Running

good plan. i've tried it multiple times, but i only make it about 3 days. not to demotivate you or anything :) just do what your body tells you. XT is great.

Allie-Just curious, but what are your racing plans over the next 6 months or so. That's probably a loaded question, but just wondering. STG could have been yours if you were there racing it.

i am taking a break from marathon training and focusing specifically on 5ks and 10ks to build speed. the plan is to get faster at those distances, which will in turn (theoretically) bring down my half and full marathon times. so i am going to race a few short races over the next 3-4 months, and hopefully hit a sub-1:20 in a half sometime this spring (either SLC or ogden). i am planning on running grandma's marathon in june, with a goal of 2:45. it's in minnesota and it's OTQ-eligible. if i don't hit the mark there, i will re-evaluate my training and try again for the OTQ in 2011. i really want to run a fast, solid marathon, and the way i have been doing it (running multiple, downhill, pounding utah marathons) doesn't seem to be the best approach for me. i may do desnews or TOU just for fun next year, but my whole focus for 2010-2012 will be on hitting the OTQ time, which means i have find out-of-state marathons with honest courses.

long response, sorry :) what is your focus heading into winter? and racing season next spring/summer?

No apology needed, I find it very interesting. I need to find a way to try and tap into some more speed, and then translate that into a marathon as well. I will probably try and build some good base mileage and at the same time throw in more speed work or tempo work. I'm not sure on the marathons next year. I really like Ogden, and Utah Valley is certainly an option. I might have to tap into your marathon knowledge as we get into next year.