Moroccan Wins the World's Toughest Race RABAT (Reuters) - Moroccan Mohamed Ahansal won the world's toughest race, the Marathon des Sables, Monday for the third time. Race organizers said Mohamed's younger brother Lahcen was second at the end of the 149-miles, six-stage race. Described by organizers as ``the hardest and the longest since its creation in 1985,'' this year's race was marked by searing heat reaching up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit and strong sandstorms. Mohammed won the race in 1997 and 1999 while Lahcen won in 1998. A record 680 competitors from around the world took part in this year's race but organizers said there was also the highest number of retirements. The two Ahansal brothers run a trekking and camel-touring agency in the southern city of Ouarzazate.

ugh. 122 degrees F

No wonder they said it is the worst or whatever. I'm surprised many finish under those conditions!

Runner Dies After Freak Hammer Accident PRAGUE (Reuters) - A teenage Czech athlete has died after being hit by a hammer in a freak accident at a local meeting, her club said Wednesday. Zuzana Krejcova was struck in the head and neck by the hammer which broke while being thrown by Czech number one Vladimir Maska in Turnov Monday, Mirko Graef, an official at the Slovan Liberec athletic club, told Reuters. The 18-year-old middle distance runner was hit as she sat about 10 meters outside the throwing zone. The athlete, who finished fifth in the Czech junior indoor 800 meters championship earlier this year, died of her injuries in hospital Tuesday, Graef said. Graef said standard precautions were taken for throwing the seven kilogram (14.4 pound) hammer.

What a shame... they ought to put a backstop around those throwing things, with it open only out to the correct throwing direction.

Absolutely! They have batting cages around baseball players and all sorts of other precautions made of heavy net and strong frames... Guess they might do so now...

Slowly getting back into the fun run scene! I did a 4-miler on the 4th of July and a 10K last Sunday... I am as slow as the proverbial molasses in the wintertime and the "free" t-shirts just don't mean as much as they used to but... hey!

That's great. What's your workout schedule like?

ha! ummm... put kids to bed at 8:30pm, grab some caffeine, kiss my husband and head to the gym. Depending on what is in my cup I will either 'workout' or 'play' on the elliptical trainer for 45-60 minutes and, if I've actually 'worked out' as opposed to the alternative, I'll try some free weights (8 whole pounds!)! During the days the kids and I will walk a couple of miles (kids in stroller, me pushing) or I've just started skating with them in the double jogger. Ri had his first Burley ride last weekend and that went pretty well, so I may add some cycling to the mix when the weather is a bit more predicatable. And you? Running at all? Still swimming regularly?