Morning,

Two great things to share this morning!

#1 - I did my first 20 mile run! Just about as hard as I thought it would be physically and mentally. I was so excited that I had a club member to run with to pass the miles BUT 20 min before we were scheduled to run - I get the phone call - some lame excuse why he wouldn't be running. So there I was pondering my options. I could run with my friends (and miss my daughters game) or I could attempt a solo 20 miler. I opted for Plan B so that I wouldn't disappoint my daughter who now thought I would be going to the game. This was so hard mentally to just get out the door thinking 20 miles but I did and somehow I managed to not cut any streets out and my garmin clicked to 20 miles just as I got back to my driveway (3:53 or 11:39 pace). My knees were extremely sore yesterday. This is a new thing for me and going up and especially down stairs has been very painful. It is somewhat better today but I will skip my Tuesday run and baby these knees. I had to run on the street and it had such a pitch to it for drainage that I felt like I was running at some freaky angle. I know this is why my knees are so sore. I will not run this route again! All my muscles feel fine today, even my hip and ankle! I took another ice bath after the run - good times.

#2 - DD's team WON in round 2 of the state playoffs (there are 4 rounds). They are now top 4. Next game is Wedns night at 8:30 p.m. and is a full 90 min drive from home - UGHH - will be a late night for sure but I am so thrilled for all the girls!

Bo - WOOOHOOOO - that is sooo awesome! That 30 minute 5K is a tough nut to crack! I remember that feeling very well. It is amazing that you cracked it during your wintry conditions so for sure during some summer runs you will be breaking 29 - just wait and see! That is soo very cool and I am sooo very happy for you! Big hug from across the country - you did it girl - BUT - please do not practice those snot rockets or I will not and I repeat WILL NOT run anywhere near you in VB! LOL

Michelle - that is such a bummer that you couldn't run yesterday. UGHHH - so did you use the "well one of us should run all three" line? LOL - hopefully your daughter bounces back quick as kids usually do and I will get a chance to see you next weekend. I have run the route we will run next weekend during the Mill Cities Relay that I did in December and the pub is a lot of fun. I don't think I could have physically run the 3 yesterday after doing 17 as we had planned so I am glad it worked out for me the way it did.

Life - thanks for the "your a good mom" post. I do try hard for my kids and being teenagers they don't necessarily see it but it is my #1 job. Hope your legs feel better today, it is amazing what a day of rest can do so if you need an extra DOR by all means take it. You will do great in your 5K and it sounds like you will easily make your time goal. My first 5K all I wanted was to finish and when you do it is wonderful! I can't wait for you to have your first experience and tell us about it. Have fun shopping for new clothes. I need to do that so badly. My jeans are falling off me and are only adding pounds. I have a pair that I can actually pull down over my hips still zippered that I am wearing - LOL - yeah, that's bad. Must find time to shop!

Happy - sounds like a great race for you and your team - 15 minutes shaved is huge! Congrats! You def. have permission to smack me if I complain about the taper. Ahhh, the taper - even the sound of it evokes warm and fuzzy thoughts - LOL. It is an interesting process this training. I am so glad to be physically able to be doing it and I often reflect on that during my runs - I am 42 and am running X amount of miles - many people can't or wouldn't have the guts to try. Perhaps we are a bit "tapped" mentally for even trying BUT I think it is quite a feather to have in our caps. You were such an inspiration while you were training for the Cape Cod Marathon and I remember right after it how you were pondering whether you would ever do it again. Have you come to a decision on that? Do you have another M on your list again or will you stick to the HM distance?

Red - sorry your leg bugged you so much during your run but it is great getting the fresh air outside isn't it? 37 to me is the perfect winter run temp - not to cold - not to hot. I am so not a big fan of running in the heat. This is my first winter running outside and I was so scared that I would be cold and now I have come to find out that I just love the brisk temps to run in and the summer ones I dread.

Melanie - thanks for the weight loss tally I have to add mine in so I will below. I like the "idea" of donating the girl scout cookies - that is wonderful. I purchased 4 boxes and 2 have come so far. I bought 2 hubby likes and 2 I like. His came and I have not eaten them but I will try to ration mine or eat them with my AP's from the long runs.

Shout outs to Dan, Cherbear, Shannon and our new person welcome! (sorry can't think of name) - hope you all have a great day and I'll catch you with personal personals another day.

I will add in my weight loss of 38.5 lbs so that would be 593.2 - amazing! That's several PEOPLE we have lost!

Good Morning everyone! I'm back in Chicago (and we're having yet another winter snowstorm today!!!) after running the Cowtown Half-Marathon in Fort Worth on Saturday. It was my first half-marathon and when I think back to completing my first 5K and just wanting to finish it - it is an amazing feeling when they put that piece of hardware around your neck at the finish line...Yippee Skippee!!! My son (age 22) ran with me - his first half also - he asked me last summer to start running again because he wanted to lose weight. He has since lost almost 50 pounds and we're addicted to running - he was in DC and I was in Chicago for our training but have managed to run three races together! It was colder (about 35 degrees) at the start of the race than I thought it would be and was happy that I packed several options. Decided on the long pants, long sleeve 'thinner' technical shirt with my $5.96 bargain 'throw away' jacket I found at Target (although I like the jacket so much I tied it around my waist when I warmed up) with gloves. I wore the gloves during most of the race...I can't stand having cold hands! I am also glad I packed my shoes, underwear, and socks in my carry-on luggage although my luggage arrived w/out incident. The race was amazing - more hilly than Chicago so I was nervous about that - but did well. I was hoping for a 2:20 time and actually ran 2:01:23!!! Not bad when you consider a year ago at this time I couldn't even run a mile without walking - so, for everyone new to this - keep going...you CAN do it and it is a great feeling of accomplishment. Derek ran a 1:51:59. By the by...the free beer at the end of the race was great!!! I didn't care it was only 10:00 AM

Denise and Brandy - How did the Cowtown HM go for you? I thought of both of you during the race and hoped you were having a good race. Welcome to the group Denise! Are you both from the Fort Worth area? We lived there when my son was 4-years old - boy, the town has sure changed in 18 years!!!

Happy: Please add the Green Bay Marathon to the list of upcoming races on May 18th. That will be the BIG one for me!

StillPlugginAway - Congrats on the 20-miler!!! That is such an inspiration to me...and good for you for going by yourself...whoo hoo...atta girl!!! I like that you are running a 20-miler before the Boston Marathon. I may have to look for one of those in my area. Take care of those knees today and tomorrow and let us know how the recovery goes.

Bo - Whoo hoo for breaking the 30 minute mark; what a great feeling, huh? Keep up the good work. Yuck for the snot rocket - don't practice them - LOL!!! Good for you for passing on the foods you didn't really want. Enjoy getting to 'the next level'.

Cherbear - Hope you are feeling much better this Monday morning. I've heard the flu is horrible this year and I'm trying my best to stay away from infected people. A wedding on 2-29; you'll be in great form by then - just take it easy this week.

Redfoxfan - I'm going to make the broccoli and cheddar quiche this week. It sounds really good and comforting. With a snowstorm brewing - comfort is a good thing! I must get to the grocery store today after being out of town for a few days and stock up on what I need. You'll break the 6-mile marker and amaze yourself. I know each time I go a little further it makes me realize I can keep going.

You can add my weight loss to the total: 42 pounds That should make it - 596.7 if I didn't miss another post! WOW - congratulations to everyone on this journey!

Time to get my butt in gear - I can't believe how this day is getting away from me. First off, I took my son to Midway Airport this morning - he is leaving to go live with his Aunt in Atlanta while waiting to start grad school. Unfortunately, her husband died unexpectedly 16 months ago (working out on the treadmill) and left behind a 4 and 9 year old. She is completely overwhelmed and since Derek has time on his hands - he has 'volunteered' to be chief cook and bottle washer for a few months. God love him - we are heading there for a week at Easter. He is looking to join a running club in Marietta and has also been in contact with Fleet Feet there for a possible part-time job.

Wish I had time for more personals - but work is calling my name (even if I don't want to answer it!!!).

Have a great week everyone and keep those legs moving -

Darlene

Hey everyone,
I decided to switch my tri training program to another one I found online because it has 2 days of swimming where the other had 1 day of swimming. The other one also had 2 days of rest but this new one only has 1 day of rest. I also got one of my good friends to sign up for the tri also so now I won't be a nervous wreck alone. This will be my SIL's 3rd time for this tri and we're thinking that if they do the bib #s alphabetically, our bikes/station will be racked next to each other since we're also in the same age bracket.

DH was trying to be sweet and washed one of my jackets...when I took it out of the dryer, I thought it was his (from a race we both ran)...then I noticed something was in the pocket and realized it was my jacket with my IPOD shuffle. Amazingly - it still works. Wash and wear Ipod...who knew.

Pluggin - Congrats on your 20 miler.

Bo - Yay on beating the 30 minutes.

Darlene - Great RR.

Have a great evening!

thought I'd post a few pics of my dogs... here they are looking a little slimmer than they do now

This is Tag - we adopted him last summer, he's a Doxie-Pin (part Dachshund part Miniature Pincher) He earned his name because he loves to play a game of "tag" especially when it means that he is running FROM you! He also loves to chase the reflection of his dog tag on his collar & can spend hours doing this during the day. I never said he was the smartest dog but he sure is lovable

This one is Chili Dog. You'd never know he is an aggressive guy - the bigger the dog the meaner he gets towards them. Not the brightest crayon in the box. LOL He is sweet and loving though.

thanks for indulging me a moment to share my puppies

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Melanie - mom to 3, WW member since April 2005, runner since July 2006

Hi all

Thanks for the congrats guys they mean a lot to me The official results were posted and I guess my eyesight is as bad as I thought it was, my time was really 29.21 not 29.31 whooooooo hoooooo LOL I downloaded my Garmin and my heart rate the whole race was between 172 and 178 so I really was pushing it for me!

Just have to post the following picks just for Mel

There Mel hope that keeps ya cool

Did you all hear about our very first Alaskan Run with the reindeer? I wanted to do it but it kind of clashed with my hockey game, my running buddy did it and she said it was a blast, it looked like so much fun! Check out the videos! http://community.adn.com/mini_apps/vmix/player.php?ID=1735704&GID=117 She ran with the Reindeer then ate a reindeer hot dog, I told her that was so not cool and so not core LOL!

Happy I am going to be doing some POP days with you, your menus inspire and I just have to get to goal, even the receptionists are putting pressure on for me to set my goal which is probably a good thing as I have been dragging my feet. Today was POP, got in all the healthy guidelines including the vitamin! I also took a B12 pill tho I have no clue what B12 will do for me or why I brought a jar of them but they were in the vitamin cupboard so I took one along with a flax seed oil pill.

I worked out today in the weight room for over an hour just because lifen made me feel guitly with her talk of achy legs last week...reading your pain my friend and it struck me I had not worked my legs for weeks! I did all the machines today and 100 crunches where you touch your elbow to the opposite knee, can't remember the proper name for them

Yesterday at WI I lost .4, was 140.4 arghhhhhhhhhhhhh so darn close to the next decade! I swear I will hit it this week!

Pluggin you will probably be wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy ahead of my snot rockets in Virginia beach LOL your thoughts on being 40 ish and active are just how I feel I always forget you have been running for such a short time! I always assumned you had a long history of running. Enjoy your daughters games, they are good memories, my son played football and wrestled and I still miss the games and meets sometimes.

Lifen your race is coming up pretty soon I can hardly believe how this year is flying by! My first 5k was at the end of last April and I look back to that and giggle at how far I have come since then! My only goal was to finish without walking which I did but I ended up with a very horrific finish line pic! Promise me you will wear no grey and that you will practice drinking water from little paper cups before your race!

Maxie did you getthe Indian food this weekend? I have been sitting here drooling thinking of what you could have had That is crazy that the IPOD still works!

Leany you are fast! That is cool that you run with your son, I am trying to get my son fit enough to do the heart run in April with me.

Cherbear that must have been a brutal spin class! I keep trying to get to another spin class but haven't made one yet with my crazy schedule, I have to say I enjoyed spinning way more than the regular bike or elipitical.

K all I must hit the sheets catch you all tomorrow.

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Lifetimer still learning to maintain :) Starting weight 228.5 Goal weight 135 current weight 139

good morning! just got back from a short 2 mile run & I was thinking that it may be time to pack away the winter clothes and pull out the summer ones because it is so warm. I was checking the weather when I got home & I'm excited that we have a cold front coming through this week! Yeah!! it'll only be here for a few days but that is better than nothing. this winter has been so mild that I feel like we have not had one at all. wish the cold front would stay till the weekend for the HM but unfortunately it'll be warm for the race. crazy weather - a high of 80 today but only a high of 60 tomorrow.

I was horrible yesterday and am inspired to try the 4 day POP challenge. My problem yesterday was not planning & I got too hungry & just lost it. so... starting today I will try for POP.

shannon - how are you feeling after that spinning class? hope not too sore.

Bo - I needed those cool pics this morning. I got back 15 min ago & I'm still dripping sweat. 6am temps were 72 w/ 94% humidity! congrats on your weight loss... so close to the 130s - you'll get there soon!

QOD: does it matter when you take your multi-vitamin? I have a hard time remembering in the morning & I wonder if it matters if I take it in the morning or before bed. Seems like it would not make much difference as long as you are getting it every 24 hours. what do you think? Melanie

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Melanie - mom to 3, WW member since April 2005, runner since July 2006