Notes
A nice, fairly strong run with a much faster overall pace than I would have anticipated. I credit Maria for that, but I'm glad enough, because it was doable - obviously, & if I had been on my own I probably would have said 930 was the best I could do & that wouldn't have been true. Sometimes lately I'm feeling reckless, like what the heck, but at the same time I think I'm trying to be more mindful. Look at me tossing around a new age word like "mindful"! At any rate, Maria met me here at the condo. Down Campusview to Trail to Grindstone (I had planted water). All the way UP old 63 to Stephen's Lake park. Partially around there to the water fountain. Then down Broadway to Flat Branch. (water fountain) Met Karen at Stewart/Providence. Headed down trail. I wanted to pick up the pace and have some fast miles in the middle of my run. Pie in the sky goal was 3 miles at a 0800-0810 tempo pace. Got started alright, but the tunnel under the road was the worst I've ever seen it. Lots of mud & huge rocks covered it. Running was impossible and walking wasn't that easy. Wish in a way now I would have stopped my watch, but I didn't. SO, the 827 pace isn't entirely indicative of what I could have done i don't think. Just missed the high end of the goal with the 2nd mile. I would have gone on a little further at pace, but we were at Forum & Maria called to me so I came back & joined up with them again. I thought maybe 2 in the humid conditions & for a start might be okay. We ran up Forum Hill. I had planted Gatorade at Forum & Green Meadows and we got that. It didn't take long for the 3 of us to suck that little bottle down! It was good! I turned right at Bethel & they headed back to the condo to get Maria's car. At Nifong, I considered going down to South Hampton, but decided to stay closer to condo since it was pretty warm & I was alone. Went around the block - then down Green Meadows & across Providence. I didn't have to stop for traffic which was nice. Had to squirrel around a bit to get the 16 while in the neighborhood, but that was okay. I wore the new running shorts w/ pockets for the first time today & they worked out very well, but they were soaking wet by the time I was done. It was a rather warm, humid run, but we were lucky and it was overcast for most of it. The heat did not bother me today, but there is nothing easy about this route. It is satisfying, however.