Boston -102 -- Thu. Jan. 7

Cold morning, but with a 1 pm meeting no chance to hang around, so off at about 9 for a longish one. Start down rail trail (via GeoHannum), finding the going tough: stretch after a slow (8:28) first mile, then continue via Jackson/Howard before rejoining trail. Decide to follow it all the way on the down incline, given how much hard work it feels (though there were tire treads and ski tracks to follow; it wasn't really slippery or deep, just heavy). Out on 181 and cross to come back up Michael Sears, then Sabin/Cold Spring past the orchards (fabulous views and the UMA extension looking classic), then down Cordner (slip and nearly go flying), along 181 and then decide too knackered to do Jabish canal trail, so follow road all the way home, up over the common and down to 9, etc., thus:

Time: 1:31:40
Distance: 12.02 miles
Pace: 7:37s

Comment: for some reason this felt like really hard work, even though I didn't run yesterday. Mainly felt okay, just low energy, so could be the total mileage having an effect? I really should get some new shoes -- maybe this weekend?