Balcones, Bridle Path, Shoal Creek

Time: 90:00
Distance: 13.5 mi.

Mid-week medium long run with Erik. We were both fairly content running easy, and it is still pretty humid, so it was easy to enjoy the run. We headed out to Balcones on 45th, connected to Scenic and Bridle Path and then came back up Shoal Creek to 24th.

My legs were pretty tired by the end, but nothing too bad. I am having a slight problem with my right shoe... it seems to come up fairly high near my ankles and is slightly aggravating my right peroneal tendon. I'll have to take a look at either getting some thicker heel pads or modifying the shoes.

Balcones Loop

Time: 68:12
Distance: 10.75
Map

Running a bit quicker today might not have served much point, but I'm taking a mini-taper down week this week, and I was feeling a bit stressed, so I felt like running hard again. This could be regular, but should be modified to take out the northern section above Hancock Drive, which is not very nice. It could be extended near Windsor or something to the south.

West Austin Hills

Time: 74:30
Distance: 11 mi.
Map

Glad that Erik got me going this morning, as I otherwise would have put this off until the afternoon. It was hot enough (mid-70s) in the morning... I wouldn't have wanted to do it in the mid-80s of the afternoon. Just checked the calendar... it is in fact December. A bit tired from staying up late last night, but not feeling terrible.

Map is very approximate as we looped around a little bit on some small trails and were trying to explore a little bit.

There is a surprisingly well-written piece in the New York Times about the physical-mental connection in endurance athletics. Nothing most serious runners don't know or haven't experienced, but a good reminder and a good story for the average NYT reader.

Balcones, IF

Time: 90:30
Distance: 13 mi.
Map (approximate)

We've abandoned the Greenbelt on Wednesdays, for the moment at least. Headed out towards Mt. Bonnell, but turned on Balcones... followed it a ways before turning back towards IF and then running through Hyde Park and to the track, where we finished on the grass.

Feeling a bit beat up from yesterday's workout. Most notably, my right hamstring is VERY tight, especially at the upper insertion. Felt this throughout the run, and the hills on Balcones were not ideal. Adductor and glute involved somewhat, but the hammy is really the issue. Luckily I was able to get a massage in the afternoon, but not sure that really flushed it out.

Finally, the ALDS started today, which makes me really know that it's getting to be XC go-time (especially in a climate that doesn't have seasons), as I have many Red Sox memories (2004 much?) that are inexorably linked with cross country. Beckett rocks under pressure.