Mike, I'm sorry. And I don't think I had your address, although I thought I did. Still planning on the jingle bell? did you join the club? do you not like sunny? or were those sighs of bliss? We are having a perfect weekend weather wise, except for record setting (it's gotta be) number of mosquitos. (sigh). but sunny. . Thanks. I'm happy about it too! Working on keeping it that way. heel & shins hurting lately, but I think I've caught it in time. Linda, that makes me so happy. I don't know how you are managing everything with work so crazy. 2 days in a row & an increase & you're feeling good! How long did you have to work today? Are you still doing the breathing stuff from your book? Laurie thanks for the pictures.. what a beautiful place to run. I hope you aren't getting sick again. what's going on, do you think? Hi Eliz. Roberta, I'm glad you're back & that things are working out, even if they're not settling down. And that you're still at it! Interesting to see how differently things can turn out for people, isn't it. Have you ever tried the Strassburg sock for your PF? sorry if I already asked you that. things are about the same here. running 4 days a week, weights & etc. still a little undecided about the best approach. the guy I'm getting my therapeutic massages from is going to meet with me wednesday for a 1/2 hr to give me more things to do. that ought to be interesting! He's finally realizing that he doesn't need to push me-- that i'll actually do what he says. he used to always pad it because I guess most people don't. the results were that I think I was doing too much. but it's working out ok. It's really nice of him to take the time; he really is trying to help and is good at what he does. So I'm kind of excited about it. Long run tomorrow. should be IRC.

I get to go to South Africa due to my folks' generosity. My dad is a professor who helped develop polymer concrete in the '60s, so he lectures on it all over the world. S.A. is their favorite place to travel - they've been there 6 times, I think. They took my boys and me in 2005, and this time DD10 and I are going with them. Words really don't do the place justice. To be just a few feet from zebras, lions, elephants, etc., in the wild is so cool! The number and variety of birds really surprised me - I'm going to take a bird book this time. Here is my favorite photo from our first trip (that's my reflection in the rear-view mirror):

Teresa - how cool! so when is the trip? Laurie - I have to work all weekend, & much earlier than I get going on the weekends.. so running started when it was still pitch black & very, very cold... 1) in the cold outside isn't just a bright idea right now.. 2) I am not running in the dark with the wild animals roaming around.. we hear cougars & coyotes going after deer at night, (in fact one doe was killed & left right next to our house about a month ago), and cougars have even been sighted during the day, plus signs of bears. Just not taking any chances. We are in the foothills of the mountains, & the hill right behind us is referred to as "Grizzly" around here... Debbie - glad you have someone helping you I know how cool on increasing the second day, huh? Definitely have figured out next summer, I need to do allergy pills. Ragweed is everywhere & doesn't go away til the first freeze... after the experience this week, I know that is what's happening. I am not doing the breathing exercises all the time, but when I need to. I think my body is actually converted to being used to the medicine do the work, to it doing the work again. The cold is not bothering me as much yet.. but we'll see as it gets colder. It has been down to the 20's at night, low to mid 30's when I'm off going to work in the mornings.. Function with all this working time??? no everything just shuts down, I just can't do much besides work, sleep, eat... That's why I usually stop exercising too.. this time that started early in the week, & then I decided I had to just do it Worked yesterday from 9-5, going in today too. First due date is tomorrow, so hopefully, we have enough done to meet that. Then as numbers change we have to redo it.... But shouldn't be as many hours as this week as been. 3rd day of running in a row - shocking the breathing held out.. well it actually petered today, but that's ok. I know its because it was the 3rd day in a row. So, I was nice to the bod & only did 2.33 miles today, 1.5 miles straight running, rest walk warmup/cooldown. Okay running late, gotta go!!

Good afternoon everyone, Laurie, that sucks that you are sick. I hope you are back to 100% before your race. Linda, Is it the end of the fiscal year? Is that why you are putting in so many hours? I think I like Laurie's idea of running with some heat. "What's that sound in the woods?" - BLAM! "Is that a pair of eyes looking at me?" - BLAM! Teresa, That sounds so exciting. Wow, South Africa. Roberta, I am sorry about your parents. I know how frustrating is can be trying to take care of parents in failing health. Debbie, those were sighs of blissfullness. I had to ask someone yesterday. "Is this weather normal for this time of year?". The answer was "yes". (sigh) I am going to do the jingle bell run. There is another run in November but my son Matt and his girlfriend Maleigha are coming to visit from Phoenix for the 2nd half of November. (YAY!) I have not joined a club yet. I am pretty sure it'll be the chattanooga track club. 4 miles for me this morning. I'm off today (columbus day) so I slept in a little. Cheers Mike

You guys are so nice! We're flying to London on Thursday, November 13. I want to show DD around a little, so we're staying until Sunday afternoon and then flying to Johannesburg (a 12-hour flight). On Monday, we'll drive to Kruger National Park and stay about 4 days at a couple of camps (enclosed with fencing to keep the animals out). We'll get up EARLY each day and start driving, looking for animals. I'm hoping to see a leopard and cheetah this time, because we never saw any of those animals last time. On Friday, we'll drive back to Jo'burg and stay with my dad's friend overnight, then fly down to Cape Town, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's at the very southern tip of Africa, and there are huge mountains jutting out of the turquoise water. We'll be there until the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, when we'll fly back to London for a brief layover, and then on to Boston. We'll drive straight to DH's sister's house in Brookline and DH will meet us there with our two sons. I'm thinking about running a 5K race Thanksgiving morning, but that might be a little ambitious. We'll be in South Africa the entire time. It's a huge country! Laurie, that's a great idea about the online album. Last time, my mom and I took over 1000 photos altogether! She put together a great Power Point show that my sons showed their classes. We leave 4 weeks from Thursday, and I'm already hyper. I think I will direct my energy into running more, because I will probably not be able to do much over there. DD10 is excited but nervous. She's worried about great white sharks and rogue waves, lol! Where did she come up with those??

Teresa-That is so cool!!! That sounds like a wonderful trip! You'll have to keep the BOP's up to date too. I would have never known if I hadn't lurked here! Vicki

deb, why do you have to be 20 years younger? I think one can start a new career at any age. I would never go into a medical field because I hate biology. Yuck. Theresa, London. Now I am REALLY jealous! Your DD is going to have a blast and take home lots of memories and new knowledge. I will be anxiously waiting the online album. Linda, wouldnt less sales make you less busy? Sorry its like that. Listen to your inner thoughts and sleep. Sometimes its hard to determine where the line is between 'I must sleep' and 'I must get up and run'. Mike, what is your long run mileage these days? I got up and out yesterday even though my body said sleep. But I think that was the benedryl talking. I did 2 slow hilly miles with my old running partner. And that woke me up and charged me up enough to do 3 more alone. Then did 30 mins of run/walking with the clinic women last night. All in all a good day. I am almost 100% over the crud. Laurie