Hmmm, I came across a thread on runners world that talks about Steamtown and how to prepare … a guy mentions hill-repeats … haven’t heard that used for in preparing for Steamtown, heres the thread:

http://forums.runnersworld.com/thread.jspa?threadID=348965&tstart=0

So of course, I head off to runners world to see what they say. Another big, long breakout of what it is, can’t they just get to the point?

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-51-0-0-1063,00.html

So I continue searching, and find this description, short, and to the point …

Intermediate Runners: “Lap It Up” Hill Repeats
Find a good hill that you can include in a 1/2 to 1 mile loop. Do laps of the course and accelerate up the hill on each lap. Use the rest of the lap to prepare for the next hill. Set a distance goal of 7 or more and repeat until you accomplish your goal. Have a cold drink and a energy bar ready for after the training session. You earned it.

Excellent. The only tip I’ve ever received is to make sure I practice running downhills, this adds another level of complexity to it, but it must be something I should do. Hal Higdons pland oesn’t call for hill work, but I have to modify my training to ensure I’m training for the race i’m running, not just a general race .. time to update the plan a bit.

I found another site on Runners World that has first time marathon runner’s information … specifically stating how the first timer should not run a 26 mile long run during training. I don’t plan to do that anyway, but it helps put my mind at ease that its not necessary. It seems that the thought on it is that if you can make it through 20-21 miles, the last few miles will be completed based on the level of training you did prior to the race, that will pull you through … (I hope i’m doing enough). Here is the website: http://mysite.verizon.net/jim2wr/