I'm retired from racing. Really.

New post on my GSR page. 

Awesome trail run with Barry, who just returned from 2 weeks in Alaska.  Left at 5:40 am, drove to Rocky Bottom, where we jumped on the Foothills Trail to run to Sassafras Mtn, the highest point in SC.  Then we continued on to Hickorynut Mtn and Bald Knob overlook.  The trail is generally runnable, but never flat (and it sure seems like both ways are uphill!).  Long runs definitely go faster when you have someone to talk to, and it's nice to alternate as the spider web sweeper.  UROC wants a video from their elites, so Barry and I put together several shots of me running with his camera- definitely added some time to the run.  We even texted Marci from the top of Sassafras, just to make sure she wasn't in labor (baby due Sept 9).  We pushed it fairly hard all run, even as the heat increased to a very muggy 90 deg.  The last 4 miles, in particular, we were pretty much all out though I felt spry and energetic.  Quads got a good bashing, which is exactly what I wanted.  Finished 20 miles exactly with 5400 ft climbing in 3:40 (10:58 avg- Sportracks said 20.5 miles with 6100 ft climbing), followed by a nice stream soak and chocolate milk (courtesy of Barry and his girlfriend, Ally, who met us at the finish for their 15 mile hike immediately after the run).  Drove home, arriving 7.5 hrs after leaving.  Great run, felt good, especially compared to last Sat.  Highest mileage week of the year.  One more hard week, baby pending, then 2 week taper to UROC.