Boston -104 -- Tue. Jan. 5

Blooming freezing again, though no more snow since Sunday. After that morning run I went sledding with the kids, and got more worked out and quite tired out! Monday I took happily as a day off, and even this morning I was a bit sore in ankles from the snow running. But no sense passing up on daylight and no classes to go to, so shorts, hat, gloves, and jacket, and I was out just after 10 am for a hill run, but aiming for marathon pace of 7:30, and about 10 miles. Took GeoHannum to Boardman, Eskett, across to Barton and up that hill -- felt good, not working very hard, except for the final steep part which was a bit tough. Still, pace was good up to there: despite the hill I was only 30 seconds off exact pace, easy to make up on the downhill. That was going fine until a house on Summit where two wee dogs came out after me. Not dangerous except to trip over -- I nearly fell avoiding stepping on one, a Yorkie, so I stopped to remonstrate with the owner -- but noone was home. Asked the postman (who was just driving up), but that wasn't very satisfactory; returned to run, trying to regain smooth pace; followed 202 back down to Eskett, then at GeoHannum decided to add Rural in, and went round that way. Coming back up on GeoHannum again, just before the waterworks, I was nearly run down by a Ford SUV that drove along the verge as if aiming at me! I was so gobsmacked all I did was wave my arms and expostulate -- two cars close behind, so he didn't stop and I didn't get a very good view. RRRR. Should carry a rock for such idiots. Then ran up as far as the sledding hill before stopping clock, thus:

Time: 1:14:52
Distance: 10.16 miles
Pace: 7:22s

Comment: Given the terrain (hilly, but not slippery, to be fair), and how I felt afterwards (pretty good), this is very promising. My goal is for 7:27s as marathon pace, and while ten miles isn't a great predictor, it's a start. At least I think I can keep it as a goal.