Finally had a decent, no, a pretty super, run today, after a frustrating cut-back week. Funny what a little rest, less junk food (and less wheat for gluten-sensitive girl), cooler temps, and rain to wet down the pollen can do for a girl. And frightening how many times I've experienced this but yet still don't seem to learn how important sleep and good food are. Ran a 6.5 tempo run and the middle 4 miles were just a teeny bit faster than my goal. Longest run ever on a school night. I'm still so sad about Sunday's final concert of the chamber choir I've sung with for the past 5 years. The concert was exquisite beyond description - I felt like I was singing with the Robert Shaw Chorale, except that it was with my friends. Managed to keep it together fairly well throughout the performance. OK, so I got teary about three times. Probably kept it in too well afterward - I think that's why I'm still feeling so down. It gives me a glimpse of what some of you guys go through after a marathon - feeling great about the accomplishment, but sad that it's over. And kind of lost about what to do next. I need to be singing, but the quality of this group spoiled me for most of what's available around here. Vista - hope the finger's healing Teresa - good luck with your 11 tomorrow; I'm due for my first-ever 9 miler this weekend. Thank goodness I'll be at the FLAT seashore! Deb - super pic of your dad; amazing quads, there. Aamon - thanks so much for the background on Jon Lester. So many professional athletes get bad press and act like real jerks sometime. Well, here in Philly, anyway. It's important to be reminded of the incredible humanity and tenacity that many, many display. Kevin - sounds like you're healing seemom - 90 degrees in Colorado, and 50 here in southeastern PA. How weird is that?!? My running is one of many, many things that make me sometimes wonder whether I was adopted, in spite of the fact that I look so darn much like the rest of my family. (I'm the only musician, the only one who has traveled abroad or even wanted to, only one who went to grad school.) But my brother and I still say the same thing at the same time sometimes. Mom and Dad - both sedentary; both smoked, although mom quit 13 years ago right after dad passed away. Oldest brother - totally sedentary. Brother #2 (with whom I sometimes seem to share a brain) joined a gym when he turned 39 and goes maybe 2-3 times per week. His comment on running: "I ran 5 miles once; that was enough." Deep-sea fishing and going to Jimmy Buffet concerts are his ideas of sports. Saddest is my 59 yo SIL who has been morbidly obese for as long as I can remember (I've known her since I was 2), was diagnosed with diabetes and congestive heart failure three years ago, and had a stroke this winter. She still thinks I'm going to "ruin my knees" by running. (sigh) Her daughter, my niece, is rail-thin, but not from eating healthy or exercising. Good news is that 80 yo mom is walking regularly now and is truly an inspiration in so many ways. Eliz

I'm still so sad about Sunday's final concert of the chamber choir I've sung with for the past 5 years. The concert was exquisite beyond description - I felt like I was singing with the Robert Shaw Chorale, except that it was with my friends. Managed to keep it together fairly well throughout the performance. OK, so I got teary about three times. Probably kept it in too well afterward - I think that's why I'm still feeling so down. It gives me a glimpse of what some of you guys go through after a marathon - feeling great about the accomplishment, but sad that it's over. And kind of lost about what to do next. I need to be singing, but the quality of this group spoiled me for most of what's available around here.

Eliz - I would love to have heard you sing in this. I hope your talent finds another outlet soon.

Nice to read your story, Fran.