Bugs, a mix of those 2 plans could be interesting. I avoided the Pfitz plan this time because it has fewer, longer runs and I seem to feel healthier if I run more days/week. Seems like the 18/55 only had you running 4 days some weeks with a lot of cross training. I'm not very good about getting any cross training in. You've certainly got the long runs to jump into about any marathon anytime this fall. Had you been racing most weekends? How did you make that work with your long runs? I'd love to do more of the local 5k/10k races, but worry about turning around and doing a LR the next day.

It was the 24 plan I've been glancing at, but really I'm only ready for that plan now. Pfitz does not cutback enough for me. I don't plan to run more 60 miles. But I was clearly ahead of Hal's so I added weekly mileage instead of LR miles during base building. I think it has helped me avoid injury. Sometimes I run 6 days, like on weeks I hit a new mpw. Then the next I might run the same mpw but only 5, then take a cut-back. I want to run 3 20's and one 22 and have 9+ weeks to the marathon. I'm not sure if I'll alternate LRs of 20-12-20-12, like Hal does or do it more like pfit. I'm kind of just deciding as I go with the reminder that rest is important too. I was racing a little more earlier in training and I would run say 17 one weekend, race the next weekend, and run 17 the next. Legs felt really good doing that. Racing on a Saturday, and running LR on Sunday isn't so bad, but DH likes to fish. Erika, tends to train like that. (pace on Sat, LR on Sunday) I think it is fine but you need to make at least Monday and Tuesday easy or rest days.

I'm nervous and very excited. I hope that I can train well and fit in as many hills as possible and then I will just do my best. And then I will just plan on doing better on the next one!

That's a great plan. It's such a thrill beating your last time. Make your first marathon all about completing your first marathon. Enjoy the run. The second one you can beat the time of your first.

You all are making me feel like such a slacker with your training. Mine just keep on changing. It is now looking more like I'll be able to do the Heart of America on September 1st. DD should be back in the States the 3rd week of August. I have not ran longer than 14-miles in over a month. With 4 weeks to go and the temps what they are I can't claim to be too enthusiastic about doing a 20-miler either. There is a semi-formal 10k Saturday here that I can do for a tempo. You predict your time and the start is staggard. Goal is to have everyone finish close to the same time. The wild card is that you are allowed to sandbag to improve your odds. Winner gets their name on a humility trophy that they must return next year. Otherwise it has been a struggle lately to do 10.5 minute miles. I think I might as well just run easy in August and air it out on Labor Day. Not the smartest plan but time is running out. I dont' know how much there would be to gain out of wedging in a 20 just to say I've done one since June. Shan, Erika, Bugs, Dave, Cash, Brian, your training is going great!

7 miles tonight in an hour one minute... drat that one minute. Meant to bike today, but mowing the lawn, cleaning the pool and an earthquake changed those plans.

Bugs - that's pretty funny. Cash - I hope that didn't earthquake didn't get to close.

Now Brian, THAT is a neat idea! Guess your time but run naked. Cool, I love it. Hey Cash, what's shakin'? Heh, just some stoopid earthquake humor. We have tremblers all the time here. The difference here is we get a few shaken up moose and squirrels, but in CA they crumble freeways and such. Haven't felt a real good one in several years. Sorta miss it. I like earthquakes. P2R, you've got a good enough base (or at least you had...) that you should be able to pull it off. Don't hurt yourself... {{tired cranky Bugs}} that's sweet. Mine just gets mad at me for being cranky and then HE goes to bed! Planning another after work run today. Don't think I'll run home though. I have an 8k race on Saturday so don't want to overdo hills today, but need to get 10 or so miles. So I'll run from my office out to the base of Ester Dome, the big ol' hill (mountain?) we climb for the Equinox, then back to the student rec center. Someone should be able to pick me up and take me home by then... or I'll just keep going and they can find me along the way. Good way to get some extra miles in! Our weather is pretty bad today, cool, windy, drizzly, fog by the river... ugh. Should clear up a bit later on though (I hope!).

Great runs everyone. Sorry to hear you felt bad on yours, Shan. Still, 3 is 3. Way to push through. Feeling your pain on the heat, Brian. 4 for me in about 85F and 80% humidity. Forced myself to run in the evening (which I rarely do because I don't get to see DD2 because it gets so late and she's asleep). 8 at marathon pace planned for tomorrow. Looking forward to it.