Hi Linds! As far as I'm concerned, you're always welcome here! (Or is this like "Survivor," and the group can vote you off? :lol: ) Glad to see you're doing well.

Amy, congrats on the A. You're doing great! It's funny you mention making the time to train for a marathon -- I had to start getting up at 4:30 to make the time! I'm sure in a couple months I'll be getting up at 4. I need the coffee time, too, as I am a total addict. Your workout room sounds great.

Wildfire, back pain can also result from weak abs, not just weak back muscles. The abs and back class sounds good. I have convinced myself I have to start working on my abs for walking -- the back muscles are stabilizers, and they needs the abs for support, etc., etc. I have to make myself do it on my rest days. Glad your IBS is getting under control.

Flower, thanks for checking in. Yes, working life can be stressful. I've worked my whole life, and I can't believe I'm finally getting out of the 9-5 office thing. It's starting to get a little scary as the reality sets in, but I am still determined. I should hear from the other 2 schools I applied to within 2 to 2-1/2 weeks, but I have a feeling I am going to end up in Boston. Anybody know that town? I've been there twice in my whole life -- once when I was 17 (that was like 10,000 years ago) and once last August.

Had another milestone walking yesterday -- did 9 miles, in under 3 hours! And I wasn't -- and still am not -- very sore! I have discovered that it takes me a good 2 miles or so to get warmed up. I can't hit the 4 miles an hour pace until then. Clearly to do the marathon I am going to have to do a slow-fast-slow-fast kind of deal. So now I am figuring it will take me 7 to 7-1/2 hours to finish the marathon. I hope they don't have a time limit. It's still early in the training schedule, though -- week 5 of 16.

OK, chicks, let's have a great, OP week!

BTW, since the board now says page 1-2-3-4-5-6-last page, I presume we've hit our limit, so I'm starting a new thread. See you there!