Off day for me today. Might do some weight work. Just wanted to slip in and say hey. As far as running a lot, I'm sure counting on that to lower my times. I felt like last year I was turning every training run into a race and it cost me injury-wise. I'm taking 3 months to build a base of LHR miles now to experiment with that. I know my heart is stronger already, and hope it translates into faster race times. But my training times are SSSLLLLLOOOOWWWWWW and I'm injury-free.

That's the way to go...slow and easy does it, at least for a while. There will be plenty of time for go fast as your bod readjusts! Today is 10 with a fast component...somehow. I'm kind of making it up as I go along this time, so I think it's 6x6min fartleks at LT with three recovery in between. I saw a cool workout in Runner's world this month that I want to try (maybe next week Monday). It's 2x6mi at or near LT with like 6 min recovery in between. I forget the details, but it's the first useful thing (other than the article on Kara) that I've been able to get from there in a few months. I also have a conundrum I'm trying to figure out. As MrI knows, Bayshore is 6+ weeks out. The Glass City half, which I'm also running is 4+ weeks out. My HM PR is my oldest PR, and I think I'm in good enough shape to crack it, but I'm worried about the aftermath. I figure it will take about 10 days to recover from it, which means that it will be just about taper time Bayshore. So I'm unsure how to best recover from Glass City without compromising the marathon training...

I'm injury-free.

THAT is what is most important!! Enjoy your day off!

Well the hay will be in the barn for the marathon. Just run easy ! Like you my HM is my oldest PR and I'm doing a HM 2 weeks before my marathon. I may do a couple mid long runs however they will be nice easy. I figure 10-13 the weekend before the marathon and maybe an 8-10 the Wed before the marathon. All but maybe a few miles in my last mid long run will be very easy. MTA: after checking this out http://www.runningahead.com/logs/021deabc2c61467e90de7505d4899b04/calendar/2009/3 I may have to rethink my plan

Yeah, Thunder is insane. I almost wish that the Half was two weeks out, I think I would do the same thing that you want to do and that Thunder is doing. I think that Mikey's advice in the swamp is also sound, though, and just taking it easy that week after is probably best, while maintaining mileage.

Yeah, Thunder is insane. I almost wish that the Half was two weeks out, I think I would do the same thing that you want to do and that Thunder is doing. I think that Mikey's advice in the swamp is also sound, though, and just taking it easy that week after is probably best, while maintaining mileage.

Well Mike's advice is EXACTLY what I plan (and already planned before I saw it) to do! Thats' also why this was my first line to you Well the hay will be in the barn for the marathon. Just run easy !

You ran a hellova race last year, Erika. Do you have any hints how to get an 11 minute PR (!) at Boston?

Thanks. I did everything wrong. I took off like a shot. Caught Perchcreek by mile 4 (he started in corral 14, I was in 19). Ran with him till 14 or so, then took off again. Walked up parts of the hills. Walked thru some water stations. Slapped hands of kids. I even walked a bit the last mile! Then ran like hell after turning that final corner. Crossing that finish line was the best feeling ever! The only drag was all the crippled up looking/staggering runners who were in my way on my way to the medals!! 7.3 mile tempo run last night. Miles 4 & 5 were both 7:41. Mile 4 was downhill, sort of like the start of Boston, and I wanted to work on fast downhill running. Felt great, until I came up on a bunch of icy spots and had to slow down or FOMA.

Uh, I don't think I'll follow the Erika plan. I'm afraid to walk during a marathon because I figure I won't start running again I did slap some hands last year, though -- I think it might have been around mile 12 (Wellesley)

TY, I have set all sorts of PR after doing nothing but slow running during training. I got to the start line uninjured and raring to go. The only downside, is friends would ask before the race what my goal time was. I had no clue how fast I could run, since my training wasnt in that direction. During the race, I had no pace goals, just run as fast as my body would allow on that day, and accept what ever came. What came were usually PR by several minutes.