MK is back :woohoo: way to go girl, I knew it would pass :D

FatPants :

Here is the exact jacket I wear from fall right through the winter to spring, it has zippers under the arm pits for ventilation... I gradually layer in the beginning I wear only a sports bra underneath, then a short sleeve wick away t-shirt, then a long sleeved wick away, when it's -20c I wear a long sleeve wick away, with a looser long sleeve, then a wick away vest :lol:... I've got it down to a science :lol: ... Everything is very light though I never EVER wear cotton.... Everything I wear is wick away stuff, even my baseball cap ...

https://www.shop.runningroom.com/ima...de_300_300.jpg

Now I'm going to read Sharon's blog :D

Loved your blog Sharon, :bravo: way to go!!

Sharon, congrats on your 5k!! =)

Thanks everyone for the welcomes. I'm training with a group for the half marathon, which is really nice. We do a long run w/ intervals every saturday morning. During the week I have been doing a track workout one night and a shorter interval run one or two evenings a week, then a really easy walk/light jog one night.

I've never done anything longer than a 5k so this is a big leap for me! I'm comforted to know that there are people who walk the whole thing, though, so at least I should be able to finish no matter how slow!

Running jackets... make me homesick! I'm in southern arizona where the problem is still that it's always about 20 degrees too hot to go running (at least in my opinion)!

Thanks everyone!! I'm super proud of myself! I still can't really believe I actually enjoy running, let alone that I ever went to a race, let alone that I finished! It feels like winning the lottery - a fluke out of the blue. Except I actually did it through like 2 months of work! I forget that part! :D

And MK...I was afraid of that. Haha. Right now I say, "No way I would ever want to commit so much time to marathon training."...right now I say that! :D

Sharon, congrats!! Loved your race report!

Ilene- THANKS for the tips! I'm looking at all this gear going uhhhh what exactly do I need? I bought tights and will be wearing those under regular running pants, sounds like I need go find me some moisture wicking shirts. What brand is your jacket?

FATPants- take it from someone who lives in Denver..you will RARELY need anything as bulky and warm as what you are imagining! Ilene's got it right!! Find a VERY lightweight, VERY breathable, at least water/wind resistent LGHT LIGHT jacket, some running tights ( i know, tights EGH!!!, but get over it! we ALL look bulgy and rolly in em) and a good pair of gloves. Everything after that is just excessive. I usually just wear a tank under my jacket (and i still voerheat after 10 minutes). Alot of times i dont wear a jacket and i just do a lightweight long sleeved shirt(NEVER EVER COTTON). You might want some ear muffs, but i personally cant do hats, or i seriously overheat. In Denver, i will continue wearing my shortsd sometimes even.......you have to suck up the cold and brave it for all of 5 minutes before your body warms up.

Congrats, Sharon! What I great report! I :lol: at not needing the ambulance, as those thoughts have passed through my mind on occasion.....Looks like you'll have many great races in your future!

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge.../CWX0051M.html

a link to my jacket. A CW-X.. dont know how to post pics!! I got mine off SteepandCheap.com for 14.95!!! A SCREAMING DEAL

Where are you in CO, Fatpants?

When I run in Pagosa in winter on freezing a** days, I wear adidas running pants, a long-sleeved shirt and layer a jacket. I start out with gloves. I am a total WUSS and I HATE being cold, but I do end up peeling off the gloves and jacket about 5-6 minutes into the run.

ETA: I wouldn't last 10 minutes in Canada in the winter. I'm okay with that fact. :)

Where do you live? Cross country courses can be mountainous, foothills, forest, golf courses, etc. I find running a cross country course to be far more difficult (and way more FUN!) than running on the sidewalk or asphalt. You can totally do it!!! :cheer:

I'll add in a comment about the cold. I live in a pretty cold place aka whenever I'm asked where I go to school, people TELL me how cold it is and how much it snows. When I run outside in winter, I tend to wear obviously sweatpants, thick socks, THIN long-sleeve shirt with a tank underneath and maybe, a hat if it's really bad. I agree with midwife and mkroyer, I overheat SO QUICKLY that I basically wear the same exact things in fall...

thanks for all the advice!! I have one moisture wicking shirt but I think I'll hunt for a long one and find a shell to wear to block the wind. I went to the gym today and it was 40 degrees when I left work... got out of the car and thought "see this isn't so bad, I can TOTALLY stand running in winter.." and then the wind blew. And then I booked it inside the gym because I HATE BEING COLD! (Midwife, sounds like you can relate!) By the way, I am in Colorado Springs. So glad to have so many Colorado girls on this thread... you all can relate and tell me what to do! :lol: And today it went straight from summer to WINTER... we had snow down here at 6500ft...can you believe it! I have been here for 16 years and I don't ever remember getting snow this early... I'm in denial...

I had a fantastic run today. 5 miles in under 55 minutes. I ran a 10:19 pace consisstently for three miles! Woot i hope to be running 10 min miles by end of October!!!!!

Just wanted to post that. Personals in the morning. Muwaahhh! XOXOXO

Good morning ladies! I must remember to check in here on my non-running days too so that I don't get too far behind! ;)

MK~ So glad to hear you had a fantastic run!!! That's awesome!! Take care of that hip, I hope it's nothing serious!

Lizzy~ I do the loopy thing my laces too--it helps tons with my heel slipping. I hope you're able to get someone to really help you! I bad fitting pair of shoes can be such a pain! I ended up returning my first pair too and I'm so glad I did!

TakingCharge~ Oooh a date! That sounds like it was fun!! Thanks, yeah, I was pretty bummed out about that run--it's been so long since I ran regularly (like 20 years!!) that I'd forgotten how some runs are better than others. Hey, when you're running on the treadmill, how do you keep from going bonkers from boredom? My treadmill is in my basement and I do my HIIT workouts on it, but running for 30+ mins would drive me batty! I don't know if I could stand staring at the wall that long! :lol: Maybe I should turn on a tv or something (even though I wouldn't be able to hear it over my super loud treadmill).

loquacious~ Welcome! These ladies are super sweet and have lots of great info to share! I'm a newbie to running so I can't be of much help, but good luck on your 5K this week!! :)

CakeBatter~ :woohoo: Congrats on a great 5 mile run!!! :carrot: Thanks for the advice too! :)

jayjay~ The one cross country course I ran on (in H.S.) was on a trail in a wooded area behind the H.S. It was a little hilly but not horrible. If it's a dirt trail you just have to watch out for holes--that's what did me in. Hit one just right, rolled my ankle and re-injured my knee, it was the last race I ran. :(

Fatpants~ congrats on getting that 5 miles in!! Sorry your knee is giving you issues--are you wearing a brace or anything? I keep waiting for my knee to start giving me problems and I'm wondering if I should wear a brace of some sort as a preventative measure? Brrr! Snow already? Wow! This has been a weird year for weather!

Sharon~ :celebrate: Congrats on your first 5K!! That's awesome!!!

Ilene~ thanks for the pic of that jacket and sharing your system with us! I've been wondering if I'm going to brave the colder weather here or move it indoors...

Iris~ how fun to be training with a group!! I hear ya on the Arizona heat--I've only been there a couple of times, but it was right in the middle of Summer and wow was it hot!!


Well, my run today went much better than Saturday's!! You ladies weren't lyin'!! :) I ran my 3 miles in about 32:15 or so (couldn't read the seconds very well because it was still dark out ;)) and didn't feel like quitting the whole time. My knees and hips are griping less afterwards too, although I did get a little crampy (menstrual-like cramps), but I'm thinking that might be because I'm due for TOM today.

I've got a question for you ladies. I run pre-breakfast at about 5:30 in the morning, then I come home, shower (if I'm lucky) and eat breakfast at around 8:00 (got to get kids fed, lunches made, etc.). My 5K doesn't start until 9:30 and obviously I'm going to need some food before then or I'm going to have a hard time running it. My question is, what do you think I should eat before the race? I know if I ate my regular breakfast I'd feel sick 5 mins in from being full, so maybe a protein bar or something? If so, any type in particular? I'm not all that familiar with them.

Okay girls, I'll quit :blah: now. :D Have a wonderful day!!

iDream - Re: knees - I hiked a 14'er this year and on the way down, irritated my iliotibial band (it's a tendon that runs from your hip to your outer knee), and my knee's been giving me problems on and off ever since. The biggest mistake I keep making is running when I should be rest. But it's so hard not to run! :lol: I don't wear a knee brace, though I do have an IT Band "strap" that's supposed to help. So far I think it makes it hurt more than helps. :p

Before my first race I ate a Powerbar... it's not too heavy and has enough calories (220) to get my energy up. I like the "smoothie" ones.... they're about the only type of energy bars that I can choke down.

iDream - I also run about 545 and don't eat until 8ish. My first 5k began at 8, so I got up at my usual time and ate a banana first thing. This Saturday, I'm running a 5K that starts at 10! So I will probably get up early and eat a banana and peanut butter toast at least a couple hours ahead of race time - but I will be keeping an eye on this thread to see what the rest of you suggest!

I'm also curious about pre-race food. My half marathon will be starting at 7 am... earlier than I want to eat but I know I need something in my system!

Sharon has the right idea RE:Before race food. I was going to suggest a whole wheat bagel (or toast) with peanut butter. Cut up like half a banna and put it on top. Drizzl a little honey on it....mmmmmm......delicious!

Mk - Congrats on the awesome run! I knew it would come back to you. It just takes one great run and now you're back! Yay!

Cake - Congrats to you too on the great run! What a great improvement in your pace!

Idream - So glad you had a good run! Running for an hour on the treadmill actually isn't too hard for me. For one, it's a lot easier physically that running for an hour outside, and I turn on an interesting show (west wing, law and order, etc) and just let that run in the background. Sometimes my mind just wanders about my day and other random thoughts, other times I would pay someone $100 to tell me it's ok to stop running on that damn treadmill (haha), but like any other running, it has its ups and downs. In terms of eating, I've never done a race, but have read a lot about eating something like a banana+pb or a cliff bar at least 1-2 hours before the race. I would suggest trying it one morning if you can, just to see what your body handles best.

As for me, I got in a great interval run today. 3 miles in 27:55! Mk, I took your advice and did all the fast bursts at 8:30 instead of starting off slower and it felt great. I did the recovery periods at 9:40, so also a little faster, but I was feeling good and was definitely exhausted by the end. I'm excited for all of our upcoming races! So much reporting to come!

It's a running room brand, but all the sports company have something similar, I've seen Nikes, Adidas, just pop into a running store... A tip for running in the winter is that you should feel slightly chilly when you start out. I also wear shorts or capris for as long as possible in the Fall....

No run for me yesterday and today, I'm just feeling really lazy... I've gone to the gym and I biked yesterday, so I'm just not sitting idle...

Hello everyone! I love reading about what everyone is doing..and dreaming of the day I'll be running as fast and/or as far!

I ran 3.5 miles on Sunday (which went just fine) and then Sunday night I did a half hour of leg workouts on the EA Active Sport on my Wii with my teenager (and kicked his a$$ by the way :) ) and...oh man were my legs sore yesterday!!

In fact, they are still sore today so I think that doing both in one day was just too much!

So, needless to say, my run today was rather crappy and I only did 2+ miles. I know I won't have time to run tomorrow anyway, so hopefully by Thursday, my legs will feel better.

Lesson learned, I guess: Only try to out "squat" your fifteen year old son on non-running days!! :lol: :D

In total today I came in just under 3 miles, but they were intervals on the track. Two of those miles were all run/jogging... although the slow jogs were slow enough that another woman was power walking along beside me!

So far what I've been told about pre-race food is to do what your body is used to as much as possible. My answer to that is my body is NOT used to getting up at 4 am to drive and then running over 13 miles starting at 7!! I love PB but I always feel like eating it before I exercise it's all a rock in my stomach... anyone else get this feeling?

I've had good luck with like half a PBJ Sandwich.

I need to hear more about winter time running. We get a lot of snow where I live and I'm trying to figure out how it is that you all enjoy running in snow. Because here, with snow comes compact ice. The sidewalks are hit-and-miss as to whether or not they'll be shoveled and usually the streets are a lot narrower due to the snow. So for all you snow-runners--how and where do you do it? And WHEN? In the winter, it doesn't get light till after 7 AM (I have to be to work at 8) and it's dark by 4:30 PM (I get off at 5). So I'm assuming that you guys are also running in the dark? I don't want to give up my budding running career, but running in the dark on icy streets in 10 degree weather sounds a little scary!

for all you cold runners.....i am DEATHLY afraid of the winter. I will out there as long as I can. But around late November I will become a bear and hibernate....in a gym....on a treadmill! HA!
I know ya'll are tired of hearing this but I am so excited about my new normal pace. I mean 10:42 PACE is so awesome for me! And know I can run that fast for about as long as want!

As for eating before running....I always eat fruit or like a 1/2 c of beans/legumes and that is still like 45-60 min before I run.

TC~ -28 min WOW! You are doing so awesome.....i am looking up to you.... :cp:

momof5~ That is funny. By thursday you will be feeling good as new. How did your son feel about getting his a$$ kicked by his mother...LOL:o

FatPants~ How are your knees doing?

MK~ I think I am going to try your wheat bagel, banana, honey recipe....sounds yummy. How have you been feeling?? :hug:

Iris~ People used to power walk past me all the time :rofl: But slowly but surely I got faster and so will you! ;)

Mk, ilene, iDream, idealmuse, windchime :wave:

Well, after a terrible horrible no-good very-bad emotional eating day yesterday, I feel great to have my normal (my new "normal"!) self back today. Good 2-mile run this morning.

Question for all of y'all. I really really want to try for a 10k. But because of various scheduling constraints, October 10 is the only weekend possible. Do you think that's too soon to be ready?

I'm moving to New York at the end of October and I would love to do a 10k with my running buddy. She is an old friend who has been a huge support in my healthy lifestyle change, and I'd love for us to have this one last challenge together before I head out of state and have who-knows-what kind of running experience during winter in a brand new city. So far I haven't found one in a do-able distance for either of the following two weekends. But I don't want to be unreasonable in my goals and expectations.

Let me know what you think - you're the Experts! :D

sharongracepjs -- loved your story on your first 5K! congrats! sounds like you're hooked. I live in NY and if you can survive Michigan winters you should be fine here. Are you moving to NYC or upstate? If it's NYC then check out New York Road Runners they sponsor tons of races and clinics.

iDream -- sounds like you are more than ready for the 5K... can't wait to hear about it!

mkroyer -- congrats on no smoking!

CakeBatter -- congrats on your time!

I really enjoy everyone's stories and hi to FatPants, loquaiousjogger, iriswhipers, midwife, TakingCharge, Ilene, momof5K, IdealMuse, Windchime and everyone else.

So I've decided to do the cross county 5K as my first 5K. Thanks for all the advice!! I live in NY and apparently they don't like to close the streets down too often so the 5Ks in Oct are primarily cross country runs on trails through Van Cortlandt park in the Bronx which is about 1150 acres and heavily wooded. I'm hoping it will be really pretty with the leaves turning color and that I won't die on any hills LOL!

Jay- you will do FONE on your 5k even if it iS cross country!! Any chance you might have the opportunity to train on sometrails before hand??

Sharon...Lets be brutally honest...October 10th is VERY close. That said, i trained for my first 10k in only about 2 1/2 weeks. I was not a runner before that and on a whim decided i would run the BolderBoulder. Best decision of my life!!! I WAS however, in really good shape when i started training (not running shape though). Im not saying youre not!! I have FULL confidence you can complete the full 10K on Oct 10th, but if you dont have as much time to TRAIN for it, then be prepared (ready, accepting) of the fact that it might not be as fantastic of an experience as your first 5k was (although a deeply satisfying and sense of accompolishment in its own right!) you will have to STEP IT UP running wise for the next couple weeks. The longest youve ran so far is a 5k? or no? Longer. ASSUMING the longest is the 3.1 miles so far, then i say TAKE thhe plunge and run 4 this weekend. Try to go for 4 again or even 4.5 DURING the week next week, and then next weekdn jump into a 5 mile run!! it will be hard, yes, but i think its your best shot. Try and get as close to the 10K distance as you can, as many times as you (safely can). no time to build up tolerance!! you can DO THIS! 5k-10k is NOT a huge leap..your body and legs are already used to the stress of running....... now you just have to make yourself do it PSYCHOLOGICALLY!! Please let us know what you decide. a 10k so soon is VERY exciting :)

I don't know your background well Shar other then the 5k, but my view on races is a bit different then other people as in I like to tackle longer ones without 100 percent guarantee I'm ready. If your body isn't ready for a 10k that soon it doesn't mean you can't participate it just means do what you can and if you have to walk the remainder, then so be it. (That is assuming your comfortable walking that kind of distance) Some people don't like to enter a race unless they know for sure they can tackle the distance w/ no walking. So really it's a personal preference thing. Are you ready maybe not the best idea, but it isn't out of the question. I did my first sprint Tri july last year (5k) and then a month later did double that distance at an oly (10k) but I was training for the longer one.

Jay - I've got 25 years of Michigan winters under my belt...but running in Michigan winters? 0 years! :D I am moving to NYC end of October - probably Brooklyn. Thanks for the reference!

MK - thanks much for the very honest feedback. That's kind of along the lines of what I was thinking - if we're very disciplined and don't let ourselves wuss out and keep upping our distances by little bits, we can do it!! We're doing another 5K this weekend, but starting tomorrow we will be getting up earlier, thinking of 3 miles as our baseline, absolute minimum distance to run and running a little bit farther every time (while listening to our bodies, of course! :D )

IdealMuse - For the 5K, I was dead-set on mastering the whole distance before the race, but for this, I feel a little differently. I feel like I need the big challenge to help keep me disciplined, even if I don't quite measure up by then. I'm ok with taking a couple walk breaks, during the event.

I know it will be hard, but I don't want to wait for spring. I want to keep building on my accomplishments now before I move and face winter running in a new city with no running buddy!

Thanks so much for the input. I will surely keep you all posted on our progress, and please keep chiming in with any advice or warnings. We're going for it! 10K by 10-10!

Sharon, there are women training for the half marathon I'm doing who are planning to walk the whole thing. A 10k is 6.2 miles, and if you can FINISH it - walking or running (I'm sure you can, if you've been running for the 5k), why not go for it? I'm sure I'll be putting in my fair share of walking at the half marathon, but finishing will be a huge accomplishment.

Cake batter, congrats on your new pace!

Jay, the cross country 5k sounds really fun and like nice scenery. I can't wait to hear what it was like!

Yeah, that's how I look at it too... I use the race sign ups to keep me motivated. I'd go for it. You could even do planned walk/run intervals as a game plan if you need to. I'm not quite ready for my 15k on Nov 1st either. I've only done about 6.5 mi non-stop so far this year, but I'm working on dropping at least another 10lbs before then which will help and I'm running every other day.

CAKE-congrats on your new "comfy" pace!!!! you know all your hard work is paying off when your bace pace goes down without any effort!! When is your next race? whats the distance??

TAKINGCHARGE- i have found that when i run my intervals faster, my recovery pace will also be a little bit faster!! I think its because my legs are nice and loose after running fast and they naturally settle into a more relaxed faster stride.. Congrats on your awesome interval run....im glad my advice worked and i didnt kill you!!!! Keep working at it!!
-- Ive heard it said that runnign intervals, and working on your VO2 max and all that stuff is like putting your pennies in a piggy bank..overTIME it ADDS UP!! Im so excited for you!! when is YOUR next race?

To all of you who hate running in the winter or are worried about it!!!! :) ---- You have three choices.....#1) buy good cold weather gear and suck it up! (you get used to it, as long as its not DANGEROUSLY cold!!)
#2) Dedicate your winter to a overcoming the misery of treadmill running (my condolences go out to those of you who already suffer through it now...TakingCharge, im looking at YOU!)
#3) lose all of the hard work and effort and satisfaction and life changing GOODNESS running has brought you and wallow in your misery all winter while you gain weight and eat chile and xmas cookies!!! (i meant that to be funny and not so harsh--but the reality is that WOULD be harsh, and so sad if ANYONE of you take that path!! you are all wonderful, strong and most importantly HEALTHY woman now!)

Mk - there is a 5k/HM this weekend. I can register thru tomorrow nite. I haven't made a decision though. And you know me....I'll be on the TM as usual. I only about one run a week outside now!!!

Sharon - I say DO IT! As stated before, walk run skip, do whatever to finish. It will build your confidence, give you time with your friend and a new race under your belt!

****Something I have noticed*****

I used to walk for about 5 min for a warm up. Recently I have been fast waking a lap and then jogging the next lap or two....THEN i start my workout. WOW that makes a tremendous difference for me. Like MK said I guess my legs are already loose and comfortably in a stride making it easier to go faster....I think I said that right....

Smoking (quitting)update-- As of this morning it has been 8 days without a smoke! I honestly have NO DESIRE to smoke, in the sense that i NEVER want to have to feel this way again if i were to start up and then try and quit later!! I feel like my best friend has died, and im sad--DEPRESSED. Aparently in the clinical sense (my pleasure center neuro-receptors(dopamine) are not functioning well at the moment due to the fac that it was NICOTINE that stimulated them, etc etc, lots of big sciency words).
I started Taking St Johns Wort, hoping it will HELP. My depression is manifesting itself in a lack of motivation, fatigue, and not taking pleasure from the things that USED to give me pleasure, ie RUNNING.
My trainer/coach got back from vacatioin yesterday and we met up and he basically B***C slapped me and told me what i already knew---- i HAVE NO CHOICE but to SUCK IT UP!! My marathon is in 3 1/2 weeks!!! YIKES. Now is NOT the time. I can wallow in my own self pity on Monday, Oct 19th. I am stresssed, un motivated, overtrained, injured and i only have 3 more weeks. He thinks this may also be my version of getting "cold feet". To be honest, i am not WORRIED about the marathon. I am worried about making it through tomorrows run, and fridays run, etc. He made me take today off from running, and tomorrw i am right back at my 12 mile threshold run, no matter how HORRIBLY it goes, or how badly i want to wimp out. He also pushed my scheduled 20 mile run this weekend to next weekend. He wants me to be able to be entirely focused and emotionally/mentally ABLE to have a great productive LAST run.....i am greatful for this. I was dreading having to try and tackle 20 miles this weekend when even a 12 mielr is so daunting.

I am physically able to run the marathon now. I just want it over with...... 3.5 weeks is nothing--so soon.....3 1/2 weeks is so far away.......

Wow, so many interesting comments and stories!

Sharon - I'm so excited for your progress! 10K by 10-10! I love it. I'm running my first 10K on 10/11 so we can share stories that Monday! You can absolutely do it. Train your heart out (making sure to avoid injuries and listening to your body!) and you'll feel a great sense of accomplishment regardless of how you finish (run, walk, crawl...haha).

Jayjay - Good luck on your 5k

Cake - Awesome new pace! Running fast intervals is great and all, but speeding up your comfortable pace is so exciting and such a great marker of your growing endurance and fitness. Congrats!

Windchime and all other winter runners - I commend you all on your ability to run in such awful weather! I'm completely spoiled and refuse to run outside unless it's about 68 degrees and slightly cloudly (haha, not quite, but pretty much...). Honestly, the treadmill CAN be your friend, but make sure to put it on 1% incline to prevent injury and to better simulate outdoor running. It's also fun to play around with speeds to change things up. Also, a cool new exercise I've found is walking incline lunges, both straight ahead and sideways...does wonders for the thighs and quads!

Mk - 8 days!! 8 days!! :carrot: Having learned about the science behind smoking and quitting and all that, I know (though can't fully understand) how physically and mentally difficult this is for you. You're right, you're basically going through a chemical depression. Taking St. Johns Wart is a great idea, as is sticking to running, even though it may seem kind of miserable, but it'll get those endorphins going and eventually make you feel better. You're SO beyond ready for your marathon, so is there any way that you can shorten your runs just a bit so you don't dread them? Think back to your favorite runs...how long were they, where were they run, how did you feel? Maybe try to recreate one of those runs so you can get back to truly enjoying the running. I know a huge part of the marathon is the challenge and proving to yourself that you can do it, but I hope you try to enjoy the process too! You're right, only 3 more weeks, it'll fly by! But maybe try to really enjoy the next 3 weeks of your training and think of running as your gift, your joy, your release, your strength, and all of the other amazing things it's done for you up to this point. This may be WAY too sappy for someone going through nicotine withdrawl and feel free to virtually punch me (I won't be offended!), but just remember why you're doing all of this. And remember that you continue to inspire all of us every day! Thank you for your continued advice and support! I know I wouldn't be doing this well without you! :hug:

Quick 4 miles for me today. I could barely get my butt out of bed and so didn't wanna run, but of course, felt so much better after I did. Shocking, I know. Have a great day everyone!

TAKINGCHARGE--thank you
"think of running as your gift, your joy, your release, your strength, and all of the other amazing things it's done for you up to this point"

--my new positive mantra..........

CakeBatter---- i havent registered for my marathon yet......

how ridiculous it THAT????/ nothing like waiting till the last minute!!
Seriously though, the registration fee is WELL over 100 dollars and i was waiting for my October 1st BONUS i get in my paycheck to cover it...