Simon, thanks for the kind words. Negative thoughts just seem to creep in once and a while. I have done 2 half marathons and while neither was fast (nor will I ever be) I was able to complete both. And that is really my only goal when I line up on race day. I need to "trust the training" because I have trained more consistently for this next one than the two previous races. While this is an easy week for me, I have been averaging about 28 mpw which is more than I have ever done. VixiDu, hope the doctor gives you some good news. Let us know how it goes. Did 3 easy miles tonight. It was pretty windy out but my times were pretty good so I was pleased. Pleased enough in fact to reward myself with time in the hot tub after my run. wbertha

Mary, there a supposed to be a crazy number of entrants into the Crazy Legs run this year. Have heard more than ever. I would really like to do it some year but it is too close to my Fargo race. Did another easy night of three miles. Was inside tonight due to thunderstorms but the run went well and then I did some stretching and about 20 minutes of core work. Felt good as I have been neglecting that part of my training. Recently heard about a different type of race. It is called the Chicago Ubanathon. Guess there is one in New York City also. Sounds just weird enough to make me give some thought to it. Anyone ever done any thing like this. (check out heir website). wbertha

Back from race. This is really a fun race if any of you want to join us next year. Over 20,000 registered (runners and walkers) and we had no problem finding free parking at the finish line and getting shuttled to the start. It was really nice that we could wait in the capitol building for the start - it holds a crowd nicely and was toasty warm! It was cold and windy but no rain. The first 3 miles were really tough - into the wind and steep hills between mile 1 and 2. I wasn't feeling great until mile 3.5 when we were out of the wind and on flat ground. It was awesome running into the stadium and onto the field to finish. Also, Badger football and basketball stars high-fived us at the start. It is a wave start and we were wayyy baackkk so when we got to the starting point (around 10:40), the announcer said that the winner had finished 14 minutes ago!! Sort of puts it all in perspective! Anyway, we finished unofficially in 1:01:50 (according to the Garmin we went 5.22 miles). We were very pleased with the time in those conditions. Celebrated by eating lunch at Flat Top Grill (stir fry) and stopping at Trader Joe's for a mini shopping trip. Bertha, the numbers were crazy this year but I never felt like it was too many people (except for the very slow start, LOL!). Vixi, great news about your knee. I am building to running 4 days a week. I do elliptical or walk on off days, plus do 2 days a week strength training. Mary

so MRPHinNJ how did Lehigh VAlley treat you ? I did alright. was gunning for sub 1:32 but wound up a little short of that with 1:32:33 the rolling hills on the parkway took a little bit out of me and I had no finish push over the last 5k. liked the race/event/ course alot though and I will definitely do it again. was PERFECT weather too

Great race Mr.PH, we knew you could do it! You worked hard for it Matt that's an awesome time... Congratulations to both of you

congratulations all of you - matt, mr ph and simon - good running!!! i had an enforced taper over the weekend (a bit early!) with a minor calf strain. thats cleared up now and i went out to do 8k last night. but it made me realise just how tired my legs have been up till now - i've been having some really awful confidence destroying runs - but yesterday my legs were all bouncy and fresh - what a difference! so now i just need to hold onto that till sunday!

You two are both training really hard, I am sure you will have great races. I am more the type that goes out with high hopes and low mileage, and somehow manges to find something extra on race day. A bad habit I hope to overcome soon.