AM - very early start. Richie called me yesterday and we decided to to a long run together this morning in St. Pete at 5 am. I had not realized I would be up until nearly midnight watching the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics when I suggested our starting time - so with very little sleep I pull myself out of bed before 4 am to meet him outside his neighborhood. We drove down to the North Shore Pool and met up with another friend with whom Richie has been doing some training lately, named Drew. I had planned on trying to get around 20 miles in, but the very warm humid morning without the hint of a breeze, combined with my heavy legs from a good workout yesterday and 4 hours of sleep, I sort of knew before I started, that my day would be a less than the plan.
Drew is very fit, looking to run 2:38 in a couple of months time at a race in Corning New York - and he was at times wanting to move at a faster pace than either Richie or myself. Richie calls Drew the "kid" because he is 38. We kept it under control early, ticking off 7:45 miles as we made our way around the Pier and the Dali museum downtown. We headed North then over the bridge through Snell Isle and over to Shore Acres and back down 1st Street. Plenty of water stops along the way. As we got down to the pool again, and had just under 12 miles and with the last mile mostly at 6:45 pace - I decided, I was only going to go another half hour. Richie who had taken a rest day on Friday, was amped to get at least 20 miles in. Drew had plans for 22 with the last 4 at 6 min pace. So I did my last half hour loop with them, and headed back home as we got to my car. Parking lot now completely full with parents to watch a swim meet that morning. I was a little disappointed that I did not feel the desire to push through to do another 5 miles or so - but at the same time, was pleased that I was fine running with them, but decided, that enough was enough for my training this week. Just under 2 hours of running got me back home to have some pancakes with my wife and to watch the Olympics cycling race.
Good running with those boys. Richie is always good for a story or two as well as generally pulling everyone up and getting excited about races and running. Drew whom I have met a couple of times is really good to run with and chat about training and such. They've promised a run with me in my part of the county in a couple of weeks.
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