Avoided all the illnesses and excesses of Christmas and ran a 6 mile handicap race then into the pub for a couple of beers. 6.13 miles in 41.51 so looking forward to 2009 and back to racing again after this years problems. Good luck to everybody for next year.

a 6 mile handicap race

We silly Americans (at least those who don't golf or bowl) are curious about how such a race works. Slower folks get a head start? Fast folks have to run with a sack of flour or a child on their shoulders?

srlopez, you have that figured out correctly. The handicap race is a lot of fun. Runners leave the starting line at times adjusted to their expected finish, so the speedy guys go off last. It's a lot of fun. Dallas Running Club puts one on every year and I ran in one in Australia a few years ago. Finish line work is a bit busy for the volunteers though, as everyone comes in around the same time. What a nice run for you Perch. This is as much confidence now as it is overall conditioning. Once you get in a good rhythm at that pace, you know you can sustain it when you are great shape like you are. Lou, while your natural comfortable pace doesn't "fit" into the general guidelines for easy, keep in mind that they are just guidelines. I sense you are very comfortable at that pace; if you weren't, you would ease off it. Good to hear from you Roy and wishing you continued recovery. Tim, I hope you get some encouraging news. I ran a slow 4.6 with the Saint today at the park. My leg didn't bother me too much as we went pretty slow. I was thinking this morning that maybe I am lucky this leg is a bit weak and gives me trouble, because it keeps me from running too fast too soon.

a pink fairy with a dog on a lead

Wasn't me. My two dogs aren't good in races.

In a hurry since I went to the foot doctor on my lunch hour, and need to get back to work. In short He said I was potentially still 6 more weeks away from running....even though I am pain free. He said while I may not feel pain, the AT is still healing and has a way to go for full recovery. He gave me the when he looked at my black and blue broken toes. He said that alone could keep me from running 6 or so more weeks One other issue that bugged him was, my left foot still turns inward way to much. But was better than when I seen him last, when he gave me a brace to wear to help correct this problem. This is usually the part where I say "screw it", I am going to start running anyways....but won't... Not funny anymore. Tim

I wouldn't feel so bad about being passed by a pink Faerie...it could have been PBJ... I have been beaten by a clam...

LMAO Holly! I so remember that picture. I am happy to report that I have yet to be beaten in a race by someone wearing a costume. It's good to see Roy again. Perch, that was an excellent run this morning. Tim, it's great that your AT is pain free but it sounds like you need to not let that lull you into starting to run again. It's almost a good thing that you busted those toes if it keeps you from starting back to early. Hang in there! Lou, I am always guilty of running too fast on my easy runs even if I am trying to run slowly. Today is a case in point - 8 GA miles in what should have been 7:54 or so but wound up as 7:45 - 1:01:45. It was a nice day for a run - 45 degrees and sunny, north winds at about 10 mph. Yesterday's 4 miler apparently did the job of getting my legs back feeling good again. There is something to be said for those magical healing miles, though they certainly don't feel magical while you are struggling through them.

I had a "hard easy" run today - 7 miles in the snow with my best furry running buddies. 20 degrees and overcast, but not windy! Yesterday I skipped my run because even though it was 30 degrees, the wind was 30 mph. I got Spirit of the Marathon for Christmas, and watched it last night with DH and DD. None of us really liked it - we thought it was kind of slow paced and boring. Happy Boxing day!