Lily: Thanks for the kind words, as usual. As for your working out every other day & diminished core strength, remember that you've just had surgery. I've had abdominal surgery & I know how tough it can be. You were already fit going into surgery & so I'm sure you'll bounce back quicker than expected (if not quicker than you'd like.)
Aloha Jeff: I love how the "reward" for the princesses training is yet more activity! Mine tends to be food. Kids really do have it right, don't they? DOOD just started his subscription to Marathon & Beyond--he's quite enjoying it so far. As for the sand run--Whew! I'm not sure I would call it shortchanging yourself @ 5 miles. I got cramps just reading about it.

Oooh, and the trip to Makapuu lighthouse looked fabulous with the whales. You're so fortunate to live there, among other reasons (great family, friends, etc).
Tracy: How was your racewalking lesson, if you were able to take it? It sounds your 3 miler went well & you're looking forward to tomorrow. I like having events to train for, as well; it keeps me from being too lazy, as is my natural state of being.
Craig: Wow, I remember you talking about your soccer days but I didn't realize how deeply embedded in the movement you were/are! Too bad about Fulham today, but Newcastle did dominate (& shouldn't have, IMO). As you said, it'd be very cool for Fulham to stay, but.... Too bad, though, because the Americans on Fulham have their street cred here, playing for the American National Team.
DOOD's a fan of American footballers in the EPL, as well, although he contends that Blackburn's Friedel should be starting for the National Team instead of Keller. I'd be interested in hearing what your response to that, as sometimes he's a bit contrary!
We caught the Everton-West Ham broadcast today, and were happy for Yakubu's goal against WHam. The end was exciting, and we almost thought WHam would pull it out. (I don't know if I hoped for it, but it would have been cool to watch.)
Jackie: NB seem to work best for my odd feet, although I haven't found my perfect match yet. (This pair comes closest, so far.) I hope your run went well. And what can you tell me about running skirts? I've been eyeing them lately, asking some folks about them, and would like to hear others' opinions!
Stephanie: Thanks for the Zumba recommendation. We have a class here & it looks like such fun. Of course, now I want a maragarita! I do hope your pain subsides, though.
Allie: Welcome back. Glad you had fun on your spring break! And double yay

for your 5 miles! You finished it, getting past the wall, which is a big accomplishment. And you did it even though you needed to fuel before your run (as you know). And I do think that you've had a LR; it's all relative to our training & experience. It's a marker of our progress, and you've made great progress!
I don't know your pace, but I suspect you wouldn't need the beans for that distance if you'd eaten well & were well-hydrated beforehand. I agree with SamSam & Cecilia on the HR--a couple of hours seems a bit much. Do carry your beans with you, as you should have them as you figure out your fueling needs.
Carrie: What did you decide to do--8 or 10?
Jen in GA: OMG!! Congratulations on the baby!!! THat's great news. But if you're not going to use Goofy, I like Cecilia's suggestion of Max, although Miles & Mary are striking as well.
Scott: First, Scott's World.

Love it! How did your 5K go? I'm hoping you hit a PR.
Judy: Used to love the Golden Girls! How was the outdoor run--better weather than you expected, I hope. Kayanos always look cool to me, but they don't fit me as well.
Stacie: Then both of us have weird feet! Mine are a fitting nightmare. DOOD has Saucony Triumphs, and loves them. I wish I could help with the Garmin/HR question.
Cecilia: Uh-oh, the secret signal. They do grow up fast, don't they. At least it's not a no-hugging decree. I don't know if you feel like talking about it, but how is everything going with your dad?
Shan: I hope the antibiotics will help you recover & feel more confident about your upcoming race. Remember, you've got the foundation!
Maura: That's a great pace for the 7 miles. How is the 10/2 working for you; I'm thinking about something like that for my 1/2 in May.
Krista: Yay for the sonogram pic, registering, and of course the news about your baby boy. It does sound like there's gonna be another runner in the family. I'm looking forward to seeing the sonogram pic.
Martha: Your trip to London sounded marvelous. What fun! Too bad about the cold--I always get ill after spending any extended time on a plane.
Amy: Great job with the TM, and the pace; it sounds like it was successful run despite being stuck in the great indoors. I WISH I could do the Minnie, especially as it's the last one, but DOOD & I are doing Cleveland as a quick, driveable weekend. DOOD's parents will be meeting us there, and his brother, so it'll be a mini family reunion. (Now I really want to do the Minnie!

) You all are going to have such fun that I'm jealous.
Lynnda: WTG on the mile swim!

That's impressive! And an underwater egg hunt. That's seriously cool.
Dave: Silliness? What silliness? You're silly sometimes? Oh, I get it. You're being silly NOW. We can never get enough Panda time.
As for me: Well, I tried out my new shoes today for my LR. They feel really good on my feet, for the most part, and as if I've always worn them. The bad news? A little blister in a new spot. The good news? That's only ONE little blister, which is unusual for me. And I didn't use any blister block, my new Injinji socks, or even my special anti-blister socks--I wanted to test the new shoes out "as is." Now, a blister doesn't sound great but trust me when I say this is the best-fitting pair of running shoes I've owned. I think once I put all my regular anti-blister prep into things, my feet will like these shoes even more.