I never use the HRM when I race. I am so excited by the crowd that I know I run better than when I'm training. So I don't want to know if my HR's through the roof! If I can breathe, my muscles work, and I don't have a killer side stitch or something, I just keep running. When I run with Jamie, it's usually she who says, "Can we walk now?"

I only give myself a hard time when I'm running alone. Like you, Colby, I like the "slow and steady" training because I know it's all about endurance. I *have* endurance. Speed, not so much! I have a 1-2-3-4 pace that, if I stick with it, I can go quite a distance before walking. Last year in the marathon, I only walked through water stations until about mile 16. After that I'd need to walk some more. I don't think I'll ever do that long of a race again, but who knows?! It's wonderful to know I *can* do something like that.