When will fall get here?

I saw it was in mid-60s at Fenway Park yesterday. What I'd give for some of that in the morning.

Today I left the house at 600 to do six before reaching Park Avenue at 700. It was already 78F and would be 85F before I finished. I tried a new circuit which may work out quite nicely in the future. A new asphalt trail has been poured around Lake Baldwin, part of a mega-development on a former Naval Training Center property across the street from us. It runs all along the shore and it adds about three miles to the 10 mile Sunday loop, if needed. It was dark when I was there so I can't speak for much of it other than I kept wondering if any gators were up early.

My warm-up along Lake Baldwin and the run to downtown got me one-third of the way along my planned run for the morning. I reached the meet-up point in plenty of time and was dripping wet from the heat and humidity. I had some water and my first pretzel.

Pretzel. Yes. I forgot to go to the Track Shack yesterday for Margarita Blox so had to improvise this morning. Fine time to have to do that with 18 on the dance card. I stuffed one pocket with six pretzels in a baggy and the other with golden raisins in a baggy. Both served me well.

From Park Ave. I headed out ahead of the group. I seem to train harder when being chased than when in the group. I find I am not much of a chatter. I reflect internally on what my body is doing. That's hard to maintain for 18 miles.

I was evenutally passed within three miles and ended up running the 18 pretty much solo. I fought off impulses to walk more often than not. I pushed up hills because I read that that is really a good source of strength and stamina. I plan to do my tempo runs on hills for the next seven weeks leading up to NYC for just that reason.

I averaged 11 minute miles for the 18 total. It is not very good by my standards but it is what it is in this weather. Give me some of that Boston weather and I'll knock down some 10 minute miles.