Stumpy - WTG on the half! Not a bad time, either!

Leslie - sounds like you're keeping to a pretty good workout schedule, hope the hip doesn't get too achy. Bet you're going to have awesome arms when this is all said and done.

Got my final email from the AR50 RD, which of course marks the beginning of the tweaking period. Spent a couple hours poring over all the information. Then did a bunch of gardening, which included lifting several sacks of mulch, so now my back is sore, even though I tried to use good lifting technique.  At least now there's something to feel tweaked about. Gonna call it cross training and call it a day.Gotta run and check the Sacramento, Folsom, and Auburn weather forecast for the second time today.

Have a great Monday, all.

    And quit doing yard work and heavy lifting until this is all over and done.

Yeah I'll have to see about maid service for the week, too.  

You guys crack me up!  And I look away for a bit and we have two great 1/2 marathon finishes!  Way to go OM & Stumpy.

This running with friends thing is very rewarding in the long term, but can also be a challenge to balance.  My best friend and triathlon partner in crime has been told not to run....dealing with what may be a pretty serious degenerative spinal/nerve issue.  So she wants to walk the run portion of our tri this weekend.  I'm obviously going to do that with her and know it will bring blessings to both of us.  She has stuck by me plenty of times when she could have probably done better in some of our races without me.  I know that there will be other tris, but I think she wants to do all of them together.  I hope and pray that the spine specialist will give her the OK to do that, maintain an active lifestyle, and treat it without surgery.  But I had also thought this was my year to go "all in" on the tri thing.  I've been training more consistently/getting faster and stronger, got the bike, wetsuit, etc. that I had always hesitated to get before.  Finally felt like I was "getting my groove on" as far as all that went.  So I have to admit it's hard to let go of the dream on that right now....at the same time struggling to accept the situation with my FIL.  But accept we will, count our blessings, we will, and focus on what is the most important....good friends and family....we will.     

Cindy - "Mairead brake" - funny! I would bet that something like that would throw you off. Hope your quad is better tomorrow.

Carol - I think you can do both, you could pick a goal race and tell your friend so she knows well in advance, and I know she'll be proud of you!

OM  - loved the pics and you're very fashionable!

Where'd all the guys go?

Back is feeling much better today, will be more careful the rest of this week, looks like I'm going to get some warm weather runs in, doing an easy 5 today.

  But accept we will, count our blessings, we will, and focus on what is the most important....good friends and family....we will.     

Reminds me of a poem or saying that I've heard.  "I slept and dreamt that life was joy.  I awoke and saw that life was service.  I acted and behold, service was joy."  Not sure the author.

Sometimes It's tough to sacrifice for others.  I don't do it near often enough.  But the times that I have, I haven't regretted them. 

Don't let go of the dream, Carol.  It'll happen in time.  And when it does it'll be greater than what you had dreamed.

It's easy to say, but not so easy to do.  That's what makes it so awesome.

Carol - You'll figure out how to do what you need to.  Just a few weeks ago, I was in a quandary as to how to deal with the fact that I was faster than Karen, which was weighing on me during our LRs.  A few days later, there ended up being an opening in our conversation where we got to talk about it, and it all worked out well.  She was very supportive of the fact I was faster and wasn't feeling like I was "leaving her behind."  Your opportunity will arise.

OM - Fantab pics, girlfriend!!

Arla - Glad I don't have to come there and smack you around.

Ev - Love the quote.  Thanks.

May I whine a little?  Today was a day of frustrations:

Frustration #1 (Leftover): Last night was one of those "it's a beautiful night for a run" or a walk - or anything.  Heck, I'd even go for a ride in a motorized wheelchair at this point.  The novelty of the crutches wore off a long, long time ago. 

Frustration #2: Today was a rest day as I had to take The Hub to get a buttectomy.  That went fine, but let's just say the drugs they gave him did not him a kinder, gentler Hub.  In the half hour it took us, after leaving the hospital, to get him something to eat and drop him off at home, twice I gladly would've opened the door and shoved him out.  double

Frustration #3: I move my foot around at the ankle so the muscles don't seize up on  me.  In wiggling the toes a small bit this afternoon, a sensation shot through the bad part of my foot that made me instantly nauseous.  It actually made me tear up a bit. It's still not feeling "right."  I I've been up crutching around so much today, my foot is swollen.  I  need to sit with it in the air and eat something really fattening.

Okay - I just need to sit with it in the air . . . .

Whine is over.

{{{{{Leslie!!}}}}  it's still fresh! the "wiggling to keep things loose" isn't quite so important as rest right now, K? (R.I.C.E.)  & a glass of wine/margarita just might've been the ticket to occupy your taste buds whilst icing & elevating said foot! ~ dark chocolate with a good red wine or a nice salsa & chips w/the marg    

Nice, cheerful pics, Esther!   looks like you had a fabulous time!

Hey Ev! Whadya do with the rest of the guys? or did they go off partying w/o ya? hmmm, that's okay.you can hang out with us gals ... we just like a little music to go with our wine   

Carol - I agree with Ev.  & your last statement is dead on! You have a great time with your friend this wknd!!   have faith that everything will be where it's supposed to be!

Arla - Good Luck & have fun this wknd!! You're resting right now, right!?

Quad is still feeling tweaky - in certain movements...gonna go out for a few easy ones here in a bit....still have 25 days to dial in the first one, so I have time