Oops, not that it matters too much, but today's time was 34:40, not 43:40. My son's friend would've wanted it corrected.

So good to hear you are enjoying your experience!!

Linus - "Does that hat have coyote receptors in it?"   Maybe a stun gun would help!

Dayum Reds! They are a better team this year but still have one foot in the farm league. Just when they are playing like professionals they remind me of why they aren't. Rolen and Phillips and don't get me started. Why did Dusty take Chapman out????? Well, its another day.

Went to do speed work with Scott's group and only three of us showed up. The two men started running without me even though they knew me and I was warmining up on the track. I waited for them to finish what they were doing and said, Hi. They asked me to join and I first said No because I was too slow and then I thought Why not? I can do one lap to their two laps and there are only two of them. So, I said Yes and ran with them for 4x. That was enough. Motoactv said I was running 8-9 mm. That's probably wrong but I was going way over my race pace (12 mm) Even though I couldn't see them behind me, knowing they were there and could finish two laps before I finished one pushed me to go too fast, no matter how slowly I forced myself to start. Eh, so I ran hard. Big deal. But, Kevin, the "leader" posts on FB that he and Troy did great speedwork, 6x 800 (so they only did one more lap after I left). I'm shaking my head and watching the frustrating game and yeah, I had to say something about how they should be thanking me for making them look so fast and Kevin gets upset about how overlooking me was all his fault and I shouldn't blame Troy so I delete delete and ech! New rule - never post after 8 pm and just because a male is younger doesn't mean he's going to be any less self-involved. Live and learn. It's been so long since I was married, evidently I need in class in MaleEgo101 just to avoid getting into trouble.  Just kidding, guys. Some women can be very taxing, also.

Stay strong and fearless out there!

I was active on this forum last year up until I did the Disney 1/2 marathon Aug 2012 and then life got in the way. I stopped running and now I finally feel I have the energy to get back out on the road again. Finished 6.45 miles yesterday morning. The run was a bit of an adventure since the pup and I came across a mama coyote and her two pups. The pups were very curieous and wouldn't leave my dog alone...they wanted to smell and interact with her. My dog out weighs the adult coyote by about 20 lbs, but I still don't like her too close. They followed us for 2 blocks! Mom kept coming within 10-15 feet, while her pup would come even closer. I think it's time to pick up some bear repellant for next time.  

Over all, the run felt good, but I was a bit sore today. Guess that's the price I pay for my prior laziness. I just wanted to say it's nice to see some of the same people still active on the forum after all this time.

Stay safe and happy running to all.

degregorius Nice gnat-less runnin'

NRDgirl SO proud of you and so proud to know you. A great race report too!

NHLA  I loved the shot of your (trickster) running partner. Thanks for sharing.

Old Coyote Enjoy this crisp beautiful season!

mkayc Your light up cap sound way cool! Funny about the ego101. Be gentle, now.

linuscatch Thanks. Re: my up coming 1/2 marathon.

jmsab23 I think its more about the shoes I'm in than the socks. I'm running in the cool socks Mary Kay recommended but the toes that gets blistered (same toe on each foot) are also the ones with blackened nails. So, I think its the toe box of my shoes. I'll be getting new kicks right after this half marathon. I'm hoping to go to JackRabbits in NYC where they film your pace and how your feet land while running.

HoundMom Welcome back!!

Snerb Remember to foam roll those tight calves! Nice job.

I'm enjoying my taper and shifting from low carb to slightly higher carb diet today, Fri. and Sat. It looks like rain on Sunday for my half marathon...awe well. My goal (and I have to remind myself again too) is to run the half feeling strong, finish feeling good and not get hurt. I'll be slow, probably 3 hours, but I'm OK with that. Especially this first time around. The course looks pretty challenging with plenty of hills. My sis is coming from NYC to cheer me on, she is the best!

HoundMom - Welcome back!

Linus - My marathon is the 21st, same day as RW Half.

MaryKay - A runner I see often has one of those caps. I don't know how much it helps her see, but it makes her visible to cars, and that's the important part.

Easy 5 miles today, 43 degrees, and just a sliver of moon. I'm getting used to the weather.

I have some paradoxical feelings. I'm excited for my full, but I want it to be over! I'm tired, and don't want to get out of bed to run. Once I hit the road I'm good, but getting the initial motivation is hard. Oh, well. 9 days, and then the race, and then I'll take a week off work, gain 5 pounds, and be a bum.

Run free!

Hello, all.  Hope you are having a great running, tapering or resting week.

Missed my planned runs this week while out of town as I was just down in the dumps and did not feel like running.  Knowing that I needed to get back to it, I went out this morning for a planned easy 6 miles.  After the first mile, I took my usual 4 mile loop but decided to run it the opposite direction, which I had never done before.  Was totally relaxed the whole way at a nice steady pace.  I quickly found myself lost in my thoughts.

I thought about all of you, your accomplishments, your hard work training this year, your PR's and lessons learned.  I thought about all of you who have shared your life changes and challenges, your stories of running with friends or loved one, and some of you who lost friends or loved ones.  And I said a prayer.

As I turned to run into the rising sun, I thought about Avery, a life cut far too short.  And I thought of her parents and said a prayer for them.  I was mesmerized by brilliant autumn colors all around me as the sun rose.  During this stretch it felt like my feet were not even touching the ground as I ran. 

I then thought of a great friend I recently lost in a plane accident.  His name was also Brian, he was my age, he was the "twin" brother I never had.  I never got to say good bye and regretted that the last time we were to have gotten together, I had something come up and had to cancel.  And then I cried.  But I kept running.

The next thought I recall is when I realized that I was singing along to the music I had lightly playing into my headphones.  I am sure the passers by thought I was crazy.

As I finally re-entered my neighborhood and neared my home, my thoughts went back to my friend.  He shouldn't have left so soon.  And I sobbed, but never stopped running.  I ran for him today.

This was a run that I did not want to end...but it had to so I could get back to life.

When the run was over, I realized that I had never looked at my Garmin, never checked my time, my pace or my HR, but had somehow run the entire 6.1 miles at exactly my planned easy pace.  And I realized as I reflected on the previous hour why I choose to run.  I needed this today.

Too many times, I have concerned myself with my pace, my HR, my upcoming race, would I PR, etc.  And yet I was forgetting that running should be fun, it should be therapeutic, it should be enjoyable.  I look forward to more runs like today.  I hope that you too continue to find the joy in your running.

Good luck to all racing this weekend and next.  After all your hard work you will do great.  Think, like NRDgirl did, "I am strong, I am fast".  Can't wait to hear your stories after.

Stay fearless in all that you do.

HoundMom - coyotes would make me nervous! unless it's an OldCoyote

Snerb - I can totally empathize with the calf issue.  I love my foam roller and would highly recommend it.

MelodyLea - Good Luck on Sunday!!!!  I hope you have fun. I'll be thinking of you on my Sunday  long run.

OldCoyote you have trained so well your  marathon will be awesome. 

NRDGirl - already thinking about your next marathon - you are amazing. 

linus - your post brought tears to my eyes.  I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend but am inspired by you and your fearlessness.  be strong my friend.

noraspberries - congrats on the awesome run.

I took Tuesday off, ran 3.1 on Wednesday in the mist (had to keep stopping to clean off my glasses so I could see!), and then 3.5 this morning.  Looking forward to my long run on Sunday but  I'm having trouble getting out of bed lately - it's so cold and dark. 

Francessmom: How old are your shoes? When I've experienced a 'twang' in my knee, it's been related to the wear of my shoes. Congrats on finishing your first half--great time, BTW--and getting back out on the pavement.