Becoming Lean, Mean, Endurace Event Machines in 2008

[Big Vic]

Good evening Lean Meaners!

Hoping everyone had a great Hump Day.

3 miles yesterday. IT WAS THE MOST EXCITING RUN I'VE EVER HAD ON A TM!

Got out and did some bodyweight exercises this evening. Pushups, crunches, dips, squats, etc. Tried my hand at a Pike Press. Almost landed on my head a couple of times. Also did a little core work, bodyweight superman and plank. I’ve determined my core fitness pretty much sucks.

Lisa – I’m sure your DH was out on very important guy stuff.

Connie – I have some bills you can pay also. WTG with the 3 miler!

Mike – WTG with the workouts.

Maria – WTG with hanging in there and getting your workout in.

Tracey – I did the stop, drop, and roll deal after my long runs training for the marathon. However, it was more like a stop, drop, and lay. WTG with the 4 miler!

Beth – Hang in there.

PatsBill – W’supp?

Debra – If I tell you about the dead bodies I’d have to shoot you. Continued good luck with the house hunting. A month long research trip? Hmmmmmm, interesting.

 

[princessrunner]

Good morning Lean Meaners. Wow, everyone was so chatty yesterday and I missed all the good stuff. Better late than never...

Vic: Yikes, Vic is back with a vengence!! An exciting run on the TM...why...what really happened??? My only TM excitement usually involves dropping something and then trying to pick it up.

Tracey: Emotional eating. First of all I would have to go along with Debra's suggestion of changing what you are doing. Second, while you are doing the something different, figure out what is triggering it. Are you stressed, are you tired, etcetera. Dealing with the issue is always better than trying to work around it. Hang in there, the wagon is always here when you need it. Oh, and for keeping the kids wondering. I am a big fan of that also. I think it prepares them for our Alzheimers later!!

Beth: Baseball every night. You make me feel bad for stressing out over my schedule. Last night we had opening ceremonies where the kids all get called onto the field. I thought it was just that and we could come home for a good dinner but then we were informed we had a scrimmage. Yay. So, we too, ended up at the local pizza shop and took it home to eat. Don't feel alone, we are sisters in arms. I have been either putting something in the crock pot or setting the timer on the oven so we have dinner upon return home. I do not like these little surprises!!

Debra: Anytime you want to stop living vicariously through us parents, feel free to fill in!! There are days I long to be back just DH and I but of course, I would never give up my life with my kids now. When they sleep over at friends houses, I am completely lost. There is no one to say stop it, leave him/her alone, pick that up, etcetera. DH just looks at me funny when I say it to him...

As for my dad and the memories, it is all good. It only makes me sad for a moment and I remember all the good things. Just as I hope that Tracey does about the lake house in years to come. It has been 5 years since I lost him and I figure I have some more time to deal with the sadness. I had him around for 37 years. He was my little league baseball coach, basketball assistant coach, taught me all I know about mechanics, how to drive, etcetera. It is a lot to file away in a short time. I think if you ask anyone who had a parent taken from them before they were ready, they would say the same thing. Then again, when are we ever really ready?

As for me, I ran to the gym, lifted and ran back to the ball field to pick up DD13 from pitching/batting practice. It was not a stellar run but better and made me feel like not a total failure. I have not run over 3 miles since my half marathon so 5 miles was a great feat. I was able to stay at 10:07 for half and then after lifting slowed up a bit, which is to be expected. Eating, except for the little surprise scrimmage trip to the pizza shop, was better than average. Probably a good thing!! I have a full weekend and took tomorrow off in order to insure my workout and non-snarkiness for the rest of the weekend. We will see how that works out...

Best of days Lean Meaners. Hoping for sunshine and great workouts all around. Oh, and eating perfection. Ah.......

 

[windwalker]

Good morning Guys and Pretty Princesses.

Lisa and Debra, don't ya know princesses are not "Snarky" they are "Sassy".

Vic, yes do the core stuff the difference is amazing, I have been doing it right for 8 weeks now and the results are amazing me. I'm more flexiable and if I didn't have this chub rub under my arm from that tech faberic shirt I would feel wonderfull.

Hi Beth how are you this morning?

I was going to get a pair of those red bike shorts that the Itilian bike team wears but someone bought the last pair. He paid with a check that had a New England Pats logo on it.

Our gas went up 20 cents a gallon over night, isn't that delightfull? I wish our town was set up to comute by foot or bike. It was designed all wrong for that, no shoulders on the roads and lots of traffic on the main roads. I live in the county so no leash laws for the land sharks (dogs) either.

Have a super morning y'all.

Walking Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Dave, you have obviously not been around me when I am denied my daily dose of sweat, pain and agony....snarky is perfect. Sassy is only when I'm around you!!

I run diesel which is now up over $4.50 a gallon. They say to not be shocked at over $5 a gallon. Good think I get 50 mpg otherwise, that would really hurt. We are the same way, countryfied, where you take your chances with traffic and learn to mean NO when dogs are loose. I am 5 miles from the nearest real town where there are groceries and Wal-Mart.

Whenever you think that fuel is high and you need to change the way you live, everyone think of my DH who either drives a log truck or a dump truck and heavy equipment as a self-employed person. Five mph is not much and it is nearly $1000 to fill either truck, not to mention the loader (x2), bulldozer, excavator, farm tractors, etcetera. On top of all this, business is down due to no one having extra $$ to spend on their repairs and/or building needs. Good thing I have a job....oh wait, maybe I should be working right now instead of Dis'ing....nah....

 

[windwalker]

Dave, you have obviously not been around me when I am denied my daily dose of sweat, pain and agony....snarky is perfect. Sassy is only when I'm around you!!

I run diesel which is now up over $4.50 a gallon. They say to not be shocked at over $5 a gallon. Good think I get 50 mpg otherwise, that would really hurt. We are the same way, countryfied, where you take your chances with traffic and learn to mean NO when dogs are loose. I am 5 miles from the nearest real town where there are groceries and Wal-Mart.

Whenever you think that fuel is high and you need to change the way you live, everyone think of my DH who either drives a log truck or a dump truck and heavy equipment as a self-employed person. Five mph is not much and it is nearly $1000 to fill either truck, not to mention the loader (x2), bulldozer, excavator, farm tractors, etcetera. On top of all this, business is down due to no one having extra $$ to spend on their repairs and/or building needs. Good thing I have a job....oh wait, maybe I should be working right now instead of Dis'ing....nah....

Oh Lisa I can't wait to see you guys again. I miss all of you so much. Each of you guys have such unique and wonderfull personalities. The guys are so fun to banter with and the princesses just take a guys breath with their charm.

I hope we get a chance to spend more time together and it will fun to meet your mysterious hubby. I'm picturing a Grizzly Adams Mountain man type. A beer or two on the boardwalk for sure.

Happy Panda

 

[princessrunner]

Here you go Dave:

http://www.asiorders.com/view_user_photo.asp?EVENTID=25124&ID=42675866&FROM=photos&BIB=3447

Soooo, not so far off with the Grizzly Adams thing. He has a very heavy Maine accent and is kind of rough around the edges but we will (most of the time) keep him.

 

[lenshanem]

Congrats to all those who ran the Minnie!


Thought I needed to update. I'll probably be MIA for awhile, I have alot on my plate right now - school is ending soon (and all the stuff that goes along with that), dance recitals and a last hurrah trip to Animal Kingdom Villas before our APs expire. But, the biggest thing is I have finally scheduled my surgery! I'm scared and excited at the same time. It is scheduled for mid June.

As many of you know, I injured myself during my half back 3/30. After attempting to lay off it over and over and five bad runs that never went over three miles I finally went to the orthopedic. He told me it was strained quads and I guess my knee pain is related to that. I was told not to run for a month. I have been going to physical therapy and she thinks I can start back with walking next week. Right now, both knees and left quad feel fine, it is mostly in my right quad now.

Anyway, I took my injury as a sign to go ahead and get that surgery I have been wanting for quite awhile. Basically, I'm getting my mommy belly fixed. Hoping to have some actual working stomach muscles after it is all done and hopefully improve my running.

With the combination of the injury and the surgery I will probably have to start back at square one once I get the go ahead. From what I understand this surgery is a real toughie! I still plan on doing the Donald with DH in January, but we'll see if I walk, walk/run, run/walk or run it. It is all a mystery right now.

I'll probably pop in every once in awhile this summer, but you won't be able to get rid of me once I can start running again (hoping by September).


On another note, my girls ran their first race last weekend! My ten year old ran the one mile race in 7:44! Course, she isn't as interested in running as my youngest, who came in near the end. I bought them cute running skirts at Target with matching tops - I think they are tennis outfits, but they were still cute!

DH ran the 10K and had a PR of 49:40 and was second in his age group. He got a mug and was quite excited.


Thank you WISHers for all your support and advice along the way. I'm looking so forward to the half in January and meeting many of you. This board has alot of really good people on it.

 

[windwalker]

Shan, Erica and I decided to sit out the first half of this year for her surgery, she had both bunions done. Sometimes you just have to do that. We will be back and ready by the ToT.

Lisa, thanks for sharing your ToT pics. Looks like you guys had a fun race.

Walking Panda

 

[lenshanem]

Panda, I sent Dana a PM about Team Herc. I won't be able to help out the team much, if any this summer so I didn't know if there was a list of subs or even a replacement for me totally. I don't think I'll totally be back into putting any kind of miles in until September.

Thanks!

 

[windwalker]

Panda, I sent Dana a PM about Team Herc. I won't be able to help out the team much, if any this summer so I didn't know if there was a list of subs or even a replacement for me totally. I don't think I'll totally be back into putting any kind of miles in until September.

Thanks!

You can just be on injured reserve like Erica is, I'm sure your team would rather keep you.

Concerned Panda

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks Panda!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hello!

I had this lovely, long post with replies for each of you, but of course it disappeared like money at WDW...

So, I'm going to reconstruct what I can -- please know I was thinking of each of you today!

Forgive me as I am self-indulgent for a moment ...today is our 15th wedding anniversary, and dh gave me a beautiful eternity band! It is perfect for me, just like dh! (Ok, I have to have it resized because I have inky dinky fingers, but you know what I mean!)He really surprised me, because we weren't going to do anything big this year as we are postponing a celebratory trip. He said did want to do something memorable because it is a big anniversary. This meant so much to me...

No workouts yesterday or today, but I promise to be back earning those miles and minutes tomorrow!

Shan -- You can still post, 'cause we're going to want to know how you are! Best of luck with everything!

Dave -- Trust me I can be plenty snarky. I'll just have to think of snow white the next time I feel the snark factor rising

Lisa -- Next you're going to tell us dh says "Ayup", too! Are you trying to tell us you guys actually have to work up there in Vacationland?

Vic -- You are a man in motion! What a great core workout. If I find my core, I'll let you know I gather it must be in there somewhere...

Bill -- I need some more of that great parenting advice. DS10 tries to negotiate everything, and I mean everything, with us. DH taught him that when he was very young, and it's coming back to haunt us!

Debra -- I understand your confusion! I eat Vitamuffin muffintops. They are only the tops, individually wrapped and frozen in boxes of 4. They come in bran, cranbran, bluebran and deep chocolate (guess my favorite?!), and they are 100 cals, 0 fat and 4 g fiber. I don't look at the ingredients, because I pretend I don't eat tofu, soy, or anything else that wasn't served on my Mom's table. They are seriously yummy, and work just as well as dessert!

Tracey -- I need the recipe! Oatmeal Chocolate Pecan Caramel bars sound so decadent and delicous!

Beth -- With the schedule you have this week it's a minor miracle you're getting anything done! We don't have bugs out yet, but I'm sure they're coming...or maybe you and Lisa could just keep them all?

Ok, everyone stay lean and mean! That glow you seem from the computer screen is actually me beaming with joy. I have truly been blessed to marry my soulmate, and I'm spreadin' the love!

Maria

 

[laxdef69]

4.8 mile run in 45 minutes...50 minute swim...30 minute swim lesson.

My core is safely protected by a layer of blubber....so it doesn't get cold you know!

 

[deekaypee]

Vic: It's ABOUT time you admitted that those miles you run--and on a TM--are pretty darned exciting. No more holding out on me, you hear? TM running's probably not quite the adrenalin-inducer that hiding dead bodies are, but still... I'm with you on the core fitness. At least since starting Pilates I know where my core muscles should be.... About that month-long research trip. Hmmmm.... sounds like loads of fun for DOOD. He does it every summer. I've often wondered if he has a little something-something on the side, besides those dusty Shakespeare books, but figured as long as his trips enable my 30 annual days of single girl-hood I wasn't going to examine his motivations too deeply.

Lisa: Oh, I'm afraid I enjoy vicarious parent-hood far too much to ruin it with the day-to-day realities. When I'm around kids I'm not sure who's more scared--them or me. More seriously, I loved your statements about your father--a real tribute to him and to many people's parents. I can see your father's influence in how you describe your involvement with your kids.

Congrats on your 5 miles, and liked hearing how you ran, lifted, ran. Really strong pace and it's good to hear you're able to do a longer distance these days. P.S. DrOOL is a cutie, in a manly man kind of way.

Dave: Can I be snarky & sassy?? It's very alliterative. Wow, that hike in gas prices is a killer. I'm so lucky that I can lead a pedestrian life in an urban environment--everything I need is within walking distance. And the landsharks are leashed or fenced most of the time. (I'd never heard that term--y'all are expanding my vocabulary.) It's not true of DOOD, who has to drive 45 minutes to work--but his teaching schedule is done with as of today, so we'll be able to avoid using a lot of gas this summer. I really can't imagine having to pay as much as most of you have to in order to fill your tanks, let alone the $1000 that Lisa's DH/DrOOL pays.

Shan: I'm so glad you're taking this time to turn the bad (injury) into a good thing for you (tummy tuck). It really does sound like you're making the best of the situation. Except for this temporary absence from the DIS. I realize that you have and will have lots of things competing for your attention over the next few months, but I still hope you plan to pop in more frequently than every once in a while--even if you're not running. I wanna hear lots of updates!

Maria: I've said it once, I'll say it again. I can feel the love in your post. DH did it up right--and the ring is simply a symbol of all that's right and good with your relationship. I'm so happy for the two of you! As for the muffin tops: I think part of my confusion has to do with popular culture. I can't think of that term without imagining low-rise pants, often too tight, and a short top. Your muffintops sound much more appealing!

Mike:

My core is safely protected by a layer of blubber....so it doesn't get cold you know!

And another great WO. How are those swim lessons coming, and the tri training in general?

As for me: I've moved up to Pilates 3X/week, and am slowly getting better at it. For me, it's as much flexibility as anything. My hamstrings are fairly tight--ugh. I'd like to work on that for my general health as well as for my running. In the last week or so, I have noticed that I can plank (which I've rechristened a verb) for a longer period of time without losing form!

In other good news, I've been packing away winter clothes and pulling out summer ones. I haven't lost any weight since the beginning of April, but a couple more pairs of capris fit! I've always been pear-shaped, but my now capris are looser in the waist and maybe a little more snug in the thighs--could it be that I'm building some leg muscles? (Just tell me what I want to hear! )

 

[JustSmile]

Happy Friday!
Maria...Happy Anniversary! The ring is a lovely gift and a great symbol of your years spent together. I, too, can "feel" the love. I'll PM that recipe your way.
Beth...I love the whole "eat right 80% of the time". It sounds like a great philosophy.
Bill....I'm definitely trying to keep my kids "guessing" at all times. Unfortunately, they keep me guessing! And these teenage years are hard.
Debra...We missed you! Snarkiness is going to become a favorite word of mine. I would say that those core workout are shrinking your center and the cardio is boosting your quads. You rock!
Mike...Awesome time on your run. Was it the Scotch?
Vic....What happened on the TM?
Lisa...Stressed, tired, anxious? Yep, all of the above. I felt overwhelmed on Wednesday, and at 9:30 pm, laced up my shoes and ran in the rain. I thought I wanted a brownie, but the run was oh so much better. And I found out that I like running in the rain. Your husband is a cutie---not even remotely close to Grizzly Adams! I can tell that your dad was well loved in life and leaves behind cherished memories.
Dave...Gas prices are horrible! My husband is putting $20/day into his SUV. I think I'm snarky and sassy depending on my mood. My friends would tell you that I'm always happy and upbeat. I guess I save the rest for my family.
Shan...Good luck with the tummy surgery. Keep visiting us and tell your DH and DD that their times were AWESOME!

I'm off to the TM and getting ready for the weekend!
To all our moms.....Happy Mother's Day!

 

[Cindylou]

Hi Everyone,

I've once again enjoyed catching up on this thread. It really is very inspirational. I decided I needed a little more accountability so I joined weight watchers. I have followed the points system for the past year and lost 30 lbs, but I have sort of stalled over the past few months. I'm hoping the fear of public humiliation will keep me on track. It helps also that my new health insurance will pay $150/year for WW. I joined 2 weeks ago and have lost 2.8 lbs so far. Of course these are lbs that I already lost this winter, but found again in my after Easter eating frenzy. I'm shooting for 15 more pounds. We'll see.

I didn't eat very well while at WDW for Minnie. I had planned to make wise choices all weekend except for Sunday night while at the buffet at Boma. It didn't really turn out that way. I did burn plenty of calories touring Epcot, AK and MK as well as running the 15K.

I was very happy with my race. I didn't have very consistent training going in to the race but I was hoping to maintain 9:30 pace. I started out at that pace, but felt decent, so I upped it a bit. I ended up finishing in 1:23 which is an 8:50 pace. I'm really very excited about that. I guess I didn't lose as much fitness as I thought since the marathon. I really want to get into a consistent routine now which I'm sure will help with the weight loss as well.

Tracey: Good luck figuring out the emotional eating. That is my biggest obstacle. I don't have any sure fire solutions. I do try to ask myself, "how important is it to me lose weight?" Some days it's very important and I'll pass on the temptation. Other days treating myself with food seems to be more important. Guess that's why I'm not at my goal weight yet.

Debra: Nice job on doing the Pilates 3x/week. I'm taking a free Pilates class at a gym tomorrow, I'm hoping I hate it, because I really can't afford to join this gym. I have to tell you, when I met Anne (Mahaere) at Minnie, she tried to guess who I was before I told her. She guessed Debra, and I was so flattered that she thought I looked that young and witty. And yes, I think you are building leg muscle.

Mike: You really seem to be doing a lot of working out. Great job. How long until your Tri?

Maria: Congratulations on your Anniversary. How wonderful that you are still so in love. Congratulations on having to buy a smaller size.

Shan: Best of luck with your surgery. I hope the recovery goes well.

Lisa: Good job on sticking with your workouts despite the scheduling issues. Do you have any other races planned before ToT?

Dave: Great job on getting and keeping your weight down.

Vic: Glad those TM runs are so exciting. Good luck with your core work. One of these days I hope to work on that too.

Beth: I'm impressed you've resisted take out pizza for a year. Boy do I love it. I love your mature attitude as far as getting back to eating well after you've "blown it". I really need to work on that. Are you telling me your regular oven has a timer on it? I need one of those. I love my crock pot, but need to start using it more.

Connie: I hope you are well.

Hi to everyone else!!
Have a great weekend everyone.

Cindy

 

[windwalker]

Good morning guys and princesses.

My weight isn't going down any more it's stopped at 165 to 166 range. That was the weight I was in high school so I have heard that is a good indication of what your personal ideal weight is.

I'm eating a big bowl of cherieos in the morning with bananas and skim milk. Coffee and a vitamin, half a bottle of water. This is about 5 oclock before my workout.

About 10:30 I'll have a large bowl of soup with a can of drained tuna added or a pac of Boca Soy burger added. A bottle of water.

About 4:00 I'll have a Wendy's large chilli and a plain baked potato. Then an ice dream sundae from Chick Fila. This varies but a good example, since I have to eat in the mall where I work.

Then about 9:30pm after work I'll have another bowl of cherieos with banana and skim milk and another bottle of water.

This varies a little for varity different soups ect... This diet is basicly what I used along with exercise 5 days a week to lose 17 lbs total weight while bringing my Body Fat from 14% to 9.5 percent.

The diet took me to the 165 to 166 range then stopped there and I've maintained for about a week and a half now.

I'm fine with this weight but would still like to drop the Body Fat a bit more. According to the experts fat cells are double bad because they not only don't contribute to your activity like muscle cells but they also use some of your blood supply so your muscles don't have that to use during exercise.

Today and tomorrow are rest days so maybe I'll get over this chub rub under my arms.

How is everyone else coming along with their own fitness goals this year. It would be interesting to get an update from everyone. It sounds like Mike is doing great. He will be off to Hawaii for the IronMan soon.

Have a wonderfull weekend y'all and all our moms have a weekend of pampering.

Leaner Meaner Panda

 

[lenshanem]

Cindy, that is cool your insurance pays for some of WW! Good luck with that, I know you'll do great!

Panda, please don't tell me we're supposed to weigh what we did in high school. That would put me at 95 pounds!
You are really doing great then!
I also like to eat cereal. I love my Special K with strawberries! 150 calories with milk - can't beat that!

I have started to really be serious again, I want to be at LEAST three pounds less before my surgery. It will be hard cause we're going back to WDW the weekend the kids get out of school for one last hurrah before our APs expire. I always gain a few pounds there.

 

[princessrunner]

Good morning Lean Meaners. Super quickie quick post for me. I am on my last batch of cookies, 2 loaves of bread to go in and laundry waiting patiently to be folded. I have been MIA too long and I wanted to at least say hi to my Lean Mean buddies.

Mike: Hawaii....

Dave: Your eating plan sounds reasonable. When I was bodybuilding the only way to cut the fat cells was to cut the fat out entirely. Not truly advisable and one way to bring out true snarkiness in a Panda.

Cindy: Yes I do have a couple of 5Ks planned, a 10K and a half marathon too. Right now I am concentrating on increasing speed and on XT too. It has helped me out a lot on the short distances and I hope it will on the longer ones too.

Shan: Good luck on your surgery. Let me know how bad/good it was so I can work up the courage.

Debra: Yay for packing away winter clothes. I don't have enough to bother with that. Working at home I tend to have lots of casual stuff and being that DH keeps it about 75 in here all the time, shorts work all season. I do remember the days when I had the time for that though....ah the good old days.

Well, this was longer than I had planned but I miss you guys when I am MIA. I bought a new bike yesterday and I have already put about 16 miles on it. Not as fast as I had hoped for but I keep telling myself I need to build the muscle and that takes time. The bike is lots lighter though and I do notice a difference going up the many brutal hills around here. My new schedule will be bike/weights Monday, run Tuesday, bike/weights Wednesday, run Thursday, off Friday, long bike Saturday, run Sunday...except tomorrow because we are traveling all day and watching dutifully like good parents.

Have a great weekend Lean Meaners and I will catch up with everyone on Monday.

 

[windwalker]

Fear not Lisa, the Panda doesn't get snarky to often. Usually someone has to work hard at irritating me before I get snarky.

I'm getting some fat, most of it is in the form of fish oils and small amounts of cheese and a small amount of meat.

Especially things like pasta salads with a little Olive Oil or roasted potatoes basted in Olive oil.

I'm avoiding as much as possible all deep fried food and foods that are high in saterated fats.

Of course when on vacation, the rule applies that "You are away from home so the calories don't know where you live". So fries with a big juicey burger is certainly allowed. Ice cream on vacation is a must. Did I mention good cold beer?

Lisa, I have a bike in the garage collecting cob webs that was my Tri bike in Las Vegas. It is a super light weight mountian bike frame with hybrid tires and light weight components. I had it reconditioned last spring but still haven't rode it again. I need to. It was built for Tri racing where there were combinations of dirt (desert trails) and pavement.

Leaner Panda