Winning Back What I Lost

6AM: General Aerobic Run w/ 10x 100m strides. Garmin Fit App inexplicably turned off during a half mile section.  Good run. Struggling to find the best combo of running gear in the cold. I always end up sweating which ends up chilling me but if I wear less clothing I'm just plain cold. I figure that I just need better moisture wicking underlayers.  200+ miles for February. First 200 mile month since August I think. 

530AM: Easy Medium Long Run. Cut it a mile short because I was pushing up against work.  Had one pit stop.  Almost didn't make it but thankfully the door to the public bathroom at a local park was open. Actually, when I got there it was closed but I looked at my iPhone and it said 5:58am. Took a flier and waited 2 mins and the time lock opened.  What a glorious sound that was. Like the opening of the giant vault at Fort Knox.

At the end of my run I followed my usual route along a paved walk/run path in my subdivision when I came across a German Shepherd w/ no leash.  Fortunately, I spotted him about 50 yds away and he spotted me.  I immediately froze hoping that its owner would come around the corner and sure enough she did.  The dog continued to stare me down as its owner hurried to put a leash on the animal.  The best part was as I resumed my run and continued past them, the owner tries to chat me up and play it off.  I gave her a polite hand wave and never took my eyes off the dog.  Memo to pet owners: No matter how well-behaved/trained you think your animal is, show some common courtesy and don't let your animal ramble about unleashed in public.

6AM: Easy Recovery Run on the TM + 3 sets of single leg extensions & single leg presses & calf raises. Hit last 1.5M at slow MP. Quick workout and now it's off to the airport. I'll be in Chicago the rest of the week.

Chicago, IL 630AM: My hotel is only a couple of blocks from Lake Michigan so I made my way down to the Lakefront Trail. Havent been to the Windy City since '05 which was a couple years before I caught the running bug. So glad I got to see so much of the city. Ran past Navy Pier, the Aqaurium, and Soldier Field. A moderate amount of traffic on the trail but not bad. I've got a pain in my right calf the past couple of days. It loosened up a little halfway through the run. I'll get some rest, stretch and do a shorter run tomorrow.

Chicago, IL 7AM: Easy recovery run. Headed north on the Lakefront Trail. Wind was blowing and Lake Michigan was crashing hard against the concrete "lake wall." Right calf is not getting better. Very tight & moderately painful but I can still run. I may have to forego my weekend long run unless it gets significantly better. Saw a girl out for a run with her pet pit bull. Fortunately, it had a leash. Unfortunately, for the dog, it had a pink sweater. Almost made me pity the animal.