Well, I might have to reconsider the CIM for this year. I had another lousy run today, and it was my last really long run before the race, so it's not like I can keep practicing to get things right at this point. 26 miles. It took me over TWO HOURS to complete the last 8 miles! RIDICULOUS! It usually takes me about an hour and 10 minutes! I had to walk A LOT and stop too, to keep myself from throwing up. The temp went up 25 degrees while I was out. I tried to hydrate -- 1 and 1/2 Hammer Gels with one Endurolyte per hour, starting after hour 1, mixed into approx. 8 oz. of water. I also drank some plain water toward the end because I just couldn't stomach anymore nutrition, I felt SO NAUSEOUS.

So, my on-my-feet time was 4 and 1/2 hours (all that walking). I stopped my watch for all my potty stops and stops on the side of the road/trail. My total time was close to SIX HOURS!

Who knows, maybe I do the race just for the experience, not aiming for a certain time (knowing I'll never meet my goal). Or, maybe I'll just hang up the brand new shoes early and get back on my bike.

Speaking of the new shoes, I ended up driving up to Auburn (I called the Fleet Feet in Citrus Heights, Roseville, Sacramento, and Davis and NONE OF THEM had my size! Come on -- I mean 6.5 really isn't a strange size, is it? I used to wear size 5 -- talk about hard to find shoes!). I ended up with the Brooks Defyance and with my Green Superfeet they feel really good. Much lighter than my old New Balance. And they fit snug so my feet don't slip around.

Yellow, thanks for sharing your photo -- looks like a really nice place to run. And fun armwarmers too!