No run today - just 75 minutes on the (non-precor) stepper, and a matrix lifting session. Like Will Farrell in Anchorman, I'm working on the guns. Hah! Next week I'll be in Renfrew. Call it a tape delay.

With a big aloha to Hawaii, a new generation of coin collectors will soon shut their books on the U.S. Mint's popular 10-year state quarter program full of fond family memories and a fun dose of history. While not terribly rare, considering about 34 billion were produced, the commemorative quarters have captured the frenzied fancy of kids and their parents as they've drawn extended family, tip-collecting waitresses and bank tellers into the hunt. Get this: The U.S. Mint made a profit of over $3.5 billion by the end of last year, excluding special-issue sets. Sort of gives new meaning to the old saying: "It takes money to make money." Lou:

"Well ya see, Norm, it's like this... -- Cliff Clavin

Absolutely cracked me up...one of our cable channels shows Cheers re-runs from time to time...and that episode was on the other day. NoNo: You're OK, right? Carolyn: Terrific interval effort yesterday.

The first two ski areas in Colorado opened today: Loveland and Arapahoe Basin. I know at least Twocat and DickyG are happy about ski season starting.

Yep...saw it on CNN...although A-Basin only has an 18" base...probably opened a few of the lower slopes to get some of the locals out. Jeanne:

Heard from DS#2 last night. Halfway through boot camp and he sounds good. That's the first time I talked to him since he left in September. He'll graduate on November 14, and I think a celebration is in order.

Great news! Celebration indeed...I see chili dogs in your future.... Holly:

Well, how do you really know when they are done?

Yeah...good question...I have over 650 miles on my current pair...they feel fine...lots of tread..why retire them? Got up at 4 this morning to drive Queen Pam to the airport...she and all her Ya-Ya Sisterhood pals are meeting in Toronto...from there, they will meander their way down to Florida...she'll be home in about 10 days...don't ask me what they all do and why they do it. Sooo...I ended up sneaking out of work at about noon for a run...big mistake...it was already 83 out there. 4 absolutely suffering miles in 39:41 (9:55)...not sure I could have done much better. Only thing I can think of is that it's advance training for next year's Peachtree. MeltedG

While we're definitely out of states (WOOHOO HAWAI'I...), don't close those books quite yet:

And collectors looking for a fresh fix should keep eyes peeled next year. That's when quarters will be issued for the left-out District of Columbia, commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

I got 700 miles out of my first pair, and less and less with each new one. I thought 450 miles was a good retirement age, but I can feel them starting to go around 300 now. And, I am not getting heavier!

I use to wear mine around 500 miles, but now it seems at about 300 to 350 I feel I need new one's...With Marathon training, that's a lot of shoes to buy. Tim

NoNo: You're OK, right?

MeltedG, I hope you've recovered! I do think I'm OK. Had nasty symptoms on what ended up being a short run yesterday with the result of the symptoms being either: a) I was pregnant or b) I had fish poisoning. The ankle thing's been on/off. I found a box of books that never moved from the old house today , and in it was my Trigger Point Massage Therapy workbook....Here's a quote from the page I found pretty quickly: "Peroneus tertius trigger points will make your ankle pain and weakness persist after everything else has been fixed." It also notes that the pain is similar to that of the peroneus longus, which was what I thought it was. And, that ankle weakness is usually present though when it is the tertius. I did "lose my ankle" a couple weeks back while running. So, maybe I've found the key to fixing myself up. Already did Round 1 with that trigger point. Interestingly, the book mentions that 8% of the population is missing this muscle, and 1 in 7 has a fourth peroneus muscle called the peroneus quartus. I had no idea there were different design structures on humans like that!

The ankle thing's been on/off. I found a box of books that never moved from the old house today , and in it was my Trigger Point Massage Therapy workbook....Here's a quote from the page I found pretty quickly: "Peroneus tertius trigger points will make your ankle pain and weakness persist after everything else has been fixed." It also notes that the pain is similar to that of the peroneus longus, which was what I thought it was. And, that ankle weakness is usually present though when it is the tertius. I did "lose my ankle" a couple weeks back while running. So, maybe I've found the key to fixing myself up. Already did Round 1 with that trigger point.

ps: 06106 is the zip for Hartford, CT, isn't it? --and several RAers just had a grand time racing and meeting there.

Yes, it is one of the zip codes for Hartford, CT... Amy-our Sox are gettin' whupped by the young and hungry Rays. We need to come out strong Thursday and get some runs. Our bats have stopped hitting the ball...sigh. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 recovery miles for me early this am

Okay - now I know I'm gonnna do good .... err .... at least finish with a smile on my face!!