OBJECTIVE 20 mi. w/last 5 mi. pickup @ 7:55/mi. ACHIEVED 20.01 mi.@ 8:17/mi. last 5 mi. splits: 7:31/7:55/8:28/7:54/7:36 5:21 AM 61° 90% 0 mph This was our last run on the hills in Conroe and it turned out to be a very good one for everybody. This morning's cooler temperature had to be the biggest factor. But I think we're all seeing the training benefit of our earlier long runs too. Along for the run today were Stephanie, Laurie, Stacey, Christina, Ann, Randy, Josh and me. We didn't have anyone driving SAG today like Manny did last time so we had to stage hydration stops before the run ourselves. Stephanie did a great job planning the route and determining locations for the stops. We had 4 stops set up; 3 which were hit multiple times. I had the third stop so left earlier than usual to get it in place before driving to our starting location. The stops are simple ... just a cooler loaded with Gatorade, water, ice and cups. The trick is stashing it somewhere that it won't be disturbed! I felt a little sore at the outset as we ran down to the marina in the dark. The air was cool and the pace much faster than usual right out of the gate. After 2 miles to the marina, we turned back to the cars at the church. We stopped at the cars for our first break. I drank and took my first energy gel (vanilla CarBoom). The pace was still fast for the beginning of a long run but I was loosening up a bit. We went down to the marina again. On this leg, I held to the very back. Ann was showing restraint so I hung back with her as the others pressed on. At the marina, we had our second stop. On the way back to the cars, I moved to the front and talked football with Josh. He's a Virginia Tech alum and is always up for a conversation about Hokie football. We ran back in the pre-sunrise, easterly glow. Stopped again at the cars then headed back out cutting through the neighborhood. During this leg, Laurie moved assertively to the front and stretched out on her own. Josh and Stacey followed. Randy and I hung back talking about how crazy the others were to be pressing this early in the run. The neighborhood was quiet as usual. It's a gated community so there's virtually no automobile traffic. We usually see deer, rabbits, and other wildlife in this area. Today was no exception, although I only spotted one deer and one rabbit ... a slow day by typical standards. Coming out on the other side of the neighborhood, we hit my water stop then cut down a dead end street for a one-mile loop. At this point, I could really have used a bathroom. Randy reminded of a construction site with port-a-potties ahead but, alas, when we got there the site had changed since our last visit a few weeks ago and no port-a-johns were anywhere to be found. Great, an added mental challenge for this run! The next leg of this run was new to me. The others ran it last time we were here but I cut my run short due to my training schedule. Generally, this section is a two-miler with long, gradual hills; up and down. Again, I hung with Randy over this leg. Josh, Laurie, Christina, and Stacey put the hammer down over this stretch. Our next water stop was at the end of this section where the road meets Highway 105. We took a lengthy break here as Laurie and Stephanie took relief at a drug store which hadn't opened yet but found a sympathetic manager. I was feeling pretty good. We had already logged 15 miles. Once back on the road after a slow start, I decided to press to the front. Stacey and Josh once again were moving away from the group. Josh was having a great run today and Stacey is always eager to be in the lead. I reeled them in and stayed with them over the 2.3 miles back to my cooler. I actually felt really good over this leg. It always amazes me when it happens that running faster feels better than slow running during the latter stages of a long run. After fueling up at my water stop, Stephanie pronounced that she was feeling great and was going to add on an extra mile down the dead end road. Josh, Stacey, and Ann jumped in for the extra mileage. Christina didn't stop for water and already passed heading back to the cars. Randy, Laurie and I headed back toward the finish. I stayed with them for a bit. But with only 2.5 miles to go, I wanted to finish strong since I was feeling good. I pulled away and tried to hold a 7:55/mile pace the rest of the way in. At times it was difficult and other times it felt surprisingly easy. I'm sure the terrain was part of the reason but I think there was more to it than that. I got back to the church parking lot with only 19.5 miles logged so I continued down the road a quarter of a mile then back to make it an even 20 miles. It was a good run today. The weather, the setting, the hills, the company, the route ... everything added up to a great morning. Made it worth the 3:45 AM start! The group stopped at Cracker Barrel for breakfast on our way out of Conroe. PRE RUN weight = 159.5# FRS, oatmeal w/brown sugar & skim milk POST RUN 2 SlimFast Later, 3 pancakes, 2 poached eggs, 2 sausage patties, grapefruit juice & water | 