snow in Area 51 is so deep I'm doubtful as to how many people have done the rough work of breaking trail.

Thu 2/5 - PM 50 minutes, treadmil incl. 5x3 minute pickups

20 minute warmup from 6.5 to 8.5 mph, then into the pickups which started at 10 mph and ticked up by .1 every 30 seconds until 10.5. Two minute recoveries at 8 mph in between. Whopping five minute cooldown, ticking the speed down all the while. As modest and unimpressive as this all sounds it sure felt hard as such things invariably do on the treadmill. Calf not quite as bad after doing a lot of compressions on it during the day at work, but still feeling quite stuck, and right hamstring as well. No doubt the lack of attention to stretching and core work lately has contributed to that. I was able to get back on that horse and do the usual routine again for the first time in a while. With temps dropping and winds howling after a couple more inches of snow during the morning, there was no way I could bring myself to run outside on the slippery nasty sidestreets of Maynard or Sudbury. The lazy days of nicer weather and less punishing conditions underfoot seem a fond memory at the moment.

Wed 2/4 - 50 minutes very easy

Back and forth in the bike lane of Charles River Road in Watertown. A bottom of the barrel experience in multiple respects. With the second back and forth run in as many days, the reality has set in that finding a decent place to run outdoors has become just about impossible. No change in sight either, if anything it'll get worse before it gets better. In addition the right calf continues to feel like absolute dog crap, perpetually frayed it seems. Running on the packed snow of the refuge sidewalk yesterday likely had more of a negative impact than I'd anticipated. Motivation to train bottoming out at the moment.

Tue 2/3 - PM 65 minutes very easy

Area 51, in a manner of speaking. In fact I went back and forth along the Winterberry way sidewalk, knowing that it would be better plowed than anything else including side streets. Little to no vehicle traffic to worry about was a big factor as well. Even so, a lot more packed snow than I would have liked which made for footing that was just slippery enough to be very annoying. Right hip flexor became stiff which couldn't have been coincidence. Right calf still barking, of course. Also still feeling rather flat, despite being able to sleep in the last few days. Maybe because of it. Regardless, not feeling especially motivated at the moment. The four feet of snow dumped on the area in the last week isn't helping matters any, things have become very claustrophobic.  Cold and clear today.

Mon 2/2 - AM 55 minutes, treadmill

Just over 7 miles as the snow dumped down outside. Calf very stiff to start, got a little better after that but not by much. Things are getting a little claustrophobic with the snow piling up.

Sun 2/1 - AM 55 minutes incl. 5 mile road race

Seemed like a good idea when I signed up for it six weeks ago. Back then, the plan was that I wouldn't have to run on the track the day before. Should have figured the weather would likely be adverse at this time of year. Having done well by races in Newburyport in the past I was unable to resist signing up and combining it with a hike later in the day at Maudslay. Minimal warmup beforehand, calf feeling like utter garbage. While the wind was hitting us dead on standing on the line, actually running into it was another matter entirely. Hideous is an understatement. Lots of clumping and some minor jostling among the lead group as we rolled through the mile in right around 5:50. Felt a lot harder than that. Ignored the 2 mile split, but 3 went in 17 minutes. Turned out of the wind pretty much right at the 2 mile mark which also coincided with running downhill. This of course shook things up and it quickly became clear I wouldn't be in the top 3 money slots. Spent the rest of the race maintaining my spot which I correctly assumed was top old fart, a few clicks ahead of second. Alas, it made no difference in the end as the age group prize wasn't worth showing up for. Barely able to move on the cooldown as the calf stiffened up noticeably. Salvaged the day somewhat with a nice snowshoe hike later in the afternoon at Maudslay, a lot more snow than the last time I was there in late November.

Sat 1/31 - PM 50 minutes incl. track mile

Played myself once again. Brave but doomed effort to run 4:40, with splits of 70, 70.xx, 72, and 72.xx. Barely able to move on the last lap which might have been my slowest. The illness of ten days ago and my foolish attempts to soldier on with training and racing in the week afterward have left me in a compromised state. As ever, the hole is much easier to fall into than get out of. And as ever, this was a car wreck I should have sensed coming from much further out. I'd like to think that with the cough getting better by the day I could salvage something in the next week but that decision is out of my hands, alas. Right calf feeling particularly frayed afterward, to no surprise whatsoever.

Fri 1/30 - PM 25 minutes, treadmill

26 to be exact but who's counting. The usual progression from 6-10 mph. Right calf still more stiff than I would like. Cough is getting less frequent and more productive. Tired after a long day that began with waking up in the middle of the night for no good reason and not being able to fall back asleep.