We are getting along. A little healthy discussion never hurt anyone. I heart these kinds of threads. This is exactly the type of thread that leads a person to think about their own training and see what they can try. These threads give people ah-ha moments. Although sometimes they are not pretty, we can all be better for the discussion in the end. If you don't like the topic or ideas presented, and don't feel like learning, there are other threads to read. People always make up in the end and are usually better off in the end. AND this is not the newbie section, it is general running and we ARE discussing general running. I think even a newbie would read this and understand that they have a ton of reading to do. They also will learn, but threads like this give them topics to look up. Google still works folks. Back to the discussion at hand, I like my HRM and having been coached to death by speedwork in the late 80's early 90's, it was exactly what I needed to learn proper pacing in my newest running life. Nothing wrong with that. I could now just run if I wanted to, but I choose not to do so. Does that mean everyone else is wrong? No, it just means that this techy stuff has a place for some, and I am one of them. Now I understand peaking and how to do it right when I feel the need. A lot of that came from running with the aid of technology. It can't hurt to try the stuff, if it is not right for you, you will know. When it comes right down to it though, the best way to train for running is running, and tons of it. That has pretty much been the end all beat all for quite a while and I don't see that changing any time soon.

Great thread. Nothing pertinent to add, but this has got a ton of awesome stuff in it. I'd rank it in the top 5 for RA, if'n we had a ranking system, fo' shizzle. Thanks guys/gals!

TRAINING IS SIMPLE. MORE MILES= FASTER TIMES. IF NOT THE PEOPLE IN BOSTON REQUIRING A QT HAVE BEEN MISLEADING US FOR A VERY LONGER TIME. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW YOU GET THE MILES. JUST FINISHED 10.5 MILES AND 3/4THS OF A VEGGIE PIZZA. NOW THATS TRAINING.

We are getting along. A little healthy discussion never hurt anyone. I heart these kinds of threads. This is exactly the type of thread that leads a person to think about their own training and see what they can try. These threads give people ah-ha moments. Although sometimes they are not pretty, we can all be better for the discussion in the end. If you don't like the topic or ideas presented, and don't feel like learning, there are other threads to read. People always make up in the end and are usually better off in the end. AND this is not the newbie section, it is general running and we ARE discussing general running. I think even a newbie would read this and understand that they have a ton of reading to do. They also will learn, but threads like this give them topics to look up. Google still works folks. Back to the discussion at hand, I like my HRM and having been coached to death by speedwork in the late 80's early 90's, it was exactly what I needed to learn proper pacing in my newest running life. Nothing wrong with that. I could now just run if I wanted to, but I choose not to do so. Does that mean everyone else is wrong? No, it just means that this techy stuff has a place for some, and I am one of them. Now I understand peaking and how to do it right when I feel the need. A lot of that came from running with the aid of technology. It can't hurt to try the stuff, if it is not right for you, you will know. When it comes right down to it though, the best way to train for running is running, and tons of it. That has pretty much been the end all beat all for quite a while and I don't see that changing any time soon.

I officially agree with what she said. Now if only I had Willamona's discipline and dedication, I wouldn't be so damn slow. Of course, if I upgraded to the 405 ...

I don't have a GPS yet. Just a little Polar F4. It works for me, but I think I want to upgrade to a 405 just so I can run just about anywhere and any path and see how far I have gone. I live in an area that is urban but it also has a bunch of random trails in the woods. Running around all willy nilly sounds really nice for a change. The problem is the engineer in me might come out with a Garmin and I might get a touch stat crazy. I really don't want to sit down and analyze my runs to death. It was fun as a beginner, but now I think it would be a bit anal. But that's just me. Lately I have been doing a run or two without the HRM. I am very happy that I can now trust myself to do that. When I first started up this time around no HRM meant that it was going to be a fast run. Now, these runs are about the same pace as a HRM day, and it feels like the same effort. It is nice to be able to understand effort without a gadget. I really wish that easy running or effort was coached more at the HS/college level. But we were all too busy racing each other back then. Maybe now-a-days coaching is different, but I don't think so. The neighbor girl quit cross country last year after 3 days of practice. After she described the workouts to me, I understood that all 3 workouts were intervals. The beginning of my seasons were a week or so of easy runs. It almost sounds like coaching at the HS level has gotten worse. Now, the sample size is small, but my local running board is full of teens that think you have to bang out a workout everyday to be a real runner. If this easy stuff was encouraged at a younger age, I believe the state of American distance running would improve exponentially. If it takes a GPS?HRM to get the point across at that age so be it. But I think the problem is really ego. So one wants to be seen running slowly not matter what their age. Kids should not think that running has to hurt. Whoa. Real life is calling, back for more later.

Well, since I consider myself to be a perfectly average runner, I think the average cookie-cutter plan is perfect for me.

You are faster than I am.

and I'm a lot older, crook

That 'splains why you run fast(er). Damn cops.

srlopez Coming to Seattle Sept 16. Drive up to Vancover,BC. Will run a 10 k in Abbotsford,BC Sept 20 .Will tour Space needle and Victoria. Do you have a favorite eating spot.