Boston -44 -- Sun. Mar. 7

Bill invited folks for a 22 miler, but I'm not ready for that (definitely off schedule a bit now, but hope to get back on track), so go in for a Swiftie run. First to the DnD, then Savannah arrives, followed by Ken. Decide to do a reverse Enfield--*gorgeous* day for running, no gloves or hat (wore a fleece as breeze still chilly, and pace goal was slow). Savannah feeling sub-par, so she backs off once we're through the high school, after Ken and I run back to check on her. We go on, down Jabish and up Allen, chatting all the way. Pace pretty gentle, though I'm stiff from yesterday and it takes 5-6 miles before I feel comfortable. Ken in good form, and after crossing 202 we pick up a bit, moving to 7:45s pretty much. Keep it steady back along Jackson, then finish flowing nicely on Howard and 202 (so much traffic though--sunny day, get in the car, it seems!).

Stop briefly to say hi to Savanna and get a swig of gatorade, then back out for a second loop: trails! Down rail trail, across to Jabish canal out to 21: somewhat muddy, but also quite a lot of more frozen stuff in the shady areas. Make good time, but back off after faster miles, aiming for 7:30s overall. Up 21, enjoying the sunshine, then right onto OldSpfld and start to feel the distance aches, but press on; into high school and back, but only 7.6, so go down past Checkers to the trail that leads back to high school, then loop round and hit the 8 mile mark a bit ahead of schedule after a last mile push, 59:35 (started to get a bit frantic hungry in the last half mile, but under control). Totals:

Time: 1:12:49 & 1:00:08 = 2:12:57
Distance: 9.05 & 8.07 = 17:12 miles
Pace: 8:03s & 7:27s = (average would be 7:46s, but this was really two different runs...)

Comment: solid. That's what I needed, a good distance and some more marathon pace miles. We (Ken and I) ran into Bill on Allen and chatted briefly--he's not doing St Pat's as the New Bedford half is the day after. I need to get my schedule for this crucial last month sorted! More on that in next entry, I think.