re: death pictures... I think I would win... for sure.

Just came back from a super hilly 15 miler.  There is route that's about 15 minutes from my house that people in my running group have done.  They refer to it in a scary way.  I have now run that route and see why.    This may be nothing for some of you, but I was amazed at how hilly it was.... 1300 feet of elevation over the first 4-5 miles and then rolling hills non stop after that.   Whew!!   I went with a few others who are a bit slower than me, and that really saved me.   I need to make myself do that a few times at least before Boston.

I'd rather run naked than post a pictures from my first marathon.

Kim - great job on the hills, that work will pay of for Boston. Glad you had a great run.

Dave - oh that sounds rough traveling.  I use to travel for my job and loved it, but I think airports were faster to get through then. But once I had to go buy a new suitcase in Paris because they ripped it to shreds. Another time I had flown for 15 hours and was stuck in Rome because I did not have the paper work to go to Belarus. Funny flying sucks, and what to they reward you with, frequent flyer miles so you get to do more of it.

Lou - stretching? I struggle with tight hip abductors and have to stretch them often. Doesn't help sitting at desk all day and most ab exercises also over work them.

Perry,

Thanks for posting that. I had forgot about the goggle out and in, I think I over rotate. I figure since this is my first time doing this event it will be a PR either way, as I can see myself doing it every year to get away from just running all year long, but not taking away from my summer running.

Cash - I just meant taking those breaths on a 50 yard swim is a bit like drinking water in a 5K race, you really don't need and would have been faster if I hadn't.  Part of me is not taking this event to seriously since running is my first goal. I like the technical challenge of swimming, and that it is not just working harder. My friends laugh at my ability to make even this very low key event hardcore. If I get water up my nose or water in my googles I keep going but I figure that stuff can happen race day so I practice the same way. You must have some pretty nice abs because man does this swimming work my core. I have to say when I am really working it in the pool, and I hit the end of a lap and flip around with all my might for another lap and streamline through that water there is this voice in my head that says "you are so flipping cool." Lots more fun than running in -20F.

My son is sick with bad cough and low fever. I feel warm, less energy but not sick, nervous because most of you know I get this bronchis crap most years in the spring, it is weird.  Might settle for a light run on the TM.

Lou - stretching? I struggle with tight hip abductors and have to stretch them often. Doesn't help sitting at desk all day and most ab exercises also over work them

Thanks.  Yeah, I stretch after almost every run.  This part of my thigh doesn't get stretched, though.  But I think I'm better.  We'll see tomorrow.

Bugs,  geez doing flip turns already....   I get water up my nose half the time I do those.

And if you are using your core,  you are doing it right.  Most people dont.   You have had good training.

No my abs are not that great,  not terrible,   but nowhere near  Pam quality.

G/f asked me to run to the store to pick up some okra.   So I did.   5 miles round trip  46 minutes.    Took  Mara Mutt Mutt to Dog Beach earlier for an hour

I'd rather run naked than post a pictures from my first marathon.

 If I get water up my nose or water in my googles I keep going but I figure that stuff can happen race day so I practice the same way. 

Well, on the first thing, be careful what you ask for because it might come down to that.

On the second one, I agree. I hate it when I get water in my googles. 

Dave, you really don't look so bad in those pictures. There are some where it looks like you're hurting, but it's only made worse by the fact that Perry is there looking so chipper you want to smack him. Really.

Kimmie, that was an awesome run today. Those hills will definitely pay off at Boston. And yes, do that at least two more times. Four would be better.

Ok, I'm being good. I really am. I'm trying... I wanted to run so badly today... and I did a little bit, two laps around our 1/16th mile indoor track at the athletic club after my elliptical session, but my workout was 32 minutes on the elliptical and 30 minutes of pool running. I'll run tomorrow... and just in time, it'll warm up to about -15 so that's nice, too!

I'd rather run naked than post a pictures from my first marathon.

Well, since nobody else said it (or I just missed it), I sure hope we get pictures of *that*

MTA: 

Seems like my lower adductor (or whatever it is) isn't quite ready for prime time.  It didn't hurt yesterday or this morning, and I had planned a long run today anyway, so I went out.  I felt it when I started running, no big deal.  But at about 1.2 miles I got a twinge.  I kept running to see if it would subside, but it didn't and I got another twinge at around 2.2.  I decided nothing could be gained by beating it up, and that I have time to recover any conditioning I will lose, so I turned back, finishing at around 3.2 miles.

A little disappointing, but I think I made the right decision.  I'll rest it through Wednesday, try to run Thursday / Friday (short recovery paced runs), then ski and hope for the best when I get back.  Hopefully the skiing won't aggravate it too much.