Sun, Aug 24-Sat, Aug 30

Sun Aug 24: AM. In Marshfield, A 90 min run over residential streets, in Wildwood Park, and in the Donnelly Business Park. First half with the old man. It was mostly cloudy and in the mid 50s.

Mon Aug 25: AM. A 60 min run on the Capital City Trail and over trails in Olin Park. It was sunny and 50°. PM. In Deerfield, A 45 min run on the Glacial Drumlin Trail. It was partly sunny and 68°.

Tues Aug 26: AM. On the Cannonball Path with VURG, did a 1200, 800, 400, 400, 800, 1200 at 5:30-5:20-5:10 pace respectively, followed by 200 all out. It was sunny and in the 50s. PM. A 45 min run around Lake Wingra. It was mostly sunny and around 70°.

Wed Aug 27: AM. A 60 min run on the Mendota Lakeshore Path to Picnic Pt. It was sunny and around 50°. PM. In Deerfield, A 75 min run—first 40 mins doing loops around the station at shift’s end, the rest on the Glacial Drumlin Trail. It was sunny and 73°.

Thurs Aug 28: AM. Ran to the University and did 5 x Hills at Bascom Hall. It was cloudy early, then became sunny. Temp in the low 60s. PM. In Deerfield, A 30 min run on the Glacial Drumlin Trail. It was mostly sunny and 75°.

Fri Aug 29: AM. A 60 min run on the Capital City Trail and around Monona Bay. Ran a couple miles with Scott and Alex at ~6:20 pace. It was sunny and 51°. PM. In Deerfield, A 30 min run on the Glacial Drumlin Trail. It was cloudy and 66°.

Sat Aug 30: AM. In Prairie du Sac for the Cow Shit Classic 10k—It’s poop again! Ended up in the number two spot for the third year in a row at this shitty race. The winner, Marcus, broke away from me on the uphill 2nd mile. Most of the race was spent trying to keep him in my sights. I was gaining on him over the last couple miles, but couldn’t quite reel him in. Finished in 34:20 (~5:31/mi), first was 33:57. Still it was a good effort on not the easiest of courses and not the freshest of legs. The weather was nice: mostly cloudy, not much wind and a temp around 60°. PM. A 50 min run on the Capital City Trail and over trails in Olin Park. It was mostly sunny and 72°.

My body (and knee) have been responding well to the recent increase in speedwork. Everyday I’m getting faster. It feels so good to be able to lay it all out there again. Three months ago, back in the throes of injury, I could only dream about running fast and racing. I definitely didn’t think I could get in this kind of shape this soon.