18 down, 8.2 to go

Went out for the first 18-miler of the season yesterday afternoon. It went pretty well. It was a beautiful day, sunny and 32 degrees...almost shorts weather! My IT was good after the first 3 miles (I moved my knee strap). The only problem then was stupid blisters. I managed an 8:30 pace without too much work other than the last 2 miles, so that is satisfying. I think I'm ready to ramp it up a little (but not too much) as long as I keep stretching the IT!