Well, this was an interesting training run. This mornng I ran with the Full Marathoners in the A1A Marathon. The plan was to go easy (but not too easy) and to cut the course short so I would end up with 20 miles. I had planned at 12.5 miles to turn around since this would be the 18.5 mile mark on the back in portion. But as I approached 12.5 I had only seen one runner going the other way - escorted by the police mortorcycles. So I kept running till mile 13 and turned around since several other runners had gone past by then. This was strange - running back in and having the out runners think I was really fast and telling me "You look great. You're 9th". Every once in a while someone would go speeding by me, but really not all that many. Since I had run extra to mile 13 before turning around, mile 25 on the inward half would make 20 miles. So true to plan (and frankly I was beat) I walked in from there. That was strange too, because this put me in with the Half Marathon walkers. Now I had people telling me I looked great while walking and "You're almost there. You only have a mile to go". Strange also not getting/earning a medal. I probably ran this a little quicker thatn I should run a long training run. Gotta work on that as my endurance still needs work. I ran 20 miles in 2:55 or so (8:50 pace), with most every mile in the 8:35 to 8:50 pace range. Started feeling the heat a little toward the end. But one 20 is in the bank. Bill

Nice run... elite runner... er back packer.. er training runner Fussy.. congrats on the mileage! 15 miles of hills on definitely tired legs in 2:18:27 (9:14 pace, AHR 147) Last few miles around 8:30's. ETA... Nice run PDR! I see a faster finish there.

8 miles on mostly trails. Cold, dreary rain most of the way here in NYC. I was thinking lots of "bad" thoughts! Alex

Didn't get to read the daily this week, so it was nice to have a leisurely browse through the last couple of days. You're an inspirational bunch. On the other hand....I heard some guy tried to cut the course at the A1A Marathon today, pretending he was a fast marathoner and then, when he realized people were on to him, he hid out amongst the walkers for the half. Some people. Ribs—liked the talking dog story. Good running lately, your recovery is most impressive. Holly—tough 20 in the wind. Brrrr. Meg—you too, yuck, that wind sounds nasty. Mari—great run yesterday! everyday—that running tour of Atlanta sounds great! Have fun. wildchild—Ouch! I hate little yappy dogs. Hope you’re okay today. fussy—nice going on the mileage this week PDR—nice running, there. Steve—still pumped up by that post-race high? 15 miles the day after?! Jules—great race…details? Alex—hang in there; Spring’s a-coming. Went to see Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women last night. They’re based where I live and opened their “farewell” tour here last night and will conclude it here in November. If you don’t know them, they’re a truly unique, funny, feminist, gay-friendly, blues band of women in their 50s and 60s. With songs like “Middle Age Blues Boogie,” “Too Much Butt (for One Pair of Jeans),” "Bald-headed Blues" (about surviving cancer), and “Silver Beaver” (which, let’s just say, is not about the Boy Scout award) they’re especially tuned-in to the Boomer crowd (plus or minus a few years). Great sense of humor and a fun show if you have the chance to see them (uppityblueswomen.com). Kind of a yucky day to run: gray, windy, showers, in the upper 30s. But I got it done: 21@8:14 with the last 8@MP (7:59). I think MP miles were mostly because I wanted to get the heck home and out of the cold rain.

hi all. We have a family gathering today at 2, & i still want a nap, which is looking less likely. Anyway, so far I just skimmed & smiled & was impressed. This morning I did 8.04 miles in 1:00. . AHR 156, max 174. The thing is...... it was on an elliptical. Does it still count? No? sigh. I even had toast with peanut butter when I got home. It was still a pretty good workout. I even had lift off... it's a newer elliptical with good range of motion & honest, both feet were off the ground. or... pedals. Before that, 1/2 hour on a different elliptical, and after, 1/2 hour on the bike. Then lower body weights, stab. ball reverse crunches & side lifts, then stretched. Headed for the whirlpool.... my swim suit was still in a plastic bag in my gymbag from last week. eeewww. Probably shouldn't have taken the time anyway. better go! more later. happy Sunday everybody.

Steve, I know this is somehow part of your mysterious plan, but what is it? Bill, I have run a number of half marathons where after the finish I go back out on the course to get some more miles in. On the way back the people in the crowd yell to me, "You can do it!" Best is to just smile and say thank you. Funny though. I thought I would be tired today after my second 40-mile week, but the Saint and I went out to the lake and did 12 miles, my first at that distance. I felt fine all the way through, and we ran 9:50 pace. My last mile was 8:25 which I did just for fun, and that felt okay too. It's a beautiful day here in N. TX, high 50's, sunny and no wind. Spareribs

Nonoruns, I can't believe Renee would misbehave on a run! Maybe she just knew the rain was coming and didn't want to be out in that. Fussy, I was down a pound this morning, too. Never a good sign the morning of a long run, actually, but I find myself wishing official weigh in day was on the odd low morning! Deb, sure, we can call it a PBJ elliptical special!! Byll, what a riot. I still think you could've just done the whole course, walking the last bit. But the way you did it is hilarious. Would've been funny to follow the lead guy in! Good job on getting that 20 in. WRFB and PDR both had greta runs and high mileage weeks! skiing should be a nice break, have fun and be careful! I wonder if I'll ever get a 60+ mile week in... might be fun to do just to get it done, but frankly I don't think I'd be able to find the time for those last few miles. 55 seems like a good peak... Yah to Spareribs on his run today! That was great! I was a little concerned but you did just fine. So, cutback week coming up? Like PDR, I have 19 on the schedule today. It's a beautiful day and I'll get out there this afternoon after I take boys to soccer practice at 12:30.