This is a subject that many folks don't like talking about . . .

Well, fortunately for you folks (actually, probably unfortunately ), I don't have a problem talking about this. About two years ago I had an incident during a morning run that resulted in me having to crouch between a truck and a boat to undress and deal with the problem at hand (luckily, most times I carry a bandana with me for my runny nose). My friend calls them "atomic farts." (There's fallout. Get it??) I was praying like crazy a cop wouldn't come along. "Yes sir, I know that you can get arrested for indecent exposure, however, I had no choice." "Sir, believe me, you don't want me in your car at this moment." The bad part - I was about half a block from a 4-way stop intersection. Not a well-traveled intersection, but a well-lit one. A car pulls up and I'm going, "No!" I tried to get further behind the truck with my lily white a$$ hanging out there for all to see, but the tongue of the boat trailer was in the way. So there I am, crouched as far behind this truck as I can get . . . and the car isn't moving. In my mind, I'm screaming, "Go! Just go, would ya?!?" It seemed to take forever . . . . then I remembered that not only was I wearing my headlamp, but it was still turned on. Ack! I slapped my hand over it and kept mentally screaming, "Go!" The car finally moved on, I got dressed, and it was quite the uncomfortable 2.5-mile run home. Aaaah! The joys of running!

Non-running is easier on the bathroom issues for sure! For me, getting up and having strong coffee usually allows me to take care of business before I head out to run. Some days I am unlucky, esp on long runs in warm weather, but it is rare. French Roast is your friend!

OMG Leslie, I'm just cracking up from your story! Oh boy. Laughing with you, my dear, not at you for sure. I've had the issue a couple times on lunchtime runs, and once barely made it to the rec center rest room... if those doors had been locked I would've cried! Had to decide what to do with my tights, because they were a mess... Oy. Had to redress and run the last 3/4 mile to my office where there's a shower (thank God!). Would've tossed the tights but they're my Brooks winter weights... so into a plastic bag to deal with later. Another time I had to ditch into the woods less than a 1/4 mile back to the office because I just.couldn't.hold.it. Mary, I'm like you... but I run in the later part of the day usually. On weekends when I run mid-day, I have to make sure it's been awhile since the coffee... And one of my routes has a McDonald's 5 miles away and the other way has my parents' house at 7 miles. The trick is making it that far! Oh, and Mary! Where are you going? Hope not just a cruise up the inside passage... let me know if you'll be going to Denali or all the way up to Fairbanks. I think people miss a huge part of Alaska by just visiting the southeast, but that's what so many do.

Oh, and Mary! Where are you going? Hope not just a cruise up the inside passage... let me know if you'll be going to Denali or all the way up to Fairbanks. I think people miss a huge part of Alaska by just visiting the southeast, but that's what so many do.

Well..... we don't have any definite plans and are open to suggestions. My boss did this trip a few years ago and of course thinks we should do as they did. Fly into Ankhorage - rent a car and drive to Seldotna (?) take a fishing day, etc. and then drive to Seward (I think) where the cruise starts and take the Southbound cruise and fly home from Vancouver.

Well..... we don't have any definite plans and are open to suggestions. My boss did this trip a few years ago and of course thinks we should do as they did. Fly into Ankhorage - rent a car and drive to Seldotna (?) take a fishing day, etc. and then drive to Seward (I think) where the cruise starts and take the Southbound cruise and fly home from Vancouver.

That's starting in southcentral (Anchorage) and heading south... Soldotna, then Seward. Great fishing, beautiful scenery, but a small piece of our huge state. Another option (extends a couple of days...) would be to drive or take the train to Denali from Anchorage, and then you could drive further (or take train) up to Fairbanks where you could meet me! Whatever you do, you should get to Denali Park. It's one of my favorite places in the world and is absolutely beautiful, especially if you can do any hiking a bit away from the roads (nice trails). The bus system to take you into the Park is very nice (can't drive your car). And the drive from Anchorage to Fairbanks (about 360 miles) takes awhile, especially if you stop at some of the pullouts, but it's worth it. Not sure how long you have to spend on all this... but that's what I'd recommend!

Another non-running day underway. Got up early and did another 60 minute indoor cycling workout. Different music today than yesterday. A thrill indeed. I also swam at lunch, 1500 yards. Wildchild your run sounds great! Isn t there snow out there now? I keep hearing about ski areas which are open...

lamerunner, glad the new music gave you such a thrill! There's snow in the mountains, but I'll bet with our current heat wave, the ski areas that are open are having trouble making snow. On the emergency bathroom stop issue, I rarely run in the morning, so it's not usually an issue. I also live in a wooded area, so pit stops are easy. When I've run races in the morning, my race-day nerves usually help get things moving before the race. It's hot today! Sunny and 75 degrees. I did a very slow 4 miles at lunchtime in just shorts and sports bra. Topless, just like TimBo! I kept trying to tell myself that hot and sunny was better than cold and dark, but with limited success.

Byll never got up to Fairbanks, but I was down in Kenai for a soccer tournament and we tried to meet up, but never could make it work. Talked on the phone though. The miles of roads here are not like freeways... and in the summer there's always construction delays and motorhome traffic; that's what really tripped up our meeting.

See, I think today's thread goes toward why we all feel as if we've known each other for years when we do arrange to meet. I mean, have you talked with many other people about this stuff as we are here? And o yes, that's why larger, urban marathons make me nervous. SOmetimes crowd support in the face of in sufficient PP support can make your teeth hurt. We're having some of that warm weather Carolyn's been describing. I'm still going easy, just 3 for me, but they were much enjoyed! grins, A