Fri 10/24 - PM 80 minutes, Area 51

Clockwise direction again today around the refuge. Feeling flat and tired all the way, mustered up enough energy to do strides on the way in but they were decidedly lackluster. Right hammie/TFL continues to feel mildly strained. Cool but getting warmer compared to the last few days, breeze blowing from SW all day.

Thu 10/23 - PM 75 minutes Area 51

Track Road to Area 51 in the rapidly gathering darkness, as I got a late start today. Overall felt better than expected, although there was some stiffness in the right adductor early on. Yesterday's workout didn't take the toll I thought it would. Score one for discretion. The pace even picked up a bit the last 20 minutes without undue strain or effort. Clear, still and chilly conditions, radiational cooling in full effect.

Wed 10/22 - PM 80 minutes incl. 4x2k

Not a stellar effort but I was happy to get something done given how the right leg has been feeling, and the general flatness of late. Cold windy conditions not helpful either, had to bundle up compared to previous workouts this fall. Splits as follows, 200m jog between reps:

6:51
6:50.6
6:48.2 (first km 3:22, this hurt me later on)
6:52.7


Other than the too-fast start to #3, fell right into 82 pace and chugged along. I had planned on doing five but it became apparent during the fourth rep that I wouldn't be doing any more, started to fade in earnest during the last two laps. Stayed relaxed and smooth right to the end but definitely feeling fatigued. Right TFL area also starting to tighten up during the last rep. Stretched out the cooldown to 35 minutes as the warmup was on the brief side.

Tue 10/21 - PM 30 minutes

Decided today would be a lighter volume day, length of the run was further curtailed after I got started and found myself feeling quite flat. Conditions quite raw, temp actually a bit warmer than yesterday but with a chill breeze blowing and spitting showers.

Mon 10/20 - PM 80 minutes easy

Area 51 to Track Road, i.e. I bucked routine and went around the refuge in a clockwise direction today. A novel idea for someone as hidebound as I am. Easy effort was the only option as expected, legs stiff and right hammie feeling mildly strained after yesterday. Also very tired after a string of recent late bedtimes. Continued cool conditions, no wind like yesterday.

Sun 10/19 - double, 1:40 total incl. 5k in 16:30

AM - 60 minutes incl. 5k road race in Worcester. This race was won in 18:30 last year so I thought I could win the cash prize w/o overly exerting myself, didn't bother bringing flats or starting the watch as a result. It didn't matter in the end as the winner made a definitive move just before the mile mark (not that there were any mile markers) and left all of us in the dust. I ended up working harder than I would have liked to hold onto second, worth a pair of shoes, as consolation. Course was obnoxious, twice around a loop that included two short steep hills at the beginning of each loop. The wind was more annoying still, gusty blustery and just nasty all morning long. Cold morning to begin with, the wind chill wasn't welcome. The effort wasn't the best thing for the right hammie which felt stiff and sore on the cooldown.

PM - 40 minutes very easy, Area 51. Went back and forth all afternoon on doing this shakeout. Finally decided I needed to do something easy to loosen up the right leg and do some stretching after. Only half successful with the stretching. Continued cold but not as windy, took all day for the gusts to blow themselves out.

Sat 10/18 - double, 1:40 total

AM - 55 minutes easy, Area 51. Low key morning effort. Still somewhat tired. Right hammie not as sore as expected from Thursday's workout, but left leg is sore and tight from sacrum to tib anterior. Chilly but warming up by the end of the run.

PM - 45 minutes, Area 51. Moving better this time around, although legs still stiff. Able to do strides on the way in after a meandering start. Temp dropping as I went along.