BIRDS OF A FEATHER-FLOCK TOGETHER

That famous old saying-"Birds of a Feather-Flock Together". The above picture is a perfect example of how we runners seem to flock whenever in a room together. While in Austin, at Cade's birthday party, one of the mother's was a runner and ALSO a CPA. We immediately convened a meeting of the OCD Club International. After much discussion about training, injuries, races, etc. etc., I learned she had also run several marathons. Well to be perfectly truthful one of the first things in your conversation with a fellow runner is the distance inquiry. She had run in marathons in California, Boise Idaho, and 2 Austin's. We had a lively discussion including trading injury tips and training miseries. For some strange reason, runners seem to congregate and love to trade "war stories". Quite an enjoyable discussion.

Austin, Texas has to be the exercise Mecca. You would not believe the runners and cyclist. Scott & Caroline live off of 620 which is a loop around northwest Austin. It is a nice wide highway-or should I say racetrack-with a large shoulder for cyclist and runners. THEY ARE LEGION! All sizes, shapes and genders are out on the road at all hours of the day. I actually did not see too many out at night, but that is very understandable considering how dangerous the road is. The cyclist tend to be in flocks with brightly colored jerseys, not unlike a flock of birds streaming past. WHAT A SIGHT! This area is on Lake Travis and is in BIG TIME Hillcountry, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN I HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE. No wonder you have so many exercisers. The scenery is truly inspiring!

Today began Marathon Training! It was hot and humid, which was a disappointment after being promised cooler weather. Oh well-it will come! We ran the 5 mile loop from Tech and I paid for missing the past week. I did make it until the last hill, where I had to walk the last 1/3 the way. We then walked 3 miles on the hilly route around the stadium complex. OK-GREAT- I have finished 1/7th of 1/18th or the marathon training. Let's see that is 1/126th. NOW THAT IS A DAUNTING NUMBER!

Our sweet, adopt a college students, are back from their summer break. AH GRACIE AND MERIEDTH. They lead to many good stories which I will blog about during the school year. We try to feed them once a week and they come and wash their clothes occasionally. Gracie is from Kenya and Meriedth from Shreveport. They have very different personalities and are lots of fun to be around. Gracie is an engineering student and Meriedth is in journalism and graphic design so they are busy young ladies. Look forward to "The Adventures of Gracie & Meriedth" for there is never a dull moment!