Kimmie... that sounds like rest day to me. Last night I was going to hit the bike for an hour or so, but was so tired I just said forget it. Crashed after dinner. I think I feel like I'm totally slacking with the non-running thing, so I'm overdoing the XT just a bit. I guess yesterday would be my first rest day since Monday the 10th, so it's ok. Sure have shot my weight trend though... up 4 lbs since Monday. Shan, you crazy, crazy girl. I'm going to tell you that the last 6 miles will be the longest 6 miles of your life. Be ready for it. And my only real advice for recovering and the trip home is: Ice Bath. As soon as you can after it's over, get into an ice bath for 5 minute dips (5 in, 5 out) and repeat at least 5 times. Ibuprofen will help... and chocolate milk. Take frequent walk breaks on your drive home. You might even jog gently for a half mile a couple of times (there, you'll preserve your streak too!) to keep from stiffening up too much. Heading to the gym at lunchtime, probably elliptical day, maybe some rowing. Have dinner with a vendor tonight, and the annual beaujolais neuveau dinner Thursday night. That'll help keep that weight trend going in the wrong direction.

Kimmie - that's how I felt when this cold started. It never felt horrible (just during the marathon), and I'm pretty much done with it now. I ran through it a couple of times last week and it didn't seem to matter much, but that can be debated after my performance Sunday. Get better! Ran today, felt good. Changed my easy pace to match what McMillan says I should do based on my recent 15k. It says 9:15 to 9:45, which still feels fairly easy, but a bit more work than I had been doing in easy runs. Since I'll start mixing in a speed workout of some sort, I'll need to start differentiating between easy and recovery, which will be good. Regardless, it was good to get back out there, though part of my run went through the marathon course. Great memories!

Kimmie, I remember Nobby saying one of his girls had a cold and he advised three days no running. Hym THREE DAYS, yikes, well never tried that. I try to keep running as much as I can, get on TM, and see how I feel. Yesterday I felt awful and got on TM and felt better. But I stopped at 2 miles. I've held back more with this cold hoping to not repeat last Spring's mistake. (Long story, but I had bronchiitus and ended up in hospital with cardiologist says my EKG was funny, never really got any answers with all that despite LOTS of tests, just assumming I did too much wihle sick.) I'm home sick today, hacking chest cold, a very miserable woman. DH went to work but he's been sick just as long and just as bad, and hasn't been running, so I'm thinking this virsus is just stuborn and go take the full 10-14 days. Just a stuffy nose, I'd be running, but this chest-lung crap calls for rest. Hope yours doesn't develop into the same thing. The time-off not all bad, as I have more energy for the kids. Erika, You know you've been running 50+ mile weeks for so long I don't think you'll have to worry your XTing not having the impact of runnning. The high mileage boys usually reduce running in the fall for a month, and then jump right back up to their old base. They don't use the 10% rule for that. Oh I feel bad, I have not weighed and eating whatever. I don't usually drink pop but some Sierra Mist goes down better than water so I've let myself have some of that. Can I have a break from dieting just till I am healthy again?

Got out late. There was no way I was getting 18 miles in. But ran a fantastic 5 on the indoor track. Felt really good after the first few laps of left ankle/calf stiffness. The initial discomfort convinced me that I dont want to push it this close to the race. Im going to run often, but mostly easy between now and then. I will probably do 12-15 this weekend and then go into taper.

Cash - are you going to fast?

Running in cold weather makes you sick is a myth, right? There is no benefit to running inside. Please say no- because I can't take the treadmill.

Absolutely. And this time of year especially, the sunlight probably pays huge benefits (big deal for me since I work in a room without windows, ugh...). If you're weak from a cold, a run inside or out could weaken you and make you more susceptible to it getting worse though. I'm still mostly crosstraining. I seem to be right on the edge of injury, taking a few days off, then running and making it worst, repeating it. It is not really joint pain but the boney part right below my left knee. I watched "Spirit of the Marathon" yesterday. Great stuff. Makes me want to run Chicago next year. I'll be in Detroit by then. Hmmm.....

4 inches of snow. Ugh Where are you from MrI? I gave into peer pressure and went out for a great run outside. A bit faster than easy pace but surprisingly, my legs felt better afterwards than before. 6.4 miles in just under an hour. Bugs, how are you feeling? Kimmie, any better? When do you leave to head west, Shan?