Hey Oak,
I only need the flip flops for flippity flopping around the house and a quick run to the store. I do not wear them for hours on end like the rest of the folks around here. I found a pair of sketchers that may work. Otherwise I have on really supportive shoes or retired running shoes with orthotics in there.

Fortunately the terrain at the next race is more like what we run locally. I think there is only 1500 feet of elevation change in this race compare to 4800 at North Face and the upcoming race will not have the rocks like at Bear Mt. probably lots of roots which we are used to. So it should feel more runable, less power hiking.

I am not sure what I will do after this race as far as maintaining distance. I will not have anything "long" until next fall. We will trail run all summer and want to start mt biking again after this next race. I may just do a longish trail run every other week just to keep my endurance up. 90 mins would probably do it.

We have three trips planned and they all involve hiking, so that can sub for some long trail runs too.