What I learned in 2008

I learned a lot of things about running that I should not have. I say this because as I review these things I learned they are all common sense.
1. I cannot run a marathon comfortably without running 45 mi/wk for the prior 12 weeks.
2. Running with my glutes is more efficient.
3. When I run hard then easy, the easy has to be easy. That is less than 4 mi.
4. Backpacking in the summer counts as major adventures not as training for a marathon.

My weekly mileage for 2008.
I initially built up to 45 mi/wk but then tried only running 3-4 times a week. Plus the Colfax marathon was 76 degrees and I died. I started running base mileage of 35-38 mi/wk in September and carried this through to December rather than run another marathon or train for a marathon. This was wise and I finished 2008 in very good shape with no injuries.