I hit a bump in the road, too. I started having some calf issues, but they seem to be gone with plenty of time to get ready for Grandma's. Sorry to hear about your brother, those nagging injuries are tough to get rid of and can be really frustrating. Happy to see your still on track. Trent is amazing, I thought i was crazy for trying to run a marathon every couple of weeks. He does one every week and it's no big deal. good luck with the final stages of your training.

Is there a way to attach a excel file to forums??. One of my many jobs is taking care of my 5 month old daughter. She's not big enough to fit in a running carriage, so my down time from work I read, and surf a little. Found this excellent excel file for Boston, and adapted it to Grandma's.

That is a cool pacer file. Some thoughts - Time of day implies that you will start on time and be at the front of the pack when the gun fires. I expect that neither will occur. If it were me, I would eliminate that altogether on any final printout. When you get marathon brain, it will be confusing to try and sort out the details. So you have this set up for even pace or even effort? Lemon drop hill is not a bad hill, nor is the drop at mile 25, but by that point in a marathon, anything that deviates from your rhythm is deadly. Both these hills require a hell of a mental effort to get through. Also, downtown, the streets are cobbled, which is a change that requires effort to get through. Do you have a backup plan? Even splits to a sub-4:00 in your first marathon is a fantastic goal, but it does not always work out, especially if the weather does not cooperate or some other variable surfaces. You need to have something to keep you going even if your primary goal slips. The less thought your backup plan requires, the better. Betty's Pies. In your week in Duluth, make sure you get to Betty's Pies in Two Harbors!!! Also, go visit Split Rock lighthouse. Good luck!!

The cobbled section is a pain for everybody. I think it starts around 23.5 or so, and goes right until about 25, when you cut left and fly down a big big hill to the lakefront. From there, you will go around the DECC (the convention center), making a large leftward circle. Then you will make a large rightward circle, go under an overpass, then you will have about a 1/4 mile straightaway into the finishing chute. The last bit is packed with people.

Never had a problem with the treadmill in the past, but after a coupple year hiatus, have found the treadmill a killer. Don't know if its age, poor form, or poor shape - but the treadmill hurt! trying to get to the roads. My schedule hasa been so hectic that I can't keep a regular schedule anymore! Plan to keep treading along!!!