Readiness
Push. Readiness 72, HRV 69ms is well below your 100-145 baseline, RHR 49 (vs typical 44) — normally a flag, but day 28 of a ~24-29 day cycle puts you in late luteal, likely right at the edge of your period. This is expected late-luteal physiology (progesterone-driven HRV suppression), not overtraining. Sleep is solid (85). No alcohol/travel/sick tags this week to discount. Train as planned.
Today's Run
12 km GA @ 5:45–6:15/km, no strides (skeleton — authoritative volume, banked 12/42 km this week toward Sunday's 18 km long run). Conversational effort throughout — this is aerobic-base stimulus, not a workout. Houston late-July dew points are almost certainly >70°F by mid-morning — if you're not out by ~8am, add 20-30 sec/km and don't chase the prescribed pace zone. Watch setup: no structure needed, hit Run and go.
No lift today — next lift Mon 2026-07-27.
Watch For
Your last several GA/long runs (5:48–6:12/km) have carried HR 158-161 — high for "easy." Could be heat-driven cardiac drift rather than fitness; if it persists once temps cool this fall, worth a second look. Late luteal also means GI/bloating risk on this run — fuel light and low-residue beforehand, not your usual pre-run snack.
Nutrition
Late luteal + heat today: nudge protein-forward volume up to match rising appetite (protein floor still 130g), skip heavy fiber pre-run, and prioritize hydration/electrolytes given the dew point.