I ran the 2000 N route with Larry and Wayne this morning. I was feeling pretty good this morning so I threw in a few fartleks. The first one was up the the second half of the big hill. I ran back and rejoined them then pushed again on the last bit of uphill and added a little distance after our normal turnaround. I figured that would give me a chance to chase to catch them on the downhill. I rounded the first curve and couldn't see them. I then turned the corner and still couldn't see them. I was just becoming suspicious when I passed a couple of bikers and they said something, apparently to people behind me. I turned and saw Larry and Wayne in stealth mode trying to catch me. They had hidden as I passed them. They never caught me as we hit the top of the big hill and I took the brakes off. I averaged 6:01/mi for roughly 3/4 miles down the hill. I ran up to rejoin them and had little desire for additional fartleks the rest of the run. At the end of the run Larry gave Wayne and me the challenge of going a little farther than him up a side street and then trying to catch him before our normal finishing spot at Slater's corner. It was too much distance to make up in so short a time, but it did get us to push hard during the end of the run. Another very enjoyable run with the guys on a beautiful morning. It's runs like these that are the reason I'm a runner. Races and PRs and all that are great, but it's the daily runs that are the staple of my running diet. They keep me healthy and happy.
6.4 miles @ 8:38/mi average
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