Smart - and courageous. In 2001 when I did the Portland it was about mid-August when I developed some knee soreness. Instead of just taking a few days off, I went ahead and did my regular number of miles - just slower and "more carefully". I thought I was "running through the pain" since my knee kind of quit hurting. By mid-September I was pretty much a mess, with all sorts of problems (including plantar fasciitis.) What I was really doing all that time was just compensating for the knee and messing w/ everything else. When I did Portland I was in much less physical condition than I think I was in June prior. As I looked back, the main thing I realized was that had I the courage to kick back for a week in August, I would have been so much further ahead. I think it might be harder for us guys that are "getting back into shape" to step back since we are so afraid we will just "step back" and sit down for another 25 years! Have a great weekend.