Off-Topic

I'm running HAT. I feel like i am coming back from injury pretty strong. Original plan was just to finish, now looking at PRing (sub 5:35). Everyone from the waitlist got in, which is great, because a friend was logging a lot of trail miles in preparation, and it would suck not to get in.

I really like my Garmin 310xt. Locks onto satellites fast and has a battery that lasts like 18-24 hours of running. Most watches have to be recharged more frequently. You could take a look at the 610. It has touch features, but no problems to the extent of the 400 models. I refuse to go touchscreen though.
Also the 910xt is coming out (or is just out). That is a very nice watch from the reviews (dcrainmaker.com). Also, since the 910xt is the new model, you may find a chance to get a 310xt cheap.

Did you previously have a garmin? The old 305 is still a great watch, and can probably be had for <$200.

Jemo- Having never run Central park, and only been down near the southwest portion of CP, can you elaborate on your definition of "hilly"? The NYC half looks like a great course, and if i never run NYC marathon, i'd like to run that. I don't want to be caught by surprise by the terrain...

I have the Garmin 405 and I like it a lot. Yes there a lot people out there who hate it because of the touch bezel and it does in fact sometimes act funky when it gets wet. But here is the thing, you can lock the bezel. You can set up three screens with three different stats on each screen and set the device to auto scroll and lock the bezel. The watch will then scroll through the screens while you run. You can even adjust how fast it changes screens.

I did this for a few runs but after awhile I realized that there where only three stats I needed to know while I was actually out on a run: distance, time and pace. The rest is just information overkill that isn't needed while running. So now I set one screen to show these three things, lock the bezel and run. While the bezel is locked wetness will not affect it. All the other stats (heart rate, elevation gain, laps, fastest pace, etc) can be reviewed when you get home and download it all to Garmin Connect with your ant plugin. BTW, that Garmin Connect website is great. It draws you a map of your run and shows you your stats all along your run. Fantastic. And it stores all of your runs so that you can see how you are progressing. Hope that helps.

It looks to be selling on Amazon for $159

Anyone running in the St. Patrick's Day 8K in D.C. next weekend? I'm registered and looking forward to it. It'll be my first 8K race and first event in the city, as well (I've done a few 5Ks in the 'burbs).

Need some injury help, running people.

So on my last long run before my half (which is a week from Sunday), I started feeling my achilles heel, and it was sore for about a day or two after. It feels fine now when walking, but about 2 miles into running I start feeling it again, and then it gets pretty tender. Any tips on kicking this before the race? I've been icing it and running very lightly since I felt it on my long run. Should I invest in a compression sleeve for the half? Any other tips?

This thread is 90% people talking to themselves.

I'll be running it Sunday. Using it as a speed workout since my main spring race is the Cherry Blossom 10 mile run. Should hopefully show me I'm on track for the time I'm looking for on April 1.

Two weeks til the 40th Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run!

not quite.. its a place to brag imho

gonna be a rainy, muddy mess (unless we get lucky)

I hope to hit the hay soon...530a comes pretty quick before a 50K.

robterp, look for bib #192 (you'll probably only see me on the turn-around at the beginning of the 3 mile loop again)...good luck brother!

I was talking with someone the other day, and we were discussing whether Cherry Blossom is a lottery in the truest sense. My thought is people entering with faster predicted finish times are much more likely to get in than those likely to walk much of the race.

However, this could be completely wrong. Just my own wondering aloud.

Great job rob. The trails were indeed sloppy and felt like you were sloshing around at times.

I pulled a Fox again and was lazy about training. I got a DNF after finishing the first 17 miles and felt like my quads and calves couldn't take another 13 miles.

I'm sure I'll sign up again, ha, because I'm crazy for pain like that.

My wife came today and said many folks were dropping out after the first 4 miles or so when rain was really coming down.

The winner, Caleb, was blazing through the course when he passed me.