Beth- if it makes you feel any better, as someone who is going Goofy, but has yet to run a LR over 9 miles, I take comfort in the fact that you had a hard long run. Not because I'm happy you suffered, but because you are setting an example of getting through it regardless. So when I'm whining this weekend doing my first double-digit run, I'll be able to think about you and how you went twice as far!! You go, girl!
SWDave- I'm so sorry about your mom.
Dana- OK, I generally run about a 10 minute pace- if I bump the TM up to 8:00 (or run downhill LOL) it feels like I am flying! Really impressive pace and especially for 5 miles (I'd last a block, maybe). I'm sorry about your son's teacher/coach. The teacher needs to get a grip. And the coach- what's up with that? When my daughter played soccer, they rotated everyone, even the kids who always ran the wrong way! (My kid didn't run the wrong way, she just didn't run much at all in any direction

)
Jackie- hope you get better really soon!
Renee- 4 hilly miles, and then lifting?! I'm impressed. I have yet to do any lifting unless you count lugging around a squirmy toddler!
Cam- Treats don't count when you are entertaining a friend! I mean, who wants to party over rice cakes and tuna?! It would be rude to not have something tasty.
As for training, I officially start my training plan today (I'm using a hodge podge method- a little of this and that).
So let's see-- Monday is a rest or cross day. Guess what- I'm right on schedule!

I may run a little tonight or do some cross training just because it feels so anti-climatic to do nothing now that I've "begun."
I did a little over 3 miles yesterday outside at 1:30. For some reason, it felt kind of cool when I started. I guess it was a residual effect of being in the A/C inside, because within a few minutes I was really hot. I kept plugging along anyway, just meandering around the neighborhood. Then DD and I went for about a 3 mile walk with a friend and her DD. I'm trying to get my friend interested in WISH and running- she has the mindset that she is out of shape, but she can actually walk a lot faster than me!
Jen in GA