Lisa: I admire your willingness to do hill work so much. I'm sure your race times will improve because of it (as I'm sure my legs would thank me for doing such an event...in January). Even if I'm not at Applefest, another event TBD, I'll be rooting for you to make a great time. (The 1/2 distance actually works against us, well against DOOD.)
I love that you talk about working on getting better in terms of listening to your body and keeping at it. It's not about one day of perfect, it's about daily choices. I think a lot of us have an idea about eating, especially, as either reaching perfection or throwing in the towel. (Let alone exercise, running, hydration, sleep). When really, it's about making better choices, every day. Heck, in my case, sometimes it's every hour. So thanks for the wording!
How are your IT issues now? Have they been addressed? Speaking of issues, on of my good friends tells me I might as well learn to make peace with mine, as they're the only thing that will be with me for the rest of my life. I hate her sometimes.
That's because she's right, frak. (Yep, you got that right--watch Battlestar Galactica, girl, it's good sci-fi!)
Nancy: Great to see you here! I think it's great that you're spreading your love for all your new XT classes to Beth and everyone! (Even if I'm glad I'm not the one who's sore!)
Amykab: You've got a great pace going, what with hitting a 12mm pace on W1D2. I'm impressed!
Between C25K and your Garmin, I'm sure a 5K PR is in your sights. Colorado: Come for the job opportunities, stay for the microbreweries! There's a Chamber of Commerce poster for you! I'll think good thoughts for your job search and for DH's interview. Is he feeling good about the possibilities?
As for your new haircut, aren't highlights fun? I
own a hairdryer, and I even think it's unpacked.
And your "year ago" story is so inspiring. You've done all these things in such a short period of time. I can't wait to meet you in January! As for the 1/2 plan, I second
MfM, which I'll be followig with some modifications to improve my performance, like speedwork. (I'll know more when I get closer to training.) I found that I could still have a life on Bingham's plan.
Dave: How many days until ToT? More importantly, how many days until Lisa's b-day? And your tip about running green is so wonderful.
I'm lucky enough to live in an area of Pgh sandwiched between two parks (Frick and Schenley--check it out!), and spending time there walking/running/just hanging out makes a big difference.
Tracey: DS held a shark? You have to post that pic!! It sounds like DH's job is bigger, better, and maybe more satisfying? That last bit is very important, IMO, especially if you don't need to compromise on the family's security, etc.
I didn't know so many of the details of your back story. Only a year??
I just feel better in my own skin.
I love that statement--I think that's what running, with or without weight loss, does for me.
Vic: Even if you're not always with us online, we can feel you with us in spirit. Ooooh, I just felt a cold chill across my spine. Yep, there you go again.
No such thing as a measly 3 miles, though! You're being consistent! And you've apparently become your chief deputy's PT! See, I always knew you were a motivator! So, waiting for Sears? Does this mean the kitchen remodel is underway?
Connie: 
Good to see you back, and I'm glad to hear your schedule is getting a little more stable--I hope.
Anyway, I think I will just take it easy a couple more days and then hit the ground runni.....walking! and Pilating! And weight resistancing! and stretch, stretch, stretching!
Love your description--this is what I'm going for. I wanna be a rubber-band man, fast yet loose, strong and flexible. (Minds out of the gutter, folks.) As for estranged relationships with my parents, well there isn't anything stranger than mine!
Stacie: I'm glad you're feeling better, and think your getaway will help your spirits. But I'm going to let my response to the "first" post stand. First of all, yes, YAY for you. Within a year you have become a multiple-race participant! That's no small potatoes (and no couch potato, either). You're so right, we're harder on ourselves than we'd ever be on each other. Please try to celebrate your successes. They are many and substantial.
Second,
for all that you're going through. (Susan, too.) I can't imagine how difficult and scary it must be to have to face a diagnosis that changes everything about the way you live. (Okay, I can, but your situation is so different than mine in terms of the day to day, the eating. Wow!)
Third, you never let us down. Ever. WISH isn't the place where we all post as if we've drunk the Kool-Aid, pretending to be happy-happy-happy all the time. And it's not a place where we perpetuate myths about what it means to be an athlete, implying that it's all progress easily made. It's a place where we can be who we really are, individuals who have chosen to adopt healthier lifestyles. And that includes the successes AND the failures AND, the victories AND the struggles. It's a place for advice, support, commiseration, and the more-than-occasional laughter. And WISH wouldn't be any of these things without all of us participating, sharing, honestly. WISH is family, and you're one of my beloved cousins.
Fourth, you just let us know what we can do for you. You're family, and family takes care of its own. Pssst, I know a guy who knows a guy who can get you gluten-free treats on the down-low....
Maria: Shaking things up and shaking weight off! WTG with the 2+ pounds and increased activity. And for the better eating....strange how the two sometimes go hand in hand. A healthy diet almost seems easy to maintain given your family-food history. Pre-vegetarian, growing up days I was expected to eat not just venison, rabbit, and bear, but squirrel, pickled pig's feet, crawfish and turtle soup--and my family isn't from the South! (As for my family, who said I was reasonable one?
Yep, Michigan is my home state--was exiled to ND for career reasons.)
Beth: Sore quads = good WO, right? Did you have fun? Yay for a weekend with Nancy but boo for no WDW.
That's cruel and unusual punishment. Are you sure you can't sneak in a little PD? Btw, I think of having Nancy with you is like having your own on-the-road PT. Good for motivation! I hope you have a good time at your conference, regardless of whether you hit the parks.
Jeanne: Actually, I think it's Maria who's the voracious reader in this group. So much of the reading I've done was work-related. I'm still learning to read for fun! I think your LIFE has been sporadic for the past 6-8 weeks, let alone your WOs. If you were to look at everything that's you've been doing, I'm sure you'd feel the stress behind the funk. As far as the heat, I don't take heat well even if I'm hydrated. Do you? Maybe you need E-tabs? Anyway, you also need a
,
, and even
. Like me, you need to get your mojo back!
Mike: Welcome back! We missed you, too! Yea for having so much--and so varied--exercise! Love the scuba diving! And
for losing weight. How did you manage that?? And the new quote (new to my noticing, anyway):
any dead fish can float downstream...
Mwa ha ha ha!
As for me: Sorry my posting has been so sporadic. As you might imagine, I'm trying to juggle a lot of different things at once--none of them particularly well. The writing project has been shelved for a while. DOOD and I have talked about a writing retreat upon his return. I think the disappointment for that part of my June plan probably plays into my funk. In bigger news, I just learned a friend has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, albeit of a highly treatable kind. His DW is expecting their second child.
If you're of a mind to, please send good thoughts and PD their way. Another friend's divorce just become final. At least a third friend has started a film-production company, so there is
some good news!
As for me and where I was a year ago. Last year, I was in the midst of packing up to move--sound familiar? Except it was from Fargo to Pgh. I'd hurt my toe in the process, so much so that I couldn't stand on my tip-toes. It put me off running, off walking, even off the elliptical for 2 months. I was a snarkfest queen!
Since then, I've come back. Did the Goofy. Dropped most of the weight I've gained. Went from wondering if I could finish the distance to other priorities Not just pace, per se, but wanting to feel if I was finishing stronger, with a better sense of control. To that end, I'm working on developing a well-balanced training program. I've tended to focus primarily on my legs, thinking that will get me through. Well, doing so has let me finish but I want to finish strong. So I've been focusing not just on running and walking, but stretching, strength training, core work, etc. I'm still looking for a good balance of activities, and for how to push myself, but I'm much stronger and prepared than I was at this point last year. Or even 6 months ago.
I need to remember all these things, even while I work on climbing out of my funk. In order to do so, btw, I think I'm getting some new running gear this weekend. Just little stuff, like experimenting with new socks. Wow, am I a big spender or what?
We are going to the coast this weekend--to Stacy--and taking my newphew. Hoping the weather will be nice.
Here's your kick in thet butt for today! (I'm really one to be talking!) I totally get the lack of time thing. Seems there is never enough! I am totally with you having something to work for. Seems that the local 5Ks aren't even enought for me anymore... I do have one coming up in July so let's hope I find my motivation and can train to PR that one. 
The other bribe is tea -- I love experimenting with new flavors of herbal teas and green teas and even the occasional Tazo Black Iced Tea from Starbucks. I know I've told folks before I often bribe myself to walk by renting some movie I've been dying to see and forbidding myself to watch it unless I was on the treadmill. (Two good ones this week: Fool's Gold and My Mom's New Boyfriend.) I guess the movies are sort of a reverse bribe -- instead of giving myself something extra, I forbid myself something I REALLY want unless I walk.
