August 5, 1979 (Sunday)

From running log:
Ran 4.5 miles at 6:30 pace on trails and sand roads near Solon Springs, Wisconsin. Hot, sunny, 80F, windy. Right knee very sore, why? Too much kicking while swimming? Otherwise, feel good. (Total weekly miles = 23.3)

30 years later:
Like all runners, perhaps from the beginning of sport, I complain about my maladies constantly in my running log. In my defense, I was following the recommendations I'd read in Runner's World magazine that a log should reflect any minor pains, so that a major injury could be traced back to its first occurence, and appropriate adjustments be made to the training plan in order to avoid the same injury in the future. Perhaps I took the advice too literally back then, because my log is rather full of whining about this or that being sore or stiff. Apologies if it's irritating.

Because the weather was hot and the cottage located on an island, I was spending nearly the entire day in the water, swimming and snorkeling. Seems I was convinced on this occasion that my sore legs were due to excessive swimming. Sounds kind of funny now. Not sure that would even be possible.

The full week had resulted in only 23 miles of running, yet I truly felt like I was training hard for the upcoming season. For you high school coaches out there: do your kids run more mileage over the summers? How do you advise them to train during the summer months to help them have a successful fall cross country campaign?