Thanks for starting us off Stumpy! Sounds like an enjoyable run this morning. Out for 5 with Brinkley this cool morning. I could see my breath today!! Just took it easy on these tired legs. 9:54 pace - 152 avg. hr. Had a nice dinner with my mom and oldest daughter last night as we celebrated her new promotion at work. Her excitement was just contagious and brought a tear to my eye as she huged her grandma telling her the news. Happy Thursday!

Good morning everyone Thanks for the start off Stumpy, nice early morning run to you which you seem excited about...good for you!! Nice 5 miler with the Brinkster Mary...glad you had a good time last night with your Mom and Sister. Good for here on the promotion. The way things are today, that is really nice to see. Good "chilly" run Dave...glad you didn't run into anything. Super pumped about my workout last night. Suppose to be my Mid Week long run with a 2 mile TT on the track with my goal by Ribs being 12 minutes. It was super windy last night, so I figured my track workout would be hindered somewhat with the wind in my face in turns 1 and 2 and on the back stretch. A lot cooler weather too with a storm moving in. I haven't wore a shirt for a long time and struggled with wearing one or not, but thought it really wasn't that chilly out...plus I am HAWT without one on Total miles: 13.1 - 1:38:03 - 7:30 pace.....New 1/2M PR by over 4 minutes which actually felt effortless. This was a strange workout because of how great my legs felt and the quick pace I was running on tired legs. Actually when I got home I had 12 miles and did the math in my head, and realized only 1.1 miles more and I could easily get a new PR. I sort of struggled with this because I felt I should maybe wait for a real race, but decided how often does one of these runs come along, so I ran another mile at 6:45 pace in pouring rain and temps at 54 degrees. I was pretty cold at the end, but it felt good. 2 mile TT Goal 12 minutes - Actual.... 11:46 overall Mile 1 - 5:47 Mile 2 - 5:59 This was the hardest speed work of my life, including any 5 or 10K's I have done without having someone else to push me. And I really had to concentrate because my mind and legs were arguing between each other on stopping the insanity and pain...mind won out! My breathing was somewhat hampered too because of my nose running and sinuses bothering me...actually started hyperventilating on the last 3 laps but pushed through gasping for air. Funny, after my track workout I was planning on just running home at a moderate pace, but my legs took off, and my upper body seemed to be playing catch up with my legs, till I finally gave in and run home at a quick strong pace. Great night Have a great day everyone!!! Tim

Wow Tim. If 13.1 felt effortless at 7:30 mins/mile, you are going to smoke 26.2.

Some excellent running going on around here!!! I woke up feeling like, "Why do I do this?" I left Renee home and headed out to our first day of "brrrrr" weather. Now I remember why I like summer running -- nothing to think about when dressing! I almost dressed properly. Ended up with 6 mi right at a 9 min/mi pace, which is what I was trying to do! Not bad considering my bad attitude going out. I'm feeling great now* and my ankle is feeling normal. Hope everyone has a great run today! *my 6 mi route is my favorite one of all, so I'm sure it contributed to my mood improving

Carolyn—just to be clear, my point was that I didn’t know anything about schools and assumed Ivies=rich kids. I later (too late) learned that because they had so much money these schools can often offer the biggest aid packages (Doh!) and have more diversity than one might expect. No regrets though. Glad you had the chance to go for free! Teresa and Erika—I think tuition benefits just vary by state; having a faculty union helps. Aamos—cool! Does that mean we’re fellow alumni? Dave—I like the blogging line! Tim—Wow! That’s a great workout that obviously reflects what good shape you’re in right now. Impressive! Well, the verdict is in on my Asics Foundation experiment. I had long been an Asics 1130 (or earlier versions) user but started having callus issues so I took my running store’s advice and switched to Foundation. Big mistake. I’ve been plagued by blisters on my arches ever since—a problem I’ve never had before. So it’s back to 1130’s when I go to the store today. Gorgeous 49F temp this morning; coolest morning yet this season. 10 miles total with the middle 6 at tempo pace (7:26). Felt pretty easy with this cool weather.

5 cruise miles... Nice workout Tim...

I just learned, if you take a measly 9 month break from this running stuff, all of a sudden it is hard again 5 miles Tuesday, 6 yesterday, slow as a slug. I think I will take a break today and get some new shoes. if my pedals show up today I will take my new cyclocross bike out and play in the dirt a little. It's great to be back. Dave