Hey Karin, to be more specific. I think my concern is the actual Marathon it's self, not workouts as much. Do you go slower a mile or so then get up to MP, or just start out at MP from the get go. I can't imagine to much of a warm up like a few miles or so before, when facing 26.2. Just Curious George here Tim

Maine, this is too late for today's run but you are on the right track as is Karin. I doubt there is any right or wrong answer but here is my opinion. For a ten-miler where the idea is to practice MP, I would go slow then easy the first two, then do 6-7 at MP and then dig down for a nice finishing mile, as you said you like to do. But if you do that, be sure to cool down. Don't let that final finishing mile be your last, maybe your ninth. Tim, there will be 6,000 runners. Just jog out easy. You will find your pace. The trick is not to jackrabbit start in a marathon, jumping over hedges, running down the highway median, barking at people. Force yourself to run an easy first mile, then drop down to pace. This is one of those things that a first timer just has to learn to do. You will also find it a big surprise to learn that no matter how slow you think you are running, you will probably be running too fast. You will have to experience this yourself. I agree with Dark Horse's view of the history of today's anniversary. Sad as it is, his overview is pretty much generally accepted today. That's why you see little argument between the candidates over how to withdraw there. It is a sad situation and I feel for those poor troops. Thanks all of you for your interest and concern. I probably didn't need that Power Point slide at all. The doctor laughed when he saw the title, "Why I Can Run Now." He told me to go ahead and run. Restrictions on distance, speed? He said, "You will know right away if you are doing too much. Use your good judgment to ease back into it." Of course I will, as there is more at stake here than my enjoying running. Tomorrow I will do a bit of slow jogging, alternating with walking, and pay attention to how I feel. Bruce, don't leave. Yes, it's a running forum, MOSTLY, but from time to time people will express their points of view about political issues, matters of faith, overweight spouses, hard to manage kids, the unfairness of taxes and income distribution. No one means any harm. We may not agree with others and we can keep silent, or put forth our own points of view. But you are too valuable to lose here because of one comment that offended you. If everyone recalls, tselbs openly asked us not to engage in political stuff, and for this very reason. So give this some thought and come back tomorrow and let us know how you are running. Aamos, I was tsk tsking about that game. Now they have 3 against the Rays "down there" where they are 0-6, and they will have to sweep or take 2 of 3. Also dangerous is a series against the very hot Blue Jays. Has anyone noticed how hot teh Jays and the Astros are? Wow. Spareribs

Congrats Roy on ODAAT for 19years! I got in a nice hilly 13-miler this morning...beautiful weather and no aches or pain, what else could you want? [lol, I wrote this in the morning, but just noticed I didn't click post :-P]

Thanks All for the good wishes on my recovery to date. Spareribs, great news for you, jogging is great. Also DH, I'm with you on that, I've always held that view. Good Night All Roy

Karin - I know exactly what you mean here since this is where I have suffered a few times as well. Thanks for your input, you are quite the runner and I value your input. Oh and Happy Birthday too! So I took your advice and did the whole 10 at marathon pace without using the Garmin...I stuck it to my hat (a little wierd I know but I could hear the mile chirps this way and wanted the HR info too. Thursday - 10.04 miles at mp - 1:14:52 (7:27) Avg HR 143 Max HR 151 - 67 degrees & 49% humidity not bad. 7:34 (130/141) 7:33 (141/145) 7:25 (144/148) 7:32 (146/150) 7:19 (148/151) 7:20 (147/150) 7:14 (145/148) 7:27 (146/151) 7:38 (141/146) 7:31 (141/149) :13 (146/148) A little fast but not too bad considering it was all by feel and those last two miles are actually running back up hill a good portion of it. I am pretty pleased overall as the effort felt good and I felt like I could have gone on for a good distance longer at this pace with not too much extra effort. Now for Sunday's scheduled 20 miler - the last long run!

Bob, I often think that it's that "feel" part of it that has the value. The ability to run at say 8 minutes a mile, give or take a few seconds, takes this kind of practice. You ran very well today. Nice work! Spareribs

I like the variety of "stuff" on the daily. There are plenty of threads/forums, etc that limit the postings to just running stuff. I've learned so much about so many things from this place, I'd hate to think it's "only" running. Through what we share here, I feel like I've gotten to know so many of you, and when some of us have met in "real life" I feel like I'm meeting an old friend. I hope that never changes.

I agree! I've learned a whole bunch about running and consider lots of you as my unofficial "coaches." I also learn how NOT to do things from bad experiences that have been shared. But I've also learned a lot about non-running stuff, like heart surgery, Latin, injury rehab, kitchen remodel, book recommendations, and Juan Agosto, to name a few. I hope there are no topics that are off limits, although perhaps politics and religion should be avoided. We lost Vista over a religious discussion, and I'd hate to lose Bruce over a political one.

(I like Tammy's purple runs!)

(I like Tammy's purple runs!)

hmmm, purple is either EZ or TM, depending on which shade of purple you are looking at. Both are pretty boring and as you can see the majority of my runs on my log are 'purple' - so that means, "Boring!". I need more yellow in there! And red. Need more red.