Hard trails -- Sat. Nov. 21

No runs during the week, alas, but ready to get out and do a double digit today. For some reason wanted to try Holland Glen, so: at about 1 p.m., mild and sunny day, out and on to 9, left and along to Federal, then down to the rail tracks--join old rail trail, round to town beach, and along to isthmus: still flooded at latter half, so back and follow rails to rejoin past the pond, and eventually out to M&M trail. Follow back to 9 and cross to Holland Glen, already feeling the effort (a bit congested, too, which doesn't help). Very wet, water springing out of the ground at umpteen sites that are generally dry, so its a slippery climb and I get one shoeful; at the top, follow M&M on up to the next level, the trail up to the outlook and on to Gold St. Pass a few hikers, and finally out onto the road at the top, then along and join Gulf Rd., heading downhill. GPS loses signal for most of the way down, unfortunately; go straight across 9 and join Federal, then take rail trail to Cheryl, and Federal again. Slog up that hill and then run until digivice says 11 miles (by the supermarket). But: at home, measure the run on Mapmyrun, and find that the lost signal period missed a bit, about 0.7 of a mile, so here's the adjusted figures:

Time: 1:33:57
Distance: 11.78
Pace: 7:59s

Comment: this was a *hard* run. The third bit of trail hill (beyond Holland Glen) was a bit much for me today, and I ended up falling to a walk at two points; just not in good enough shape for it. So, I'll have to go back and do it again during the winter break, as a measure of updated strength/fitness. Still, it was nice to get out there and get muddy, do some real trailing -- perfect day for it. And two of the miles were sub 7:00, despite the slow average.