Winning Back What I Lost

Noon: Got up early and caught some really nice cutts. Some of the biggest I've encountered in the Idaho backcountry.  Hiked the seven miles back to the trailhead. Hiking a steep downhill w/ a pack is always more uncomfortable than it sounds. Not running but I'll count it as hill training.

620AM: Used yesterday as a rest day.  Still a bit sore from the weekends 20 miler + hard hike.  2.5M warm; 6 x 600m @ 5k pace; cool.  I was able to maintain the pace until the last 600m repeat which I logged at 6:37 pace. All the rest were between 6:20 & 6:30/mi pace.  Left hammie barked a little but held through the speed session. Got tighter during the cooldown which seems counterintuitive.  I'll stretch it out at work and see where I'm at.  Last hard week of training as I'll be starting a 2 wk taper next week. I used Pfitzinger's 2 wk taper model for UVM and I think it served me well so I'll give it another try this cycle.

6AM: 3.36M easy.  Schedule called for an 11 miler but my bowels did not cooperate. Had to turnaround and head back home or else.  Right now my digestive system is programmed to erupt at approximately 630-7AM every morning.  It is rather annoying to run w/ one loaded in the chamber every day. :(

NOON: 6.05M progressive run from AM Park to Willow Lane and back. 1M warm then increasing to goal MP (7:16/mi) for the last mile. Warm w/ no wind, typical August afternoon.   

615AM: Slow and easy 10 miles this morning.  No GI issues but the nagging left hamstring/hip socket pain is back. I stretched it out thoroughly last night but I just can't seem to shake it. I can definitely tolerate it but it would be nice to not have to. 

610AM:  Another slow, lifeless run.  Feeling a little worn down. Everything near the center of mass (hips, glutes, groin) seems to be sore.  Long run tomorrow then the taper begins.  Need to focus on getting more sleep, getting healthy and feeling strong again. 

9AM:  Last long run of the training cycle. Got a late start but I really needed the extra sleep. Even got in a 1 1/2 hr nap when I was done. Felt great.  Weather wasn't too bad considering its August.  Temp was near 70 at the start but reached the low 80's by the time I finished.  Still battling the soreness in my glute/hip/groin. Taper begins next week so we'll see if the lower mileage helps alleviate some of that.