Ribs, I agree with you that the Sox are unlikely to catch the Rays, but I have always thought they just might, and the Sox are now playing their best ball of the season. Now they are only three back (but four in the loss column). The key will be their games against each other this month. Who wants it more? Last night our two boys were up late getting ready for school today. Neither boy is an early riser, so Dark Mare and I were astonished to emerge from our bedroom this morning at 6:15 a.m. to find both boys dressed and calmly eating breakfast together at the dining room table. I asked Dark Colt why he was up so early, and he replied matter-of-factly, "This way if something goes wrong I won't be late." Of course I have told him this about a million times, but he never seemed to be listening. "That's my boy," I said to Dark Mare. This is my little joke: when a kid does something good, he is "my boy," but when he screws up, he is "your son." Blueberry pancakes and sausage links at 6:30 a.m. with a buddy of mine at a diner in downtown Newburyport. Dark Mare is 50 today, catching up with me, so I dropped off half a dozen roses with baby's breath in a vase with water, and a small raspberry cake, at the school classroom where she is an aide. I may run later. Dark Horse

Good Morning! Denise – I agree, excellent post! Walt.RB – for me it’s not a flock of chickens but geese that block my path, hiss at me, and generally mutter complaints as I shoo them off the path so that I can pass. Teresadfp – what a nice thing for your DS to notice! DickyG – double header on Saturday? I thought you had finished the season. Tramps – hello! (waving madly) Dark Horse – how thoughtful! Happy Birthday to Dark Mare! Perch – I agree. I tend to believe that the qualities that make a person a successful politician are not qualities that make a person of good character. In my eyes, they’re ALL dishonest, reading speeches written by someone else, trying to tell each group what they want to hear, only focused on their own elections (and then reelections), rather than in doing any good for the country. No running for me today – light x-training instead (resting up for my run with Karin ): push-ups, front raises, weighted squats, dead lifts, superman lifts, dumbbell curls, seated reverse flies, and various crunches. Happy Thursday!

Holly and Perch, I agree with you about politicians - who in their right mind would want to be President, anyway? But this is an interesting election season. Mary, that's pretty good to do two runs within 12 hours of each other. I'm with Tim, though, I like evening running better than morning. Tim, how do you manage to do such a fast workout when its 94 degrees out? You're nuts. I would have melted into a puddle and not run another step. Karin, I'm a big NPR fan and I hope I get to hear Super Granny on Story Corps! Oh, and have fun running with Holly tomorrow! Dave, nice 13 miler for a Thursday morning! Hope that lets you kick back and enjoy your Saturday with your adorable granddaughter! A lot of you east-coasters seem to have high humidity - my condolences! It's been progressively cooler each morning this week - 37 on Tuesday, 34 yesterday, and 32.5 this morning. But it warms up nicely during the day. Won't be long before the aspens start turning colors. Tramps, welcome back. No, it's Erika that's VP, not CNYrunner. Tammy, good to see you posting. Hope your DH is better and you can get some R&R&R (rest, relaxation, and running!) I signed up for a 4-race trail series at Bear Creek Lake Park, held each Wednesday evening in September. The park is right on my way home from work, and I've never been there before, so I figured it would be a good way to try out some new trails. The first race was last night. It was a 4-miler, and I finished in 36:01, which is fast for me. And a PR, as this was my first 4 mile race! There were maybe 60 or 70 people, nice small race, pretty location, nice trails, mostly single track. They don't do awards by age groups since its so small; just first 3 men and women. I rolled my ankle at about 1.7 miles but after walking a few steps, decided it was OK to keep running. I iced it when I got home last night, and this morning its stiff but not swollen, so I think with a couple days rest I'll be OK for my 10K on Sunday.

Crappy 11k run this morning. Was supposed to run EZ and I did but it was not ez. LISTEN UP - All of us know we should never try something new in the days leading up to a race, but I did not listen...saying what harm could it do::: So I tried a new side lunge on valslides which are these little slippery surfaces you put under you feet to maximize the slide. Well this morning I am super tight on the right leg and have pulled some muscles. So I will not be %100 for the race on Sunday. NOT SMART Have a great day everyone. I am taking a few extra days aftter the race to be with my dad up at the cottage, so will post on Tuesday night or Wednesday. Take care Tall

Good Morning everyone! Happy Birthday to Dark Mare. Lyndenrunner - I, too, remember having to get up earlier for middle school and hating it. In our school districts, the middle schools actually start later than elem or HS. They go from 8:40 to 3:20 and my son, in 3rd grade, starts school at 7:40. So when he finally gets to middle school, it'll really be like sleeping in for him! Got in a quick run last night. I can't believe how quickly it gets dark now. Our evenings are finally cool enough to go for a late run, but then it's lights out by shortly after 8 p.m. now! I did a quick 2 mile run with the dogs. My 2 mile route is partially hills, so I combined the hill workout with some speed work on the flat parts. Averaging out about 8:15 min/miles on the flat parts and then tried to maintain a sub 10:00 min pace on the uphills - pretty steep uphills, so it had my heart pumping for sure. It was a good but short run though. I was surprised to have so much energy that late at night. Must have been those homegrown veggies I ate for dinner. I have a 10K a week from Saturday. I haven't been running as much or as well this whole summer as I was last year at this time. Last year I raced this one in 55:17. I don't think I have a PR in me, but hopefully I can at least stay within a minute of my time. Have a good day everyone.

DH, we're lucky. All boys, all boys school, and uniforms! As to the Rays-Sox, I base that opinion on pitching. Rays have it this year. You get Beckett back soon but he has a tired arm, not good in September. Happy birthday to your wife. DickyG, I'd rather hear your softball stories than follow the Texas Rangers, but we did win 1-0 last night. Unreal! As to the Beach Boys, I can't wait to get in shape again so I can race, and pass someone on the home stretch. I am forming the RR now in my head: "He's powered with ram injection but it's understood, I got a fuel-injected engine sittin' under my hood," in reference to all my new spare parts. WB Tramps. Those trail runs are supposed to be very good training for a road racer, strengthening the feet and ankles. Good work. Nice work on the track Tim. Notice I told that lazy Mary to get out there and how she listened! As for me, 5 miles in 1:18, just under 16 minutes a mile, on a beautifully crisp, clear, post-Gustav day here in N. TX, about 70 degrees. Spareribs

Notice I told that lazy Mary to get out there and how she listened!

I have to admit that you were on my mind last night as I was trudging along .... "call me lazy will ya . . . ."