Training Log 12/10/2024

A damp, somewhat foggy early morning for a run. Temperature was around 33 degrees. The wind in places was a bit strong. i don’t mind at all running into a stiff breeze: more work = more training.

Today’s run was an easy 4.33 mile rolling hills route. Pace was around 10:44. Total climb was about 205 feet.

Training Log 12/09/2024

Perfect early winter morning. Temperature around 28, mostly clear skies, and not much of a breeze. Someone pulled out of a driveway under a street light a little ahead of me and the engine exhaust slowly floated straight up.

Today was the first day that I felt that I could push without much hamstring discomfort. Climbing is a different story altogether, but on flats and downhill it was great to stretch it out a bit. It was a “reach and don’t think about it” run.

Today was a 7.15 mile rolling hills route. Pace was about 9:58. Total climb around 350 feet.

Training Log 12/07/2024

Another somewhat cold morning for an early run. Temperature around 18 degrees and some wind. Taking it easy on the hamstring seems to be working, so far. No issues. I notice it but it’s not really “painful.” Caution is still the word of the day.

Today’s run was a 7.15 mile rolling hills route. Pace was an easy 10:35. Total climb was about 350 feet.

Training Log 12/05/2024

First day of snowy roads. I wasn’t planning on anything long, fortunately. I was slipping all over the place on a 2% grade climb. I went out to where I’d be going down a hill and turned around. I’d almost certainly slide down and walk back up on the way back later. Not worth the risk of slipping and yanking something. I might try trail running shoes — maybe I can get a better bite on the roads.

It’s so strange that the hamstring seems to feel better later in the day when I put in some roadwork. Rest isn’t as beneficial as work. No complaints here.

Today’s run/ski route was a flat 0.88 mile slide around the block. No clue on “pace” and maybe 15 feet of climb total. Whatever.

Training Log 12/04/2024

A cold, classic winter early morning. It’s so interesting to observe how, after about a half mile, the cold seems to drift off as what I call “the furnace” of increased metabolism really gets cranked up. Cold? Yeah, whatever.

The hamstring is continuing to get better slowly. A bit more push today. Nice and gradual. Speed will come with time.

Today’s run was a 9.04 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 10:25. Total climb was around 465 feetl.

Training Log 11/30/2024

Today was one of those tired early mornings. Some days are just a slog. Fine weather, no traffic, not a crazy distance, etc., .etc, but it didn’t matter. A “put your head down and grind” day.

Today’s run was a short 4.33 mile rolling hills route. Pace was 10:53. Total climb was about 205 feet.

Training Log 11/29/2024

Easy early morning run today. Just get out on the road to get a little distance and not push on the hamstring. Felt pretty much OK throughout. Really slow, but first get things working and then start doing the speed-it-up work.

Today’s run was a 9.04 mile rolling hills route. Pace was a slow 11:10. Total climb was about 465 feet.

Training Log 11/29/2024

It’s that time of the year. Ice in the berms on some roads. Fun. I love the cooler conditions, but not the ice you can’t see. Temperature was under freezing in places. There are a few parts of the area where you can easily notice the drop or rise in temperature.

The hamstring is still complaining a bit. Running seems to be generally helpful, but there’s a tipping point from helpful to harmful. Caution is the name of the game right now.

Today’s run was a 9.04 mile rolling hills route. Pace was an easy 11:10. Total climb was about 465 feet.

Training Log 11/25/2024

Nice, cool/cold early morning for a run. Temperature around 28 degrees, a bit breezy, clear skies, lots of stars and a waning Moon. The hamstring is feeling better as I continue this run-and-rest pattern. It felt like I could push a bit. As usual, I tried to push just a little too much and it let me know about it.

Today’s run was an easy 4.32 mile rather flat to mildly rolling hills route. Pace was 10:06. Total climb was 155 feet.

Training Log 11/23/2024

Still have the rain from a strong low pressure system spinning around and pulling in moisture from the ocean down over the coast. Temperature around 36 degrees, apparently. Didn’t feel that cold at all. Just enough wind to blow my hood off when running into it.

Today’s run was a short 2.18 mile mostly flat route. Pace was 10:37. Total climb was about 90 feet.