What a great pic, Marie!  You are looking so fresh and cool, and that guy looks like when Roseanne Rosanadanna says "I thought I was going to DIE"!!!  LOL!!!  Steve, it looks like a pretty pink GymBoss (run:walk interval timer) that Marie has clipped to her top.

I just love coming here to read all the race stories and I learn something from every one! 

I had my long, 20-mile training run last Sat.  I could have run with my training group but it would have involved an hour drive each way, and I just wanted to dig in and get it done, which is what I did, on the streets near my home that I have been doing most of my runs on.  I was so thankful for the cool, crisp fall morning and started out just before daybreak.  4 hrs. later I was done, and not feeling too awfully bad!  I'm so glad to have that behind me and to know that the "experts" believe that if I can run 20 I can finish the marathon. 

When I got home, my feet were sore, which surprised me because they didn't hurt when I was running and they've never bothered me before.  Then, the discomfort (wouldn't really call it pain) moved up to my knees, again which didn't bother me during the run, but they responded nicely to a couple of ice packs.  That night and into the next day my hips started to get sore, and they responded well to some foam rolling and ibuprofen.  Since it seemed that everything was moving upward I was half expecting a headache, but luckily that didn't happen and I had a good 5 mile run last night.  The first 1/4 mile last night I felt a little like the tin man, all sore and creaky, but warmed up pretty quickly. 

Now I'm getting really excited for Chicago!  I confirmed my hotel room and am looking for the race packet to arrive in the mail any day - they said they were being mailed mid-September.  That will REALLY make it real!!!

I thought you all would be interested in this from Runner's world.

Whitlock Runs World Record 1:38 Half At Age 81

Ed Whitlock celebrates after setting the 80+ half marathon world record. Photo Graham Paine/Milton Champion

Canadian Ed Whitlock, 81, added to his collection of world records on Sunday by running 1:38:59 at a half marathon in his hometown of Milton, Ontario. Whitlock broke the old 80+ mark by 29 seconds, despite resuming regular running only in the weeks before the race.

Whitlock fell on ice last November and broke a rib, one month after lowering his 80+ marathon world record to 3:15:54. He missed months of training and didn't resume his famed routine of daily two- to three-hour runs in a nearby cemetery until mid-summer.

MKay,  I think it is unusual, but not unheard of.  Timing worked out in this case.  Legs are a little tired this week and the 10K is next Friday so we'll see if it works or not.

Tony, Don't know if there is any secret to anything.  Sure helps to run in cooler temps.  SF on Sunday was foggy and low 50s for the run (burned off about 2 hours after the run).  I normally train in 80 degree weather (near San Jose) and it's a big difference.  But, to give you and idea how fast the field was I finished 12/18 for the 50-59 group. #1 was 1:21:24, #3 was 1:23:01!  That first time is age graded at 87.5!  I passed two old guys at the end, they turned out to be 54!

Marie,  Only 27 years to drop 10 minutes off my 1/2 time  

Sue,  Are you starting to get nervous?  Not nearly ready to attempt a marathon again.

Doc, there are lots of training plans out there with lots of different philosophies.  Do a search, look at them see which one fits you the best and then stick with it, remembering to listen to your body.

Feel like I'm mostly recovered from Sunday's run.  Couple of good runs this week, but yesterday turned into an rest day.  No runs this weekend - Hike for a Cure on Sunday.  Here's a picture of one of my pairs of shoes.

Ray

Nancy - so glad to have you back!! Congratulations on your AG win! It's a good thing!! I've done Bikram. Sweat like a pig and kept sliding on the mat because it was wet, which I believe is counter productive to having a mat so I avoid it. I have a cousin and some younger friends (in their 20s) who *love* it but in truth none of them have stayed with it more than 6 mos.  Try it! Then if you decide to commit, there is a new book on some of the dangers of extreme yoga and how to protect against them.

Tony - You have been such a consistent and devoted training machine. I can't wait to see the payoff you get in your race. Nice when I see you all acknowledging your other half's support. I was dating at the beginning of 2012 pretty seriously and he felt neglected and moved on. I sensed it was happening and made a conscious decision that I couldn't do both and the training came first. If training is so time and energy consuming that it kills a new relationship, when folks are trying harder to impress each other, it must be wreak havoc on a settled one. 

MD - AF registration opens in January 2013. The HM didn't sell out this year until May so jump on it but don't sweat being able to get a spot. Every year the medal has a different plane.

Sue - Glad to hear your marathon training went so well!! Enjoy your taper and have a fan-tas-tic race!!

Marie - Hope you figuratively got back back on track this week!! One of the guys in the running group I coach has achilles problems also and has gotten some relief from stretches but he's really babying it. Achilles tendon pulls must be really painful. Hope it isn't still bothering you. Thanks for the pic and story of Ed Whitlock. I'll send it to my doctor, before I fire him.

Doc -  Sounds like you have a good solid plan. I started in that way, also and discovered you can work on your speed and build a solid 5k race result or you can build on your distance. So, moving on to 10k is not the only option.

Ray - Is that a worn spot on your one shoe? I'd bet you go through a lot of those, being so close to the ground. Hope your races turn out great! Columbus is coming and I still need to make arrangements for a room. If I can't get any closer, I'll stay near the airport. Will you be running the full or half?

Urun - It's a shame about the fall. Nice rebound, though. There are baseball caps out this season with 4 LED lights built into the brim. Bought one for $30 and I expect to get a lot of use out of it. "Listen to the body, listen to the body, listen to the body!" So True!!!

The cool weather is so refreshing!! Hudy 14k this morning. The course went through some of the most neglected areas of the city. I criticized Cleveland but the roads here were just as bad but there was a reason. We toured past 14 old brewerys that are either closed or reclaimed and ended at a new one. The medal has a bottle opener on it. Love! It was a relatively easy run with a very fast group. I was really happy with my race. had my best time, 1:59 for 9.03 m., faster than last week's race, and no major joint or muscle pain. I was run/walking 1:1 with a 12mm pace for the first four miles but tired after m.8. There was a slow hill, must have taken five min. to run/walk, so I switched to 30:30s and was able to run the last two min to cross the finish. That might be a first!! Maybe on the mend?? Or, running is just easier in this beautiful weather. There were only 1,500 or so finishers and 80 some F 60-64. I was 50/80. Kinda amazing! I would had to have avg pace under 10 min to make the top three. 

Enjoy your runs out there!!

URun- Glad you weren't hurt any worse on that fall.  Even with a light it can be tough at night; just not enough light to give good definition and detail to see those small things that trip us up.  

Mary Kay-good job on your 14K!

2 1/2 day conference in Nashville and driving there and back put a crimp on running this week.  I did get in 3 miles while down there, running around the perimeter of the Opryland complex.  The weather was mild today after church, 55 and breezy, so I ran a slow but enjoyable 5 miles in the late morning.  This week I'll try to get back in the groove and then try a long run Friday or Saturday to see if the full marathon is even an option for 10/21.

Run strong and safe this week friends.

Dan~FULL MARATHON!?!?  It looks like I have some major catching up to do.  Congratulations on your first HM! 

It has been 7 weeks since my last confession......errr, post!  Since the Active email notifications stopped and my crazy fall schedule I haven't had a chance to check in.  After reading pages of true inspiration. I just have to say BRAVO to all of you!!  You made it through a summer of scorching temps, injury, surgery, heart-break and dissapointments, but you all kept moving forward.  You are worthy of the title, "Mighty Masters"!

Ran the inagural Brewers Mini Marathon starting and finishing at beautiful Miller Park on Saturday.  Very happy with my time of 2:24:22, almost 7 minutes better than my first HM in May.  Very well organized event with live music on the route, incredible voluteer support and the famous Klements Racing Sausages!  Will try to post a full RR later.

Run strong, friends!

Debra! Congratulations on your Mini Marathon and new PR!!!

Marie! Great picture and you do look strong and fresh! I have the blue Gymboss and Love it!

Tony!! Enjoy Taper!!! Remember the first rule of tapering is DO NO HARM!!! Even though you may feel like getting out and doing a longer or faster run...DO NOT DO IT!!! Arrive at the start line healthy and rested! I cannot wait to hear about your Marathon! You are so right..A full marathon is a totally different animal from a Half Marathon.

Mary Kay! Congratulations to you  on your HM and also to STEVE on your 3rd place finish in your AG!

Everyone else is doing awesome also! To many pages to go back and read, but you are all AWESOME!!!

As for me...I have been running alot, playing with grandkids alot and traveling with my husband alot! I have missed a couple of long runs and I do not regret them. We also have lives outside of running.

Debra-  Way to go on the mini-marathon.  that does sound like lots of fun-and on  my birthday too!  My wife and I love to have a reason to spend a weekend in Milwaukee.  That may be one to put on my schedule for next fall.  The run through the valley sounds fun, and finishing through the stadium sounds like a blast.  I hear you on the jumbotron picture!!  The look on my face when I finish a race is not made for HD big screen.     lots of reasons for the hoped for marathon on 10/21; I'll send you a note explaining.