They all can't be "easy" runs.

20.75 miles. Legacy Trail. 2:43:12. 7:52 pace. I haven't gone more than 20 miles since my last marathon, almost 3 months ago. So, in honor of this momentous occasion, I'm going to attempt to write today's run report, like I'm Kendall. Just so there is no confusion, I am writing this way because I like the way Kendall writes. This is not intended to be mocking.

The temperature dropped last night, making for a brisk noontime, post church run. The sky was azure, with streaks of wispy clouds. As I crossed the first bridge of my run, I noticed the winter low tide common to Venice. The exposed oyster beds made for a good lunch spot for groups of turkey vultures. Although their circling patterns seemed random and uncoordinated to me, I can't help but feel it makes sense to them, in their own turkey vulture society.

As I worked my way alongside the intracoastal waterway, few boats passed me. But the boats on the water today were large, leaving shimmering "V' shaped" patterns reflecting through the no wake zones. Across the waterway, I could clearly see the construction cranes at rest on the Venice High School Campus. The dark outlines stood out in sharp contrast against the clear, sunny sky.

The new Chistmas present Jet Blackberry flavored Gu I ate at the halfway point was a pleasant surprise. After an hour and 20 minutes of tasting nothing, the sweet flavors awakened me.

On the way back, As I passed the former Nokomis Elementary School (which is now a playground) I could hear the echoes of children's laughter across the soccer fields. Immediatedly after, I ran through a stand of Australian Pines. The winds passing through the needles produced a "Shhh" sound, almost requesting that the playground children quiet themselves.

Although the temperatures had cooled overnight, I found myself repeatedly warmed by the smiles I encountered from fellow pedestrians and cyclists.

This is too hard.

Maybe the next run report should be in iambic pentameter!

3.5 miles. Hood Route. 29:33. 8:26 pace. I just wanted to work out some of the kinks from yesterday, and I think I did. The second half felt faster than the first half.

I saw some late teens- early twentys folks poking an alligator with a stick. Seriously. This is exactly why I like running before dawn.

10.2 miles. Legacy Trail. 1:20:43. 7:55 pace. And more importantly, Dad is coming home from the hospital tonight.

Back in the groove at the Ringling Bridge.

5.2 miles. 38:11. 7:21 pace.

Had another "race" with shirtless backwards-visor dude over the bridge. He was faster than me on the flat parts, but not on the climb, or the descent. Some day I will inform him that he has been racing me, or not. 

Amazing scenery today. Fog rolled in while I was running at sunset. As I was going up the bridge, I could see below me a flock of pelicans coast by, with their bellies inches above the water, and then "vanish" into the fog. Whoa! Awesome piles of awesomeness!

It was a bit crowded out there because 1. resolutions, and 2. people TAKING PICTURES OF THE FOG! Ringling School of Art kids with cameras on tripods. In their defense, it was that cool. I hope some of the pictures they took can do it justice. Anyway, I have become much more adept at dodging pedestrians over the last 8 months. 

This run will be tough to beat tomorrow.  The scenery, I mean. The running was tough, with the humidity, and I was kind of plodding along. But there was some killer stuff to look at. At one point, it looked like the fog "ate" half of the bridge. Amazing!

4.6 miles. Ringling Bridge. 35:44. 7:46 pace.

.75 mile warm-up. 8 miles in 1:05:23. 8:10 pace. .75 mile cool down.

I was trying something new this morning. It did not work well. Apparently, the less information I have about how I'm doing while running, the better. Usually, I go out, start my watch, and run, and I don't look at my watch again until I finish. Sometimes I look at halfway. For example, I ran my first marathon without a watch! So for the most part, I don't know how I'm doing while running. So, I've been looking at some folks on here, who could tell you what their 4th mile split was, etc. and I thought I should try that. So I mapped out a run that I could figure out my mile splits. Long story short- this gave me analysis paralysis.