Training Log Archive: ParkSchool

Hammond Pond Green, set by Michael Hughes. Fun course on fairly well known terrain. Effort was solid but not spectacular, with definite slowing towards the end. Was mostly satisfied as I did not make any glaring errors, but I could have twice avoided getting drawn astray by seeing irrelevant controls from a distance. I was also displeased to miss the superior trail option to #12, especially as I made an effort to look for it. I could definitely stand to augment my vision if I hope to be competitive.

After running the course, I caught up with Bill P who informed me that he was unavailable to run the Blue Hills course today. As I was already feeling somewhat neglectful of my family, I opted for the alternate training option of shadowing Bill as he ran his Green course. I was saddened but not shocked to learn that I was sufficiently slower even after having just run the event that I had trouble staying in contact. In fact I lost Bill on the trail run to #3, hindered in part because I was confused about which trail he had come out on. I continued on course to #9 without catching up and then opted to bypass #10 and #11. I was happy that Bill had a fairly clean run as I was concerned that my presence would prove a distraction.

C • Blue Hills Semi-permanent course 2

C • Apologies 2

Carly Short Loop. ART 30:10 (9:08/mi). The dogs still expected exercise, so off we went. It was sobering to realize how exhausted I was even after bailing out on the plan to do Ian's Blue Hills course. There was no way I could have made more than a half-hearted effort, so perhaps it is better to wait. My schedule suggests that I might have an opportunity to run the course in earnest on Columbus Day weekend. As sluggish as I felt, I was further delayed by Fonzie who fell behind early and ultimately appeared favoring his left front leg. I was unable to find any specific joint or pad problem. We will have to wait to see if this becomes an prolonged issue.

Green - Splits

Caryl Short Loop. ART 28:38 (8:41/mi). Slow run in AM to maximize recovery before scheduled O-overload tomorrow with Hammond Pond Green course followed by Ian's Blue Hills Semi-permanent course with Bill Pullman. Was satisfied to meet goal of keeping total time under 10:00/mi with a bit of effort at the end.

Caryl Short Loop. ART 27:01 (8:11/mi). Adequate effort by both Fonzie and me after two overnights. Right hamstring still feeling overworked but not painful. It is unclear if this sensation is the result of an overreliance on my non-surgical R leg or just a sporadic event. In any case, there seems to be little option but to reign in my efforts a bit to see if it will resolve with time.

Caryl short loop. Actual running time 27:08 (8:13/mi) with Fonzie accounting for delays. Beginning to find my legs again, but still very stiff at the start of my runs. Right hamstring in particular has felt dead. Wind has also been disappointing on the uphills, even with only modest effort.

Finally caught up on sleep after seven 12-15 hour shifts in an eight day stretch, so I thought it was time to go for a somewhat more extended run. Felt reasonably good after last two weeks wondering if the chronic heaviness of my legs was ever going to resolve. Actual running time was less than 8 min/mi which I have again set as my goal for a reasonable effort. It remains to be seen however if Fonzie will be able to train up to this level again. At least today's effort provided a ray of hope that I might aspire to be competitive in the M50 class by the October A-Meets.

Event: Great Brook State Farm