Bret

AM - early start at 5:30 am.  Met Richie in downtown Clearwater.  He brought Justin with him which was great because Justin is not quite as fit as us, which kept us from pushing the pace too early.  He ran the big loop with us (13 miles) and stayed close for the first 7 or so.  The Bellair bridge and the subsequent climb up West Bay did him in.  We circled back for him a couple of times and kept our pace right at 7:30's until we got back to the cars.  He finsihed there and then Richie and I went back out to do an out and back over the bridge at some marathon paced miles.  Unfortunately I was straining to hold it together after 2 of those miles - so, I grabbed a drink at the marina and told Richie to keep going.  Turns out he went south on the beach and I went north.  I got another marathon paced mile in and then had to slow back to 7:30-7:45 pace.  Last two miles were even slower going back over the bridge.  Turns out Richie only had one more fast mile in him than me.  We sat at the fountain at City Hall soaking our feet afterwards.  I was completely spent.