Is it because you feel the need to be more cautious?

Nah, I think it's because I suck! Seriously, I think I just need some dedicated hill workouts.

oldguy, What a great race report! I think I am more intimidated by the thought of composing a race report than I am of running such a race. I am a much better hiker than I am runner (or writer). As far as time is concerned, I would LOVE to run for over four hours at a 14:30 pace. I ran a scant three miles on the trails yesterday in cooler weather than I have had for months and I averaged 13-13.30. I was stoked! The only race I ever ran was a 5K road race last fall where I averaged a little over 12 min miles. I will never have fleet feet, but I plan to keep them going no matter what. Thank you all on the advice about the shoes. I did take them back to REI and bring home 1/2 size up. We'll see if that helps, but I expect my feet (especially my toes) will simply need to harden to trail running a little. I plan to increase mileage slowly, so maybe the transition will not be too painful. I am glad that I have never been a pedicure person because I think I will lose that one toenail before this is all done. On another note, I worked an aid station at a North Texas Trail Runner event this morning. I met some nice people and learned through the experience of others about the challenges of finding the course during these races. Oldguy, I think I will do what you did and make sure I follow veterans when I run, LOL! Anybody else have some fun this weekend? Kitrin

Howdy y'all. Glad to hear of all the cool exploits. Fatozzig, 4 hours on the trails by yourself sound awesome. That's my long run every weekend (once I get my miles back up), usually mostly in the dark too. Must of felt good to get back to the trails. I ran 11 miles in extreme humidity, 5500' elevation gain and loss. I was whooped. Couldn't keep my hr down. Was jacked for most of the run,-160-175. Soaked my car seat on the way home to the point I had to use a different car to go somewhere after I showered up. My clothes really stink now too. Can't believe how much my sweat stinks! I had no idea. Hmm. Thank God for deoderant. Reminded me of my high school years in Italy on the Milan subways in the summer. P-U. I just got back from a very relaxing, rejuvinating trail run on my lunch hour, 2.25 miles. Low hr, low humidity, 82 degrees. Cool. I'm ready to start building my miles back up.

Our humidity finally broke today, so I was not soaking as I drove home - for once. Greg, I feel your sweat! About halfway through my run I started to ask myself why I was feeling so strong. Maybe it was because I ate a little more this morning? A little cooler? The nice breeze out of the South? After the run, I decided that it was all those factors but also gave a big nod to lower humidity. I have been running with temps in the 80's and humidity in the 70-80% range for weeks now. As I drove home, the temp was 75 and humidity around 50%. I pushed slightly over one hour today, but also did some power hiking to see how that helps. I really have no idea how much distance I covered. No big deal right now. I know that I ran at least four because I am certain I am running faster than 15 minute miles. My toe still hurts and was not happy by the end of the run, but it was oozing this weekend. We'll see how it does over the next couple days. As always, great to hear from everyone! Kitrin

Leslie, Yes, the blister is under the toenail. One of the North Texas Trail Runner members suggested to me this weekend that part of my problem might be an untrimmed toenail that my socks pull backwards. I went home and trimmed the nail and it started oozing blistery puss like I had popped a blister. I thought to myself, "Well, I certainly DID have a blister UNDER that toenail, like I suspected." I did not trim the nail severely, just nice and clean and short. My position in life has always been that it is a good thing to drain blisters, so I let the toe dry out by wearing sandals and staying in watching hurricanes. Any excuse to spend hours watching radar on the computer works for me! I am beginning to think this has something to do with a combination of supination (I have VERY high arches) and the tougher toe guard material on the new shoes. Also, my left foot is slightly larger than my right. My right foot/toes are not having this problem. Kitrin

Hey, I like the new avatar. Cute kitties.

Hi Guys! I'm back! Jack and I had a good time in Utah....Jack had a great race-finished 3rd overall which is awesome for someone from the East coast. He finished in 21:47-only a few minutes behind Andy Jones-Wilkins and over an hour behind the winner Geoff Roes-20:01:07. We went down to Moab after and ran around the Arches National Park and went mtn biking. Jack did the famous Slickrock Trail-I didn't even make it around the practice loop. I said 'you go ahead honey-I'll wait for you at the car' and studied. We found an easier trail with some slickrock on it for me to do. I fell over twice on the rock within the first quarter mile and said that's enough-I have a race coming up soon. When Jack got back he said I wouldn't have enjoyed it. So I have lots of catching up to do and a life to figure out-I'll chat with you all later! Kelly