Solo Soaking -- Sat. Oct. 28

Another long week w/ no chance to get out, and Friday evening I'd caved to the desire to stay warm and well-fed indoors. Not feeling 100% (minor cold-type virus?) but after a pleasant Saturday, mild and blustery, I was set to go after doing choir duty. Unfortunately, the church became an ark as a stunning downpour came through, so I figured I'd be getting well wet, not just sprinkled, when I headed out. Sho nuff, though it was clear and breezy when I set out, the ominous clouds coming in from the west brought another round of great wetness, just as I was trying to find my way up the trail from 9. Oy. After getting totally drenched I dried off running back through drier breezes, and it wasn't too cold. The route would have been more trail if it hadn't been getting dark too. I took GeoHannum to the field, trails along to Hamilton, crossed it and extra trail to Bay, then uphill to Allen, then left on 9 down to the trail entrance opposite the kennels; up the trail (getting a bit lost--leaf cover makes it hard to see) and right on the old town road back to Allen, then over the crest to cross 202 and all the way to old Enfield; right down to 9, zig around the tractor dealer and up that road to the town common, then along main road/202 to 9 and home. Stopped the clock at the Sports Shed, I think, happy with about eight and a half miles.

Time: 1:06:28
Speed: 7.7 mph
Distance: 8.57 miles

Comments: well, after a near week off, I'm happy enough. Second mile, all road and a mix of up and downhill, was 5:54. The next one, stumbling up the trail in the rain, and getting a bit lost, was a 10:24. Felt good at 6 miles, ready for another 6, though by 8 miles I was pretty bushed (and sore nippled!). Still need to get a couple of long runs in before the Monson, somehow.