Perhaps someone will just explain it instead of saying "that's so easy". I am guessing that "Potium" is a misspelling of the intended word "Podium." But what I don't understand is what a "podium finisher" is. I have never heard that phrase before and I have run hundreds of races. Can someone elaborate here? Mary, instead of pics of the dogs, how about one of that dance recital you alluded to earlier. Spareribs

aww, enke i'm so sorry! would you like to share my wall?

I was stupid. I kept running when I could start to feel it getting more sore, instead of immediately ditching the run.

might have the makings for another motivational poster. mta, hi Dale! very speedy. how was the meet?

I screwed up my foot again today, possibly worse than the first time. #$%@#!!! I was stupid. I kept running when I could start to feel it getting more sore

Enke, this is like deja vu--didn't Econo use to aggravate her foot problems like this? Must be a PNW thing. Speaking of the PNW, this afternoon I was hanging out at Dark Colt's middle school cross-country practice, and I noticed that the coach looked a lot like Soundie, who is also a kids' cross-country coach, or used to be. Before practice the coach said to me, "We're so glad to have Dark Colt on our team! For years I've been hearing about him, and finally last year, someone told me, 'Next year you're going to have Dark Colt!'" I said, "Yeah, he's not that fast, but he likes it." She said, "Oh, I beg to differ!" I refrained from saying, "He was faster at 8 years old than he is now at 12." On Tuesday all the kids ran a timed 2 miles on the track, their first practice run of the year, and he did 14:11. He could beat that time when he was 8 years old and running 12 miles a week. But the main thing is, he's out there now having fun with kids his age on an organized team, and you can see on his glowing face what a great time he's having. It's no longer my place to push him. As the season goes on, he'll fall somewhere into the pecking order, and he will have to decide for himself how he feels about that and what he wants to do about it. If he wants to do something about it, I can help him. If not, I'll just drive him to and from practices and meets, stay cool, stay in the background, let him be a kid on his own terms. <brag>Today we got Dark Colt's MCAS test scores in the mail. These are tests the state gives to school kids every year. In math he got the maximum score of 280, and in English he got 272 out of 280.</brag> Today I got my first paycheck for teaching high school Latin part-time. According to the check detail, they are paying me $45 per hour. When you figure in my driving time and prep time for the one class I teach per day, I'm actually getting about $1.63 per hour. But it's a start. Dark Horse

I am guessing that "Potium" is a misspelling of the intended word "Podium." But what I don't understand is what a "podium finisher" is.

Ribs, "podium finishers" are those people up on the platform after the race, getting trophies from the organizers. If you're like me, you have never been invited to stand up there after a race, which may be why you don't know anything about it. Dark Horse

Ouch...Enke and dg.....! So sorry and the wall has been used by just about everyone here is my guess. Great news Dark Horse. I was faster when I was younger too, but I have way more fun now. It sound slike he is loving the experience and that matters. Come back in time for the Hot Chocolate 5k and you and Dark Colt will be up in the front this time. Good on your son too Dtoce. I LOVE watching x-country meets. My father used to ask me what I did after the start and we went into the woods: "What did you all do out there, stop for snacks?" He was a sprinter and hurdler and believed that running track was true and pure running. Actually he had the loudest and deepest voice out there and I could hear him cheering---RUN STRONG KAR-IN------as I plunged into the woods all over Upstate NY (trying always to be a podium finisher). Thanks for reminding me of those special days. CNYrunner

Wow I cannot believe how many pages there are for today's daily! Wish I had time to respond but alas I am traveling for work and I have an appointment in a few minutes. Oh well, at least I should get a good (free!) dinner out of it. So, to cut to the chase, today's run was supposed to be 17 miles with 14 at MP pace. Technically, I made it but it was not pretty. It turns out Columbia South Carolina is a rather hilly place! I started of smart by heading down to the river and running along it. But then the trail ran out and I decided to go up into the neighborhood and find the river again further along. Well, it turns out there is no getting to the river further along! Instead it was up and down, up and down hills. Ugh. My legs are shot. I hope everybody had a good day running today and will run well tomorrow. Reading through the daily it seems like the masters are not only running well but running happy which is always good to see.

But the main thing is, he's out there now having fun with kids his age on an organized team, and you can see on his glowing face what a great time he's having. It's no longer my place to push him. As the season goes on, he'll fall somewhere into the pecking order, and he will have to decide for himself how he feels about that and what he wants to do about it. If he wants to do something about it, I can help him. If not, I'll just drive him to and from practices and meets, stay cool, stay in the background, let him be a kid on his own terms.

Excellent outlook. You are a great dad. Also, many kudos to Dark Colt for his fine test scores. Oddly, when I clicked "quote," that part didn't show up, due to the "brag" formatting. (see, I can't even put it in here, because it messed up my post.) Wildchild and Enke -

8.03 miles - 2 miles warmup - 4 miles moderately hard - 2 miles cool down - 1:02:33 (7:47) Avg HR 139 Max HR 152 8:36 - 8:36 - 7:27 - 7:26 - 7:12 - 7:16 - 7:57 - 7:57 - 0:12