Holly, I don't know how old you are, and from looking at your picture, this may not be the issue. The mid-life, menopause thing has done weird things to my body. I'm running/exercising as much as I did when I was in my 40's (I'm now 55), and my eating habits haven't changed. REALLY - I SWEAR!!! I've gained almost 5 lbs in a little over a year. I've talked with other women who said their metabolisms really slowed down when they started going through menopause (sorry guys, I know this is a running site, but your wives might be going through this soon and you'll be able to offer some comfort). I can't imagine what my body would look like if I didn't run and work out. By the way, I'm up at 4:30 5 days a week in order to get my run in before work. There have been scientific studies done on people who don't sleep well - how they have a tendency to gain weight. Maybe that's our problem. Another possibility - have you had your thyroid tested lately? Low or high thyroid can lead to weight gain/loss. The national news did a story last night on how people get happier as they age. They may get happier, but what happens to our bodies sucks. DH, I understand your frustration. Would schools be better off if they offered all classes on a pass/fail basis? Would that eliminate some of the pressure of letter grades? Just a thought...

mcsolar, Nice mile repeats. The only goal race I have this year is the annual High Street Mile here in Newburyport, a race down the flat main street of this historic seaport. If I match your final mile of 5:44, I'll be pleased: my PR is 5:46, from my last race here three or four years ago. I don't plan any speedwork due to my leg problems, but I've always been able to get under 6:00 in the past, without special training. We'll see if I'm able to run in this early August race. If you really want to climb Mt. Everest, I'll hook you up with Dan. He will expect you to fulfill the prerequisites I mentioned. I'm sure you're mentally and physically tough, but somehow I don't picture you as an ice-and-snow guy. Dark Horse

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 miles with 13x3minutes moderate/2minutes easy-1:17 overall with 10 min w/u and 5 min c/d. faster stuff was about 6:50 and slow >8...

Joining in with CNY and will probably skip my run today for scheduling reasons. Will tweak the rest of the weekend a bit. Thinking about a race... Dark Horse. Right on. You are a good dad and I totally agree with your thoughts. Holly. You're beautiful as you are. And all these years running and I have never have lost weight doing it. I've only lost several pounds the last few months from loss of appetite/stress. I don't recommend this approach. Funny how life can suck but running gets better. Channeling it into the run, I suppose. And yay for signing up for rock climbing. I did some in college boyfriend and loved it. We are never too old to try new things. Enjoy your DS's birthday. Kids' birthdays should be as much a celebration of a mother giving birth to a child as a child's special day, imo. Enke. Good to hear your shin is feeling better. Are you in need of new shoes by chance? Try that, too. Oh boy, I have pictures and stories from my DD like that, too. Good running and xt today, everyone.

Dark Horse, following what Enke said, at the beginning of each semester our kids are given a syllabus that outlines the course and what's expected for grades. Both the parents and the student have to sign the last page (for each class...) and return it to school in the first week of classes. That way, nobody can say "we didn't know" re: what's expected and whether the teacher will accept late papers, etc. On another note (same subject), I find such a difference in middle school vs. high school. I feel like our middle school here treats the kids like little cretins and criminals... always assuming they're up to no good and can't be trusted. Drives me crazy. The high school seems much more open to individualism and trusting the kids to make good decisions. This is the last year of middle school for us as DS2 will be a freshman next year. We're all excited about that! Tramps, I thought so too. But then, I'm sure they're talking about general exercise, and not the marathon training concept of most of your runs being easy, etc. I'm guessing here... I have also heard that women (and I assume men too, but it was in a women's fitness mag) who depend on running for fitness (ie, weight control) need to increase their mileage every year to get the same results. I think it has to do with the body adapting to a level of exercise and getting more efficient so you always need to increase the challenge. And Jules, I agree. I have to reset my goals for this year, as I seem to have met pretty much all my 2007 goals as far as racing. Got a few out there still, but sort of not big-deal stuff if I don't make them (such as sub-22 minute 5k, 3:45 marathon...). But if someone told me I couldn't reach that marathon goal without putting in 60-70 miles per week, well forget it. I just can't see myself doing that. Not only the risk of injury, but my family has too much going on for me to do that. And I'm not getting up at 4 a.m. to run... That makes for interesting reading when others do it, but it's not for me.

3.5 very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very slow miles very slowly.

The adductor behaved until after the run. I'm heating it now 10.5 @ M+2:00 to M warm enough for shorts but a little chill by dusk took two expresso double ClifShots -beginning and middle still my HR behaved nicely. bought an NB coco Jacket, on the small side, nice and snug. nighty night JJJ

Got the run in after all...10.2 miles with 2x3 miles at or a bit faster than MP. Trouble keeping the pace slower a few miles, the body just wanted to go. Rainy, cold evening but it felt great. Not as much fun sitting at a kids' club meeting after, though, chilled to the bone.