Change of Pace

It was fairly hot and humid here today, but I still shouldn't have been as wiped out as I was after nine easy miles around the park. Meghan is expecting me to pace her for a good chunk of the last 35 miles of her 100-mile run at the beginning of August, so while it might be okay for me to write off the July 27 half marathon that I've putzed away my training for, I am not about to let down a friend. I've got some work to do.

So, in that spirit, I'm headed back down to Cuba again for some grade-A, professional heat and humidity. That's got to be as good a place as any to acclimate in anticipation of Cleveland's famously uncomfortable dog days. I'm taking down another load of old running shoes, since those seemed to be appreciated by the local youth athletic director, though I never did get my act together to collect shoes from other people, so I hope there are a lot of size 6 1/2 runners' feet in Havana.

It's my kid brother's 30th birthday this week too, so hopefully we can celebrate that a little while I'm there. I remember it being over 100 degrees for his 21st birthday in DC a few years back, but when you're born on the 4th of July, that just comes with the territory.

It's kind of funny. Last time I was down there we went to the big Nationalistic parade that they hold for May Day. This time around I'm going to a U.S. Independence Day party. Somehow I don't think Fidel will be showing up to this event either!