Goodness Gracious, the thread's gotten active again! (And yes, I just used that opening as an excuse to say goodness gracious.)
Mel: Great advice with the baby-naming rules. I wish someone had thought of that with my name. Not sure what can be done with Miles, though. Smiley Miley? That's not so bad.
Leana: Good luck with thinking about...stuff...does that include the types of toppings you like on your pizza?

(I hope it's lightweight and happy thoughts you'll have on your 20-miler anyway.) I tend to get really hungry when I up the miles, too, but have found my appetitive stabilizes after a couple of weeks. I have to watch my protein intake

and have found that contributes to my hunger level. Maybe it's the same for you?
Dave: Great general advice for training for a race!

That's the kind of stuff I hope Leana has fun thinking about on her LR.
Cam: Ooooh, stronger quads and hamstrings. Better for the runs and so very sexy!

I can't believe how many crunches and pushups you do--okay, I can believe YOU do them. But that exhausts me. I'm with Lisa--the scale is only one small measure of your progress, and a frustrating and often inaccurate one at that. I hope you're enjoying being stronger and faster.
I also agree with
Lisa,
Angie, Kevin, & others: sore is good--pain is bad. Question: are you too sore to kick Howard's butt for pushing so hard (and running on an empty stomach)? You're smart, IMO, to alternate easy runs with your hard XT days. It seems to me that you and your PT are doing the right things to help you progress with all your fitness goals. (Except for the heels!

)
Kristi: It sounds like running on a track is a nice way to practice for a race, with water stations and Porta-Potty stops (a notch up, I hope). Even dodging people....That was one thing I wasn't prepared for at my first even, all the lateral movement! Thanks for the feedback!
Krista: I say that if the sleep-deprived, new mother can't find anything wrong with the name that it just might be insult-proof!

You do realize, however, that you're just going to have to tell Carter he WAS named after a Cabbage Patch doll one day? What fun is having a kid if you can't torment him?
Terri: Your tri sounds pretty intense to me. Proficient in three sports. Transitions. Endurance. Facing other competitors on the course(s). Your heel/achilles problems. I definitely think you need to do something so that you don't have WTO. Tell the boss that a healthy employee is more productive, and there's noone healthier than a WISHer.
Jackie: Woo hoo on registering for the full!

Feels good, doesn't it?
Stephanie: I'm with you--when I go to the gym, I want it cold. Goosebump cold, with lots of air circulation. And especially with your heat index. (Btw, good job with your 4+ miles.)
Howard: Awwww, your support for Cam is just so sweet.

I think you both share that work ethic, and it's a joy to see your progress.
Amy: Great advice for Angie! It really is all about the base, isn't it? I'm trying to keep my base in mind as I train for the marathon; in some ways, a better base is my prioritized long-term goal (beyond January). Thanks for the update on the YouBars--making all those decisions about what you want in them might be overwhelming for me. I haven't tried the Clif Mojo bars, so maybe I'll start with that. A sub-30 5K in taper mode? Your 10K goal is in sight!
Cecilia:
Oh that? We won first place. Okay that was me trying to play it cool -

And a big congratulations! That's wonderful. Does this mean you two will be teaming up again? (Like a cooler version of the Wonder Twins?)
Jen in GA: Great advice on not trying anything new on race day. That's a recipe for disaster. And with the salt, a possible boot and rally. Twizzlers? Oh, you're definitely going to need to tell us where you'll be hanging out on the full marathon course.
Angie: Good job with the 4 miles in the heat. To reference
Tracey, did you have pinky pistols? To piggyback on your advice to Cam, I also think you've mentioned enjoying all your XT and lifting, too. Even the elliptical, your once-dreaded nemesis!
Carrie:
I wouldn't do anything to embarrass us to get Craig's attention.
Hmmm, that statement could go one of two ways. You won't do anything to embarrass
us, just
me. Or Craig is in for a very special moment of his very own. Which do I think it is?

I know which one I prefer....

Yay for the end of power cleaning soon (I hope) and for your parents' visit. It sounds like there are high expectations for a fun-filled weekend. You all definitely deserve it!
Kevin: Thanks for the update on the resorts, and your thoughts on the values. We've not stayed at them, but were considering Pop for marathon weekend. Something about a meet.... Maybe we (meaning me) will rethink and argue for other digs. I'm sorry to hear you bonked on your run and that you didn't enjoy your path less traveled (or more traveled, as the case may be).
MB Michelle: I can't believe you did a tri with a hurt shoulder! That's woman warrior status!

And big kudos for running with faster runners and undertaking hill work, too. I have to admit, though, I'm just as likely to worship you for those delicious cakes. (I'm not shallow, just equal opportunity.) Why was the hill work fun, may I ask? Fun??
Today's shout-outs go to
Racey Tracy and
Aloha Jeff. Because it feels weird not to read posts about their training. Maybe they've already left for DL and a little intense 1/2 training on site? If so, I hope they're both enjoying some Mickey ice-cream bars

or Dole Whip. (With
Ms. Duckie, of course!)
As for me: Thanks for asking about the shoulder, Cam and Michelle. It's fine, just a little twingy now. I can feel it when I stretch, but it's much, much better. I've been pretty cautious with it--stayed away from upper-body strength training this week and modified my Pilates. I just gave it a good wrench trying to break my fall, and hurt my pride as much as anything. You know, now that I think about it, I'm never quite sure if I'm really injury-prone in terms of running or just plain clumsy. I guess it doesn't matter, huh? The bruises are still purple and green.
Yesterday was my speedwork (or my version of it), so today was an easy, shorter run. A little over 3 miles. Not as fast as Howard, Lisa, or Kevin, but I will keep them in my mind as pace-setters on future runs. Someday.... Anyway, I felt like I could have gone longer but stopped when I hit my goal. (Not that that makes much sense, except I'm looking at Pilates tonight and a good session of XT tomorrow. I'm working on a balanced schedule.)