Month: February 2023

Another snow early morning. Most of the roads were OK, but some stretches were covered and slick. Just take it easy and focus on the footing.

Nice to get back on the road after a few days. Hamstring was “there” but not too bad. We’ll see as the day progresses.

Today’s run was an 8.05 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:59. Weight was 146.8.

The plan for today was for a 22 mile long run. The snow last night and into the early morning nixed that. The hamstring feels better, but with the first marathon in a week, I don’t want to risk a slip on some black ice. I have no interest in missing yet another race due to something freakish. What’s next, a stampede of cows??? Turkeys??? Skunks???

Today it was 45.7 minutes of good work on the bike. Not just peddling along, but that feel of having to work. Weight was 146.6.

A day for the bike (indoor trainer). The left hamstring is very sore and painful. I need to get some lighter work in. Some bike time does that and also helps to get the hamstring moving without asking for any work, e.g., pushing up a hill.

Today it was about 22 minutes on the bike. Break a sweat, and loosen up the hamstring. Weight was 146.4.

Just like yesterday, it was very, very icy. Long stretches where you’re slipping as you’re pushing off on each step. I could’ve just slid down a few long grades. There’s no way to get any real speed. Just sit back, relax, and focus on footing & not getting run over.

Today’s run was a rolling 14.74 mile run. “Pace.” such as you could get, was 10:20. Weight was 146.4.

I saw a winter storm heading at us last night on the radar, with a forecast of rain/ice/snow. Rain is OK (not fun at 33 degrees), ice is dangerous, and snow is OK. What did we get? Ice. That pink area on the radar. The plan this morning was for a long run. Nix that. Footing is totally unpredictable, as are drivers when they’re not expecting a stretch of slick road suddenly. Switch to the bike for a day. Ice isn’t worth the risk.

Today’s bike workout was about 40 minutes. Weight was 145.2.

A cool, wet morning. It started as light rain but switched over to light snow. First day for the new Hoka Carbon X3 shoes — glad I was past the one steep (10+% grade) downhill before the snow. Towns use tar to fill in cracks on asphalt roads. These tar strips can be very slippery. They’re all over this hill. Going up — no problem. Going down is where the risk is. New shoes can be somewhat slick until they get scuffed up.

Today’s run was a 5.24 mile hills route, including two climbs of the short 10+% grade hill that’s nearby. Pace was 9:39. Weight was 145.0.

Another nice, mild morning for a run. Hard to believe it’s February. I decided yesterday to take a day and let everything heal a bit. Saturday was a sore day. Dumb idea. One day isn’t really going to do anything.

Last day for the current Hoka Carbon X2 shoes. It’s been about 331 miles. Next up is the Carbon X3. We’ll see how this new upper part that’s all one piece works. I’m always up for something new.

Today’s run was a 12.5 mile rolling hills route with lots of potholes in places. Pace was 9:50. Weight was 145.8.

Some days are just strange. The pace feels “comfortable,” but one day it’s slow and the same speed is faster. I was thinking that I’d maybe be at about a 10 minute pace. Not pushing the hamstring/glut at all. That and the left calf.

Speaking of the left calf, it feels fine. Bizarre. Tendons and ligaments take months. Muscle takes a few days. I could hardly walk on Sunday. Didn’t notice a thing on a run six days later.

Today’s run was a 5.24 mile hills route, including two “climbs” of the short 10+% grade hill nearby. Pace was a “I must’ve missed something” 9:26. Weight was 146.0.

Another warm morning. Getting back to running distance after a few days off for an injury is annoying. For me, patience is the first thing to go.

The hamstring and calf are “there,” but not really concerning. They’ll gradually fade, just like the knee and ankle earlier.

Today’s run was an 8.05 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 10:05. Weight was 146.2.

First short test run to see how the left calf feels. Not too far from home, just in case. On Sunday I had to walk over four miles. The calf feels tight, but that’s it. I was thinking about upping the distance, but I nixed that. Just a test run. Don’t push my luck.

A very warm, clear early morning. Temperature was about 51 degrees. Wow. It’s February, though — don’t get used to it. Enjoy it while it’s here.

Today’s test run was a fairly flat 2.18 mile route. Pace was 10:06. I bet that the first half mile or so was really, really slow. Weight was 146.0.