Beth: I love your suggestion of a couple last-minute surprise races (that I train for) as a way of negotiating the family. It's perfect! Especially if I'm the one running them, as my ILs aren't allowed to see me race; I set up that boundary at the Goofy--that since their interest in running/races is in supporting their son, there was no need to try to see me run. Plus, the whole plan makes me feel like a super-secret agent. (I have espionage on the brain these days.) So I love it, love it, love it. THANK YOu!
Love the energy with which you've committed to the wagon train. I can hear your voice--okay, the voice I've made up for you--in your post. You're conquering your sugar craving and cutting out the eating before bed. Those are two of the things I struggle with, and need to hold myself accountable for!

And the tip from
Protein Power--very cool. The book sounds like it has good info--are you finding it useful overall? Is this a high-protein/low carb plan?
Connie: First, you are a great GM! I can just see you running around, camera in hand, from event to event. What great exercise for you--did you wear lime green? But I'm sorry about your DD and the upcoming hysterectomy; I've had one and I know how anxiety-producing it can be for the patients' family and advocates. I think your plans for keeping the kids occupied, and all you're doing to help your DD through this, is fabulous. You've got a great family, and I'm sure your DD's SO feels luck to be part of it and relieved that you're there for DD, especially with his (?) job and absence.
And thanks for the info on another Pilates DVD to try (currently using Amy's rec of Pilates for Dummies). Yours would be a big help on those days when I definitely don't want to do them and need to remind myself that "Real success..." (Yep, I'm adding that one to my roster of phrases.)
Stacie: I feel so culturally illiterate. I don't know Bojangles. Is it anything like Chick-Fil-A? I think your plan get a lot of exercise in first, where you're feeling successful (or should feel so), and then tackle the eating is a good one. And holidays are really hard times to focus on eating with any kind of loss in mind--especially if (ahem) family are involved. Or is that family foods that I love? Anyway, I try to concentrate on eating as healthily as possible on holidays, figuring if I keep focused on eating well then I've probably not done too badly in terms of my weight.
Vicky: Welcome, fellow Lean Meaner!

Always room for one more--it's a pretty big wagon. Those race pics are something else, aren't they? I just looked at the 3 from the Cleveland (all at the finish); ugh. It sounds like you've got a nice structure in place with your PT and all. I haven't jumped ropes in years!

I can't wait to hear what else your PT has ready for you.
Tracey: I love zoos. Otters are my favorites, because they look all easygoing and playful, but they're really hard workers, pretty territorial, protective of their loved ones, and occasionally mean. (Like me!) Thanks for the spray deodorant suggestion; I never, ever would have thought about that. No need to finish my RR, it gets less humorous as I got tired of writing it. Just skip to the end. Those last couple of sentences are the important things. Oh, and I did put a more serious summary of Cleveland's pros/cons on the regular thread--useful for deciding if it's a good race for other WISHers (I hope).
Lisa: Apparently you think your job is more important that DISing? Well! Harumph!

I hope your transcribing went by speedily and that you don't discover you enjoy it more than us!
Cindy: Thanks for your kind words regarding the race. I'm over the sulking now, really! And I'm continuing to work on the blisters--I blister all the time. Anything over 4 miles or so. So I'm determined to experiment with different socks, different shoes (been fitted several times), and lubricants until I find the magic formula.
But on to you. You're doing great with the WOs, and that you're feeling strong is a good sign of how things are going. When do you run--in the a.m., when you're consuming a lot of your points? I'm just wondering how you might distribute your points without affecting the runs. (I only have a general sense of WW and points, so maybe that sounds ignorant.) Anyway, I understand what you mean about knowing what you need to do and then not doing it. Would it help to post how you're allotting your point here?
Amykab: Welcome Lean Meaner! It sounds like you're doing great, have been really focused on both your running and losing weight. I love that you're not eliminating the important things in life (for you and
Mike, beer, for me, wine) and still progressing! You've also got a good plan in breaking down your goal into smaller increments.

It's going to be good having you around!
Mike: So you're splitting up your run, or is that a cool down from the bike? Or is that extra 15 minutes to "pay" for your beer?

Whatever it is, great mileage today!
Stacie: Thanks for the heads up! I feel so happy that I was clear enough to navigate Paula to our happy place.

I was kind of fuzzy when I talked to her--hadn't quite processed I was done.
As for me: Today was my first day running since Sunday. It was more difficult than I would have liked it to have been, but it felt good to get out there. I also didn't have any knee or shin pain, which suggests I was experiencing some phantom soreness pre-race.

I really think the XT has done me well in that regard. I'm also happy that my taper madness, race-weekend meals, and race celebration meals ended up having no effect on the scale. Now it's time to re-evaluate my goals for the next few weeks of recovery and pre-marathon training.
So I'm with you, Beth. I just need to figure out what my goals and priorities are. I CAN tell you that this moving thing will probably be a challenge. I'll need to be careful that I don't start memorizing take-out menus over the next few weeks.