First Fifteen -- Thu. June 26

Psyched up to go for a seriously long run, and probably more or less ready. Too tired for an early morning outing, so go after work instead. Not too hot, a bit muggy, and some initial rain, but not enough to really soak me -- it let up after the first couple of miles anyway, so I didn't alter plans any (if it had been too wet I was afraid of getting chilled, but this was just enough to make sore nipples a cert). I had plotted a 15 miler, and a hilly one -- total of 985 ft. ascent and same descent (loop course). I was in two minds about direction: climb in the first five miles, or spread it out a bit. Decided for the latter, which meant going to the lowest point via geoHannum, Allen, 9, and then Federal, and then climbing hard. From 5 to 7.5 miles, solid climb, up Gulf all the way; then a break on Packard and a descent into the Quabbin and one more big pull up the back end of Juckett. Unfortunately just as I hit the Quabbin and took my shirt off cos of chafing, the blackflies got my range and I had to reshirt and run like hell -- pulled a sub-7 there. Very slow up Juckett, but then down the other side, onto Allen, and left to Enfield, right to 9 and home. Definitely getting sore at that point, but able to keep it going. Here's the details:

Time: 1:56:22
Distance: 15.29 miles
Speed: 7.9 mph

Comment: not quite up to the 2-hour barrier, but I think I can break that next time. As it is, this is the furthest I've run in one go, I'm pretty sure. And the pace is just above my predicted endurance pace. Woot! Must take bug spray if I'm going into the Quabbin; also, I need to try a distance like that without the excess hills -- maybe half that much climbing and a 16-18 miler. Next week some time. Route TBA.