MHM -99/Dam dike dam -- Sat. July 3

Slow getting out, so it's 11 before I head to Quabbin (by car, giving F & R a ride en route). Hot and sunny, but still a dry breeze, fortunately. Park and do pushups but no stretches to speak of; start out gently, a bit creaky: cross dam, round and start up hill. Continue past tower turnoff, and on towards dike; all the fallen trees and debris cleared away, very nice conditions, with just enough shade. Not aiming high, but keep a decent pace, feeling a bit tired all the same (definitely accumulated tiredness); finally get to dike and go round under it and up (steep hill!) then back over dike and head back the same way. Passing the tower road again hold off a bit until the final mile, then start to push, and keep going across the dam to stop at the marker on the police station side:

Time: 1:20:16
Distance: 11.07 miles
Pace: 7:15s

Comment: There's 725' of climb and equal descent in this one; it's tiring. Two of the miles were over 8:00 as I climbed hills, but three were sub-7s, thanks to the downs, with the final mile (mostly flat) the fastest, 6:24. Good enough to complete this week, anyhoo. Then eat and sleep...