Bill, Lynnda, Tracy, Tricia, and anyone I might have missed: It's good to hear that you're doing okay with the fires, smoke, evacuations, and traffic. I'll be thinking of you all and hoping the fires get under control quickly and with as little additional damage as possible.
MS Dave: I love the update posts, nice and succinct (unlike me

). It sounds like you had a great run and, even better, a great father-daughter time.
Kristi: Do you have a favorite first race? One with special bling, a great t-shirt, or a huge post-race party? Wacky costumed runners? (Ohh, Ammmmyyyyy?) Friends who are already doing it? I'm all about the extra incentives. (That's because I'm so new to everything I'm not worried about PRs yet.) Given those criteria, I'd say go with Smuttynose Will Run for Beer: a great name; the beer, chili and wings; and Lisa! P.S. I hope Zack feels better soon.
Rich: I'll be doing the Cleveland half, and DOOD (my DH) will be doing the full. I think Optimator Mike is still on board for the full, too. Yoo hoo, Mike?

I don't know this race at all, so don't know what to expect. You?
Cecilia: Returnies! Hah! I hope your doctor's appointment goes well!
Morgan and Frank: Thanks so much for the suggestions on where to eat in Cleveland. We'll definitely be doing 4th street. (I'd tell you where we're staying, but DOOD handled that and frankly I don't remember that detail. I have to save those brain cells for something important, like drinking.) Your suggestions sound wonderful and gives me many options to float to my extended family. I just WISH you all were going to be around that weekend, along with Lily, but I understand you all have lives to attend to. (Bah.) I'll be thinking of you on the course!
Frank: Have I told you that I think your advice to all of us is just stellar! I read your response to Morgan and it's spot on! It reminds me so much of things I need to look out for myself. Thanks for putting such care into your posts! (
Morgan, you and me--and
Carrie makes three--need to watch out for each other's backs! I recommend reading
Chi Running!)
Cam: That's it, you ARE the WISH team Mom!

Now, can I borrow the car and a few bucks for gas? (Okay, make that a lot of bucks.) Add me to the list of women who don't "get" heels. Sneakers, yes. Birks, yes. Even
Crocs (though I don't own any). But heels. I avoid them when possible. I'm not graceful enough to carry them off and I think they hurt A LOT. Oh, and WTG on the great, restful bike ride and good luck with C25K tomorrow!
Maura: Oooh, I love audience participation. I always have the wrong answers, so that gives you the first clue in which way to go.... I say do the tri. I think the tri's XT will strengthen your legs for future races and give your knee a break. The training time for the Sylvana sprint is short, but it would keep you focused. You've got a bike expert in the wings, and a women's only event would be a good place, I would think, to get your tri feet wet. Yes, you might be DLF, but we all know that DLF > DNF > DNS! Plus, I get the impression you really love to challenge yourself--I admire that--and that this will be the bigger challenge for you. P.S. Just read Judy's post about the Epcot tix. YOU ROCK!
Kira: I'm glad you will get to observe Mother's Day, even if a little late, and that there were flowers for you in the meantime! I vote for XT, as I'm the type of person who usually focuses on one activity to the exclusion of others. Maybe try something new? Your DD's ballet sounds lovely and quite professional, but what really struck me was the involvement of Jane Yolen. I'm familiar with her work in children's folk and fairy tales, and admire it greatly. So that really spoke to me.

I hope you do post some pics.
Judy: Oooh, unpacking. Not fun, but it sounds as if the trip was. It's another set of pics I'm looking forward to seeing.
Bride Michelle: I NEVER think to look on ebay for DVDs, but will now thanks to you. It's the tyranny of the Netflix account and my need for immediate gratification. Great idea! (I won't search for
Pilates for Dummies until after you score your copy, though; no need for a ridiculous bidding war.) I'm glad to hear you're pushing yourself but not overextending yourself, KWIM? I wouldn't want you to get injured. For me, the
Pilates for Dummies helps me focus on my breathing. You wouldn't think I need to be reminded to do so, but apparently I do. I do think it's so great that you and your mom can do the running thing together. It's bound to create great memories for you both, just like the wedding!
Amy: Awww, how sweet.

I can feel the love in your post. Speaking of love, how is that love of running coming along for you today? After all, you really don't want to run as a costumed runner, do you?
Kristi, part 2: Speaking of love, I think I love you for mentioning the free Haagen Dazs! Would you believe there's no store in my area, though? Inconceivable!
AlohaJeff: 
for biking to work--environmentally friendly, promotes physical fitness, and helps you save some bucks for Disney races! Is there a downside?? Oh, and thanks for the ITB/tennis ball tip. I have to say, I hope I don't have to try it any time soon.
Carrie:
Traveled here last night and staying with the 'rents. Retired people get tired of each other and tend to suck you dry fro conversation and nto let you leave when in their grips, I mean home.
What are you doing staying with MY parents?

I'd feel replaced by you, but your description of my home life is so accurate that all nostalgia has been replaced by relief at the hundreds of miles which separate me from DM and DD. Good luck with the intermediate-for-us-it's-advanced yoga!
Jen: Wow, I really hope you can make the January marathon. I didn't know your schedule was so packed in during that month. I know you'd like to volunteer. Do you think you could volunteer for the 5K? Or is it looking like a fly in and out in 2009?
As for me: Well, we're moving. Starting in June. Or I should say that DOOD's going to be around the first couple of days in June, helping with the big stuff, and I'm moving the rest. We ran out of energy to continue to look for the "perfect" rental housing, and just called it good. The place is cheap and in the location we want to buy, so those are its advantages. And yes, there is the ice-cream factor going on with the location. But the new digs aren't so comfy as to encourage us to stay long, so that means you lucky folks will get to experience me running through all the ice-cream flavors in all the stores as we look for our permanent home! That also means I'll need to up my exercising in order to "earn" that ice cream.
I'm now taking suggestions as to what ice-cream flavors I should try next. I might try to get a head start on the taste-testing, as it's taper and for some reason all I can think of is food.

And as much as I wish they had, the biking and weight-lifting I did today didn't take my mind off the sweets.