I would be delighted with a big PR.Had to miss the 10 miler past two years due to injuries and my running has progressed a bit since then.A big storm predicted for Fri a couple days before the race.Have my fingers crossed for agreeable running weather on 2/3.

I bet the roads will be cleared up by race day. Last I looked, the temps. predicted in upper 20's.

Big Storm for Friday seems like I have heard that somewhere !!!! but I can't remember where i heard that .

it's really slick and windy I'll run under 52:30. Right now about as fast I think I could go is about 51:30ish on a great day and on a really bad day in the high 53:45 range. It will be a good fitness test to see where I'm at.

I'm doing a 50 minute workout tomorrow that should give me a better idea. No tricks, I'm going out at about 5:10 pace and running. If someone wants to go out faster I'm not going with them and if people don't want to go with me thats fine too.

I'm sure you will get it. You will make the others run their hardest.

I'm not running tactically because winning isn't my goal. I cannot control whether I win or not since I have no idea who will be there and what kind of shape everyone is in. But I can control how fast I run as long as the weather is halfway nice. Top 4 would be nice, but really if I run 52:40 and finished 5th, I'd be fairly happy.

I know you probably don't like unsolicitated advice, but wouldn't you rather choose to take a rest day, rather than be forced to take(possibly many) rest days because of injury? Your legs have a history of being fragile.....be kind to them. :) (I only say this cause I care about you and know how hard it is to be injured and not have a choice.) There must be other ways to use all of your wonderful energy on your rest days?

lot's of things out there besides running.

is there a climbing wall at UMO? Rock climbing is incredibly challenging and although you might get sewing machine legs sometimes, it would be totally different from running. Have you tried this?

thanks for the suggestions - yes, there's a climbing wall here. I used to climb a lot, and Ian is really into it (ice climbing last weekend even).

Now what are sewing machine legs?

Running is my favorite way to cope - it is a flight response. I've been stressed with so many things lately and I would rather run away from them then deal with them... I don't really want to get into it. I talked with the Arizona tri coach for awhile and he helped straighten my head out a little and we talked about my training.

I really, really do appreciate the concern and suggestions. But it's like always trying to fight voices in my head and it's so tiring, sometimes it's easier to just give in, or run from them.

Did that sound totally crazy? He told me to see if I can find a counselor at school to talk to... LOL.

are when you are on a really hard pitch and your one foot is on a little tiny nubbin and the other foot stretched out sideways bridging against another little nubbin and you are trying to put in protection, or find any little hold to pull up on and your legs get so tired that they are shaking and shivering and it's like those old sewing machines that worked by foot pedal on a rocker under the table that made the needle go up and down. And by the way, counselors are cool because you can talk out loud about things runkling around in your head and that gets those things out of your brain and into the open, and then maybe you can relax a bit.

it is familiar territory... I don't want to see a counselor... I will try it but only 'cuz the Arizona tri coach told me to.

Ginger, I've tried meds - I didn't like them 'cuz they made me gain weight. bye bye Paxil :P

I write a lot and sometimes that helps for coping too, but ohmygodnnothing is as good as running (or swimming, on occasion cycling). I think physical pain is easier for me than emotional pain so that's probably why I lean toward a hard workout.

will make you gain weight. I have a lot of hot friends on meds.:)

More than half of my dear friends either take medication or go to counseling. Obviously, if they're my friends, they've got to be half crazy:) There are times when our lives can spiral out of control. I think we all have our own demons, some just don't talk about it. I found my 20's to be the roughest years. Then, I got smart, took care of myself and called the doctor. Don't wait, act now:) Call me anytime too.

are not crazy at all! (((hugs))) You'll get through this. There have times in my life when I have talked to a counselor; if you find the right one it can make all the difference. We love ya! :)

i am going to bring it up at our first meeting for the Flat Top
tommorrow to see if there is anyway we can raise any $$$$$
Is the club interested in trying to help $$$$$

in helping to raise money for 2Trials. I just got on the website and cotributed $26.2. I'm looking at my kids right now and thinking how lucky I am.

I'm off to run, which will make me feel even more lucky.

the above scene or hear any strange noises coming from our house could you please check to see if Matt needs help. He is the one I am worried about. Maggie and Fenway will be fine.

Have a GREAT time and a safe trip! :)

i'm sure Matt will find solutions to problems...of course, his solutions might be different from the ones you think of. Did I tell you of the time my son's puppy pooped in the living room? Doug (age 11) thoughtfully vacuumed it up...an alternative solution that resulted in an interesting smell every time thereafter that we tried the vacuum until we bought a new one...still, he solved the immediate problem. Enjoy your time away and also your motherly intensity.

will be dancing on one come May 18th. Mark and I will hold you to it!

is May 18th? Ya, we'll see... don't hold your breath. I'm zero to three right now. I don't know if I worded that right, but you know what I mean. I'm going to TRY to take Don's advice and just run strong, getting specific time goals out of my head.

:)

but thats OK. Hair is a small detail. We're tough chicks and thats what counts. Gotta get back to reading 26.2 to Sugarloaf otherwise I will never make it to bed tonight!