Eight miles at 6:30 a.m.---18º and bright sunshine with visible ground everywhere---8:30 pace. I am moving into 30-mile weeks and still feeling good with the injury recovery on track. This month’s issue of New England Runner got me thinking of summer races and fall plans with hope. Another sports intensive weekend ahead for us---the kiddo has a hockey game (nearby thank goodness) and then he has baseball practice---a clinic really for the whole league run by the high school coach. This afternoon we head to Storrs, CT to watch the free and open women’s NCAA basketball practices. The press buzz is always about the men, but we are huge UConn women’s basketball fans and since they begin their trek to the National championship right at home, we want to see as much as we can. As for the men’s brackets it was nice to see some clients win their games----Go Dayton Flyers! Go Siena Saints! Go Syracuse Orange! Good Luck to all the racers. Go Tramps!

Hi Karin, so nice to see ya building your miles up again....as I can now say, it's a wonderful feeling. Thanks for what you contribute here at RA! Peter, I have to admit also...the more I run, the more my AT pain went away. This week will be over a 40 mile week, and my AT is a little stiff - prolly always will from what I have been told, and read - but it doesn't hurt anymore. What's great is, I don't even think about it any more, before or during running. I am always so impressed with your running...and all hills to. Mine main reason here this morning is to say, I hope Tramps has a great race...can't wait to hear about it, he is sooo ready for a quick time. No run yet for me...long hard work week, so just relaxing this morning and heading out for 12 miles pretty soon. Have a great day and weekend everyone! TimBo

Looks like 8 is the magic number today.

Oh drat! I'm the class slacker again. I did just half that -- 4 mi of pain free running on my mulligan from yesterday! Yoga, stretching, a good nap seemed more important yesterday for my leg. Good running to all today. GOOOOoooooo Tramps!

Good morning Karin, Peter, TimBo, Sarge, Nono, and Mary. Great runs all, now 8 +/- miles is the norm for me on a Saturday morning but I did a very easy 5 today because we're doing an 18 mile group run tomorrow ending at a local brew pub...mmmmmm! So I'm a bit of a slacker today too. Saturday - 5.02 miles easy - 42:39 - 8:30 - Avg HR 137 - Max HR 179, sunny & a cool 37° 8:38 - 8:38 - 8:29 - 8:27 - 8:19 - :07 GO TRAMPS!

Maine, I see you are careful on your Saturday run to tee up your Sunday run. I do the same thing. I want 12-13 tomorrow, so I ran just 5 today at about 9:15 pace. That gives me my 40 mile week. It's a beautiful day here. I think we will eat outside by the pool tonight. I enjoyed the taper thread very much. Excellent comments, particularly by Karin, who has some good experience with the subject. I may post some thoughts later on myself, but one comment Holly made was one I have often reminded others. Stay the hell off your feet the day before the race. It is no time to mow your lawn, paint your house, garden, do work on a ladder or any stuff like that. If you are out of town, go to the expo and get your stuff and go back to your hotel room with the TV remote. At Boston, walk the Freedom Trail on Tuesday! The Beers are doing the Half so they are finished by now, and I assume Tramps is also. Somebody post something as soon as you hear. I have very good vibes about this race for him. Some of his long training runs have been superb. Spareribs

At the library, catching up on the cyber world before heading to the boardwalk to test the recovering knee. Eight might end up being my magic number for the week as a result of the stupid stunt I pulled with the whiteboard on Wednesday. The swelling is going down a little, pain is less, and range of motion is much better, but the scab on the cut looks more nasty than before and the whole thing is turning the colors of a storm cloud. The interesting side-effect that emerged yesterday is that I pulled a glute slightly when I was favoring the knee during Thursday's run. Nothing like driving 2-1/2 hours to sit through a choir rehearsal with not-so-mild pain on one's left butt-cheek! Looking forward to hearing of Tramps' race today. Nono- have a blast at Ocean Drive. I was going to make it my first 10-miler, but I have a huge concert that evening (Verdi Requiem at the Kimmel Center!) and didn't want to risk groaning over the orchestra every time I have to stand or sit during the performance. It's definitely on my list for next year - maybe the half, or even the full?!?!?! Mary - my mom and your mom could probably have a contest over the number of eyeglasses. Mine's only 81 - I'll have to tell her about your mom looking for a more hip pair of frames! Happy first weekend of spring, not matter what the temps where you are! Eliz

Had planned on doing 12+ today, but the legs just didn't have it. Guess I'm still worn out from 1/2 last Sat. plus I had already put in 15 this week, which is more than usual. So I made it to 9.75 at a very slow pace. Since my next 1/2 is in 4 weeks I will have to ramp back up for the next 2 weekends at least! Anxious to hear from Tramps as well. Peter, congrats on your new weekly PR! Once I hit 20+ back in Jan. I decided I had to keep doing that...now if I could just reach 30...... CNY, you are such a jock! Spareribs, how great to be able to eat out by the pool Got to go search garage for hazardous waste - today's the day you can take it and dump it safely at fairgrounds. Then, off to get my 2nd truck load of mulch and continue the beautification of my back yard. Happy Saturday all. Spring Break's almost over

I am so excited to bring you this news! Two big PR's for the Beers today in their Half: WRFB at 1:37:12 and PDR at 1:54:44. Way to go! They have trained so consistently and well. Spareribs