Hi, all.

DW and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the Outer Banks.  Now we're watching Tropical Storm Arthur closely.  The friends we stayed with in Nags Head are directly in the projected path of the storm.  They were planning to visit here for the 4th, but have put that on hold until we see where and when the storm will hit.

I mentioned in an earlier post that I was planning to run my first HM in October in Charlottesville, VA.  Our trip this past weekend has caused me to change that plan.  Our friends in Nags Head volunteer for the Outer Banks Marathon and Half Marathon on November 9th, and invited us to come stay that weekend, and encouraged me to run that race instead of the Charlottesville HM.  Probably works better for us anyway, considering Charlottesville race was only one week after DD1's wedding.  So...I received my confirmation for the Outer Banks Half Marathon yesterday.  I'm officially committed now.  Or, as DW puts it..."you probably should be committed!"

Planning to run the Pinecrest Patriot 5k this Friday to kick off the holiday weekend.  Fundraiser for Wounded Warrior Project and Pinecrest High School athletics.  That means about a half hour of looking at the backs of high schoolers...if I'm close enough to see them!

4 miles this morning (first mile at easy 10:13 pace, next three at steady 9:44).  I'll spend the next few weeks building base and mixing in some speed and hill work, then start again on the 16 week HM plan.

Happy Running!

Hi, guys! Checking in during a break in my project work. Debra, Dan, Ray, Rich and Az, I see you've been very diligent with your runs and training!!

Az, I am so sorry to hear of your family's loss!! Hope Odie is feeling better. Say Hey to DH from Me! Glad you had a chance to visit with your family, though!!

Dan, What a wonderful vacation! Loved the pix on fb!! Good job getting your runs in!

Ray, your running journey continues to be quite impressive!! That's some streak you have going and Sunday's run and hikes were a lot of miles!! Great mileage for June, too!!

Debra, what a wonderful recovery run with your running inspiration friend!! I have no doubt that you could finish a marathon now with a training plan that contains, as Chantilly and Ray advised, the extra mileage and longer runs?

This is my week for the training plan development and I am also using Brad Hudson's book. I was going to fall back on the plan I've used twice before, the Master's marathon but you've motivated me to try the Marathon 2. I actually thought about it and opted to be conservative but my goal is audacious so it makes no sense to try and accomplish a big goal with a little plan. Also, I never followed the plan once bc I am just terrible at xtraining at home so I might just as well be running those days. Thanks!!

You are ready to run a full with a training plan that has, as Chantilly and Ray encouraged, longer runs and high mileage. Actually, if all you want to do is finish, the total mileage in your HM plan would be enough but you'd have to include at least three long runs of 18 or more miles starting about five to six weeks out. This usually requires a rest day ahead of it. If you have a time goal, then look at Brad's full plans?

Rich, I really appreciated the details of your friend's HR 4 mile run! This is about normal for me and I am 65 and female (of course). It's good to know I'm in a somewhat normal range because if you use the standards for calculating HR at 60, we're anaerobic just getting out of bed and that isn't helpful. My rate at the high end has been more erratic, as high as 182, and usually jumps up and then back down while I'm feeling whoozy. It's prolly a heart problem that I don't want to know about and I rarely run fast enough to trigger this. If I do, I'm on a TM with handles. I assume its defective gym equipment.

Sorry you've been out of commission and good to see you're getting your run on! I've been injured since June 9th but was able to still run/walk  a mile. After weeks of PT, I'm back to building up mileage and training again soon and don't look forward to that feeling of not being able to do it.

Fletch - Vacation in OBX? Wonderful!! running on the beach, priceless!! Thanks for the fantasy! Great idea for your fall marathon!!

Chantilly - You're getting some nice miles in! Do you have any races planned?

Well, since the relay, I walked/ran the Pig and the 10 hour endurance race. Finished about 31 mi in 9.5 hr and it was a good experience. I stopped a little short of the end after a sharp hamstring pull and a major lack of "I don't care anymore." Although I am slow, I am not that slow; I spent at least an hour in pit stops, eating dinner, changing clothes, etc. Got stuck trying to take off and put on underwear on sweat. Lost my bib for about 10 min. Ripped a toenail off and then bandaged it back in place Stupid stuff. I was surprised how hard it is to cover a flatish oval course; my time for 26 miles was longer than for the pig. The oval was banked and we only went in one direction so guess who came home with a hamstring strain. Thank goodness I was able to drive but after a nap I couldn't put any weight on my left leg without buckling but it's been healing and I'm almost back. Work has been ridiculous so it was a good time to rest. Finished a 4 miler last Saturday with a lousy time but it shaved 30 seconds off my course best (2012). It was good to try and know I was able to do it, even if I was having pain in the fourth mile. I am hoping to get out this weekend for some more miles, maybe trails!

Happy and safe runs and races to you all! Happy 4th of July!!

So good to hear from you Kay!!  Was wondering where you were.  Glad you are recovering and back to running; slow start but you'll get there!  Thanks for the kind words.  4 funerals in 3 months was trying on the family and gives you pause to cherish each moment with loved ones.  It was bittersweet to go home and my trail running was mostly done in NM while visiting with family.  There were 'reflective' runs which nourishes my soul; stopping to give thanks for another day with family and friends.

Deb:  our cool windy days got to your area; look out for SUNNY days!! Good running days for you and getting some quality times with family!

Ray:  I had to laugh ........"87F(10 degrees cooler then day before)"  77 degrees is 'cool'? ; that's a heat wave here.  All relative though, right? I'm always amazed by your daily running mileage........and you're adding hiking to it too, awesome!!  You're a great hubby to check out the hike with DW.  Sounds wonderful!

Fletch:  Hope your friend's will come out of the latest weather in NC.  What thoughtful friends too on providing lodging for your HM!! It's worth making the change and gives you some more time to train.

adkev:  we miss you, hope all is well.

Dan:  still running the HM in DWD?  Is DS running too? Hello to DW!

Greetings fellow campers!!

I have been remiss in posting ... like for all of June!  Funny how life gets in the way of things sometimes .. hahahhaaha!!  Still managed to squeeze in 94+ miles in June.

Skipped Tuesday, no run because of the high humidity & storms that passed through.

I managed to get in 5.5 miles on Wednesday ... dew point was a little lower (high 60s instead of the mid 70s) & there was a breeze so it wasn't all that bad.  Although I was pretty well soaked, as if I'd run in a rain storm!!

rmcj001 Still hot there! Good running as usual for you.

Fletch_NC Hope your training goes well for the Outer Banks!

gito57  Hope you enjoyed your concert!

mKayc Hello! Congratulations on your races! Hope your injury stays away.

az2mntrail Sounds like you had a good run!

adkkev Glad you're back.  Still running under the stars?

SteveBikeRun Hope you have a safe trip. Cottage in MI is nice at this time of year.

6 miles at 7AM

3 hours total of yard work. The place was a jungle, had to actually mow most of the lawn twice because it was so thick.

Wow, am I behind, both in running and posting.

AZ- my registration for DWD is complete, I just need to write the check and stick it in the mail.  Hopefully I'm not biting off more than...  We will see, I'll let you know what it's like.

Deb- Ahh, Summerfest!!  It's been too long since DW & I have gone there.  Must be getting old, the crowds bug me.  We saw James Taylor the last time we were there.  That HM plan should really get you in shape, peaking at 52 mpw!  I've been too lazy in my training, just taking what work gives me time for, and haven't had any set goals for each run.  I need to work on that for a fall HM.  I'd like to get closer to 2H for a HM as well.

Fletch-  You are keeping the miles up there despite all your busyness. good luck in your race tomorrow.

Ray- Wow, your June is a solid 2 months for me! 

Mary Kay-  Good luck with your new training plan.

Hoping for a long run tomorrow, though I'm on "phone call" so I may get interrupted from time to time.  I need a longer run, nothingmore than 5 miles in the last 2 weeks.

Have a great Independence Day everyone!

Happy Fourth everyone!

justrundan Hope you get in your longer run & have a good holiday!

az2mntrail I understand about the driving to races and back.

Races should have "morning of" race kit pickup for out of towners. I didn't go to a certain race this year, because it would have involved a hotel stay the night before, just for bib pickup.

mKayc That is a bit of a jump. Hope you can gradually increase your milage without flaring up an old injury.

My hands are so sore today from pulling thistles yesterday. (I don't use weed killers) "Icy/hot"  cream rubbed on both hands and feet.

My family of bumblebees are still living in the clover patch. Enjoy seeing them in the flower beds every year.

7 miles run at 7 AM. Nice out.

Debating whether to go to the group run tomorrow.....or should I say solo run after about 45 minutes when they leave me behind?