MDay -28 -- Sun. Aug. 23

Four weeks to go! Feeling sleepy after an early starts, so really needed company today. Good crowd at DnD, all milling outside for some reason: Jay (running again now), Bill, Andy, Amy, Steve L., John, Savanna, and another college student 女性 from Smith ex-BHS (with a wrist in a cast--keen cyclist, apparently). Add me and almost double digit turnout (well, include Yarrow and you get 10!).

Various distances planned; I wanted 12, but Bill said 13, so I agreed, but begged off Barton hill (tendons too sore). Rail trail start, good pace with Steve and Andy up front. All the way to the end, then Bill and I headed up MSears while the others did 181. Up past the orchards, out onto 9, then left along to Enfield: up there to Allen, and down there to 202, then straight back down to cross 9 and head up into town. Mileage was a bit more than planned, and Bill picked up pace as we headed up the hill; tough but I got into it, and then I was towing him as we got to Jackson, which we went down to Howard, then along and through the underpass to get back to start at just over 14 miles with a strong finish:

Time: 1:50:57
Distance: 14.11 miles
Pace: 7:52s

Comment: Bill's reaction? "Steve, you're ready for that marathon." Most encouraging, as I'm pretty knackered all the time right now, but he says that's normal. He also agreed to accompany on my last long run, the only 20 miler I've got time for. I'd planned Thursday, but I'm happy to move it to next Sat. to get his company and expertise. And then, the taper begins...