Holly-  a couple of Shoo Goo tips.   Turn your shoe upside down for it to dry after you put it on.  It won't be runny, but it still helps let it harden the way you put it on.  Try not to get a bunch on the threads of the cap or it will be difficult to open the next time.  This is serious glue.  Go beyond your wear spot a little bit.

I need at least 6 pairs of shoes going at a time.  I have different levels of cushioning I like, different kinds of runs, different shoes for the treadmill, racing shoes, long run shoes......  I like choices.

Mike, that's so sad about your friend. As many here can attest, cancer sucks.

Shoes... always a struggle. I have so many, partly because I try so many to find some that work. I've now decided that the Saucony Kinvara 6 was a very good purchase. Guess what, it's no longer available. They're up to the 8's now, and not sure about them but I guess I can order and try a pair. I still have the Nike 1400's but find the toe box is a little snug. I ran the other day in my last pair of functioning Asics Gel-Speedstars and frankly I didn't really like them. Could be the almost 500 miles they have on them, but I think I've just moved on to preferring lighter shoes. Anyway, besides my hammer toe, wide feet and metatarsalgia issues, finding comfortable shoes (and stocking up before they are discontinued!) is always a challenge.

Tetsujin, around here there are lots of little rocks, gravel, sometimes broken glass and dog crap on the paths. Is none of that an issue where you run? The little rocks are left over from spreading them on icy roads in the winter, and they never get completely cleaned up. And four-wheelers scatter rocks, gravel and debris on the bikepaths all the time. I couldn't imagine running barefoot.

It'd sure be nice to see Rosie and Rocket Scientist when they're "here," but just because they're in Alaska doesn't meant they're "here," if you know what I mean. Same reason I never see Tet when he's in Juneau. It's a helluva trip from Fairbanks.

Nancy, has Washington passed a budget yet? Our legislature just got off their collective butts last week and averted a statewide shutdown. We went through all sorts of contingency planning for layoffs and furloughs, and decided to finalize the plans anyway because we'll probably need to go through this nonsense next year, as well.

The only way I know what I wore earlier this week is I hang stuff to dry in our laundry room and re-wear it for a few times until it's too gross to repeat. I like to only wash my running stuff once a week or so. I have this problem with regular clothes, too, though. I realized a couple weeks ago I wore the same shirt twice, probably with the same pants. Some of my coworkers must wonder if everything is alright....

Trying to load up runs this week to hit 200 for the month. Good grief, my legs are tired. I did a 10.8 mile run yesterday getting out at the end of the day and hitting the Equinox trails for the first time. First 7.3 miles of the course, then return on my regular trail. Nice to get out on the trails again but it's a good reminder of how it's a different sort of running (with lots of walk breaks on the hills). Trying to figure out how I got so far behind, and I see lots of low 40's for the month of June. Gotta get with the program, I have some marathons coming up this fall and I always do much better with mileage volume. Today's plan is 6 easy miles, we could get into the low 80's today.

TW--the gun shooting in my neighborhood requires beer drinking first, otherwise they wouldn't have any empties to shoot at.

Erika--oh, come on, it's not like Alaska is big or anything.

This shoe talk is interesting. Lots of variation. I guess I run a good percentage of my miles on gravel, so treads wearing out is never an issue for me; no need for Shoe Goo.  Instead, the mesh/body of the shoe is what eventually deteriorates, especially if I hit sloppy trails.  I've been wearing Asics GT-1000 pretty much forever.  I've never had blister issues and they're relatively cheap ("last season's" can be had for $40-50, when I stock up). I figure, if it ain't broke...  I usually keep three pairs going in rotation to vary the cushioning, saving newer pair for long runs, oldest pair for trails. Retire them at around 600 miles if they haven't fallen apart yet. The only trick is to remember to buy different colors so I can tell them apart. That's not always possible with close-out sales.

Break over; back to work.

0532

70F

3 miles around the college. Then I went to the rec center, showered, went to 0700 mass, and then to Wawa for coffee and the Post. And, full disclosure, donuts. I wonder why I can't lose weight?

Shoe Goo. My dad, may he RIP, used to run in a pair of Thom McAn sneakers back in the 70's. When the shoe would wear out he would go into the basement with the shoe and shoe goo and mend the shoe by gooing the sole back to the shoe and then placing the shoe in a vise for a day or so.

Eventually, he was one of the first candidates for arthroscopic knee surgery... he then bought a Schwin Airdyne stationary bike and would ride it while watching taped episodes of  M*A*S*H on his VCR. He was a man ahead of his time.

I am sad that Tet and Erika will be unable to visit Juneau with us. I figured it was a long shot. But worth trying.

Nice to see tomwhite pool running and whatnot.  I fondly remember his raking competition with TNally and others.

Starr posted some photos on one of these threads. Oh my. I almost cried looking at that Omaha 2005 photo. I was SO YOUNG. I am all wrinkly and my hair is pure white nowadays. I didn't realize how young 42 years was until I became 54.

It was a lot hotter and humid than they forecasted today, so I went to the gym for my 8+ miles. Walking to my car after the gym I got very wet by a rogue thunderstorm. Ugg.

Hello everybody!

I received a text from my friend's wife saying an MRI found fluid around the gallbladder so they inserted a drain tube and will watch to see that this takes care of his current issues.  This was really a best case scenario, so she is pretty relieved.  It must be so hard for her to think that, every time she takes him to the hospital, that this time it might be "it".  If all goes well, though, he should be able to go home on Sunday.  Thanks for all your prayers and supporting comments.

I went 10 miles, after work, then Debbie and I went and cleaned the church.  Our attendance has been so low, lately, that it barely looked like it needed to be cleaned...except for all the pens from the little holders on the back of the pews were all over the floor...not sure what the deal is with that.

I have developed a new owie...the big toe on my left foot has been hurting for that last few days.  I might have to cut back a little before I ramp back up again...we'll see.

Okay--gotta go.  See ya!