Jackie - I am so sorry to hear about your ankle. I do hope you feel better soon.
Craig - Awesome time on that 5k.... aren't you turning into a speed demon yourself?!
Tricia - I was having the same problem with the treadmill a few weeks ago. I was finding reasons NOT to run outside!! The past few weeks I have been really forcing myself to get outside and run. As far as your shin splints. Try icing them immediately after a run and at least 2-3 more time during the day. It REALLY helps.
Kristi - an 8 miler one week prior to the race?! Holy Cow... I have 18 planned for this Saturday!! I have decided that TOT isn't really a "race" as much as it is a fun run with my friends!!
Lou - Lately I have been hurting REALLY bad. I don't remember it from last year, but DH said I was hurting then too. Except last year it was in my knees. I almost think it is impossible to put in these kinds of miles and not feel some discomfort. However, if you can't run without pain (without changing your gate) then you might need to cut back on the miles and try some R.I.C.E. By the way I live on Ibuprofin and Ice!! My pain is when I am walking though, not running!!
Cam - Awesome job on that 5k!! How cares about the time, you ran the whole thing!! How cool is that?! I hope your hip feels better soon.
Monte - I have to agree with Bill.... send some of that cold stuff our way!! Freakin' 90 degrees!! This stuff better cool down REAL quick for TOT!!
Ok , I know I have been MIA. I have been feeling really kinda crappy lately. After my 16 that turned into 10, and then a nagging pain in my hip I have really felt down. DH has been getting onto me like crazy because for some reason I have been letting that run psyche me out. I kind of felt like maybe I couldn't do it. Last night it all came to a head. DH and I actually got into an argument (kinda, but not really) about it. I was still feeling less than confident and I was already making excuses for why I wasn't gonna run the whole 9 miles that I had planned for today. He basically told me I was being stupid and I needed to shut up and get over it. That he knew, just as well as everyone else, that I could get the miles in. He told me I needed to quit making excuses and stop looking for reasons not to finish a run when I start getting tired. That I just needed to get out there and do it. God love him, when he's right he's right. I got out there this morning and got my 9 miles in and did it in 1:19:57 (avg 8:53 mpm). I have decided to cut back down to 3 days a week of running instead of 4. I think my body wasn't handling not have a break in between running days, hence the hip pain. I feel so much better after todays run though!! Like someone flipped a switch!! I am gonna fall back into my original plan where I was before, and I am looking forward to my 18 miler this Saturday!!
Also, just to keep everyone updated on my animal encounters while running. I don't think I told you guys about the Snapping Turtle that chased me on my 10 mile run (ya know, the one I bailed on). I was running near this pond that had a gate around it, and the turtle must have gotten out of the water at some point and when I came running up I scared him and he took off running back to the pond, which of course crossed my path. That was pretty freaky, that thing was huge. Today's however was much cuter. At mile 3 on my normal Rail Trail the two bikes that were in front of me had stopped, and I saw what looked like to large black dogs run across the path. When I caught up with them I realized it was two of the CUTEST little calfs. We call them OREO cows. They are black on the front and back with a white strip in the middle, and they were running all over the place. My heart melted just watching them!! For anyone who has never seen one this is what they look like.
Dana
I'm scared to death but I keep focusing on getting back to my serious training!! Thanks for the well wishes tomorrow night. My 
Have a great day all!
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Ok back to work
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!!! 
