MHM -105/SRRC new one -- Sun. June 27

First SRRC run in a month: showed up on bike, as car needed oil, and found Bill, Jay, Nick, Ken and Andy were all there - -amazing! But Andy was not running: just sharing plants with Jay and then heading to watch the world cup. Hmm. I suggested double digits, and Bill and Jay were keen; Nick and Ken not so much. Suggested my new route, with Ken and Nick looping at Eskett. All agreed. It was hot, not *too* muggy, and we started out nicely, slowly: through state school down Jackson, then GeoHannum and Boardman, with miles 3-4 a bit faster. Nick a bit out of practice, clearly; he and Ken headed left at 202, and we three went on to Chicopee, then at Baggs Hill turned in and reached the trail: chatting plenty en route, but then the horseflies got us a bit, arg--tracked us through the trail and out as we headed up Rockrimmon. Bill leading the way, natch, and Jay only just getting back into longer runs, so I came next. The hills were good, the last one the toughest, then down and recover, heading out to 21 then right to OldSpfld and back via high school. Jay trails a bit over last coupe of miles, but we didn't put any pacey miles in--just steady, very nice:

Time: 1:35:00
Distance: 12.01
Pace: 7:55s

Comment: hooray for Swifties! This was positively therapeutic, and Jay gave me all sorts of tips for training (including quad exercise: chair sits, 50 x 2-3 times a day, and biking, especially uphill) PLUS his big news: excellent new coaching job, full time/head at a famous college. Two thumbs up!