Author: Mark Allman

A rather frigid morning for a run. Temperature was around 12 with a stiff, bitter breeze. Really freezes the face off. Lots of ice along the berms as well.

The route I had planned to run is at the Blue Hills ski ares. I bet that it’s totally snow/ice covered. Didn’t think of that until yesterday.

Today’s run was five loops around a route that includes a short, 10+% grade hill Total distance was 4.65 miles. Pace was 9:38. Total climb about 365 feet. Weight was 146.2.

A brisk, cold early morning. Temperature around 15 degrees and breezy. The snow has taken away much of the road berms. Glad I adjusted my routes to be more on side streets.

It’s the first day back on the road after the race on Sunday. Didn’t feel too bad. Legs were a bit tired. Doesn’t matter — it’s training time.

Today’s run was a rolling 9 mile route. Pace was 9:47. Total climb was about 460 feet. Weight was 147.0.

OK, race day. It’s heads down, no stopping, manage the energy and get it done time. I had no real expectations on pace at all.

The roads along the route are almost all concrete. As we went along, and the miles started to add up, the pounding started to really let itself be known. In hind site, maybe it would’ve been better to run in the Hoka Bondi X shoes rather than the Carbon X3. I train in both. The Bondi are a bit heavier but have more cushion than the X3. As the race went on I tried to take it easier and easier. Didn’t really help much. I finished but was just about at my limit.

Today’s race was the Chevron Houston Marathon. Overall average pace was 11:04. Started out at a 10:18 pace and ended at an 11:54 pace.

Went out for an early morning short run along the east edge of NASA/Johnson Space Center along the pan-flat Space Center Blvd. No issues with anything. We’ll see how things hold up tomorrow. I haven’t put in the distance work, so all bets are off.

Rather cool for the Houston area. Temperature was around 44 degrees. There are various critters like snakes and crocodiles in the general area, and the route up Space Center ran right along a drainage ditch. Just where some of those guys hang out. However, since it was 44 degrees, I kept telling myself that, even if they were around, they wouldn’t really be moving much. I’m still here, so …..

Today’s run was a 3.95 or so very flat route. Pace was an easy 10:04.

Really tired from the race and the hectic travel back. All the crazy weather threw everything into chaos. I made it home, though. A few things are sore/stiff, so today is a day to work up a sweat and get loose.

Today’s ride was a stiff 30 minutes on the indoor trainer.

Switched today’s workout to more work on the bike. Bike today, run tomorrow, maybe something really short on Saturday and then the race on Sunday.

Today’s ride was a good, stiff 46 minutes on the indoor trainer.

A “break the ice and see how everything’s feeling” easy run. Short, but enough to test the knees. No issues after a few tenths of a mile. Glad to be pain free heading into a crazy year.

Today’s run was a short 2.18 mile rather flat route. Pace was 9:44. Total climb was only about 90 feet. Weight was 146.6.

A tired early morning. Nice conditions. One of those “heads down and push through.” Some days are easier than others.

Today’s run was a 9.88 mile rolling hills route. Pace was a tired 10:08. Total climb was about 515 feet. Weight was 146.6.

One more day putting in time on the bike. One last day giving all the joints a day off from the pounding on the road. I’ll take it when I can get it.

Today’s ride was a 31 minute stiff workout on the indoor trainer.

Post-race, it was time for some recovery work on the bike. Not too crazy. Work out the kinks and get everything nice and loose.

Today was a 30-minute workout on the indoor trainer.