Running stuff IS the best! Yeah! Another nice warm day here, temp is 40 now... Just got back from a 1 mile walk at lunchtime. Will run tonight after work, probably same route as yesterday but add more before I turn around to get 8 miles. Cash and I are on the same VRAA team! That should be fun. Between my running and his biking, we should do well!

17 miles biking. Erika, I won't generate many points the first week. Will be off skiing, and I think they cap the points at 12 per day for something like that. And no internet connection up there so cant post the points till I get back.

ShanHas: That is great news. Working through the knee problem comes first, otherwise, I would go for 5 days a week activity. It's easier me if it's a regular part of the day. It doesn't matter how long or how hard I go, I just feel better when exercise is the norm for the week and not the exception. Bugs: Belated Happy Birthday! It's very nice when a nonrunning spouse takes the time to understand what's quality and gives it as a gift. Runs are going okay this week. I did 11 Tuesday and 10 yesterday. Less time this morning so I need to get out there. It will be interesting to see how I handle the time change this weekend. I've been enjoying the daylight at the end of the morning runs.

Bugs, Ragnar Relays are all over the place. One member of our team wants us to run the Northwest (Washington) relay in July. My total mileage was just under 18, but it was like running 3 10k's in pretty intense conditions... with little sleep as the weekend wore on! It was a total blast though. I highly recommend it. The whole RR did get pretty long but there's good stuff all thru it. 9 awesome miles last night, a couple at HM pace (8 m/m), the rest were all between 8:22 and 8:34 so pretty good and just under MP. I wanted to get a good tempo workout done when the conditions were so nice (last night +37F and just a bit slick in spots). Tonight will be easy 5 or so. Shan, I second Bugs on the water running thing. It's been called the best recovery workout for runners because it simulates the running motion but no pounding/joint stress. Your knees will love it. Cash and I are on Team I. Going for the name Team Intimidation. Just to make us sound buff and scary. Heh.

Well Ms Alaska Amazon, I will probably break, tear or damage some body part skiing. The fun part is not knowing which body part. 700 craptacular yards swimming tonight. The hips kept sinking when I turned to breathe. Swallowed lots of pool water. 25 minutes lifting. Said goodbye to my favorite spin instructor. She and her boyfriend are off to Europe for a month, then they are moving an hour north of here to LA.

Bugs, yes the team of 12 was all from the Masters/Boomers group. We've all been posting for awhile together. mcsolar sent us "secret e-mails" about the relay inviting us to join. Not sure how he decided who to ask... I should ask him that sometime! He's an amazing fast runner, beautiful to watch. As far as speed/talent, we were all over the place. I think I was somewhere in the middle. Alaskan Amazon. Hardy Har, Cashman. Hey, have fun and take it easy. Are you sure you've got enuf layers packed? Wouldn't want you to freeze any tender bits, you know. 5 miles nice and EZ tonight. A little too fast down the hill, a little too slow on the way back up but oh well. It all worked out fine. Tomorrow is a rest day... but first day of VRAA so I'll probably take a walk at lunch or something.

YEAH!!!! MISSION SUCCESSFUL!!! 20 minute run - 1.5 miles... how's that for keeping it slow - go me go me... muscles around my knee are tired but not painful or sore! YEAH!!!!