Ran 8.0 miles today in in great weather (about 70 degrees F). The course I ran was a fairly abrupt series of dirt hills, meaning that I went up one side and down the other, up another hill and again, down the backside. This was tough, especially since some of the hills were very steep. Although half of the run was downhill, it seems that the long uphills completely eliminate any stamina I had going. I ran the 8 miles in 47 minutes, but am very happy with my time due to the extensive twisting, turning and ups/downs of the hills. I am also practicing a new type of strategy for racing. At the beginning I run fast, but not at threshold. As the run proceeds, I slowly pull down on the trigger, attempting to run the last mile in under 5:30 pace. I think that this can help build up stamina and aerobic threshold. | 