Well, I’m firmly in my taper now.  Today was a mere 13-1/2 miles!

And really, that distance wouldn’t be all that hard anymore — except today was HORRENDOUSLY hot and humid.  High 80s and 75 percent humidity when I started, and the first three plus miles were mostly uphill, downwind, and under blaaaazzzing sun.  I wouldn’t have made it if that had kept up.

Fortunately, at the first turn I not only got a cross wind (and later a glorious headwind!), but the clouds came and turned off the broiler.

I still managed to turn miles in 8:50 on average on a hilly course.  Paavo, here I come!