Howard: Snark, snark, snark! See how snarky I can be?
I think your comments about Cam's progress are the truest statements yet. Cam's a real WISHer--and a hottie at that! You ain't too bad yourself, either. And I look forward to the day I think of a 5 miler as a romp. You're both inspirations. Take care of those shins, because those hills of yours are waiting! (I don't know if it would be the same in your case, but I've been far less prone to shin pain since I moved to Pgh and been challenged by hills. It hasn't done wonders for my pace, but my knees and shins are far stronger.) Thanks for working at the Blood Bank 5K and your work with Delmarva.
Tricia: That's so funny. I'd never peg you as experiencing imposter syndrome at all. You always seem so confident and on top of things!
You know I like my XT, so I think of your pre-Disney trip weather as just the thing you need to mix the routine up again. The weather and the trip, of course. Have a great time on the latter, enjoy doing the former, and--always, always, always--good running!
MLA: How exciting for you to be working on your black-belt form. I had no idea that you competed in Tae Kwon Do and that you're undertaking the black belt. How exciting!
Good luck with the morning runs and the schedule shift--your DBF is a gem to drive his boss to work even given the obvious incentive to do so. You're doing great with C25K. And yes, your speed increased as you lose weight. I can't remember the formula, though. Anyone?
In the meantime, I hope you're enjoying the challenge of C25K almost as much as you enjoy Tae Kwon Do. Good luck finding a mini-fan, too!
Aloha Jeff: That picture is one of my favorite Hidden Mickeys, although the box of Girl Scout (not cookies) is pretty darned cool too! Yay for your GS troop and all the work they do, including the blood banks! I've yet to try the DQ Thin Mint Blizzard. Although I live near several ice-cream stores, as you all well know, a DQ is not one of them. I'll just let you do the advance taste-testing on such things and give me the skinny on what to try. (Of course, with ice cream I don't think any of it will give me the skinnies.) How was the PTA and all its various joys?
Stephanie: Ah, the evil scale. I'm experiencing some of that myself. I wish my vacation/food indulgence weight was also my fighting (racing) weight. But it's not to be. It sounds like you're doing a good job with running, XT, and physical labor. (Yuck on painting.) Those things will offset the vacations, I'm sure!
I chucked at your "paid for the gym" comment. There are days where "getting my money's worth" is what gets me out of bed. Great job with your 4+ miles, and the additional pool/kidlet chasing mileage!
Judy: Sometimes sleeping in can be an important part of training. Rest, you know!
Jennifer: I prefer morning runs, even with the longer warm-up time, because of the cooler weather. Will you be sticking with that schedule? Great pace--you seem to be cutting your pace pretty consistently and quickly.
You're now well below 10mm and probably eying a sub-9 mm with determination! Woo hoo for you and tomorrow's 5k!
Maura: Food offsets.
Love it, and that's exactly how I think. Bring on the beignets. Unfortunately, I'd have to do a marathon a week to offset my recent habit of noshing. I'm all about the summer, loving the sweet goodness of ice cream and iced drinks. It's good to hear you're adjusting to your bike and clipless pedals. That's such an adjustment, I would imagine. And it must be nice to have DH along for the ride--it sounds like he's quite supportive of all your events/endeavors.
Carrie: Being prepared to do a 1/2 a month is almost the same thing as doing one in my book. Both are impressive!
Great job getting as much biking in as the weather would allow! I'd (temporarily) forgotten your tri is open water. It sounds like you're feeling pretty good about that these days--as you should. You're going to rock, which is a notch or two about "okay." And I expect a rocking RR, as well!
Vic: WTG with your three consecutive days of training. Maybe it's the effect of that authority figure you post from time to time. He's one tough-looking soldier, as are you. P.S. Don't worry about the leg cramps--just keep remembering to stretch after a good workout!
Angie: It sounds as if you have found a solid marathon training program that reflects where your base will be in August. Woo hoo! What plan did you decide to go with? And yay for using your foam roller. Gotta love the visual evidence that you've been religiously following your exercises, and it sounds as if that has in part motivated you to continue employing good practices. That, and the pain-free results. I'm like you in a lot of ways--I'll do the right thing, feel good, then push myself and/or let the little things slide in my excitement to do more, more, more. So that's one reason (of many) why I appreciate your posts so much--it helps me by association. Thanks and keep up the good work!
Krista: Wow, wow, wow! Carter's an impatient soul, isn't he? My money is for a birth date of 8/6, which just happens to be my one-year wedding anniversary. Think you could arrange that. It would be quite useful to me, as I think I'm more likely to remember his birthday than an anniversary. Stephen's birthday would be an acceptable second choice, though!
Cam: As usual, I love your posts. Just a little tidbit of your post to quote from and draw your attention to:
I can really appreciate how far I've come. I am definitely excited and reassured and proud of my newfound ability to run and my passion for it.
It's definitely refrigerator worthy! And it's also worth noting that you're faster than I am and I think I have a few leg inches on you. So you're really hustling, girl!
Good luck with tomorrow's 5K!
Racey Tracy: I'll bet the lightning storm was pretty, from a distance at least. WTG on your 4 miles!
Leana: 
I know you've been training up a storm after checking your blog. Great job! (And love the Oakleys and new bike!) It really sounds like you've managed to balance your tri training and your marathon training so very well. So, you've joined your local Y? That sounds like it will be a big help with your continued tri training! Good luck with tomorrow's 18 miles!
Terri: Good luck with the Philly weather. We're across the state from one another, but the heat warnings here have been incessant. That's going to be quite a challenge, doing a 24-hour race in those conditions, even on a relay team.: I know you'll do fine, will stay as hydrated and cool as possible, but I'm sending good thoughts and PD your way anyway!
Jen: Just look over your logs for the last few weeks. You've been getting more runs and WOs in! Remember to take pride in those accomplishments! And you're so right--it's important that we all look at the progress we make using various measurents: scale, inches, appearance, races completed, miles logged, speed, perceived effort! Thanks for the reminder!
Stacie: Good luck with your 5K this weekend. You're going to do great, and it sounds like you get to sight-see in another town. I hope the weather is relatively cool for you. Is Matt running it with you?
Jen in GA: Although I really do like GoofyBaby as a name, you'd probably have to spend lots of time explaining the name to people.
I do think it would be fitting for you to go into Labor on Labor Day, if not much fun for the weekend. It sounds like you're feeling pretty good, what with you being able to tie your running shoes and all!
(More than I can do sometimes.)
As for me: XT today, running tomorrow. Favorite cool-treat flavor of the week? Raspberry Truffle Gelato. Mmmmm.
Favorite planned activities this weekend? Either seeing The Dark Knight tonight (air-conditioned comfort *and* a Chris Nolan film!!) or watching the
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Race at Schenley Park. The latter is a big shout-out for all you NASCAR fans or Pgh transplants; I missed last year's events (just moved here) and I'm really looking forward to finding out what the hoopla's all about!
And in random soccer news, now a couple of days old. Ronaldinho goes to AC Milan! Buh-bye, Barcelona! What do our Milan followers think about the deal? (If you can tear yourselves away from the Tour de France and all its goings-on?)
for that sub-40 5K this weekend. I KNOW you can do it!!!
Hope you all have a great weekend! 
Kudos to your GS troop for undertaking such a (literally) lifesaving project (oh, and to their wonderful leader!) 
Keep it up, and I'm going to need reading glasses. 
