the front nine (almost)

(brandon rhoads, left, marathon coordinator for the michael carter lisnow respite center, and me before my first run on the marathon course. hopkinton, mass)

distance: 17.72 miles (this morning's route)
time: 2 hrs. 45 mins. 48 secs (9:19 min.-miles)
weather: 31F, sunny, breezy
surface: asphalt
music: none
pre-run eats: 6:30 a.m.: apple, banana, bowl of Joe-O's, two Advil, cup of coffee, glass of water; 9 a.m.: one mini banana-chocolate muffin; 12 p.m.: one packet of lime goo


(the starting line for the boston marathon, a half mile from the respite center)