Boston -121 -- Sat. Dec. 19

My first snowstorm (and the day before the first real snowstorm of the year, it seems), at the new earlier time: I was really in two minds about it, but finally got up at about 7:15 and was ready to go just after 8. Arrived to pay the $3 park fee (fortunately not increased) then took my usual spot and jogged down to the Boathouse. Paid my $4 (only $3 next week, once I get my GSH membership) and changed to go and warm up. Wore longs, hat, gloves, t-shirt, fleece, and marathon jacket: still cold! Did a mile to start, then stretched in the warmth of the outhouse, and did another mile round the big field back to the Boathouse. *Tons* of people there, and only five minutes to wait. Stretched a bit, then down to shorts and out! Brr. Nice crowd (Billy R had greeted me with "It's half marathon man!") and I took a place near the front.
Off and up the hill -- behind the main front pack, and feeling numb in both legs (cold, mainly). But settled in okay, and the first mile was quite gentle; had good targets ahead, and worked on them. Then in mile two picked off a couple, all the while watching but not gaining on a fast female runner closing on Billy, and started to move up on main target (Marine man). Caught him at end of mile 2, just after the main road, then tried not to lose any more time compared to fast female (who turned out to be a local ex-college runner). Pushed down the hill, getting a 5:40 for mile 3, but faded a bit towards the very end (which is uphill just where it hurts). Here's the data:

Time: 19:26 (GPS 19:25)
Distance: 3.1 miles (GPS 3.22)
Pace: 6:16s (6:02s)

Comment: with a gentle 2.19 miles before, I then added 4.17 miles after at a good pace (7:23s), though it felt easy enough. So, a PB on this course, I'm pretty sure (and managed to come in 9th of 112), and a week that topped 20 miles. Good stuff. Now to get back to real distance building!