<p>PlantMom - good job! </p>
<p>The weather is really gloomy and rainy today, so I’m taking a day off from running. iPhone says it is going to be nice on Sunday; I hope to be able to get Mr out of the house for some Beer Trail riding/running. </p>
Well, I had a terrible run today. Cold, damp, windy. Pace was terrible, all over the place - poorly planned route, forgot my gels, blah. But a little over 14 miles done. Thank goodness!
<p>Good job, sabaray! We all have our bad days once in a while. Fingers crossed for the race day weather! </p>
<p>Ah, Sabaray, you’ve gotten to the point where you can consider a 14 mile run “meh”. Impressive. :)</p>
<p>^ lol. When you look back at old posts and see how many members of this group have achieved, expanded and achieved again so many of their fitness goals, it’s inspiring. Hats off to all of you.</p>
<p>Am out in California with my wife, son, DIL, daughter and her almost fiancé, touring from Venice Beach up to San Francisco. When asked by a local relative what our agenda was today and my daughter responded that she and I were going to a local boutique spinning studio for an 8 am class, the relative asked why we would want to do that. And all we could do is grin. 
Every day, a different boutique studio cross training/ spinning experience as we work our way north. :)</p>
<p>Sabaray- way to get it done. It’s miles in the bank! And- you did me a huge favor by posting “forgot my gels” because until I read that, my Huma gels hadn’t crossed my mind and were sitting in my carry on here in Toronto. We went to the expo today, I found Lululemon, we walked too much, and it’s really cold. With the current state of my life and stress level, my goal is to START the half marathon. I hope it takes care of itself after that. I will get to see my daughter finish the marathon. This is a meetup of our very special online women’s RunningAhead group. The founder of RunningAhead (Eric) is here with us. It’s very special that such strong friendships have formed over great distances and many miles. One woman flew over from Scotland. We have about 12 ladies and a few spouses here.</p>
<p>Yeah, learned a few lessons…it’s hard to just spontaneously run 14 miles…always better to plan…you really do need fuel for running more than an hour…dressing for the weather is important…Glad my gel mishap reminded you that you needed yours, MOWC! </p>
<p>Was really glad I opted for shorts. I always wondered how runners could race in such little clothing when it was cold…I think I’m learning why! </p>
<p>Michael, your trip sounds like a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it! MOWC, that sounds like a fantastic meetup. Even if the race isn’t the best, it sounds like the company will be! </p>
<p>Impressive, sabaray! What a great group that sounds like, MoWC! Hope your running goes well.</p>
<p>H and I hiked/walked about 4 miles today at a natural area. Many alligators including a mother with youngsters that were cute, really 
DS’s fall break is over, and I’m sad to see him leave. </p>
<p>MOfWC, good luck! I really wish I were there in Toronto, but with my current crazy schedule, I simply could not train for it. 
What an awesome group you have there. Enjoy your time with your friends and family and do not worry about your half time. </p>
<p>MNKat - did the same trip with my family this summer. La jolla, Venice beach, Santa Barbara and Sausalito .</p>
<p>Kept the Garmin on at the hs district cc meet today. Over 7 miles running back and forth watching 4 races . Hoarse from yelling!</p>
<p>^ lol The picture I had as my avatar before was taken while waiting for one of my daughter’s cc races to start a few years ago.</p>
<p>mkat:</p>
<p>Are you riding bikes from Venice Beach to Sausalito? :)</p>
<p>Good luck MOWC!</p>
<hr>
<p>Basement for me. Rear foot elevated split squats, chin ups, KB swings, alternating DB bench press.</p>
Good luck tomorrow, MOWC, and I hope you’ve been having fun spending time with friends from afar. 
<p>Lol, IDad, not this trip ;). Although there is a 22 mile bike path that runs along the beach from south of Venice up north.</p>
<p>Ohio, my sister was also at a CC district race in Ohio yesterday. She is an assistant coach and likely ran everywhere too. (Northeast) Those big races are great workouts! </p>
<p>Walking along the beach in Venice Beach and Santa Monica has been a trip. Putting aside the broad variety of fringe culture to be seen, of all ages, what amazes me is the amount of public resources spent to create fitness parks along the beach. Flying rings, static rings, high bars, uneven parallel bars, climbing ropes, dual hanging “ribbons”, elasticized tightropes, spaces for acrobatics, skate board parks, are all over, being utilized by a ton of people all day long. So much fun. My wife’s only concern is now I want to build some of it in our backyard!</p>
<p>Completed my 3rd half this weekend and under 1:55</p>
<p>While I do know I am by no means fast in the sense of racing world. But from the same starting point as several regular members in this thread, I think I am doing exceptionally well. From a 30+ year couch potato to complete a 1/2 under 2 hours in about 2 years. It is hard work and I am very proud of that. </p>
<p>Many would argue it is not about how fast one could run but the participation. Well, to me that is just excuses for being lazy and not working harder. To make progress, one must have a measurement. </p>
<p>So, you all could make fun and bully me for being fat and could not lose weight. You all say it is just for “fun”. I could turn around and do the same, in the name of “fun”, to those who could not get speed and distance up. You slow turtles must be ROFLOL now. </p>
<p>I hope you are able to find peace, Dad II.</p>
<p>Good luck, MOWC. My son is in TO this weekend visiting a friend. Not running, I am certain ;)</p>
<p>Well, I have FINALLY chopped up that damned tree that’s been blocking my trail. What a job that turned out to be. Wasn’t so much the circumference as the multi trunk nature that was a PITA. Got lots f firewood out of it though.</p>
<p>No excuse now to avoid the hill </p>
<p>Cold here but sunny. Am headed for a wee ride on the crazy mobi. There are rumors afoot that my friend up the road wants to kayak today, but since it rarely actually happens, we shall see.</p>