Boston -73 -- Sat. Feb. 6

No donut run Friday, too *totally* tired after a long week short on sleep. Two minds about Snowstorm, but wake okay at 7 and with a cup of tea and warm-up shower, off at about 8: find that Bill's already gone. Arrive in time to get set up nicely, register, and off (still in longs) for a warm-up run. *Surprisingly* cold -- slight breeze, but icy. Do a reverse ending of the standard route, finding only one patch of snow up on Washington Ave.; loop back round the zoo, then back to lodge. 2.58 miles, 20:41; into lodge to change into shorts--see Bill, and a couple of others (big crowd, in all). Careful start behind a very fast crew at the front; aiming for 6:45-50, but Scott is off at a cracking pace, and Billy's close. Aiming not to lose them, turned in a 6:35; that's WITH the uphill. Next mile is 6:15, so try to slow up a bit, willing to lose them; fortunately they slow a bit too, for a 6:30 something. At this point, we're nearly back in the park and I'm not feeling any numbleg. So, on the back straight before the zoo, start to open up a bit, closing on Billy and another guy who are chasing Scott. This continues round the park, then I catch Billy as we head for the exit; chasing the next two takes longer, but pass them both as we turn into the narrow streets and then stay ahead all the way. Feeling good, if still a tiny bit cautious (made my move a mile earlier than last time), and on the downhill decide to aim for the guy ahead to keep from slipping back. Close on him, and at the last trail to the finish look at clock--arg! so close, but I'm not going to beat 40:00, not quite! Push hard, but indeed it's a bit too late--sprint across in 9th thus:

Time: 40:08 (GPS same) --> a new PB, I thought -- but last year's was quicker still.
Distance: 6.2 (GPS 6.32) miles
Pace: 6:28s (6:21s)

Comment: somehow managed to keep on pace, and felt good at the end. Definitely helped by the lack of snow on ground--Bill knocked a MINUTE off his PB. Chatted a bit with others, then Bill and I went for a cooldown out around the houses and back. Thought about going for an exact 3, but satisfied with 2.82, 26:16 (*very* gentle). Home, eat, and sleep like a log for an hour.