Rainy club run -- Sun. Dec. 12

Up early to lector, and feeling a bit dodgy after several beers at Ken's place last night. Bill away, but Eddie G called, so get to DnD to find him and also Nick; Ken arrives right after. Lightly freezing rain in the early hours, but we're ready for it (I wear slicker but using hat instead of hood). Out for about 8, planning to go to end of rail trail and back, w/ Eddie turning earlier for his regular 5. Start off with him, running a couple of miles just under 10 min. pace, then head on with Ken and Nick to the end of the trail at 8:30 pace or so. They turn round, but I decide to go back the road way for a bit more distance. Start along 181, and realise off the trail that it's raining a bit more than I expected. Ouf. 181 feels long! but finally reach turn off right for Cold Spring, and decide to take it to be sure of reaching double digits. Full into the wind there, but better as I turn left up the last climb to the Experimental Station, then along to Cordner, and down to 181; back into that flow as far as Jabish canal, clocking a 6:44 mile, but then start to feel a bit off-shine, so no second tempo mile. The slight uphill on the canal trail and rail trail really bites; keep going steadily but realise I've got more than 10 miles. End up back at DnD thus:

Time: 1:28:04
Distance: 11 miles
Pace: 8:00s

Comment: Ken had kindly waited -- I was a good bit longer than planned, and we chatted a bit, then I changed into dry gear and ate a DnD repast (hot & fried = good!) All in all very mixed pace run, quite satisfying, giving a good base for the week. Now that classes are over I can aim for 2 mid-week runs as well, aiming for 30+ miles, finishing with the Snowstorm 10K. On track to complete the 2010 miles for the year, if all goes well. Then I'd better start planning for the Gansett Marathon in a bit more detail...