They all can't be "easy" runs.

7.5 miles. Hood Route to Legacy Trail. 1:04:32. 8:36 pace. 77 deg. 100% hum. 77 d.p. They had the Venice Sprint Triathlon yesterday. The boys would like to do this as a relay next year, and they seem fairly serious about training. I'm all for it, but my biggest concern is the bike. They have bmx bikes made for kids. And people in the race are going way faster than my son, which also could be dangerous. Anyhow, this kind of thinking was going through my head this morning on the run, and I barely noticed I was running.

10.2 miles. Legacy Trail to Colonia and Back. 1:20:58*. 7:56* pace. 75 deg. 97% hum. 75 d.p. 7:30 am start. Johnny paced me on his bike. He lost his chain @ 6 times. As you could guess, he lost his chain at the worst possible times (crossing streets, etc.) That's why the time and pace have asterisks, because I had to stop a bunch of times. So this experiment went both good and bad. I've got to get that chain fixed. He did well holding pace and responding to my instructions. I needed to beat the 8 minute man, as I have been running way too slowly lately. After you have chain-oiled fingers, brushing sweat out of your eyes is joy! The kid was so proud of himself this morning! He gave mom the sweaty hug when he got home.

I plan on taking Tommy to the track later to see where he is at with some 400s. I may do a couple too. I've got to work on Webbed Feet's parents to let him race next year.

This tri-race relay idea might turn out really well.

4 pm: Okay the trip to the track didn't go as well as expected. There was a very high heat index, so Tommy was burned out quickly. he did 2 laps warm up, 3 minutes rest, then 1 lap @ 1:56. then that was it. It was just too stinking hot, and it was not wise for me to take him at that time. We still have 51 weeks to get our act together.

4.6 miles. Ringling Bridge. 5:45 pm start. 36:44. 7:59 pace. 90 deg. 40% hum. 68 d.p.

7.5 miles. Hood Route to Legacy Trail and back. 5:30 am start. 1:05:16. 8:42 pace. 75 deg. 99% hum. 75 d.p. I saw Pop finishing his walk, and got to hang out with him for a spell after the run, which was nice. 

4.6 miles. Ringling Bridge. 5:45 pm start. 35:56. 7:49 pace. 87 deg. 74% hum. 75 d.p. Intermittent rain. All sun showers. I never got out of that inferno. I had "baby did a bad bad thing" stuck in my head for the whole run. Splain Dat!

The Cool Kids from Sarasota invited me to go run with them this weekend. 16 miles. I think I'll do it. It might force me to pick up my pace on the long runs. I'm still hovering @ 30-45 sec/mile below where I was last year. 

We shall see. 

16.16 miles (I mapped out the distance when I got home) with the Sarasota cool kids. 5:30 am start. 2:06:53. 7:51 pace. I kept my watch rolling through most water stops. I was the only Camelpak runner, again. Then we went out to breakfast. It was a good crowd, 12 of us, although only 3 of us did the full 16 mile loop. It's funny. The "what's your next race" conversations reminded me about "what's your major" conversations from years ago. Anyhow, they want to run trails next weekend. They want me to go, but I don't know. That's not my bag, baby.

When I got home, spouse had done some research and found cheap flights to the Houston Marathon in January, and suggested that maybe we go there, instead of Birmingham in February. But it looks like Houston is sold out.