Started out & just did not have whatever it is we're supposed to have. 

 

Deb, what a great line!  But it sounds like you had a pretty good run anyway.

No, I don't expect to "smoke" my race, but that's because this trail racing series is with a bunch of faster younger runners. (and they don't do age group awards, just 1st 5 finishers.)  I'm a back-of-the-packer at these races, as opposed to a middle-of-the-packer at most other races. I'm OK with it, now that I know where to line up.    And I've made some friends at the back of the pack - several of the same folks from last year's trail series, so it's fun and I have no real pressure to run super fast, just have a good time and enjoy being out on the trails.

Perch, I don't understand how tying the dogs to your waist would be more hazardous than holding their leashes if they saw a deer?  Would you just let go?   I have a hard time hanging onto my dogs if they really get going, so the trick is to get them to stop and sit when they see something interesting.   The two of them outweigh me, and it's especially tough to stop when I'm running and try to put the brakes on - very hard to actually dig in my heels and stop.  So if I see a squirrel up ahead, I slow to a walk.  If they seem like they're about to run, I stop and tell them to sit. That way, if they do try to run,  it's easier to plant my feet and hold them, than it would be if I was running.  Takes some practice and training.

I haven't posted in a while since I've been back more in biking mode recently. No telling what I've missed here, but it's really hard to catch up.

Since I plan on joining my club for a practice run this weekend on the route of an upcoming local HM (The Brooksie Way), I felt the need to stretch some different muscles. 6 miles this morning at an EZ 9:40 pace, enjoying the recent cooldown in the weather.

JLynn - please post a picture of your painted glasses!!    

 

 

  Would love to, Mary. Alas, I'm "electronically challenged." If someone could tell me how to do it (and, assuming I can actually DO it, I'd be happy to.

All you people running with pets make me envious. All I have is a goldfish and he doesn't like to get out much.

Slo - you're dating yourself. It was a ritual at our house on Saturday night. Lawrence Welk right after dinner. Remember the champagne bubbles and the Lennon Sisters? Then we had to watch Jackie Gleason. Those were the days when the parents controlled the television. No remotes either! We got our first television when I was real little - a black and white. If you wanted color, they had a filmy sheet divided into three colors - red, blue and green I think to put over the tv screen. Wow - am I old...

 our one station only broadcast in b/w from 6pm to 11pm in those days and was so hard up for programs that everyone in our high school got to star on the local teen club's weekly "21 Questions" and math quiz show.

me too tammy. Not that any of us would know anything about it either, especially because they didn't have them in those days, but not enough tv distractions for sure to need any of those pills even if they had 'em.

. . . and now, for a gratuitous commentary brought to you by Pat's Blue Ribbon -  they only played the Gillette blue blade commercials in between innings instead of nowdays seeming to have occasional play-by-plays break out during otherwise seemingly nonstop commercials posing as sports broadcasts.    

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erika - how's the weather and fall colors looking for the extra distance/time for the inaugural Equinox Ultra 50K?

It's probably not often that the same event that was a first marathon gets to be the first ultra too. 

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Still relishing yesterday's butterfly lunch and hoping her Texas friends don't tell anyone about it.

 Re colonoscopy – my doctor told me that by the time I’m due to have one, I will be able to just swallow a capsule that has a camera that goes through your system taking pictures.  I guess you retrieve it at the end and turn it in. 

I remember my brother having to look for and retrieve is wedding ring.  But that's another story . . . and was symbolical of the marriage.

The Lawrence Welk Show - brings back fond memories of my grandparents' house.  Jackie Gleason - Gleason is my maiden name.  Kids used to ask me if we were related.  I told them he was my uncle.

3 easy peasy miles this a.m., and I gained a new friend.  Depending on which way I run, there's a house I go by where a little old tiny lady sits on her porch in the predawn hours drinking her coffee and smoking.  Her: Good morning! Me: Good morning!  Her: How're you this morning?  Me:  Good, an d you? Her: Good.  You're doing a good job, honey!  When I came back by a bit later.  Me: Have a good day!  Her: You, too, honey!  I just love it when older people call me "honey" like that.

Leslie, we have a new neighbor (well, they moved in last year) who greets me from his porch or driveway all the time. He's always asking when I'm going to give Paula Radcliffe a run for her money.  Hey, I'm just impressed that he knows who she is!

I got in 3.65 miles today, nice and easy pace. I'm trying to ignore what feels like shin splint soreness in my right leg, a stiff knee and a sore foot. Same old, same old. Hmph. After my run while I was walking, I went up to where the ultra is supposed to turn off the main course and head back north thru the woods, but I couldn't find any markers. I wonder how they're going to do this...

Tet, the weather looks pretty good, cooler than the last few days (not a bad thing) and it looks like the rain originally forecast for Saturday is being pushed back to Sunday or Monday (yay!). We've had a few nice warm dry breezy days, so the leaves have been falling but probably won't be too wet on the trail. Not bad at all... thinking of wearing shorts vs. capris...