thanks dave. It's probably a lot easier for us fitness runners mostly lookin' for some exercise goals and fun but, for a guy like you who used to do only one or two speedy, competitive, BQ'ing, sub-3:30 marathons a year and who never could relate to the marathon maniac mindset at all, I somehow think you've finally got it figured out. Yakima River Canyon Marathon, divechief - 4:48:00 [<>arf-4:48:00)>>>] Maui, HI Oceanfront Marathon, divechief -- 5:26:12 [<>arf-5:26:12)>>>]

We often cross holding hands. Yakima was the first race that Arf was faster than me With a couple miles to go, I could tell she was really strong and my legs were fading. I told her to go ahead and I backed off a little. the time isn't official, I probably crossed 30 seconds behind her.

Wow, do you guys cross holding hands? That's so sweet! I'd never worry about a BQ again if I could do that with my DH. Dave, I think you'll be running for years to come. Your goals, plans and approach may change, but I don't think you'll be hanging up the ol' shoes anytime soon.

I think this article is very appropriate for our group. Look at all the {{{{{}}}}}}'s that are given for fellow runners' injuries, aches and pains. It took me a long time to be able to honestly do an introspective evaluation of my positive addiction to running. Even now, my wife will say "You were there once - don't you remember?" Luckily at 60 (even though my ortho guy told me I have arthritic knees) I can still run if I choose to. That's the operative phrase. We have to take control. Let's face it. Just read some of our threads. It looks like for some of us, life has no meaning if we can't run? It's not easy to step away from something you love and were very good at before you have to. Just what is the demarcation between having running as a positive addiction to that of it becoming a negative addiction? Is it the level and frequency of our injuries, is it the emotional ennui we suffer when we can't run, is it refusal to reconcile ourselves with the fact that we're getting older and can't perform like we could and/or like we want to? When I retired in 2004, I actually thought I would step right back into road racing and clean up in my age group. Yes. I had gained a lot of weight from lifting and not doing as much aerobic exercise as I used to but my mind was in another place. That place was in my late 20's and 30's and even into my early 40's when running was easy, joyful and rewarding. But I had to face reality. I was in my late 50's and my metabolism had really slowed down. To do the requisite work needed to get back into top shape was only causing injuries I never had. Really - I never had running injuries when I was younger and I attribute that to a balanced athletic lifestyle of basketball, lifting, running and cycling. Although at my peak when I set all my PR's I focused primarily on running and had the skinny runner's build that all good runners have. But now I'm trying to take back control of my athletic passions, rather than letting them consume me. It's not easy. I suffer from withdrawal pains. I constantly reminisce. I watch races envying the exploits of the top runners. I've even contemplated using PED's. But we have to take control of our bodies and our minds. Running might be our life. But is life our running? Alex (please don't ostracize me )

dive/arf - no particular reason but any finish photos or other secenic views along the way?

Funny story, Slo_Hand! I still chuckle when friends my age or younger say, "Oh, I could NEVER do what you do!" Ha! I was ALWAYS the most unathletic kid in my class, so I know it's possible for just about anyone. It also reminds me of being in school and people telling me I was "lucky" to get such good grades. Yeah, right. I'm not really that bright, but studying a lot goes a long ways!

This is a great topic...... I just finished up my research paper for my communications class last week. My second of four essays that are required for the class. While the rest of the class were working on papers on abortion, gun control, gay marriage and a lot of other very interesting subjects, I chose mine on marathon training. We had to pick a topic where we could show pro/con or some sort of argumentative type essay paper and back it up with facts. The title of my paper: TRAINING FOR, AND RUNNING A MARATHON: FALLACIES AND FACTS The information I found while doing my research was amazing. I loved "knocking" down the myths and following up in the next paragraph with some amazing facts and studies. Most of my paper concentrated on "master running", and I proved that bones, joints and age are nothing but a number. We have all encountered some sort of injuries from time to time, but I learned soooo much from the research that I truely believe: EXERCISING AND AGEING make a great combination. Jewels