Amazing results everyone.
With these numbers, we just went over 10,000 miles. Congratulations to everyone. Based on what I know about everyone in the group, and I know many of you pretty darn well, I think we as individuals should be pleased with our state of training. I get the impression that nearly every one of us is well beyond his or her "typical" fitness level right now, so barring injury, we may produce some nice results in those events between now and January 10-11.
Rich, you are an amazing dude. Those results are massive and consistent. Consistently massive?
Liz
Good luck with CDC. Is Patrick participating as well. My wish for you is a coolish and dryish day (in Chicago? In August?).
Patrick
Okay, I'll bite. What is a metric half century?
Way to keep on Steve. From your reply to Martha, does that mean you'll be at the Disney Marathon weekend?
Howard, you are one improving machine.
I need to shout out to Martha with her speed work. Geez, intervals under 10 mpm? I'll point out to all that in her first half marathon she finished in 2:33, followed by a 2:27 a year later. With speed work under 10, running 11 mpm will feel like floating, which would bring her in at 2:24:13. So along with Howard we have 2 improving machines here.
Steve and Krista
Check in when you can. How is the little dude? When you show him off to your running friends you 3 will cause a sensation.
Okay, here is the much anticipated report on Craig's health, sorry for the length.
In the 80's when I was running a lot, and pretty fast too, I had real troubles with plantar fasciatis. I have wicked high arches, and when the arch flexed the connections at the heel and ball got sore and began to calcify a bit. I got these rigid orthotics which supported my feet, and presto, no PF.
So I go back to running in 2003 and don't use the orthotics. I'm slower, and for years I congratulate myself that the PF isn't bothering me.
Well, I was at a custom/medical shoe store last week, and along with shoes I had the good fortune of having 2 podiatrists help me out. I walked around and they commented on the arches, and pointed out when I stepped the arch flexed down, which put stress on the outside of my calf muscles. EUREKA

. That's were I've been having calf muscle strains and tears since 2004. I'm a total dope. I know biomechanical problems can cause offset injuries, but I never ever thought the calf problems could be caused or enhanced by my high arches and not using the orthotics.
So I used newer and firmer inserts on Sunday, and the old rigid orthotics in today's effort. I jogged 1 minutes super easy, then jogged 4 minutes a bit faster, and repeated for 4 miles, finishing in 46:36, or 11:39 per mile.
Right now I feel beyond euphoria. Yes, I'll take it easy, with my next jogging effort on Sunday, but to be under 12 mpm 17 days after the last injury and have no difficulty, AND MAYBE have figured out how to work with this calf thing, is pretty darn satisfying.