Boston -56 -- Tue. Feb. 23

EIGHT WEEKS to BOSTON! Ouf -- my achilles tendons are *both* sore right now, and I'm just feeling battered, but I'm hoping for a reenergising at the Jones 10 miler on Sunday.

Spring snow came in today, not settling, but fortunately not rain either. Set out just after 10 am for a shorter run, aiming at 90 minutes, 12 miles. A new figure of 8 course: VFW and 202 to Allen, back across 9 to Hamilton, then GeoHannum, Boardman, Rural, and GeoHannum to Stebbins; back to Bay, along and up to Hamilton, then homewards. Added a bit at the end, going along Jackson to State School and looping round the powerplant before coming back down Jackson; slacked off once 12 miles was clocked, but ran on to the edge of the development before actually stopping:

Time: 1:32:01
Distance: 12.27 miles
Pace: 7:30s

Comment: went out aiming for an easy pace 7:45ish pace, and the first hour was close to that (first 6 miles were 7:37s, so a bit fast, but I was feeling relaxed). Then after reaching 8 miles, a bit after an hour in, I picked up pace--this led to Bay Rd hill, so hard work, but kept pace on and second 6 miles were at 7:21 pace on average. No sub-7s though, so I felt springy enough at the end. Soreness was in the form of shooting pains in ankles at various points, but nothing serious (inshallah).