Author: Mark Allman

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.

Pulled up short with a left calf issue. I’m thinking that it was a cramp that got worse, until it really started to complain. When it gets to the point where it almost feels like it’s tearing something, it’s time to change plans. The plan was for a 21 mile long run. I was taking it nice and easy to not push on the left glut/hamstring at all. This not the best way to prep for a race.

Today’s shortened run was a 12.78 mile rolling hills route. I walked the remaining 5 or so miles back home. Easy pace was 10:16. Weight was 145.8.

Gave the glut/hamstring a few days off. Sore after the 12.5 mile run on Wednesday. Still sore, so runs probably need to be more relaxed — no pushing the pace.

Today’s run was a 5.24 mile hills route. Pace was 9:54. Weight was 145.6.

An icy road early morning. Not the safest conditions. That and picking up road salt in my shoes. I should figure out something that would prevent picking up gravel — I’d probably make a million dollars.

I’ve been annoyed with the slow training pace lately, so I decided after a mile or two into the run to push a bit. It did pull on the left hamstring/glut occasionally, but it’s been weeks since I pulled it and this “waiting to let it get better” stuff is getting old.

Today’s run was a 12.5 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 9:23. Weight was 147.0.

A mild 30 degrees for an early morning run. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after yesterday. That was a bone-sapping experience. Today was about putting in some work to loosen things up and aid recovery.

Today’s run was a 5.24 hills route, including two climbs of a short, 10+% grade hill. Pace was a “didn’t feel this slow” 10:09. Weight was 146.8.

Whew. Didn’t make the 19.5 mile long route. Totally ran out of energy. I felt tired from the first step. Might’ve been the bike work from the day before. Good. I’m here to work.

Crazy weather. 24 hours earlier it was below zero and in the negative teens with the wind chill. Today it’s in the 30’s and sunny.

Today’s run was a 16.79 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 10:04. Split was about 9:56. Weight was 146.2.