Back with the Crackheads this morning, all 150 or so (first day of the LRM training schedule). Pat was back too, and I ran with him for the first four miles at a nice slow pace. Picked it up from there, and finished my 14 miles at a nice 9:25 clip, even with a couple of breaks. Weather was great -- about 60, a little bit of breeze, clouds. Didn't even go to the third headband until the final two miles, and probably didn't have to do that. I definitely feel stronger now that I'm not getting crushed by the heat and humidity on every run. If the goal of running Benton was to build my confidence, well, mission accomplished. It's just a matter of taking it to the house now over the last nine weeks and getting ready to hammer Memphis. Off for a shower and a nap now. Might even wake up and watch the football game. Or might not. | 