Deb, when I was coming back from horrible shin splints in 2006, I remember that first more-or-less pain-free 1.2 mile run on the treadmill... I didn't know whether to cheer or cry... Happy that I could finally start running again, sad that I had to almost start over (or so it seemed). Hang in there and you'll make it. Amy, how terrible about your friend! Things like that are so tragic... like all the precautions wouldn't have mattered. Holly, I remember trying to balance that "helping but don't do too much" effort. It's really hard sometimes. As they get older the balance gets easier, or tips the other way. There's really not much I can do for my sophomore as he's taking advanced classes with content I'm not sure I ever saw in college! All I can do is make sure the computer is there for him, the printer has paper, and stay out of his way! I didn't get any workout in last night. Not unless you count a couple hours at the high school doing parent-teacher conferences a workout! DS1 came along because he needed to get his math book (they had no school Monday or today) but he didn't want to see the teachers at first. But he came in with me for several and we had really good conversations with his teachers. I was "bustin' my buttons" proud when we left as all his teachers think the world of him with just a couple saying "he's so bright but needs to focus!" Another nice mild day here (almost as nice as So Cal!) with highs in the low 40's but wind warnings for later on in the hills (where I'll be!). I will run outside, but not sure where yet... decisions, decisions, decisions....

Happy Tuesday gang! Roy- wow! What a great person to have at your disposal! I wonder what his definition of "good" is! WRFB- crank out a good one tomorrow! breger- sounded just like the run you needed to get you back on track. Perch- pretty nice pace for some GA miles! hopeful4ever- kudo's for getting out the door that early. I'll bet it was nice and peaceful out. PDR- could it be all that easy running is paying off? vista- twocat gave you a good answer to your 1 vs. 2 runs a day question. And regarding why some days we feel good and some days we don't, that's one of the most intriguing aspects of our sport. We are not machines that can be programmed. We can do absolutely everything right and still end up falling flat on our faces on race day, and conversely the opposite is sometimes true. This can either be very frustrating at times, and also very uplifting. Tim- good deal giving the legs a break. I'm with you with the rollers... just a treadmill for your bike. That event sounds painful. I'm thinking you should check out what the Stepper is all about. 100 floors of anything just sounds miserable. CNY- I sure do give you credit getting your workouts in in so many different places. I checked out your workout in your log. That's a lot of fast running! Nice! Jeanne- do they have a reserved treadmill with your name on it at the Y? Hang in there, the roads will be visible soon enough. Twocat- another solid run for you. You are a machine! Thanks for the get well. I'm like your wife, yet I stubbornly think things will clear up on their own each time. You packed for your trip? Holly- yet another solid run for you too. You sure are an inspiration for getting workouts in under less than ideal conditions. That one legged bridge exercise is tough, but a good one for the glutes. I do mine pushing off the top of a physioball instead of off the floor like in your link. dg- why was that hard to post? I'm glad you shared your great news with us all! It really made me smile! I hope things keep going well for you! Sue- another early morning cold weather trooper! WTG kicking it in at the end of your run on Sunday, you had good motivation! lynderrunner- that great that that pace feels comfortable for you! dtoce- yep, black ice here too. It's scary not knowing when you might hit it. deez4boyz- you do all that AFTER work? I'm surprised you have the energy left. Aamos- what a freaky thing to have happen to your former colleague. And the run/walk thing has gotten me through many injuries, you still can manage to stay in reasonable shape doing that, and it gets you out the door! SteveP- I hope the celebration of your mom's birthday brought many happy memories. And best of luck with plan "D". Let's hope that's as high in the alphabet that you have to go. dromedary- be careful out there... don't freeze! stumpy77- I don't have a good solution for shinsplints other than to be careful and know when to back off. Eventually your shins will start cooperating once they get used to it. Ribs- sounds like you are on your way back! Continued good luck to you. Teresa- congrats on conquering your 5 mile loop, and how appropriate to do it where you first began running. evanflein- your workout last night was a mental workout! I'm glad the conversations with the teachers were of the good variety! Tammy- what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful story! I believe kids have a sense of things around them that we have lost as adults. Grandma Joyce was undoubtedly with him. Thanks for sharing with us. I wasn't going to run today. Really. I know I shouldn't have. I feel like crud. But one of my coworkers asked me if I was running at lunchtime, and I just happened to have run stuff with me. He rarely runs and rarely asks to run with me, but when he does I'm more than happy to oblige, just to encourage him on. I knew it would be a very easy run (for me), so I agreed and we did a wonderful 5 miles out in the trails. The skies were a deep blue, the sun was brilliant, the air crisp and clear, out on the trails it was quite and peaceful... except for me coughing up a lung. A great run. Are my posts rediculously long? Keep at it everyone!

Heck no they aren't too long...I'm just amazed at how much you respond to everyone Tim

Ha! We'll I don't have anyone else to chat about this stuff with so you guys are the lucky ones.

Thanks, everyone, for your concern. She was a formerly battered woman who went on to college, law school, and a career of representing other battered women....and raised a wonderful daughter single-handedly. And so much more. And so true--yet another example of living each day as best we can. Which is why I wanted to come back and thank you all. grins, A ps: I'm reading The Echo Maker, by Richard Powers, one of my top-favorite authors.

Amy - so sad about your friend. And congrats on your marathon on Sunday! You kind of snuck that one in under the radar. Deez4boys - how cool (and scary) that you committed to a tri in front of a room full of people! I don't know how you fit workouts in between your odd-hour shifts, but I guess you'll have to start swimming too??? Holly - yesterday I wondered what single-leg bridge ups were, so thanks for posting the link. I'll have to try them, and DD is always showing me new exercises she read about, so she'll want to try them too. And I know what you mean about the science project help - DD went to regional science fair three times, and to the state level once. I helped her, but made sure the work was hers. And I help her with homework, but only when she has questions, and I try to guide more than actually working out the answer for her. She's very bright and doesn't have many questions, mostly only in Trigonometry and AP English. So far, at least, she hasn't gotten ahead of me in math. Steve - happy birthday to your mom. Hope you have a nice celebration/remembrance with your family. btb - I know what you mean about not having anyone else to chat with about this stuff! All you virtual friends rock! 55 degrees and sunny out today - YAY! Went for a 6 mile run at lunchtime, in shorts and tee shirt. About half the trail was dry, and half was soft snow and/or mud. Avg pace 10:30, not bad considering the conditions. One guy passed me on the first hill, and I noticed that he was WAY overdressed - tights and long sleeves under shorts and tee shirt. Then when he got to where the snow/mud started, he turned around. What a lightweight!

I get it now! -- just skip to btb's post for a quick summary when there's not enough time to read about everyone's day! Awesome job btb! It makes us all feel special. Kids are off school this week, meaning no daytime running for me. Off to the gym tonight for a TM run - possibly a tempo run, as the legs are feeling eager. I actually like it there at 9pm to 10pm, a different relaxed atmosphere. Aamos - sorry to hear about your friend. Tammy, you choked me up.

4 on the treadmill after work. I had to work late and didn't feel like donning the headlamp! Have a good evening Master Boomers! Chris