Mark,

I don't have GPS on my HR monitor (it is a cheapy Polar). This is one run I want to do:
http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/silverdale/707124294692726708

Yeah I got them half price(70$)!!! I think it's cuz of the kinda weird color match (brick-red and yellow) They are very spongee but they compress to become low to the ground so i can feel prety much each details of the trail! And the outer sole has more grip than an eagle's claw! I'm sure they'll be perfect for long hard trail runs! Definatly "THE" most comfortable shoe i've ever try followed by the VFFs!

8 min hill sprints??? That is just insane. LOL Thanks for the advice about the hills though. I do have a hill or two I can use for hill repeats they are just not on my normal trail and one of them has heavy traffic. It is nice to have a varied terrain, but I usually run in the bottom of a valley here so I don't get the full effect except when I am running for distance. If you ever get a chance you should come out and run a race out here in WA you would love it.

Hey Mark,

I actually can't afford a treadmill, I live in a very hilly area of W. Washington, so I can use what nature gave me, even if I am running on concrete. (yikes!) How did you feel after your relay? I have another half-marathon in two weeks.

My daughter and I ran the Pig together. It poured for about the first 4 miles and then just drizzle. That didn't bother us at all. The hills were a wonderful challenge coming from flat northern Indiana. Our time was a little slow but we were happy and had a great day and stay in Cinncinati.

Good job.

I think I was done in by trying to get to a 7:38 pace to fast. Had a couple of 7;30 miles in the middle. Should have stayed slow(8:30) for longer than 10, maybe to 18. Treadmills tell lies!!!!

I did deplete at 18. Very painful last six miles. Very, very painful last three miles. I think I concentrated too much on the uphill training. There was a six mile down hill stretch that did my quads in. It was interesting that they went out at the same time. One muscle at a time, together. For what it is worth I did not do Erics plans and my feet and hamstrings felt great at the end. 3:56 finish time.

Last training run out at 20 was 2:45. I expect to be at about 3:30-35. I am hoping that training on some awful, hilly gravel roads will allow me to have a better reserve on the last six and maybe be able to speed up and race the last three or so. I fear bonking on mile 22. 3:20 is the goal. It's a paved urban route, so I am hoping that is a plus as well. Using this marathon as a starting point to train for longer race(s).