Taper babbling...

Calm and focused, that's what I'd say my mind embodies right now, perhaps borderline lax. Surely that will change as the Saturday edges closer, but what would race week be without the constant changes in mental approach or confidence? Fifty miles along the CDT hasn't changed, but I have changed and come back better prepared.

I've been thinking about splits and such, but at the moment, I think I'm going to throw them out. What matters to me is taking an hour off last year's "run". I will probably take some risks because, well, because it's more fun that way. I'm glad Bill, Geoff, Ryan, and Dylan (and others) are running because it puts out any chance of irrational pre-race thoughts. Time for me to focus on what I do well. I think that an 8:xx:xx is reasonable and expected from me, but I'm not going to make any comments on how low I think that can be.

One thing I've found is that, the number can only be as low as the day gives you. If you're on, you can push right to the line and possibly beyond. On an average day you can be fast if you play it smart and stay within your thresholds. Sometimes, things just don't go your way and you need to gut it out. I know that I can gut this race out, I did last year. Hopefully the actual race experience will be the antithesis of 2009.

This race will also be the final journey for my beloved grey pair of NB 100's. Per my log, they have 65 sessions, 713.5 miles run, 114 hours 35 minutes and 59 seconds on them as of now. 66 is a good place to stop.