Midnight 25K

WILLIAMS JUNCTION — I took 1:43:07 to get to the turnaround of the Midnight 25K in the Ouachita National Forest. Elaine Gimblett and Jayme Sturgeon manned the station, and I was hungry and there was a cute, 20-year-old short-haired blonde from Morrilton there, so I lingered for 5 minutes, 3 seconds. I felt great, having a little blood-sugar trouble, but still was stoked, had no idea; I ran back in 1:17:21 to finish in 3:05:31.

This negative-split business is getting out of hand. Granted, the course is uphill going out, but the difference is not acute enough to explain a 13:18 pace followed by 9:59.

Nevertheless, I am happy. I ran every step of the way back. My legs are dead, which probably wipes out my chance for a good result at the Dam Night Run 5K next weekend, but fuck it.

And, oh yeah, this was my 365th consecutive day of doing no less than a two-mile walk. I ran and walked 1,570 miles this year, for an average of 4.3 miles a day, or 30.1 miles a week.*

Yesterday I walked the Maple Street Loop in the morning, the Levy Loop in the afternoon, and walked the Maple Street Loop this morning.

*If I average my mileage from today next year, I will cover 6,570 miles, or 126 miles a week.