Monday - East Providence, RI - 5.9 miles
235 push-ups (standard/wide/decline/diamond) 30/40/30/15/30/40/30/20Decided to explore a bit more off of the Ten Mile River bikepath. I occurred to me that I could quickly span the river by running over the train tracks. Luckily these are only used by freight trains and they're few and far between. I followed a trail along the river on the other side and then discovered some ATV trails which included a tent and other creepy structures out in the woods. Made my way back to the bike path when my left calf began to really become uncomfortable. Damn this thing. I stopped and stretched but it remained sore and a nuisance. Then nature called. It was two miles back to the car and it would have been a dubious journey. Luckily Slater Park has lovely port o' lets and wouldn't you know it, the one I picked was pristine - just cleaned! Truly the running gods were smiling on me today. On the way back along the river, I looked over and spied several white swans. More than several actually. It was a goddamn swan powwow and there must have been over 100 in the water (plus plenty of ducks taboot.) So a fun Monday run but the calf thing is annoying.
Tuesday - 0 miles
24 pull-ups w/ assists (standard/chin-up/close grip/wide) 3/6, 4/6, 3/5, 3/5, 3/6, 4/5, 2/4, 2/4Left calf was very tight all throughout yesterday but a steady diet of foam rolling seemed to help. Like last week I decided to forgo running today and head over to the Yoga studio for some lunch time stretching.
Wednesday - West Greenwich, RI - 8 miles
After work I hit up Big River via the Hopkins Hill parking lot. I guess I had left on the Garmin as it had a low battery warning when I turned it on. After about a mile it died. I ran a clockwise loop around Carr Pond, running over the ledges before coming across the old chimney. I tried to find Lower Spider but I think I wound up on Upper Spider instead and soon I found myself on the half marathon course. Followed the course until it approached the pond and then took my time, exploring the various campsites along the water. What debauchery must go on here at night. Oh to be young again! I just wish they'd pick up their schwaggy beer cans. I continued on, exploring a trail that led towards Bates Road before returning to my car. Turns out I still had another 20 minutes so I ventured across the road and down the Big River Expressway. I jumped off it and took a lovely trail shaded by ferns to the south. Eventually I heard the voices of nogoodnicks up ahead and turned back to the car. This was a fun run. Deer flies were only a sporadic nuisance and the legs felt good.Thursday - East Providence/North Kingstown, RI - 13.2 miles
Ab Ripper X (15 minutes)320 push-ups (standard/military/decline/Pike's Press/wide) 40/30/30/20/40/35/30/35/20/40
Very short run at lunchtime on neighborhood roads. Stopped at a gas station on the way to supplement my lunch. No calf issues which was good to see.
After work: a longer run at Rome Point. Started from my buddy's house and took a trail down to the beach. Not much runnable traction on the beach but I was soon on solid ground. I ran a bunch of the wooded trails before heading down to the point. Passed a couple pairs of ladies with multiple dogs a piece. On my way back, I paused to let the women move to the side. As they did, a black thing landed on my arm. I tried to shoo it away and then realized it was a giant black wasp! So I'm announcing my presence to the ladies as I'm realizing this bug it stuck to me because it's stinging me. After a long three seconds I swatted the wasp away, sneaked past the people/dogs and was running again with a searing pain in my lower arm. It hurt like hell and I was only three miles into the run. I continued on and after a mile the pain subsided - by the time I had hit Hamilton Allenton I had forgotten about it.
My childhood home on Featherbed Lane has switched hands several times since my mom sold it and had been in a state of constant repair for the last ten years. It looks like progress is finally being made on it which is good to see. The fish ladder on Featherbed has also finally been repaired (after the serious floods of a few years ago.) After basking in the memories I headed back towards Plum Point but took a detour down Gilbert Stuart Road. I pushed the pace a bit on the Snuff Mill hill and then stopped at the Hess to grab something to supplement my dinner. Two runs and two gas station stops - HA! Afterwards I hardly felt the wasp sting and could barely tell where the bump was.
Friday - Seekonk, MA - 4 miles
24 pull-ups w/ assists (standard/chin-up/close grip) 3/6, 4/6, 3/4, 3/5, 5/5, 3/5, 3/5At lunch I ran four easy miles in Seekonk Meadows. Legs were tired but perked up slightly as the run went on. Took a digger halfway through. No major damage but I sure got filthy.
Saturday - 0 miles
Sunday - Charlestown, RI - 10.6 miles
A couple miles with the dog in the morning. In the afternoon I went over to Watchaug Pond to do a loop on the Vin Gormley trail. I had meant to take it easy but once I started I felt peppy and decided to push the pace for the loop. I finished in about 55 minutes which is a pretty good time for me. Makes me think I can definitely take improve on my 52:51 from last year's Lil Rhody. This was followed by a short half mile cooldown and then a dip in the pond. This was supposed to be the day for my long run but doing some would have pushed my weekly mileage up towards 50 and I wanted to stick to my weekly mileage goals.
Sounds like Monday's run was pretty balanced with the cranky calf and the pristine porta pottie, punctuated with the bevy of swans. I'm sure Mike B will appreciate your Juniper Drive, always fun when the old folks, erp in your case young folks reminisce. Look forward to seeing Amanda on the course on Sunday. Give me some hope!
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