Hello again. Added a 1500 yard swim at lunch. .. Mariposai, I loved your story about your son. My DD 15 would be horrified if I appeared at a track workout. She is in a bad phase these days, at least I hope it is a phase. ... barely civil to us; she is a good student and does several sports but she seems determined to show as little enthusiasm as possible for anything and to back off if she starts doing really well. Very frustrating... some day I hope to look back and laugh! Cheers.

No time to catch up again.... Leslie, welcome back! Mary, you really know how to motivate. . enke, get better. It's your turn. lamerunner, (((()))).

Tammy, I cried all along the course when I ran Boston the first time out of sheer emotion. The wonderful volunteers kept stopping me to ask if I was ok. Off to find some sidewalk amidst the snow that STILL HAS NOT MELTED, sorry, but I'm really tired of snow and besides, maybe getting a little fiery about it will help it melt! That is so true, about teens and parents. Congrats on many levels, Mari. Glad to see you excited, Ribs! The UConn Women's defense has been spot on all year, so a fitting end to the season. I was keeping track of the Boston Globe game blog yesterday. At exactly 16 minutes into the season (just after Pedey's homah), one of the Nation typed in "Cue the Duck Boats!" I love Boston. OK, I know this is a running forum, but since many of us are heading to Boston soon, I feel a sort sense of responsibility to be sure all my friends and fellow runners here will be sure and confident in being to discuss all matters of import with the locals. grins, A

Wednesday - 5.02 miles - 40:49 - 8:08 - Avg HR 131 Max HR 142 - Cloudy, windy & 43° 8:20 - 8:11 - 8:03 - 8:05 - 7:58 - 0:09 Right hip was a little stiff the first mile or so, but was fine after that.

Here's a duck boat in Seattle. I assume it is a similar touristy thing. I lived for 3 1/2 years downtown along the ducks' route. The quack quack quacking never got old. No siree.

Tamster, are you thinking about any kind of target MP just yet? I was thinking my HMP might be similar to your MP, in which case I could pace you nice and slow the first 13 miles, and after that you can rip up the course! dg- yes, my turn will come. It is fun watching other people's training and progress even though I can't get out there yet. I am getting softer and squishier by the day. I am really craving an endorphin-soaked trail run.

Tamster, are you thinking about any kind of target MP just yet? I was thinking my HMP might be similar to your MP, in which case I could pace you nice and slow the first 13 miles, and after that you can rip up the course!

Thanks Enke. I do want to run with you! Not sure I'll be ripping up any courses though! LOL As far as pace goes, I haven't given it much thought really. I've had HM times that range anywhere from 1:54 to 2:07ish, so quite a spread really. I think once I get into my longer runs, like over 17 miles, then I might have a better idea of what is realistic for me. and one thing I've learned about myself and perhaps this is true for most, is that when I go into a race with a certain pace goal in mind and if I don't achieve it for whatever reason, I get real disappointed in myself and somehow feel that I've failed. I remember feeling that way when I ran the Eugene HM. I wanted to beat or be very close to my PR of 1:54 and when I missed that goal (I ran it in 2:00: xx), I feel like I failed the whole HM. And I don't want to walk away (or hobble as the case may be) from my first Marathon feeling disappointed in myself for not achieving some arbitrary goal I set for myself. So, I'm almost leaning towards "no goal but to finish" and just let the race come to me as it is - pick up the pace when I feel good, slow it down when I need to, and just savor each moment, rather than thinking "oh, I fell 30 secs behind my goal pace, so now I have to make it up" . . . but since I'm female, I reserve the right to change my mind and adjust my plans as many times as I want to over the next 79 days.