Chaire Herodikos Selymbriaios!

Yesterday I turned in my doctoral dissertation. Took this morning very easy, probably 8:20 or so. I've been maintaining at about 40 mpw since June, but totally watchless. Did the usual 7.5, but hadn't been out at all since Sunday so naturally felt stronger and had to concentrate on sensible parameters given sleep deprivation. A couple of weeks ago I tried to hit pace on the flat by the river after two hour's sleep and strained an oblique, so a good lesson there.

The morning was really beautiful. River was smooth, the riffles sharply defined. Air cool, just a slight bite of autumn. At about mile 6.75 I felt something rise up out of me between ribs VI and VII and fly off into the clouds, without leaving a trace. Then I ran home.

Another easy run. Spaced out and missed my turn up the hill at the Fresh Pond apartment complex, had to backtrack a bit. Morning temp was cool, and felt a little stiff in the left quad/ITB. Stopped at about mile 6 to stretch, and it's still a tad sore but not too bad.

Just got word (within 24 hours!) that they love it, so looks like a November degree is a real possibility. The marathon is over, only  a year later than planned. Thought about writing a race report, but not sure I'm ready to relive all that agony!

Nice autumn rain, air temp warm, big round drops. Came home with a cocktail of sweat and New England atmospheric soot on my face, felt great. Ran Willow to Broadway up the stairs to the top of Tufts, then back down by Alewife Parkway. Mile or so (aggregate) at pace, took the downhill at a normal speed, felt pretty good, all things considered. I could be back in race shape before too too long.

.....Oh yeah, barked my right shin yesterday something arful! Big old bump.  But it didn't seem to bother on the run.