Morning All,

Yesterday turned out to be to busy to get my run in so today I will get 'er done! I feel as though I did great on my mid term and I got great/nerve wracking news from admissions yesterday. My plan on the nursing program has now been bumped up a year as they want me to start this Fall. I was planning on taking 2 courses per semester next year and in '09 getting into the guts of the nursing program BUT they are offering me one of the 50 coveted seats for '08. This will mean that I have to take probably the hardest course this summer in an 8 week program (instead of the 12 week) and the whole prospect is nerve wracking. That test I took in January that I did so well on is what has them wanting me in this year so I am pretty honored and like I said NERVOUS.

Life & NH - the race that Happy and I are talking about is a scenic hilly half marathon that is in October. The foliage here will be beautiful and it could be run just for that! Personally I am a BIG fan of apple crisp and a lot of local runners talk about that race because that is their trade mark after race snack. I think both of you should join us but it is a race with a strict cap that sells out quickly from what I am told. I live about 30 minutes from the race area and we could/should def. meet up before or after the race. Somehow I have a feeling I might have to wait until then to meet Michelle!! Hope you feel better soon its been a tough winter for your family.

Happy - congrats on doing well on your chem mid term. Have a wonderful trip! Soak up some warm weather for me! I have to wait a few more weeks to see my Sox. I have a weekend trip to Canada the first weekend in April and we will be going to see them play Toronto. Ahhhhh, Red Sox season, does it get any better??

Red - tremendous weight loss!! I know you said you were up it before but now your down!! YAY - that is such a great feeling. Whatever you did this week - keep it going! Got my mamo results back and they were AOK - cool beans and yes they made me wait 4 days, not nice.

Thin - you should go and get fit for your running sneakers at a running store. Sometimes they can be a ways away but it is worth the road trip to be fit correctly. I wear Asics Gel Kayano 13's (& 14's) - they are a very supportive stability sneaker. As a heavier runner they work very well for me but I have tried others and always come back to this style. Good luck finding your perfect shoe and congrats on such a nice weight loss! That is great!!!!

Leany - you sound a lot like me! We have our own small electrical contracting business that I do the books for. I am so bad every year with inputting tax information but this year I said I would get it all done in January. So I did get it "almost" all done in January. I still needed to get my medical receipts inputted and for some reason I put it off until yesterday. I hunkered down and inputted a years worth of medical and now my complete packet is off to my tax guy to see how I did. I always feel like its a test - my yearly test. I am hoping for an A - LOL.

Shannon - couldn't you have fit in her suitcase?? Cabo?? Man, that would have been a great trip to jump in on. I was there in October this year. You are going to do great for the 10K. I am so excited for you. I can't wait to hear how you do and what you think of the distance. Would you believe that I have not done a 10K yet?? LOL - its funny that I have now run a couple of half marathons, plenty of 5K's and 5 milers and I will run a full marathon but for some reason there has never been a 10K that called my name.

Teresa - welcome!! I started running one year ago at 41 with 25 lbs lost and 15 lbs to lose. I think a lot of us remember the daunting first 20 minute run. It is a great feeling when you conquer that one. Don't be discouraged if it takes you a few attempts and if you have to repeat a week here or there that is fine too. A lot of people do that when they need to so just do the best you can. That is what this is all about after all. Don't stress about whether or not you will have to walk during the 5K. If you do it really is no big deal. Just keep at it and you will do fine. Good luck and please let us know how you do!!

Cherbear, Dan, Bo shout out - hope all is well. Colleen

Teresa - congrats on the 20 minute run. What I like about running is the sense of accomplishment, that I am conquering something that I always thought was impossible. Everytime I have a succes (a new top speed, a new longer distance, etc.) I am thrilled with myself and am on the top of the world for the day.

TGIF - Good luck to everyone running a race this weekend. Michelle - I'm sorry you are sick and frustrated that you won't be able to run on Sunday. Did the docs figure out what was wrong? I know it is a nasty flu season and hope you are getting some rest and maybe feeling a little better. Maybe you need to make a little Apple Crisp to tide you over until the race this fall - you know 'an apple a day'! This has been a rough winter for you...((( ))).

The Tandoori Chicken turned out really well last night. The house smelled wonderful all day. I also found a WW Curry Cole Slaw recipe on-line which I made along with rice. All in all, a very good meal that we will make again. I'm don't remember who posted the recipe - thanks!

RedFox - I will keep my eyes peeled for races in NYC and may have to start to tweek my schedule. It would be great to run a race with you!

Teresa - I love that (without an H). That was my mom's name and I can almost hear her say it!! Yippee for running your first 5K on April 12 - that is my birthday. I ran my first 5K last September and afterwards, was hooked. I have recently completed my first Half Marathon and will run my first Marathon on May 18th. You CAN teach an old dog new tricks - I am 52! I remember running my first mile non-stop and what an accomplishment that felt like. You have run 20-minutes non-stop for the first time...way to go! Every milestone will help you to the next. Relish the feeling...and remember, you will post a PR for your 5K!!!

StillPluggin - WOW and congratulations on being asked to step up your nursing program! That is quite an accomplishment and although you are nervous - I say - go for it!!! You are obviously in the study groove and excelled to the point they want you. Woo Hoo!!! Btb - guess we are alike in the tax department. As you said - just another test to 'get through'. I like that...

Shannon - I love the visual of running with cows! Do you ever have to contend with dogs chasing you? I grew up in the country and remember having dogs chase our bikes and they used to scare me! Now I have taxi's that I have to contend with! I've been wondering about Bo too!

Have a great weekend everyone.

~Darlene

good morning!

I am new to this so I hope I am not intruding.I have struggled with my weight the last several years.I am also struggling with my training,After 20 yrs + of running and doing many marathons somehow my motivation and dedication is gone.I am hoping it is just a rough spot and will get back in spirit again.I enjoy reading all the comments.It is very,very windy today in Fla and cool.

talk to you soon again

Hi All...Well I finally made it home yesterday evening after spending a week in Zion. It was great to see my baby boy as I had missed him a lot. I was very much looking forward to getting a good nights sleep in my bed but unfortunately that didn't happen. Titan woke me up at 1am needing to go out and on my way to let him outside I stepped in something that felt really gross. Unfortunately the little guy had thrown up before needing to head outside for it to come out the other end We were up and down for the remainder of the night and the poor guy is still dry heaving and having an upset tummy. I called the vet and she said to wait 24 hours with only giving him rice to eat and see if it get's better. See even though I don't have real kids I still occasionaly have to deal with a sick puppy.

My first full week in the new job went well, but the emails in my inbox has probably tripled in a weeks time. Also, I found myself working really long hours since I wasn't home and Titan was at the kennel. Hopefully I'll get into a somewhat normal routine soon and things will slow down and I can check in with you guys more often. It took me awhile to catch up on all the post this morning.

Bo where are you? I hope everything is okay in your world and that you have just had a busy week. We miss you!

Dan hope everything is going good for you as well!

Pluggin congrats on being asked to join the nursing program early. Is that going to mean once you start in that you are going to be too busy to check in regulary as well? I finally had a minute last night to log on to your donation site and make a small donation. I just put it under lifentheparks. Have fun with tomorrow's run. Too bad that Michelle is sick and not going to be able to meet you. The race in October sounds great with the fall foilage but I would really have to build up my endurance to do that cause as of right now I stink at hills

Gillou welcome to the group. You will find people here at all different levels of running but I would say your 20+ years will definitely make you the long timer of us all as I don't think anyone here has been running for that long. You will also find people at all different stages of weight loss. Feel free to visit us often as I think we are a pretty fun bunch

Thisyear good to hear from you again. Sorry that you have been struggling. Good luck getting back on track. Don't hesitate to use us for support.

Leanyjoan sounds like you've had a busy week with all your runs, tax prep and cooking yummy dishes Glad your sisters surgery was successful. Hope you are enjoying your company this weekend!

Teresawithoutanh congrats on your 20 minute run. I graduated from the C25K back in December and am signed up to run my first 5K next weekend. I very much remember that first 20 minute run and what a great sense of accomplishment I felt afterwards. Before you know it you will be running in your first 5K

Shannon it was great to meet you as well and hopefully we will be able to meet up again soon. Would you be up for a girls night out when Nhmommy is in town early April? Hope DD's vball games went well.

Nhmommy hope you are feeling some better by now. You better take good care of yourself so you are 100% by the time you come to St. George for your spa visit.

Thinindisguise as others suggested I would definitely suggest going to an official running store and actually being fitted for shoes. It will be money well spent. Good Luck on your 5K on the 16th!

Happy I hope you are doing well. I noticed you haven't checked in for a couple of days. You haven't left for vacation already have you? That is so cool that you and Mel are going to be able to run a race together. I thought of you earlier this morning when I was putting a pork loin and veggies in the crockpot to have for this upcoming week. I must admit that Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were all horrible days of eating. There was a few different business meetings based around meals and I'm embarassed to say that I didn't make as healthy of choices as I could have. I think the new job is making me a little overwhelmed and I'm finding it do it all...work, eat right and exercise, but I've recommitted this morning and will get back on track.

Redfoxfan way to go on being down 4.4lbs and your 6 mile run! You rock!! I think you should give spinning classes a few more trys before you officially decide if you like it or not. I loved it so much I actually bought a spin bike and dvd's for my house because the closest spin class was an hour and a half away and it was just a little too much to make that drive a few times a week. It's not quiet the same doing it at home but it satisfy's my need for speed

Mel what have you been up to the past few days as we haven't heard from you? Good job on a POP day and I hope you've been able to keep it up. As I mentioned to Happy it is so cool that you guys are going to be able to run the race together. Are you going to get you a shamrock headband to wear? I think you should since I bought one based on your suggestion How's T-ball going?

Brandyshea hope you had fun in LA. I watched last nights episode of Your Mama Can't Dance. I think your mom and brother did a great job. Your mom was especially cute in her camo pants I voted via text and phone you'll have to post the website so we can all vote that way as well.

Maxie hope the tri training is going well. You will be able to fly during the race after practicing with your daughter in the trailer behind you!

Cherbear hope you are having a good week as well. Hope to hear from you soon!

Okay sorry for the long post but I wanted to catch up with you all. Sorry if I missed anyone. Take care and have a great weekend!

Morning everyone!

Thanks for everyone being so helpful! My personal trainer had just gone yesterday to get fitted for sneakers for the first time and she said it was great so I'm going to head down there this weekend if I can to check it out. I bought a pair of Nike Shoxs yesterday but I think I should get fitted and I'll take them back. Since I"ve upped my activity my right hip has been bothering me, I went to the chiropractor yesterday and he made it feel better, but today after 5 miles of walking it's killing me again, so pricey shoes would be worth it!

I wi yesterday (a day early too) and I was down 4.2 pounds and got my first 10lb ribbon! I was so excited. It's going to go on the fridge for motiation!! I can do this!

This morning I took my dog on a 5 mile walk. Poor pup was dragging the last mile home (so was I so we were a good pair), he got water and has been crashed out snoring since we got home. I think he is benefitting too from my preparing for the 5k, he's a boxer/mastiff mix but he's getting really lean, wish I was getting lean as fast as him!

Hi everyone... sorry I've been MIA - life got in the way. I did run on Friday morning & I've been OP for the last few days, so I'm happy with all of that. I wanted to run this morning but DH needed to go into work early, so I slept in till 8am, that was wonderful! (never thought I would say 8am is sleeping in!)

redfoxfan - congrats on the weight loss this week. I think if the way you calculate your APs works for you - then it's the right way to do them

leanyjoan - glad you got your taxes done, it's always a relief to have that over with. now that is just strange to see flamingos & ice on the ground! how cool to run by a zoo... I would love that. I did see a rare sighting the other day, a Sherman fox squirrel - I have lived in FL nearly my whole life & this was my first time to see one. I had no idea what it was at first, it looks like a cross between a badger, squirrel & ferret... very strange.

Michelle - hope you are feeling better. get some rest!

shannon - great job on your run, have fun in SLC

Teresa - welcome to the board! I remember being so scared of that first 20 min run, I didn't think I'd be able to do it! amazingly enough, I did that was nearly 1.5 years ago (age 35) & I've been running ever since. Here on this board we are at all stages of running, so don't hesitate to ask questions. I think it's perfect to work on time now & speed later - that's what worked for me. CONGRATS on completing that first 20 minute run - isn't it the best feeling in the world?

Colleen - Good luck tomorrow!! congrats on getting into the nursing school for the fall. you are going to do great! glad your results came back good too & had to laugh at "cool beans", I have not heard that phrase for a loooong time

thisyear - so glad you are back! I know it's hard when you don't see results quickly. It took me 2 years on WW to get to goal, I was so frustrated at times that I wanted to do the low-carb thing like everyone else was because they looked great. Now I'm the one that they are looking at because I've met my WW goal & they have gained back all the weight plus more after doing low-carb. I've still got girl scout cookies to get rid of ok, that was evil but I'm pondering what to do with these last 55 boxes of cookies & we're done with cookie booths.

gillou - welcome to the board! where in FL are you? I'm in Bradenton & I'm sick of this cold wind... I did a cookie booth last night & this morning and the whole time we were fighting against that cutting wind. hoping it dies down by tomorrow.

lifentheparks - hope your puppy is doing better. thanks for asking about me... just got busy with cookies sales & kids. lol t-ball is going well but hard to do 2 games a week, it's hilarious to watch though.

thinindisguise - loved the pic of your dog worn out. LOL congrats on a great loss this week! how exciting that you are inspiring others to do a 5k too! as for the shoes, I agree with having a fitting done. it's amazing how the right shoes can make a big difference, you may find that pain in your hip disappears with the correct shoes. things for the first 5k... I love what everyone else has written, you won't need water because they'll have water stations, don't wear anything new that day & don't eat anything new the day before or that morning. Have fun, smile for the professional photographers and enjoy the race.

off to read & get some beauty sleep... Melanie

Hi Everyone,

I finished my first week on CORE last Thursday. I lost 6 lbs the first week, but (since I can't quit weighing myself) have gained one back. GRRRR. So far I am really enjoying ww. Definitely like the CORE thing and not having to worry about points. The thing I thought was kind of neat is, over on the 22 boards, there are all kinds of people doing the C25K. I love that program. I am missing alcohol a but. Are fermented grapes CORE?

Take it easy,

Valerie