Leslie - glad to hear the hub survived. I think you guys got the brunt of the storm, although I had my share of horizontal rain today - as well as a nice rainbow toward the last part of my run. Feeling a tad achy now, I packed my whole week of running into Wed through today this week. I don't recommend it! Arla

Morning Folks, Nasty looking storm out west for you guys.Spring like weather continues for us. Excellent timing for a cutback week for me.Worked a massive project last week to the tune of about an 80 hr workweek. The saving grace is that DW and I are packing our bags and heading to St Thomas on Thurs. Staying for 4 days and 5 nights for our first vacation without kids in about 25 yrs!! DS#2(16)was not interested in going so we said what the heck,let's go.Had an airline ticket to use by the end of March so sunny paradise,here we come!! Going to try and use the Arla method and get most of this week's runs in before we go.Don't want to leave DW alone much while we're down there but will probably run at least once. Long run this week called for 8 miles.Did 10.6 this morning at 9:48 pace. Have a good one!

Cindy - 'cause I was a bum while out of town Joe - good for you! Maybe you can let DW sleep in and get a short run in...but then again, maybe YOU should sleep in too after that work week! Leslie - good news on your progress, and congratulations on your food discipline. How did you find a coach? Our local running club (I'm a member, but never go to their workouts) has a coach, but I think he just writes generic workouts for everyone. Arla

How did you find a coach? Our local running club (I'm a member, but never go to their workouts) has a coach, but I think he just writes generic workouts for everyone.

Through my friend, Karen. Bill is a certified trainer at one of the local health clubs where Karen works. She knew I wanted to find a coach, and although he'd never done one-on-one coaching before, she asked him if he'd be interested in working with me. Then the cost was so stupidly inexpensive, she asked if he would coach both of us. He's done it all - triathalons, marathons, endurance biking. He's extremely knowledgable and has to have continuing ed to keep his certification as a trainer. I really like working with someone who knows their stuff. It's been a huge benefit since I knew zilch about all this. I also like having someone local as opposed to hiring a trainer long distance. I had been doing research on the Internet re coaches, and most people were charging about $100 a month. Bill charged $50 for the initial meeting, and now $30 every three months. Karen has compared our schedules to the schedules her sister's coach is giving her (he's through a nationally known training program; charges $100 a month), and she said it's basically the same. For the first time in my life, I'm passionate about something. It's a real trip for me. So I decided quite awhile back that I didn't want to run just for recreation anymore, especially since I took up trail running. That I wanted, needed, to have a purpose for it. I have had marked improvement since working with Bill, and I've learned a lot. I have no designs that I'm going become this great trail runner, but I do have a goal of completing an ultra, which I will attempt in May. I figure if I can do that, I can do anything. That was probably more of an answer than you expected from your question, but there ya go!

Leslie.....check out your last post from the 40's on the run thread after you had a couple of margaritas. It's O.K.......it was your birthday. We love you........Jewels

Leslie- you go for it!! Way to go.I LOVE the trails but have this marathon thing stuck in my head As part of cutback week ,I finally get a 9 mile trail run tomorrow! I can't wait.It's going to be a good muddy mess and maybe rain! Weeha!(almost 50*) Thanks Arla! That was hilarious!!!

Hi gals and guys, checking in from Palm Springs mostly for work but going to get in a run tommorow with only 1 layer and if anyone one has any PS runs give me a shout. thanks Arla for the link one of those will probably fit the bill. Had a great run week last week in cold ol Nebraska. Will check back in when we get back to reality. Good runs fab forties!!