Angie: Your PRs just keep coming & coming. I'm so happy that you're firmly in the running groove. 3.4 in 30!! And then your Friday pace--wow, you're approaching 8 mpm!
So I guess I won't mention that I think 4 a.m. is reason enough for either
or
.
And yay! for celebrating your college graduation at Disney. I've celebrated most milestones in my life there--engagement, marriage, divorce, chemo recovery, re-engagement & marriage, birthdays. It's kind of warped, really.
Kira: Loved your statement...nothing says motivation like a new pair of shoes. So true! And yea for lime-green shoes. Double motivation!
Tracy: WTG with your hill work. And I'm particularly impressed with your doing form work will also doing hill work. How do you keep your focus on both? And bleachers? My knees would rebel.
Craig: I'm sorry to hear you're sick, but it sounds like you managed to keep up your training as well as can be expected. I don't think you'll have any problem hanging with Amy & Scott with the training you already have under your belt.
Scott: The Thursday Night Random Route. I think I used to do one of those, back in the day. Except it involved bar hopping and not running. Yours sounds healthier, although I probably get more mileage out of my stories.
But I like the idea of running just for fun, appreciating the journey. I might try it sometime.
So let me understand this--you have a race tomorrow & you're double-dipping on the WOs today??? Wow.
Cecilia: Oh, I hope you're feeling better by Sunday--even though it's obvious you're one tough cookie, it would be nice to compete with the Kenyans (she says in theory). I hope you get your energy back...soon!
Too bad about the Peachtree (I had the events messed up), too. Btw, it sounds like your dad is a strong, fascinating person whose stories would be really illuminating about himself & the culture. Oh, and thanks for the skinny on the new Disney medals and the Goofy (still tempting, even though I'm in for the full)!
Morgan: I know we're just getting to know you, but it sounds like you're very dedicated to running, what with working around your work schedule & all. And I know what you mean by the marathon RR being very emotional stuff--the experience is (and will be) too! As for the Injinji socks, I found that they worked okay for me & can see why so many WISHers recommended them. The individual toes take a bit getting used to, but would help prevent blisters for most people, I think. Unfortunately, I've VERY subject to blisters and the socks made one area--my right big toe--worse because that's where a seam is on the sock. Since that's an area where I have a tendency to get blisters, my assessment of the socks is neutral. Again, though, I think the Injinji socks would work for most people.
Krista: Thanks for question about the b-day; so you heard, did you?
Congrats on the new baby in the extended family!! It looks like your son will have a playmate close in age for family reunions.
I can't wait to see the nursery pics!
Allie: I'll be taking you with me to WDW in spirit, does that count?
What I'm most excited about is that the trip is DOOD's gift to me, and I'll be getting together with friends. I celebrated my 30th there (and some other things at the same time) and now my 40th. I just think it should be an annual event. And I definitely think you should go for or near your b-day!
I see that Scott already provided the Cool Running link--I rely on it. Math is not my strong suit, so I'm glad to have it available. I just know you're gonna love it, too! I'm sure your race route will become clear on the course, but I'll keep my fingers crossed just in case. P.S. I hope DD feels better and thanks for the update on Sandy.
Stephanie: Sorry to hear you've scrapped the ToT event & even sorrier about DS. Great news about your September trip, though.
Carrie: I WISH I could take you with my to WDW, too! (And all my friends--say, let's meet up in January 2009!) Yea for the 40 minutes, boo to the 40 degrees & rain. And double BOO for the neck pain. Did the massage help?
Amy: And I think for me, 40 is the new 12--I've got a pretty bad case of Peter Pan syndrome. Except I can't stand Wendy--she's such a nag. As for your WOs, how did you decide on your training program for the Minnie. I'd have to check, but it sounds similar to DOOD's in its speedwork, etc. Just curious. I'm more curious about how you're feeling--is the hydration & nutrition having a positive effect??
Maura: because of the exclamation points comment. It almost works for me! If it makes you feel any better, mentally if not physically, I do think it's reasonable that you're feeling tired from all the hiking & that it was using your muscles differently.
Shan: No beating up of yourself about the race. Remember, you're a WISHer and one of our heroes!
Christa: I don't know if I've ever told you this, but you really do have the ability to motivate & inspire people. You remind me of this life coach I know...in a good way. Good luck today!
Jackie: Awww, don't be jealous of the trip. You'll be with me in spirit!
Btw, I think DD's calls & the pic of Dole Whip is both sweet & unusually cruel--she owes you a trip! About your running...I think you're right to take this as a little running break, keeping to 5Ks until training begins. That way you don't burn out. Maybe you could try Scott's Thursday Night Random Route idea?? (I really do like it.)
Kristen: Ain't it great when exercising becomes one of the good things about the week?
What are you doing for training? Just curious.
CarolA: Wow, I hope Randy makes it through all right. I love the cell phone on the bib idea--I may use that in future events. Good luck to him. Thanks so much for volunteering at the ING water station!
Kristi: Sometimes you just need to hydrate yourself in other ways in order to appreciate water, right?
As for me: Because I did my LR yesterday--7 miles--today was XT. I didn't want to, but next week is yet another week where my days are messed up. This time, it's because of the (oh, you knew this was coming) Disney b-day trip. Since I'm not planning on doing much other then running to rides next weekend, I'm trying to get some good training in now.
Luckily, today's weather is sunny if brisk, so I also decided to take the opportunity to explore (by walking) new areas in our wider neighborhood. We're going to need to start house-hunting soon, and I figure walking the area is a small step forward in that direction. I thought, I'll do my WO at the FC, then walk to Squirrel Hill (area we might want to settle down in) and treat myself to lunch. So on the way to the FC I ask DOOD about this one avenue that I know he's run down: how far it is between our FC & Squirrel Hill? He says it's really close, no more than a 1/2 mile. He does feel it worth noting there's a steep hill along the way.
I know he's wrong in terms of distance, in part because I've driven on the road and in part because he's such a long-distance runner he's got no sense of short distances. But I figure....how far off can he be? So after working out at the FC, I start walking. And walking. And walking. It turns out that his 1/2 mile is closer to 1 1/2 miles. Now, that's not a big deal, really. Except I've already worked out for over 2 hours and am walking on tired legs. And it's lunchtime & I'm hungry. Oh, and I'm walking up & down several, not one, Pgh hills.
So what did I learn today? Certainly, I didn't learn to avoid walking that route. It's beautiful & a really short distance in the overall scope of my pedestrian life; plus, the side streets will well worth further exploration in terms of housing. But I did learn not to trust DOOD on estimating distances. I can't imagine what might have happened if I'd asked him for his favorite SR route! And more important, I reminded myself that I need to map my own flipping routes!
Btw, DOOD just laughed at me after I got home (walking, of course). And that's why I love him, he's so sympathetic to my whining.
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