time to rest

wednesday

new york city in 7 weeks

Been knocked out the past couple of days, a combination of fatigue and the heat.  The past couple of weeks of training culminating with last Saturday’s half and subsequent workouts in this current heat wave we’re having along with a busy week at work did me in.  The sore throat was a sign I needed to recover a little, and that’s what I’m doing.  Will play it ear the next couple of days in hopes of being ready for Sunday’s XC race.  A good dress rehearsal for taper time.

content

sunday

Hi friends! Just chillin these days, enjoying the onset of warmth of spring as the world opens up. Content. Running’s coming along with some consistent mileage the past several weeks, and then a strong 10 miler today at tempo pace. Things are looking up.

awake

friday

Hazards of night running. On the asphalt ‘trails,’ didn’t see the mud patch on the sidewalk left from today’s rain and earned a nice scrape. This is good. Been favoring the right leg while recovering from the left knee; with this on the right knee, the stride became balanced. The fall woke me up, and with it, the training for London began tonight.

undistracted

sunday

Been on a steady run of runs lately. Another 8 miler today through the parkway. The warm spring evening requiring just a shirt and shorts allowed me to run undistracted picturing London’s roads in October.

back in

friday

8 strong miles today to the park and back, my favorite route, smooth.  This after yesterday’s rest.  That after 3 weeks of daily running, averaging 8 miles a day, through heat and cold, sun, rain, and snow.  Starting to feel like my old running self, enough to make this post.  Look out.

warmer

thursday

Hello, I’m still here! And still running. Actually had a consistent week of running the past 6 days, nearly 8 miles each day.  The knee is holding up, though still feeling a bit rusty. Not painful but sore. Rusty, like it were a bicycle that had been sitting in the rain for those 2 months off.

Today was a good 8 mile run to the park on an 80 degree day.  A struggle at times due to this early heat, but solid.

It’s been a struggle, too, posting these days. The running is just getting going and not feeling inspirational enough to describe. But today’s uplifting run in the sun was enough to create one.

homecoming

monday

A homecoming of sorts today, boldly kicked it up to 8 miles and made it out to Delaware Park, my favorite run destination in these parts, the first time in a couple months. The last time that way the knee had me stop and walk the last three miles back home. A different story today. The knee on the mend let me all the way back home running.  2021 is unfolding and starting to feel like I’m keeping up….

coughlan

wednesday

Maybe it was the humid spring warmth that reminded me of Philly where I went to school or maybe the Irish program on TV this afternoon that prolonged last week’s St Patty’s Day, but today’s 5 miler after taking off the last 2 days had me inspired by an Irishman. In ’86, had the great fortune to witness the great Eamonn Coghlan race at the Penn Relays. I was a wee Freshman at this point, so was not ‘grown up’ enough to participate. No matter, it was a thrill to see the ‘chairman of the boards’ in action. By this time he had moved up to the 5,000/10,000 meters, and on this humid spring evening, he wowed us all by running down a poor unfortunate college elite runner in the final lap to win in 28 min and change…I think he was wearing a short sleeve!  He pushed me through the parkway today.

spring fever

sunday

With the weather becoming so great, I kinda went bonkers with the mileage the past couple days. It’s supposed to be rehab, but went for 6 miles yesterday (though the first 2 miles were a run/walk combo warm up) and 4 miles this afternoon.  Had planned to either rest or really take it easy, but the sun and the sudden spring temps in the 60’s had me throw caution to the wind.  Couldn’t pass up today.  More miles than wise, a case of spring fever, I guess.  The knee seemed to come through okay. But maybe pull in the reins a little next few days… maybe. We’ll play by ear.

further

friday

Took a couple of days off after Monday’s run to continue easing into this comeback, then upped the intensity a little with a 3 miler on Thursday and today.  Got further on my usual 10 mile route to the park.  Not quite there yet, but getting there.  The knee felt stiff yesterday, better today.  The route included both pavement and dirt trails, used them both at different times.  The knee feels okay now, rubbed in some anti-inflammation ointment afterwards.  Things are going in the right direction.

glimmer

monday

I’m remembering more how to run or my knee is getting better, or both. Either way, it was a great 2 ½ mile run after work this afternoon.  The strides felt more natural and effortless, and the knee felt stronger.  Still a long long way from running a marathon, or even a 5k, but there was a glimmer of one.