The secret of the Forbes Mill Loop

One of my goals has been to run the Forbes Mill Loop (2.7 miles) in under 19 minutes. In 2007 I ran 19:06 but since then have come no closer than the 19:30  I ran a year ago. On that run I stopped for 40 seconds at turn around so had I continued to run straight through I might have bagged a time down in the 19:10-15 range.

The key as near as I can figure is to run the two mile section in 14:45. That gives me 4:14 to run the  two .35 segments. 2:14 going out and 2 minutes coming back. 

The tough part is the two mile. I will have to go up the hill in 8:00 and come back down in 6:45. So I hit the top in 10:14 and come back in 8:45. If I can get close, it will be very tough. The critical part is to be able to maximize the downhill section and then go all out from the last marker on it.

The Hill