Thoughts, Birds, Friends and 12 Miles

I'd like to dedicate this post to James the Elder. While I was importing Robert Earl Keen CDs into iTunes this morning and sipping coffee, James was running the Myrtle Beach Marathon. Years ago, when I had virtually quit running marathons, James got into the marathon craze and was having so much fun with it that he got me back into it. Even though I don't have the same times I had back then, I think I treasure my 'older wiser' marathons even more. So, this ones for you James!

I had to revise the bird count part of my run today since it was raining at times. I didn't take my binoculars but did take my camera for a few shots of Sunview Lake with the Canada Geese cutting a beautiful wedge through the lake. Bird song was everywhere with the Titmice and Chickadees leading the way. Ring-billed Gulls were on the lake with Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. In the fields there were plenty of Amercan Pipits and Eastern Meadowlarks. My time was good - 2:01:12 at 10:06 per mile. On the back end of the run I hit my stride at about 8 miles. I had a steady drip of sweat off of the brim of my cap that lets me know that I'm hydrating correctly and I coasted in at a sub 10 minute per mile pace. My weight dipped under 180 for the first in a long time. I'm right in the training groove!

toadshade