Weekly Log: 10.21.13 - 10.27.13

Monday - Smithfield, RI - 6 miles

My back feels better than yesterday but my calves are still pretty tight from our weekend hike. The soreness wasn't enough to keep me off the trails and I ventured out into the woods around Fidelity. A thick covering of leaves made the trails difficult to see at times. I wore my Cascadias and plan to keep wearing them on all my trail runs for a while to give Janky Toe a chance to heal up.

Tuesday - Hopkinton, RI - 4.3 miles

Ab Ripper X (15 minutes)

Ouch. I was gung ho to get back to some P90X workouts but I should have given my back more time to recover from the strenuous hike. It definitely feels worse post-Ripper and some of that initial pain has returned. Live and learn - Amanda has the right idea by taking several days off to recover.

After making my back feel worse I questioned the wisdom of an evening run, especially since it was raining as I left the office. But there was no rain in Hopkinton (just an otherworldly pink 'n purple sunset) and as soon as I started running my legs felt great. Back felt okay, so long as I didn't try to turn my head too much to the left.

The miles ticked off quickly and I was pleased how fresh my legs felt. At home I pulled the trigger on the Charlestown FOP 5k at Ninigret this Sunday. Looking forward to seeing if I can knock my PR down a bit.

Wednesday - 0 miles

I had already planned to take it easy today and waking up with a super stiff back confirmed that this was the right decision. I'll stick to the running this week since it doesn't seem to aggravate it but I'll forgo any more P90X until it's better.

Thursday - Smithfield, RI - 6.6 miles

I considered the idea of running at the Bryant track but I'm a chump and couldn't summon the will to do a speed workout. I still parked up at Bryant and decided to run around Stump Pond, throwing in some 1/4 race pace intervals to count as my "speed work" for the day. It was cold when I started and dressed too warm with a tech shirt and a long sleeve shirt plus hat and gloves. After a couple miles I ran the first interval and felt awful. No pep whatsoever and I was struggling to maintain the pace. Bah. I bailed on the rest of my chumpy speed work and just ran around the pond, getting slower as I went. Finished up the run in the Bryant woods and campus. Definitely not a good run - I felt tired throughout. Oh well, I'll hit the woods tomorrow for some redemption.

This morning I had asked Ezri whether I should run roads or trails. She said trails. Guess she was right.

Friday - Wolf Hill, Smithfield, RI - 6.1 miles

That's more like it. I hit the trails of Wolf Hill on a beautiful fall day. My hands were freezing for the first couple miles but then they warmed right up. I passed two people walking dogs. The first guy had terrific control of his little beast. He told the dog to sit and it sat quietly as I ran by. Guy smelled like he was having a mellow time in the woods if you catch my drift. Far out man. Then I ran by a lady with a bigger but still pretty well-behaved dog. However she was taken aback when I passed her because she was watching a television program on her goddamn iPad. Turn off the Housewives for a bit lady and enjoy the autumn woods!

Saturday - 0 miles

I've had some calf tightness for the last few days so I'm taking it easy today.  My back also still doesn't feel right.  Plenty of puttering to do around the house to keep me busy.

Sunday - Charlestown FOP 5k - 7.6 miles

Big PR.  Official time: 17:57.  5th overall.  Report forthcoming.

 

Weekly Mileage: 30.5 miles

Year to Date: 1,461.1 miles

Great race at Ninigret to cap off the week!  My body is still out of sorts from our backpacking exodus last weekend but hopefully next week I'll be able to shake my upper back woes.