Clear, beautiful, cold morning (37 degrees). One of those mornings that just make you glad to be alive. Started out a bit sluggish, but gradually picked up the pace -- partially just to get warm, but mostly just because the air was so clear and refreshing that you just wanted to drink it in. Pushed it a little harder today on mile six (which includes 292 feet of ascent and 429 feet of descent) and finished it in 7:58. I find myself braking a bit on the steeper sections to avoid falling on my face, so the faster sections are on the flats after the hill. Cooled down the last third of a mile. Overall average was 8:27. | 