Morning commute plus plus

RUN: 8 miles in 1:19

OK I gotta get better names for these routes. "Plus plus"? Really?

This one went from home to the Heights to TGP to Macklind to FP via Hampton then to work. A perfect 8 miles surprisingly.

The goal was long run easy: no dashing up hills and no wearing out at the end. And test the plantain chips as nutrition at the 6 mile mark. Last night I considered bricking this to keep from piling on the miles, but the weather too good to pass up by sitting on the trainer. As I sat on our front steps putting the Adrenalines on, I took a moment to enjoy the sunshine, lack of wind, lightly humid air, easy mid-40's temps, and what you might almost call a springtime feel to the air. Sadly, this won't last. Winter is yet to settle in. But in the meantime, I'm enjoying it.

These were familiar sidewalks and paths, so my mind was able to wander for the first 4 miles. I'm much better with my ankle right now, my eyes aren't glued to the sidewalk and I'm looking ahead like I should be. So this was a very calm and easy run. Best kind!

Around miles 5-6 on Macklind I crossed a bridge with a surveying crew. Unfortunately I was in their way as there was no safe place to run off the sidewalk and there was a concrete barrier separating the street from the walk. The guy I was running towards would look in the survey thingamabob, then at me, then the thingamabob, ... he probably was checking to see if he could see past me or if he had to wait for me to get off the bridge? Anyway, I started having fun with him. Every time he'd look into the thingamabob I'd wave at him, then do a funny face with a thumbs up, then finally an arms-up YES! celebration. By the time I passed by him, he was laughing. I said "it's like you're a camera in a race!". Hahaha, hope he enjoyed it.

The last 2 miles I tested the plantain chips. Like I thought they would be, they were easy to eat and not messy. They stuck a bit to my teeth is all. And no upset stomach. These are worth testing more!

The last 2 miles felt really good too. My slow and even pace goal was hit spot on--I did just under 10m/m the whole way, never felt like I was grinding down, and actually felt like I could do another 8 miles! Yay!