I've keep a running log book since I started running a decade ago. Each year, I total my running and walking mileage on New Year's Day. And, each year, the numbers rise.

They didn't this year.

2005 -- 2,078 run & 1,583 walk
2006 -- 2,080 run & 1,603 walk
2007 -- 1,774 run & 865 walk

Yet, 2007 was a year I ran a marathon and set PRs in three new distances -- the 15K, 1/2 marathon and marathon.

2007 was also a year that I started running with other people regularly -- people who encouraged me to run up hills (lest you be left behind) and dragged me along on long runs I'd never have run all the way by myself.

Less mileage + more quality runs + real rest = better race times and better runs.