Hey Everyone! I see no one has gotten us started yet and since I've never started the thread before I'll do it. I chose the quote because I registered for the Iroquios Trail 100 last night. I've been training for this all year so now it's official-I've paid my money ($200) so unless I die then I'm going to NY Sept 20-21. Hopefully I finish so it's on $2/mile of fun! Speaking of fun, I ran a race today. The Bramble Scramble 30k-the course was long so I'm counting as 20.2m. It was at the trail center where I do the Tues night 5k so I've been running the course all summer which was to my benefit because to anyone new, the course was poorly marked. A lot of people got lost and may have run longer or shorter which is too bad because it could influence next year's turn out. I finished in 3:13, came in 2nd in my age group out 5 and 3 out 7 women. There was a 15k option as well and it was in the 80's today. The race didn't start until 10am so it was warm from the get go. Quite a few people dropped from the 30k to the 15k. But not me! I bought myself a new hydration pack-the Wink, from Ultimate Direction. So I had plenty to drink and eat along the way-it only took 2 hrs for my hamstring to loosen up enough to feel good. Trail side goodies that I carried included fruit punch gatorade, cola clif shots, vanilla Gu and a quick sip of coke between laps! I must have a rock gut since mixing all that together didn't bother me. I did a 5k yesterday in 34 minutes-I was running with one my summer trainees from work-she wanted me to stick with her. So the goal this week is to run at least 40 miles to reach 300 miles for the month which would be a PR! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend! Kelly

Hey Folks! I managed to get caught up on the posts from the weekend, and it looks like everyone's doing fairly well. Couple of tight hammies/butts, but hopefully that'll all work out. Those big foam rollers?? They work really well. As to stretches on your back with your foot up on the well. Just sit there with it stretched out comfortably for about 5 minutes then switch legs. Before you know it, you'll have your butt all the way up against the wall and that leg fully extended. It's much easier if you do it in a doorway so you have some place for your non-stretchign leg to be. This stretch completely curred my miserable, always tight and painful hammies. Nice to hear from you again, Arla. Congrats on showin' up the yungin' , and good luck with the school year. Kelly - Fingers crossed tightly for your 100 miler! If I was living near ya, darlin', I'd crew for you in a second. You're gonna do great! The Wink hydration pack - that's what I use on my long, long runs. Works nicely, although when I'm getting tired and cranky and hot it starts to fill like a frigging brick on my back and I want to through it at something . . . or someone. Managed to get in 3 pretty hungover miles yesterday (Sunday) morning on the dreadmill. Damm banquets anyway. Alcohol and fun should be outlawed at those things. I figure that half hour/3 miles pretty much saved my life and enabled me to drive almost all the way home. Had to pull over about 2 hours from home and have my friend drive the rest of the way, though. It's about a 6-hour drive. So got home around 5:00/5:30 and found out we (yes, we!) had to drive out to the airport half an hour away at 8:30 to pick up a friend coming home from LA. Me: I'm not going. Hub: Yes, you are. I want you to go with me, please. Me: Why? Hub: 'Cause I haven't seen you in four days. Me: I'm sleeping there and back. Hub: That's fair. So we finally got home about 9:45 p.m. and I was passed out within minutes. I'm sooooooo tired today! The conference went very well, learned lots of "stuff," and the workshop of which I am the leader for the next two years (Probate/Estate Planning) went off without a hitch. Was very pleased with that. A speaker from two years ago, a sergeatn with the Stockton Police Dept., came back and talked to us about gang activity and gang injunctions. Fascinating. Really very fascinating. I applaud anyone who can work in that atmosphere and keep their heads on straight. Okay - I've jabbered enough. You guys have a great week!

I really should be working, but . . . . Find out what the Number 1 song was on the day you were born: http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/02/0223.htm Me: "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra

In 1814 we took a little trip (Battle of New Orleans Bday song). I did 6 miles Sunday around Lake Estes CO, and hiked another 5 today and did some class 3 scrambles. C Yas MTA Gemini

Thanks for starting us, Kelly. It's always so inspiring to hear about your runs and races! Carol - we run partly so we can indulge in the occasional goodie. I went to a friend's house last night where he was trying out his new deep fryer....mmmm...chicken fingers and frieds. Then we had garlic-chicken pizza for a main course, all washed down with some Newcastle beer. *urp* Speaking of inspiration, our city is hosting its first marathon, it's being added to the annual HM. Catherine Switzer is going to be an invited speaker, while I won't be running the HM or M, I plan to get over to see her speak. Another heat wave in store for us, but the mornings are starting to feel nice and cool. After all the heat we've had, temps in the 60s feel downright chilly! Arla

Mornin' Sunshines - Someone either beat the crap out of me unbeknownst to me while I was showering - it could happen! - or I twisted wrong (don't ask, no one's business). Anyway, really tweaked the lower right side of my back, sort of in the kidney area. Then I slept on our worn out mattress. Tried to get up this morning, and holy kidney shot, Batman! Let's just say I didn't run, ride, lift weights, or anything. Just moved around like a 100-year old lady trying to work the kink out. It still hurts, but it's subsiding. Should be better by the end of the day (keeping fingers crossed). Arla - Glad the temps are starting to cool down some. You guys do get awfully hot there. That's why I like the mountains above you. Carol - Keep up with the wall stretch. It will do wonders for you. As far as the dog licking . . . can't help ya there. Our cat, Wilson, has that irritating habit when he gets all lovey. I think he was denied as a young child and is now compensating. At least that's my analysis of the whole thing. Hey, maybe I could become a pet psychologist! And Gemini? When's your bday? So I figure I actually have to get some work done today . . . at some point . . . . Later!

Howdy Everyone , Libra here.... "Mack the Knife" by Bobby Darin was the cool song back then though I don't know that I have ever heard it before. Thanks for starting us off Kelly. Good luck with both your changes at work as well as your 100 mile race! That sounds VERY challenging. Is that on the Adirondack Trail? Carol- blame the DH, isn't that always the way with you Ladies?! Good going on those hills! Leslie- glad your trip went well and you got home ok .I like the poem ,and we are certainly turning into a society of mouse pushers! Jim- must be a nice place to run up there .How far of a drive is that? Arla- hope those cooler temps stay with you for a while.Why won't you run that race if it's so close to home? Salty- Happy your surgery went went.Rest up and you'll be as good as new in no time. Rest day for me yesterday after an 18 miler on Sunday morning. Cooler temps are prevailing for us as well. Have a good one.....

Oh Yea Leslie , now that does ring a bell. I like that too. Those oldies bring back memories of beach vacations with my family when I was a kid. Radio playing oldies (weren't oldies then I guess) on a summer night.....