I can't believe I actually did this run today based on how I felt at the beginning of this month, but I'm extremely grateful I was able to finish all 20 miles with no more than the usual difficulty involved in running 20 miles. Earlier in the week the weather forecast predicted nice starting temperatures for the run but the forecast gradually got worse during the week and it was pretty much exactly the same conditions as last Saturday, about 78° and humidity in the high 90's. Fortunately I did get an earlier start than last week. I started out at the SR 54 entrance to the Suncoast parkway trail, arriving just before 6:00. Warmed up and stretched a little and got going about 6:05. Starting out slowly, there was hardly any pain, first mile in 9:50, second mile in 9:01. There were a few drops of rain here and there which felt very nice, although I was slightly worried that it would start dumping on me but that never happened. I turned left on the Starkey park trail after going past the entrance to a water stop. About 8 miles into my run I saw Eric, who was heading out from Starkey park, he said Keith and Dixie were just behind him but I never saw them, they must have turned around before I caught up to them.
As I approached the 10 mile turn around point I was having some doubts about this run but I made it finally and turned around. At that time I saw Eric once again since he had turned around, asked him to say hi to Keith and Dixie for me. As I got to 11 miles I was starting to feel more confident. I had one mile at 7:47 but that may have been a Garmin glitch as the miles before and after it were a lot slower. I continued picking off the miles and made it back to the Suncoast trail and stopped at the water stop. Just under 4.5 miles to go now. I put my ipod on for the rest of the trip. Kept picking off the miles. The last 2 miles are always tough on this route because it is straight, boring, very little shade and running alongside the toll road. I call this good mental toughness training. Finally I made it. Drank lots of water at the parking lot, walked around and loosened up enough so I'd be able to drive home without bunching up too much. Average pace: 8:35
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