Bugs, did you run anything after your last long run??? If you didn't I'm sure that had alot to do with it as well as the fact that you are just recovering from being sick. I think you shouldn't worry too much about getting a hard and fast 18 miler in before getting some faster shorter runs in and some nice and easy long runs in. Sorry to hear your so frustrated!

Sorry I'm behind on my log. I ran 9 miles with hill circuits on Wed. 6 miles nice pace Thursday, and 30 minutes on Friday. My legs weren't tired today. Work, the econony and blood sucking clients is draining the life out of me. Had it not for the weather I would have ran nice and easy 5 miles , and long run tomorrow. However even then I could not have ran the long run hard. Who runs a long run hard the first time they cover the distance? I just think it's nuts.

Yeah Bugs, I wouldn't run it hard the first time out for that distance. And on my long runs that end up fast, it's usually because I'm taking advantage of the hills. You might try doing the 3:1 fast-finish long run, where you run the first 3/4 of your run easy, then crank it up a bit for the last 1/4. I think that sort of approach has much more value than just killing yourself trying to crank it up the entire distance. And yes, life circumstances do take a lot out of you. While running is a good outlet for stress and pressures, it's also not realistic to assume all that stuff isn't going to affect performance. Cut yourself some slack. Remember, we don't get paid to do this! Hope to be able to check up on Shan soon. The website said results within 24 hours, but I hope she checks in before that. I'd love to see pics from that race, it looks gorgeous. 9 hilly miles today, 8:28 avg pace. I feel pretty good about this run because I tried to take it pretty easy; didn't push it hard at all and got a pretty good average overall. Of course, being a hilly route my individual miles were all over the place, but they averaged out nicely.

So it is. She did pretty well, that's a helluva hilly course! DH told me there were some moose along the trail I was planning on running today, so I took my camera. Didn't see the moose, but I thought you guys should see what I'm still dealing with, as far as snow goes. This is the bike path on our road, my house is a mile up the hill from here. Sure was a nice day today.

HEY GUYS!!! I will catch up after I go get some dinner. I just got to the resort in Genoa (outside Tahoe) - STUNNING!!! Anyway I need food and then I will be back to catch up and tell you about the race. The short version - 5:04:07 - good for 7th place overall - my first EVER top 10 finish! I was less than an hour behind 1st place (4:09). I can't wait to see how gender/age results turn out!!!! Cash - THANKS!!!

Wait til Shan sees that she won her age group!! Thats crazy. Thats a better time than my PR (at least for another month). Bugs, Id have to agree..youve got plenty of speed. Just get some long slow ones in, and youll kick some butt. I ended up just doing 6 tonight. My legs felt fantastic. My pace was faster than normal. Had some stomach issues and heartburn. I ate a very late lunch--and it didnt really agree with me. Great weather today. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy. Seems like all Sundays have been that way as of late.

The short version - 5:04:07 - good for 7th place overall - my first EVER top 10 finish! I was less than an hour behind 1st place (4:09). I can't wait to see how gender/age results turn out!!!!

And #1 in her age group. Another AG win for Team Blister! Lacing up the shoes now for a long run this morning. Erika, spring will come eventually. Its hard to imagine still dealing with that much snow. I would post pictures but it would only piss you off. (think Washington Cherry Blossom Festival this weekend). Speaking of cherry blossoms, good luck on the 10 miler this morning Kimmie!!

14.5 miles this morning. Just wasn't quite feeling it today. Pushed through. Glad I logged the miles.

Amazing, JF -- that was a good time for running trails with that elevation change! My run this morning was a good confidence builder. I was wondering how it would go with legs a bit tired from yesterday's tempo, but I was fine. 16.2 miles, 2:19:04, 8:34/mi, AHR 149 (76% MHR) miles@pace(AHR) = 5@9:10(138), 6@8:41(146), 5.22@7:53(162) all splits: 9:15(150), 9:08(136), 9:17(134), 9:03(141), 9:06(141) 8:50(143), 8:51(146), 8:46(141), 8:34(146), 8:34(148), 8:32(153) 8:09(157), 8:04(160), 7:58(162), 7:46(163), 7:36(166), 1:36(167) [0.22=7:16] I have a head cold, but my nose didn't run much during the run. I'm sneezing and nose is running now though.