Just a sweetly slow 5 miler in the rain this morning. More snow is melting here and I can see more crocouses blooming. Have a terrific Tuesday you all.

Wow, I must know a whole different set of tri folk. Those I know are all really nice and not even close to snobs. Many used to just run but with age wanted to spread out what parts of their body they pushed each day. Others figured they were not great at any one sport but pretty good at several so . . . My solution to the cold weather in CT today is to get on a plane to Irvine California for a quick business trip. I will be back on Saturday when, drum roll please, it will break 50 around here! In prep for a day of plane sitting I did another gym workout today. Normally I just do one every other day but tomorrow is out and so might Saturday depending on how the return flight goes. Oh yea, I think the gang here is being a bit harsh on the personalized license plates. Sometimes, I think, people just like the challenge of trying to get a message into eight letters and numbers or less. Maybe the tri driver just ran out of letters? Hey, could be. Good day running all.

So the first evening of Operation Mary went well for both Mary and Holly. Yea! No run this a.m. as I am feeling slightly more than mild pain in the belly button area. Think I pushed it too hard yesterday. Oh well. Will give it a nice easy try tomorrow a.m. Our local country radio station started its 7th Annual St. Jude's Hospital Marathon this morning to help raise money for the hospital. Interspersed with songs are stories from parents who kids have been or are involved with St. Jude's. I tell ya, the stories are heartbreaking, but also so touching at the same time. That is a very, very special place, and those of you with healthy kids, give 'em an extra kiss and hug today and send up a prayer of thanks that all you have to fight is the occasional cold or flu episode.

Oh yea, I think the gang here is being a bit harsh on the personalized license plates. Sometimes, I think, people just like the challenge of trying to get a message into eight letters and numbers or less. Maybe the tri driver just ran out of letters? Hey, could be.

Well, he could have used these: TRI GUY TRI LVR TRIS4ME TRISRGR8 TRYATRI

Not very nice of me, I know, but people do put these personalized plates on to make a statement. Maybe it's not always the statement they had intended.

And so what's so bad about making a statement? I happen to really like mine, even though around here only my DH and my boss know what it means... Operation Mary is off to a terrific start, and sounds like it's bringing along a few others in its wake! Good job and I hope you feel better soon. Nothing like feeling better each day to be the positive reinforcement you need. Congratulations, Eliz! You're doing great and I bet you'll be setting AG records before your 80's. I'm looking forward to outlasting some of the local competition, too, but some of these old birds are made of tough stuff! Sue, I hear ya. I'm out of knots in my mental rope. We got easily 4" of snow last night and could get another 6" before this system leaves. Maybe more. I'm so so so done with winter. I read my log from last year and at this time I was running tempo runs on the side of the road. There's no way that would be possible this year. TomS... I must say you surprised me today. Glad you keep your stress levels in check.... I beat the snow last night and had a really good run! Finally, I found just about the perfect combination of recently plowed bikepaths, daylight and decent temperatures for a mostly pleasant 10.5 mile run after work. Amazing. Some of the road crossings were very very slick, but the paths were in good shape and there was just a little wind out of the north that I was mostly able to avoid. I did stop though at the bottom of the big hill back to my car, and walked the last .55 mile mostly holding my gloved hands over my cheeks... 8:32 average pace, a few hills in the form of overpasses over the train tracks but nothing much. I'll RAL today, goal is 5 while while seeing what Rachel Ray is cooking up... (but if this snow continues, it might be easier to stay here at lunch and just run at home later... we'll see.)

Hopeful, I'm sorry to hear about your frustration at work. My first thought was, like many others, of the Serenity Prayer. My second thought was the definition of stress - The result of suppressing the urge to beat the s--t out of some sorry b------d that desperately deserves it.

That is the best thing I have ever read and you hit it right on the head! Thanks for the giggle!!

I hate admitting this, but it's in the 70's and sunny here and on my slow 7.6 mile run this morning I saw a couple of guys with no shirts. No tri-jocks though. Did a stretch workout at the Y later. JD, sorry about your daughter being sick. The Saint had a root canal this morning, her second in 3 weeks and I sure do feel bad for her; she is miserable. Tim, I'm glad you can go out and do an easy one hour run like that. I think there is going to be a new you and you will like the difference. Regarding the license plate thing, I think anyone who has a vanity plate is an egotistical and arrogant snob. Spareribs

Hey, Ribs - I was thinking of you during my run today. I was way overdressed for temps in the mid 30s with no wind and at one point thought about taking off my wind pants and running in my shorts. Didn't, though, 'cause I figured the fine for running with PANTS tied around my waist would be astronomical! Eliz