There is a rumor around work I might be returning to Omaha...should know by Monday. Will do Master's tonite and resume biking and Yoga Friday or Saturday. I've been waking up at 5am the past few mornings feeling very refreshed. I have no problem falling back asleep, but I feel like getting up and going for a run :( wish I could.

Kind of ballooned up after last weekend...now 170lbs...have to remedy this. Only some lingering stiffness in the knees, no pain when walking, Glucosamine is working (or at least it's placebo effect is). I feel very fortunate to recover so quickily from such setbacks. Still not going to be able to run for a while, but biking and swimming can now consume my life. Now I'm wondering if I don't do the KC Mary, could I possibly be ready to attack the Gobblerginder? Go Cubs!!

I've regained some movement in the knee since yesterday, still painful but definately some progress. I will try to swim at Master's tonite...probably no kick drills. Started taking Glucosamine, I'll take that until the knee feels better.

I am quickly coming to the realization that KC Mary might be out of reach. I cannot bend my left knee without inflicting severe pain. Probably should have stopped when the pain started but: At about mile 3 of the half mary yesterday I ran into my best friend's wife and her father running the same course. We ran the remainder of the course together. They are from my small hometown of Red Cloud, NE (pop. 1100) so I've known them my entire life. She married my best friend, is in PA school and was a classmate of my sister. He is the area mortician, avid runner, scratch golfer and living miracle. Our conversation about running and golf alone could have last the entire morning, but this morning was special to me (probably for both of us). A few short years ago he suffered a massive heart attack (this guy has run everyday for many years prior to the heart attack and is the last guy you'd think would have a corinary) and is one of a handful of people who have been revived after coding 6 times (he still has burn marks on his chest). My knee hurt like hell, but to be able to run with this man was so much fun words cannot describe the feeling I had. He shared a story about my Granddad that was very touching and we had some good laughs too - only wish my wife could have been along to share the experience...in good time she will be there. My wife and her father took their bikes and rode around on the course trying to find me. They stop and got breakfast and coffee and picked up a couple of post run muffins for me (my fav). It was a good time and we were home by 10!

Considering I didn't think I would finish, I'm happy. No pain in the right knee (progress), lots of pain in the left knee (maybe a little progress since it didn't give out). Really wish I could have tried for my 1:45 goal I set a month ago, but realistically today was about as well as it could have gone.

Just completing the Omaha 1/2 mary seems to be slightly out of reach and the rest of the season looks bleek. I'll show up at the starting line in Omaha Sunday morning, but realisticly, finishing will be something just short of a miracle. My legs felt strong last night (even after an IM swim day) but the knees just feel like someone taking a bat to them. I am certainly looking forward to the end of the season when I can concentrate on biking and swiming. I am also going to incorporate more strength workouts into the mix in hopes of this ailment not occuring again.