After yesterday's race this is my day off too. But, after getting smoked by my "rival" in the last 3/4 mile I have decided there is just one solution. Ok, two. One would be to find an easier to beat rival. Since that seems to be out of the question due to my personality flaws the other solution is to drop a couple of pounds. So, here is my March resolution -- to have my scale show six pounds lighter than it showed this morning when I stepped on it. I started this morning with a controlled breakfast. Last summer I dropped several pounds and pretty much kept them off. So I know I can do it. Yes, this is just a public commitment device but what the heck maybe it will work!

Good morning everyone, 18 more days 'til spring but it feels like spring here this morning...40F and sunny. 10.14 miles of hills @ 9:13 pace...less than 2 weeks to go before Virginia Beach. I"m hoping for this kind of weather! Good runs to all today.

Well, at least there was just a touch of Spring in the air this morning, with temps in the high 30s, which feels mild at this time of year. I blew away February's total miles with an easy 1.5-mile run this morning. Unfortunately the leg did not feel as good as I'd hoped, and I'm wondering where to go from here. I think I'll try again on Wednesday and evaluate if it feels better or worse. If it's worse, I might be looking at another month of no running . I'm watching the progress of all you doing the long runs and marathon training these days. You're all doing greta, despite what you might think from day to day. I just wish I could post some good mileage myself for a change. Have a good running day & week, everyone!

Today is the official start to getting back in the program. I started with a good workout at the gym and tomorrow the running will begin. I considered a run on the TM after my workout, but we had contractors coming to work on the basement and I didn't want to risk them having to wait for me. And I am happy to say they did arrive today and are getting started (because you just never know with contractors.) This is totally out of context, but I thought of it when Holly mentioned the tough 20 milers. I'm pretty sure Paul wasn't discussing marathon training. From Romans 5:3-4: "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope."

Interesting discussions this morning. Easy 6.6 @ 8:52 for me. Already 50F heading for the mid-60's today.

Good Morning, I am waiting to get connected to a conference call and reading the daily thread is far more interesting than listening to the groovy muzak..... Holly, hang in there! I always find that it's at this point in my marathon training that I feel most challenged. On the one hand, I have logged lots of miles and filled up the running log with many comments and observations and then on the other hand, there are still several weeks of miles and workouts to go and I could just as easily burrow deeper under the covers. Even after 32 years of running and 27 marathons---each year brings about new learnings during the training cycles and of course in each race. I guess what I am trying to say in somewhat clumsy fashion is that your determination, consistent focus and open heart will get you to the starting line and the finish line with strength. I have seen you run and I'll say right now that it does look natural to me. So there! Dave59's posting said it all. Rochrunner---I am sorry that you aren't where you want to be running wise, but I am glad you are being careful. I am cheering for you and hoping that with just a bit more rest, you'll be back and in time for the real lasting spring weather. Twocat.....I second what Spareribs said---be careful about the weight thing. I always feel like it's a razor thin balance at this point in marathon training. SueT48---15 miles around the track? Way to go----that's awesome. This is a cut back/step back week for me and I too don't feel the benefit until the following ramp-up week. I often feel sluggish and heavy during the cut back week. Six miles on tap for me later today----highs will hit 45F or so. Yikes, the call moderator has just been announced. Time to focus! CNYrunner

I appreciate the training-weight loss cautions. FWIW, last summer I dropped several pounds (while training) and found that helped my times improve more than training! Stomachs are an evil joke perpetrated by nature. Mine, at least, thinks I should double my current weight. Once upon a time way back in 1992 it started getting closer to its goal. Since those food filled nights I have dropped 25 pounds. My stomach is always battling back. So far I have managed to hold it off. But it is never easy. I see others post here trying to lose weight. It is tough. Racing is my defense. When I see a cookie I try to look at it as something I would now have to carry around in the next race. Then it stops looking quite as good. Still, it does look good!