Erika, sorry didn't comment on your 20 earlier. WOW WOW WOW. That's fast. Is that faster than the 20 before last year for Boston? You ran all those marathons last fall and winter, how do you feel in comparison to last year?

Thanks. Last year's last long run (also 21 miles) was just over 8:32 avg pace, and included about the same number of hills but more ice, so about the same. I recall my first long run was right on 9:00, and they got faster from there. I also did more specific speed work last year because I was training for that Ragnar Relay the end of February. Nothing like mile repeats at 10k PR pace for a few weeks to tune things up! Also, last year I'd done my string of marathons, 6 in 6 months, with the last one being Carlsbad in late January. This year my January marathon was 2 weeks earlier. Not sure what difference that makes, but it seems like a long stretch between races for me (over 3 months). Mechanically I'm not doing so well this year. Nagging metatarsal problems and hip/butt issues (I'm thinking hamstring tendinitis from my self-diagnosis process) are bothering me. I'm hoping a few days of no running or anything will get me set for the race. I typically don't run much the week of a marathon, usually more due to traveling and time issues than any real plan. I've got new shoes that I hope solve the crowded toe problems I was having. Seems like my old ones got too small all of a sudden. Goals for this race? I'm trying not to have many, actually. I'm thinking I'll be good to come away with an 8:30 avg pace, but we'll see. Not going to be a PR race, that much I'm pretty sure of. 5 miles last night along the side of the road, faster than I wanted it to be but I think I just wanted to get it over with.

It's nice to hear that there are people who can understand that some people need to run to feel better physically THANKS Bugs!! Anyhow got 17 miles in the freezing cold/ with semi heavy winds with snow flurries on and off (mostly on). My RP had orginally wanted 18 miles however we settled for 17 (one mile more than her previous long run).This weather is freaky! Hope everyone is having a great HUMP day!

ooohhh is THAT how I useto see it!! LOL I knew I saw it before I just didn't know how.

Think the knee issue was just too many hard days for me and nothing cures that like a nice medium-long hard run

and you call your runs easy...

I was so inspired by Lou's run this morning that I put in 10.5 @ 8.02 pace. Not really a tempo run though. One mile down around 7:15. Think the knee issue was just too many hard days for me and nothing cures that like a nice medium-long hard run

Nice. Well done, sir! Sounds like the recovery has gone extremely well! 14.2 easy here. I LOVE THIS WEATHER! Please, no more snow! I'm eyeing a 10K now the week after Glass City(three weeks before Bayshore) It's a very local race, one of the last local races I haven't had a chance to run yet. We'll see how I feel after Glass City, I think.

I say you do what works for you. That's the great thing about running and training - it's all individual. I'm just razzing you because I can.

I ran my 10 miles today in right at 1:20. Two years ago, that was faster than my Army 10 miler time and I spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch with the shakes after that race. I know I've improved.

Yeah, the person in the picture of your profile and the guy I ran with a few weeks ago look hella different. You've definitely increased fitness and gotten a lot faster!