Okay, I'd posted a long response to everyone here, and apparently hit the close window before I'd submitted it. Arrrrgh! I'll try to replicate abbreviated answers to my posts. Trust me, the first responses were much more clever.
So, long story short, I've been sick as a dog (which is why I don't own dogs, as it's not fair to malign their character). It started before my Saturday LR (7 hard miles), but really developed Sunday. I even ended up with a migraine, which I don't think I've had since Fargo. Anyway, it's affected my workouts/running. So, here are the very brief responses as I try to catch up.
Howard: I'm so glad you're recovered from your hip-flexor injury and that you're being smart with your stretching and XT. Good luck on your 5K tonight. I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but if you had to suffer this injury I'm glad it's at the beginning of your season, where you can address what you need to do to keep healthy over your season's many races. Being conscious about your hip flexor and conscientious about it is a good thing over the course of your training, I think. And a lesson for us all.
I still see PRs in your future--and I am psychically gifted, you know!
Dave: You're the kind of romantic that no one wants to find a cure for! You live your life with big goals and dreams, from your relationship with Erica to your friends to your training & race goals. Speaking of races, a big woo hoo
for your first race of the season, coming in 2nd (watch out Jerry!) and your PR. Great PRs are coming your way, not only because you train hard but because of your rest days and stretching. That, and your stabilized weight after losing all those pounds and inches. (Btw, congrats also to Erica, who is down 17 pounds and on her way to that Garmin.) You're a role model for us all.
Lisa: It's great to have you back here. A big hug for the body issues and a big boo
to bad photos (that was what it was). Regarding body issues, I feel you (not feeling your body, just the issues). So it was very cool to hear your rededication to your WOs and 6-pack, non-alcoholic abs. Plus, the choice of a belly piercing or tattoo seems very motivating (for you, not the needle-phobic me.) And, the technology-enhanced NB running gears, like the Bonita skirts, only adds to the motivation, right?
The RW plan seems to be working out well for you--and I've clipped the plan for my future use. And you're getting so speedy! 8:34! Forget about the "painful walking" run, as it was an anomaly. What stretches do you do pre-run? I need to incorporate some. Oh, question about your Hospice 5K. Could you get a "Jane" (as in "Tarzan and...") skirt for your run across the swinging bridge? [Sorry to hear about the dog incident.]
Tracey: Big hugs to you and your family for the start of school.
I knew it would be hard for you, especially with DS and HS. You're raising such cool kids--nice people in addition to being athletic. DS15 could be my personal trainer, as he sounds like he's got the knack. And DS2 is a card--I'd let him go shopping with me in a crowd any day of the week; we'd go looking for "knockers" together. I hope you and your family adjust to the school schedule with relatively few hassles.I'm very impressed with your variety of "miles is miles," Pilates, crunches and abs. I also think that stroller running is an excellent way to build strength and endurance; although I've never done it, I admire those who do.
And it sounds like you're recommitting to "whatever it takes to get it done" in terms of lean-meaning decisions--yay for the exercise/food journaling, the WW points, and the keeping (running) on track!
AmyK: First, your DD. I'm sorry to hear she's going through a spate of minor illnesses. I think it would overwhelm me, if I were a parent. So it's good to hear she's already on the mend--wow, that's quick! Maybe it's the nutritional value of the cat food? And congratulations to you on your C25K progress. You're already on week 5 and doing well. I believe your plan to switch your LRs to Saturday or Sunday will work well for you--I do a Saturday LR, which allows me to use Sunday as a NYTimes reading day! I have to say that it's nice to read that you have found running to be a good outlet for stress. Running has so many unexpected benefits, besides general good health, that I'm still discovering. Sounds like you are, too. Thank you for volunteering at the full. (I'll look for you at #11, but might not "see" you or anyone, kwim?) P.S. Go red for ToT!!!
Aloha Jeff: I can always count on you to support my interest in various kinds of ice cream and assorted coolness. (If I can't have it in my personal style, I'll find it in another way...). Your memory and eye of for course details on your runs is pretty cool, too. Why do you I think the sights on your 8-mile Waikiki run can't be posted on a family forum like the DIS?
Maria: You're having a fabulous streak of WOs--or should I call it a habit now? 11+ days and counting. And I saw your miles and minutes on the Ohana thread. Impressive! Good things are coming to you, beyond the news of increased definition. (Which is really great, too!) Double-dipping sounds as if it should be so naughty in terms of food, but your kind of double dipping is just right. If it makes you feel any better, I too experience life's impractical jokes--I gain on the bottom first, lose weight on the top first. The toddlers are not amused.
Mike: Your 2009 goals sound solid. #4--new job--sounds like it's been some time in the decision-making process. Good luck with that one. I'd love for you to have fewer
faces over your job. WTG with your 5K PR in your tri sprint. How many tris do you do in a season?
Connie: Snickers or dog food, Snickers or dog food? How is it even a choice, especially if the latter gives you fresh breath and a shiny coat. On second thought, I think I'll just try your cobbler recipe. Call me an unadventurous eater. I'm glad you and the grandkids had a fun, movie-watching weekend. *Sigh* It sounds heavenly to me. Perhaps not as beautiful as your Palo Duro Canyon Trail race. The view of the canyon sounds sublime.
No wonder you're inspired to start your training. Good job on your 6 miler: the first 3 miles speak well for your pace and that you finished those last 3 (with scary dog) speaks well of your dedication. P.S. I didn't realize recumbent bikes are bad for your hips--I would have thought otherwise. Good to know.
Julie: Welcome to the Lean Meaners! Are you sure you're feeling giddy about your first 1/2 (which you will finish with grace). Maybe it's that you're not fueled properly for your training runs?
Seriously, you're doing great and it's equally great that you're here (in addition to Ohana).
Big Vic: Congrats on getting in your miles and strength workouts. I was hoping your WTO was a temporary situation, but it sounds chronic. That makes the fact you're sticking to a training schedule especially notable. Small consolation, I know, but I think it's worth noting.
Beth: Welcome back. Your Boston trip sounds amazing. I've always wanted to visit Fenway. The time spent at the Vineyard also sounds great--the ice cream doesn't count as going off the wagon. The lunch ice cream, like the whole trip, was about creating memories with the boys. You can't pass up that opportunity, I say!
Jeanne: Have fun on your trip--don't do anything the rest of us wouldn't! (Actually, I figure you and Nancy probably will. But that's what I want to hear about upon your return!)
As for me: Sick, sick, sick. I'll spare you the icky details but I tend toward nausea and cluster migraines on the rare occasions I get migraines. So I've stayed away for all kinds of screens and lights and detailed visual work. I'm not sure what triggered it, probably the accompanying illness. I expect I'll be well enough for Saturday's run, but that means I'll have missed 1/2 of Monday's and all of today's runs. Grrr.
I'll be posting more regularly as the week progresses, but I'm limiting screen time for a while. I'll read more than post, I think. I'll definitely post 2009 goals tomorrow. And Lisa, do you want/need shorter-term goals than the January marathon?
Especially considering that the first and last miles have a considerable hill as a part of them. 
I hope your day is as sweet as you are!
It was gone by mile 3 but it cost me precious time walking. No power walking, just painful walking. I had a 10:55 mpm average for the run. See, I entered into this 3 month stretching study with the USATF and it is over next Tuesday for me. I was in the nonstretching group and that means I cannot stretch pre-run. I can stretch any other time that I normally stretched (yoga class, morning stretch, etcetera) and I could not add in any extra stretching either. The pre-run stretch is the important one for me apparently. Restless leg syndrome runs in my family and it appears I am developing it too. Since the onset of this study, I lay on the sofa at night with DS6 and my feet just keep moving due to crampy achy pain in my calves. Yay for me!! 
for me.
, and cleaning while waiting for a refrigerator to come (our beer, soda, milk fridge died this weekend), then picking up elementary kids, quickly followed by picking up the oldest from Cross Country practice. Followed by homework, dinner, baths, storytime, etc. Let the chaos begin! I may be MIA until I get this schedule worked out.
I've never known a microbiologist.
Hope you are all well!
Thank goodness, because that really would have been 
so you feel like this 
