Thanks race newbie for the added info. I think my strength training is going well, need to step up the cardio. With the cardio I have increased from working at a lower level for 1/2 hour, to a higher intensity for a full hour, and my heart rate is getting better also. I need to keep at it longer though.
It gets so boring inside at the gym, I can barely last an hour (even with good music), and I'm just a wuss and can't bare to get outside in temps below 50 degrees...so hopefully soon it will warm up a bit. Thanks again for the insight.