Erika & PJH--I'm staying not too far from you two--I used to live in Brookline and have stayed there before for the marathon. The Holilday Inn is right on the green line, not a problem to get into where we catch the buses. Don't worry if there is no shuttle. There's lots to do in Coolidge Corner. Restaurants, a large bookstore, pleasant side streets to stroll along. And you can get into town easily. It is 60 here and clear, so I am heading out to run 5 or 6 miles. (Anyone note that there's a full moon April 20, day before the race?) grins, A

Oh wonderful.......full moon and people running the streets of Boston from all over the world.....only some of them are not part of the Marathon. It is a lull in the rain here in Virginia with warmer temperatures and partly sunny skies. It was good enough for me to get out and do 4.05 miles on my taper. Taper?.....what taper?....oh well. btb.....My brother is doing fine. Thanks for asking. They are not rushing him in any sense of the word. He is supposed to walk within his house for 5 minutes each time.....5 times a day. He also was at a friend who is a chiropractor. This guy claims to have a new treatment that is supposed to help with artery blockages. I am not sure on that one, but the thought is that since it is non-invasive it most likely won't harm anything. My brother starts regular rehab on Monday. It sounds like if I manage to get to Boston for the Marathon, I can make money taxiing around some of our runners. All of you will do fine. It is hard to be in a place around that Boston area without finding some good eating places. That is just a great city to visit. It sounds like it will be a blast. jlynne.......who is going to win the basketball is a very interesting question. I had Memphis as one of my final teams, but they are having a little internal problem with discipline on the team and that may hurt them. North Carolina is tough for sure. I somehow DON'T see Kansas being able to do it. If they stay composed I think in the end it is North Carolina. Well....back to the working part of my day. I have a craving for ice cream......I certainly hope that isn't an indication that I am pregnant. Good to see Tall back around Have a great Friday evening everyone.

Just 4 easy peasy miles with T this morning...8:25 pace... Destination Imagination-My DDs were both involved on teams this year and again DD#1's team won the state championship and will be going to Knoxville,TN for the Global Championships...this is the third year in a row for her...I'm a proud papa...

Congratulations to lyndenrunner's DD! How exciting! Going back lots of years, my daughter used to be involved in Odyssey of the Mind - and the international championships were also held sometimes in Knoxville. Did that morph into Destination Imagination at some point along the way? In any case, we used to have a great time traveling to these events with the team. I like to think that this sort of activity nurtured her creativity, which is now being applied to her molecular biology research on cancer mechanisms. Last time we were in Boston, I dragged the family the entire length of the Freedom Trail. I'm a little compulsive that way. EZPZ for me too today. Just 3 miles as I try to go into Sunday's race well-rested. Anyone going to the post-race party in Boston Monday night? I heard Ilene is bringing her stiletto dancing shoes.

Got it into my head to do speed work today. 10 miles total. Around the blueberry field. 43F and drizzle. 2 mile w/u @ 11:21, then 6 x 1 mile reps at whatever pace felt right, with about 4 min walk break, or a bit longer, just depending on how I felt. I was thinking I would do them at about 8:35 pace. I kind of surprised myself. They went like this: 8:39 8:10 8:19 8:20 8:11 (technical glitch, was only 0.73 mile, would have ended at about 8:20 with the hill coming up) 8:33 this one was hard, my legs did not want to spin anymore! 2 mile c/d @ 11:00 This loop is about 0.8 miles long, so I necessarily repeat some of the loop for a full mile. For full disclosure, it has a small hill which I start from, so over the mile there is a net drop of about 15 feet? My question is, what pace would you predict I could maintain for a 5K? I think I'm getting faster... Boston, Boston, Boston, that's all you guys ever talk about!! I can feel the excitement!

Anyone going to the post-race party in Boston Monday night? I heard Ilene is bringing her stiletto dancing shoes.

Where is the party? PDR - we where the same shoes I think - Saucony Trigon Ride - which ones are you wearing to Boston? I have a metallic pink pair saved back, only 42 miles on them, just sitting on the shelf waiting..... Jules - oh my! You fell 30 feet and your bike landed on top of you? That sounds like you're lucky you weren't seriously hurt.

Enke, that workout is gonna make you a star at Eugene. WTG I frittered away a whole morning with a car and repair shop, and finally had them drop me off at the spa, so I could change and run home. 7 miles with with some wu/cd walk. It was mostly downhill so, after warmup I did a little progression run. The cooldown mile was kinda weird. It was drizzling rain off and on. I was loping down the rail-trail listening to my ipod. Suddenly, I sensed something behind me -looked back and and it was a pick-up truck! Thought I was having a Senior/Pink Floyd moment. Traffic's not allowed on the trail. But it was a maintenance crew. I just never had seen one out there before. Good running to ya, JJJ

Yes, April has cometh and we feel the excitement. Not only is the marathon looming but, in a few days, Marj and I celebrate our anniversary and a few days later, my birthday. Speaking of the marathon, I went shopping at Trader Joe's yesterday wearing my 2002 Boston jacket. I was accosted by 2 'old guys' (probably my age). one asked me if I was running this year and the other asked what the date of the marathon was. Even the Sox home opener (Tuesday) doesn't get as much attention in this area! And Marj's band is practicing for their marathon gijg. I woke up to a rainy day and wasted a morning contemplating whether or not I would go out for my scheduled short run. After lunch I finally bit the bullet, wandered out into the rain and did a slow but steady 3 miler. It lifted my mood to the sky. By the way, for those of you staying in Brookline, downtown is very accessible. We live in Brookline- if you're getting in early (ie. before Saturday), e-mail me and I'm available for a run or 'tour' of the area.