Author: Mark Allman

A rather cool morning. Clear with a last quarter Moon. The nasty winds have died down but the breeze was still enough to freeze the face a bit.

The knee seems to be OK. It was an easy run before the race on Sunday. Get out on the road, do some distance, but don’t do anything really stressful. I ran my old mid-distance route and that has enough stress with all the traffic.

Today’s run was a 12.5 mile rolling hills route. Pace was a relaxed 10:12. Weight was 147.8. Total climb was about 580 feet.

Nasty storm outside. In general, I couldn’t care less. However, and I hate this, I also need to consider if drivers will be able to easily see me in a pitch-black, driving rain. Not interested in getting run over. That’ll put a bit of a crimp in the training schedule.

Today was a 36.5 minute workout on the indoor training bike. Weight was 146.6.

Nice, cool morning for an early mid-distance run. It seems like we’re at the point in the season where we’re not getting too many new potholes. Or at least I haven’t noticed any. I know where the iffy parts of the routes are, so hopefully I can get through the winter and early spring without twisting anything.

Today’s run was a 13.12 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:44. Weight was 147.8. Total climb was about 645 feet. The race on Sunday is 26.2 miles with a total climb is 770 feet.

A few odd, concerning messages about a few things on my systems necessitated a change in plans this morning. I also didn’t mind not putting in 3+ hours in 10 degree weather. I’m sure my CamelBak would’ve frozen. That and spending that time worrying about what was going on. When your bank sends you an e-mail about “reviewing your security” …..

Today was a 30-minute hard ride on the indoor trainer. Weight was 145.8.

The knee is still oddly sore, but I have a suspicion about the what and why. Enough “rest.” I think that’s the cause. Sounds strange.

Today’s run was a 4.38 mile gently rolling route, with a short 10+% hill at the end. Pace was 9:31. Weight was 146.6. Total climb was about 215 feet.

Felt good to get back on the road after a few days off for the knee. I did feel a twinge or two during the run. Not too worried about it. We’ll see how it goes today. I’ve noticed that, if there’s anything going on, I’ll start to notice it later in the day. Odd.

It was a rather nippy early morning. Clear skies and temperature around 16 degrees. It does freeze the face a bit. The small bottle of water I take with me was slush by the time I finished.

Today’s run was a 13.09 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:44. Weight was 146.6. Total climb on the route was about 640 feet.

Noticed some odd knee pain on Friday evening late. It woke me up a few times. I suspect I twisted around in my sleep and did something minor. OK, take Saturday off and switch to the bike today to see if that’s all it is. Good news — feels OK. After 2022, I’m not taking any chances.

Today was a good, stiff 30 minute workout on the indoor bike trainer. Weight was 147.4.

Snow overnight with no road salt at all, so slick roads and black ice this morning. Temperature was about 28 degrees with a cold, stiff wind in places. It makes for a slower run. It’s more work also — having to pick your spots. There were a few places where it was literal ice and you’re just trying to keep upright. Not a big deal, but all it takes is one awkward slip ….

Today’s run was an 11.17 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:40. Weight was 146.8. Total climb was about 595 feet.

A cold, breezy early morning. Temperature around 18 degrees. Definitely a day for the layers and thicker gloves.

First day getting back to some speed work. It’s important to shake up the pace. It’s also interesting how the warm-down run back home was distinctly faster than the warm-up run.

Today’s run was a 3.71 mile route, with about 2.18 of that being warm-up and warm-down, and two 0.77 mile speed runs. Average pace for it all was 8:55. Weight was 147.0. Total climb was about 135 feet.

Switched the run to work on the bike. The “snow” yesterday was very wet, and I bet there was some black ice after the temperature dropped overnight. Black ice on asphalt roads in the dark — no thanks. The Sun’s out and the skies are clear, so I expect that any ice gets cleared off today.

Today’s bike work was a stiff 46 minutes on the indoor trainer.