MB Michelle: It doesn't take long for this thread to become a sweater, does it? Glad to hear you're back to WO and got in a run, weights, and swimming. That's some nice variety!
Jen:
(my little Piglet of a race!)
Hah--how cute! Not as cute as your haircut, of course, which I think looks great on you. Your DL pic is going to be perfect--and Happy pre-Birthday wishes to you!
It's too bad that your ability to volunteer at the marathon might not work out, but I'm selfishly happy that you're going to be there at all!
ETA: Oh, Jen, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom and the 5 hours at the hospital. I had no idea of her back story. I hope she's doing okay, as are you and your dad and whole family.
Leana: Wait, it was the hot yoga class that was insanely busy and not you? Have you read your schedule for the week?
But, hey, as long as you're busy, YES, YOU SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THE DL 1/2! Someone deserves the bling, it might as well be you.
Rpsemont: Hey! Don't be scared by the amount of injuries/illnesses we seem to have. We're a sickly bunch.
No, I think what you see here is us paying attention to our bodies and our needs; I know I have far less aches and pains now that I'm active than when I was sedentary--I'm just more aware of my body and how to take care of it. I think that's a good thing. A term for you? Athlete.
I don't know, really. If you're headed toward running with walk breaks, runner and vice versa? Whatever you feel comfortable with, that's the most important thing. What books are you looking at, btw?
About your plans...I like the advice given to you by Amykab, Carrie, Cecilia, and Krista. That Bingham, he's the Elvis of the WISH boards.
Amykab: Your Minnie 15K training sounds right on target, and something that's a very good plan for rpsemont to consider. And woo hoo for planning to do more XT for the 1/2. It makes such a big difference.
Jackie: 
for the new shoes. And I found your interval/straight running experiment useful. I think I might play with that a bit in the near future. I anticipate your Saturday run will go well, if for no other reason than you've got new shoes and know approximately what to expect with time. I hope you have fun, too!
Tracey: I take it that pushing off with the toe is a big aspect to the racewalk form? (Feel free to drop those tidbits in for me from time to time.) The ankle pain was for the entire walk, though? That seems a bit worrisome. I hope you're taking care of yourself.
Kristi: Don't you just love workplaces that mandates volunteer opportunities, and then brag about the volunteerism spirit of their employees? (I feel the same way about work holiday parties.) I do hope you can get away to the Smutty Run, if for no other reason than the WISHers and the beer.
Craig: I deeply empathize with end-of-the-semester. In addition to all the grading, posting of grades, collecting material & planning for summer research, you probably have a lot of emails from students eager to find out their grades or to advocate for different ones. Good luck, and I hope everything settles down soon!
Betsy: Again, congrats on your race and I know you're going to have a great time at Disney--your tri will be marvelous, as you are a warrior woman made out of iron. And I know you will come back energized and committed to Jillian again. (I'm still waiting for my interlibrary loan copy of the book--apparently it's very popular.
)
Carrie: I know what you mean--love your parents, can't live with 'em, and the Lizzie Borden solution just seems a little...extreme. It's cool that your parents watch the marathon, though; they sound just like DOOD's parents!
Aloha Jeff: Thanks for the consumer report (I guess that's the runner's report) on the Eye 2 Eye shirts. Tell your friends they have very good taste if they appreciate the shirt's back, and that they too can have the shirt if they join our exclusive team! (For the low price of $19.99/mo plus S&H, payable to me.) I'm going to consider that second scoop of Haagen Dazs mine, thank you, even though vanilla is Scott's signature flavor. That's because I think Scott's still recovering from the Minnie TR-writing and won't miss it.
MSDave: Another great day of running and family-activity time.
Bill: Ah, the recliner events...some of my favorites. All my favorite shows, competing for my attention? Who will win, who will be TIVOed. Tune in to find out... How ARE the smoke/fires in your neighborhood at this point?
Cecilia: Here's good thinking that your battery of tests put you on the honor roll. I know it's a good thing that your tests can be bumped because you're so generally healthy, but I'd be a basket case with the waiting. I hope you're doing all right.
Krista: Yes, we're sticking with the Squirrel Hill area, close to both Murray Avenue & Schenley Park. A real commuter walker's paradise for me. I really like the neighborhood and hope we can afford to make it our permanent home. Then again, Pgh has so many great neighborhoods maybe I just don't know what I'm missing. I couldn't walk most of them in heels, though, and can't believe you're wearing them!!!
Carter sounds very active, not that I would expect anything less from your family. So....when are you getting him his first iPod. Loaded with Green Day, of course. I do think an 8/08/08 birthdate would rock--because he's a little rocker of course. So do you think you could arrange that??
About your dream...you know what dreaming about someone smoking a cigarette means, don't you?
Morgan: Oooh, I watch
Family Guy--actually taught a class in American Humor in which one of the highest compliments I got from one of my hip college students was, "Well, at least I understand more of the
Family Guy references now." This was after a section on minstrelsy and vaudeville. I don't know how the OTHER Griffin's master class would compare, but I really like Dreyer's book. Carrie took a class and can speak to its usefulness (she also did a workshop report on it here on the boards).
AND
for seeing your chiro, getting your adjustments, and treating yourself right. I'm sure your back is very grateful for the attention and care. I've not been to King's Island, so am not sure what it's like; but the race could be tons of fun as a substitute for Disney, depending on KI itself? I'd be interested in hearing more insider knowledge and opinions, too. (Thanks Krista for your response about the organizers.)
Cam: Yeah for W4D2!
I'm a little concerned about that quad and achilles of yours, though. Be careful on Saturday and do lots of stretching in the meantime. Good luck preparing for your hearing. I hope it's more fun or at least satisfying than it sounds like.
Judy: Lemme get this straight. You're giving me permission to give you a crank, er, wake-up call. And all I have to do is be awake at that ungodly hour? I have cowbells...Hmmm....
Nope, not worth it!
Scott: I'm doing the
Pilates for Dummies now using my Netflix account; it's now getting to the point that I should just buy the DVD and open up another space in my queue. (We're down to a little over 100 titles now.
) Ice cream certainly has a whole lot of meaning for us, doesn't it? I'm really going to pause the next time I order some, which will be later tonight. I think I'll get over it, though.
Your FC sounds like it's reinvesting in all its clients happiness with the new TVs. I almost hate to admit it, but I don't know how much TM or elliptical time I could take without the distraction of my iPod or a TV. Not so important now, but come winter.... But reading your TR, if I could just do that at my FC I'd be happy to settle in for a spell. You're a great writer, and I love your entries.
EVERYONE should read them--and I don't get paid for that announcement, even in ice cream!
Mike: I'm sorry I haven't seen you around here lately. I know you pop by the Philly thread occasionally, but you all intimidate me there. Hard-core runners, you are! (I'm going to catch up with you, though, in my own tortoise way.) And awww about the plans to attend mass at Kathy's childhood church and your wedding site. Our plans are below, but DOOD is planning for (hoping? His training has gone smoothly, so I don't want to say hoping) a 3:30 marathon. What's your goal? I'll tell him to look for you--in your gear you might stand out in the crowd. Kathy's not doing either, I presume?
Stacie: Thanks for sharing those great pics of the Minnie. I feel like I've gotten to know your whole family.
TXAng and Angie: I don't think I've seen you this week, so just want to say
As for me: Because we have family in the area, DOOD and I are planning on heading to Cleveland on Friday. We might do the expo then, depending on whether my FIL wants to go with us (they're driving from Illinois, west of Chicago-area). DOOD's parents are VERY involved in his marathons, so we usually have to clear such nuts-and-bolts things with them in order to avoid hurt feelings. We'll be talking about the January marathon with them then, and see if they want to do another whirlwind trip to Disney. They certainly seem confused by these WISH online friends of mine, so who knows?
(They're just jealous I would rather spend time with you, that's all!)
As I mentioned above, DOOD is aiming for a 3:30 marathon. I'm not sure I have a goal, except finishing, as this is only my second 1/2. Okay, I have a goal, but I don't want to commit to it in public or even whisper it out loud in case I jinx it. I know that's stupid and superstitious, but there it is. (To quote Scott,
It Is What It Is.) Let's just say I hope it's better than my 1/2 during the Goofy. We'll see, as I continue to have issues with my most consistent racing buddies, my blisters. At the race, I'm hoping to see Optimator Mike and Rich and anyone else from the WISH team. I'll probably look terrified, or slightly queasy before the race, but say hi to me anyway. I really would like to meet you.
Sorry this post wasn't more entertaining, as it was ALMOST self-reflective and serious.
I'll try to do better next time.
I am sure your mojo will kick right back in once running becomes a possibility again.
I looked into the Chi Running thing and I am finding that I have difficulty trying to learn anything from a person named Chris Griffin (Family Guy fans know what I am talking about!!) 
This is the first year for this race, so no details, but I saw that HFP Racing is sponsoring the race and they do a great job of organizing the race and keep it running smoothly. I have no idea how they are going to get a 6.2 mile course out of KI, I assume you will have to leave the park and come back. 
I don't know this race at all, so don't know what to expect. You?
and wun...LOVE IT!
(since it should be tomorrow by the time you read this) Hope your mom's okay.
