Hakuna Matada - Dashing through December!

[windwalker]

Here is your Panda Pump for your weekend training:

Most of us go into a race knowing we are not going to come in first, or even close to the front. So are we really racing? Or are we doing an event? Never think for one minute we are not racing, we are there taking on the demons that haunt our lives. We are racing against self doubt, obesity, poor health and shortened lives. We are becoming truly free of the mental and physical chains that bind us.

Now strap on your Grrrrrrrrrr! and make it happen, we have racing to do.

Dave

 

[Pudge_The_Fish]

Good morning, team! I hope everyone is well. We're about to leave for the Holiday 5k we're running today. I signed up for it because everyone gets a snowflake medal. I'm excited to get a winter-themed medal.

Have a good day!
Emily

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Vicky - Yes, the dogs have a stocking hanging along with ours. They do not play with anything, so we just get them treats now. Congrats on your “lean and mean” complement!

Dave - We have gotten cheap jackets then sew an appliqué on them to make them more individual - a Disney one of course. I found it very interesting when we started doing bike rides, that in cycling, they are not “races” but “rides” (unless of course you are talking of the professional races like “Tour de France”).

Sue - Don’t work TOO hard! We do not do too much Christmas baking, Scott will make some pumpkin pies for Christmas dinner, I may make a batch or so of cookies. We get so many goodies from Scott’s mother and sister, that if we baked also, it would be more than overload - LOL.

Rick - You do need to watch out for those Expo’s when you are on a budget! But they are good places to get some deals if you do need to do some shopping.

Emily - Good luck with your 5K, sounds like a neat medal.

AFM - I picked up my new bike (Trek cyclocross bike) yesterday, and we brought it home and did 2 laps around the block - it was pretty cold so we did not last longer. Then I took dogs for their walk, and then got down on the spin bike for 45 min. I did not eat as well, as we received Christmas packages from Scott’s mother and sister, with cookies, fudge, homemade candy etc., making is very difficult to avoid the sugar. Today is supposed to be nice, will try to get out on the bike again, the shifting is different from my other bike, so I need to figure it out. We were up early today to catch the lunar eclipse, rather cool out (14F), but clear and no wind!

Pixie dust to all who are in need!

Have a great day team!

 

[windwalker]

New bike sounds fun Lynn, Sally and I have bikes and we will try to ride them more next year. Maybe next year the weather won't turn cold so quick like it did this year.

I did a 3 mile recovery walk in the mall with Sally. It was 28 degrees but it's sunny and 35 degrees now. Tomorrow we are going to the track with the video camera to do some miles and video me race walking for my friends that are helping me to evaluate.

Hope everyone is healthy this weekend.

Dave

 

[Piglet24]

Hi Team!

Vicky- How was your pedi? And your 12 mile run today? How did your fitness assessment go? DH is feeling good about goofy. He says “Bring it!” I think he’s crazier than I am! Congrats on the weight loss!

Lynn- Glad you had a great trip to DL and saw old friends and made new ones! I bet the dogs were happy to see you. It’s really hard to stay on top of the eating around this time when everyone makes such delicious goodies and then shares them. I hope your eating goes ok. Good to hear you’re making it out for some exercise.

Saylan- You will do it! Now is the time to be thinking positively and imagining how you see race day going. I am sure it will be even more exciting having your mom there to cheer you on, which will give you an extra boost. I have also been wondering what in the heck I was thinking signing up for these races and dealing with the doubts (can I/will I?), so I am practicing my positive thinking and telling myself how great it will be. You will do great!

Tandy- Haha, thanks! It helps to hear other people say it too. I am so sorry to hear about DH. That is very scary! I’m sure you were out of your mind with worry seeing DH in that condition. I am glad he is home and okay.

Dave- Great deal on the jackets! Hope your video evaluation went well.

Emily- How was your Holiday 5k? Hope it went well!!

AFM, DH and I ran 9 miles yesterday and 18 miles today. The 9 miles yesterday went well and the weather was relatively cooperative, cloudy skies but the wind was not too bad. Today however, was a lot rougher with the wind. It started out sunny enough, but the wind was blowing at around 20 miles per hour the entire run, and it was miserable at the end. I was exhausted by mile 16 and ready to be done because I was just over the wind. I think I would have felt like I could have easily kept going if I hadn’t had the wind constantly beating me down. I felt like we finished strong though and I think if I would have had to keep going, I could have mentally talked myself further. So it was positive in the aspect I got to practice my mental game today. I am a little sore/tired in the legs/knees/feet but have been icing and stretching so hopefully that will help. Only 1 more long run to get through! I can do this…

I hope everyone’s weekend and training went well! 23 more days until DH and I are in WDW!

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey gang quick check in I have an appointment with a dietician this morning before work so curious to see what she/he has to say.

What day is everyone who is going to disney arriving?

I know Dave, Vicky and myself will be there Wed. When is everyone else showing up?

How long is everyone staying?

 

[bunnyfoo]

Happy Monday team! Hope everyone had a great weekend! Looks like we're about 13 days away from Christmas! Yikes!

Kim - Hope the dietician appointment goes well! Let us know if they have any interesting tips I'm at WDW for a week! I wish it was longer!

Regina - WTG on the 18 miler and the 9 miler! It's funny how much the wind can take out of you. I dislike how the wind really cools you down during winter runs. It gets to be too chilly at times. An epsom salt bath seemed to help me a bit with the post-run soreness. It didn't seem to work immediately but I noticed the next day that I wasn't very sore at all.

Dave - It's pretty chilly even where you are! Glad you have a mall to walk in How did the track work go yesterday? Did you notice anything interesting in your walking video?

Lynn - Did you get a chance to go out on the weekend for a longer bike ride? I didn't know there was a lunar eclipse. Did you get to see it? The Christmas package sounds yummy! Are any of the treats freezable? I ended up freezing a lot of the cookies we baked from class because I didn't want to eat them all (and mostly because there were too many).

Emily - How was your 5K?

AFM - I ended up doing a 6 miler on Saturday which I ran on the TM. The TM has some kind of function where it starts a cool down after 60 minutes. It was annoying because I didn't know before I started. I was at 5.5 miles when it started a cool down so I had to restart my run to finish the 0.5 miles because every minute or so, it would drop the speed.

Sunday I got out for my LR. It was sunny and warm (for December). The run started off pretty good but I had some ankle pain around mile 9. So I decided to cut the run at 10 miles. I figured I'd gotten through 75% so I was good. I think I might have irritated my ankle by wearing heels the night before. I'm not sure.

Are there any buildings at Pop Century that you guys are requesting? Just curious if any of the buildings are better.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[windwalker]

It was 23 degrees trhis morning so my training partner that does the monday morning speed intervals with me suggested we train in the mall. So instead of the speed intervals we had 5 miles of brisk race walking in the mall, total time was 1:02. Good conversation made it go quickly. The only bad workout is the workout you didn't do. I'm sure Yoda would have said it better, 'Train or Train not there is no think about it'.

Dave

 

[windwalker]

Vicky we didn't end up doing the track workout yesterday. Sally needed some new clothes so we walked at the mall and shopped at the stores that opened early, Macy's Dillards, Penneys and Sears. She found a new outfit at each and now she is set for her trip to visit family and our Disney vacation. We will continue with the track workout next weekend.

Dave

 

[rubato]

Hi team. Hope everyone had a great weekend.

Dave: I'm glad you were able to get some shopping done while getting in your exercise. That's my kind of training! You're doing a great job on your pace. It certainly does seem to go faster when you have company.
How did that awesome sounding dinner turn out?

Vicky: Sorry to hear your ankles are hurting. Yes, it could just be the heels. I wear heels a couple days a week, and my runs hurt the next day. That stinks about the TM. Mine just stops at 99:99, which I didn't know until the first time it happened. Kind of stunk because I wasn't keeping track of my mileage and just had to kind of guess. Are you getting excited yet for the trip?
How did your fitness assessment go? Great job on the weight loss. I found it for you, by the way.

Kim: Is this appt something you planned or your doctor planned? Hope you get lots of good info from him/her.

Regina: Apparently, you and I are on the same schedule for LRs. I did 18 today. Very funny. But, in January, you'll be done and I have to work up to 44 miles.

Lynn: I think everyone's allowed some bad eating when they receive baked goods. That's only fair. How's that new bike feeling?

Emily: Let us know how your race went.

Rick: I know I was in the corral with lots of WISHers, but never saw anyone in a shirt until I was running (except Vicky because we ran the full together). If you go to the meet on Friday, you'll get to know some of them, and can try to find the ones in your corral.

Sue: Hope work lets up soon.

AFM: I am doing much better because Frank is doing great. He's feeling like his old self and even went walking with me on Saturday and Sunday (just 1 mile each day).
I ran 18 miles today and feel great. I had the usual sore muscle aches and pains, but no injury type pain, so that makes me happy. I was aiming for 3 hours and finished in 2:56 with 1 eating stop of 4 minutes and 4, yes 4, bathroom breaks. Can we say overhydration!!!!
I'm heading to the store to buy ingredients for all the food I'm making for my finals party tomorrow. I have a final at 8 and another at 11. The one at 11 is accompanied by a party with food and non alcoholic drinks. Kind of funny, but should be fun. It's the anatomy/physiology one, so once it's over, I can relax. My last final is Thursday, but I only need 60% on it to get an A in the class, so it's no big deal.
Trying to finish up Christmas shopping this week, because my mom shows up next Tuesday and is staying for a week. I don't know how much time I'll have for shopping.
Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey team!!!!!

Getting closer...soooo exciting......

Nothing new at the dietician, I guess the truth is I know what to do I just don't do it. One thing she did say was that Metamucil is great for lowing your cholesteral. So I have bought some.

Didn't walk last night, thigh was still pretty tight and heel is sore...what else is new.

Tandy: Glad to hear Frank is doing great! You did 18M in under 3 hours....wow you are speedy WTG!!!!

Vicky: WTG on listening to you body, Mike and I did the same thing this weekend. Too close to marathon weekend to be risking further injury. Nope I don't request a building, I don't mind being away from the main area when trying to get to sleep at 8 or 9 Sat night for race prep. They are all fairly close in my opinion and always a surprise at check out

AFM: Will get out for a walk tonight we will just do our subdivision which is usually about a 45 min walk. Work is just crazy right now trying to get ahead of my work 1 because of the Christmas holidays and 2 cause of my January holidays. Down to 11 full work days and 2 1/2 days before Marathon weekend.

Have a good one all.

 

[windwalker]

Good morning team.

How many sleeps Kimmer till we head for the Mouse House? Panda will be fleeing south on the 3rd.

It's warmer this morning so I'll be heading out to do a 4 or 5 mile hill workout. Tomorrow will be warmer for my group walk, we are doing the 9.5 mile route and then it will be raining for a couple of days here.

Is everyone ready? We only have 2 more weeks of training then it will be time to back off a bit, can you say "Taper".

Dave

 

[wilbur]

Good Afternoon Team!

Glad to hear everyone's training is going well.

As usual I just get signed in to post and somebody needs something.
Got to run. Have a great evening everyone.........Sue

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey Dave, 21 sleeps for Vicky and I but we aren't leaving till the 4th.

Have a good run Sue!

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team!

Watch out for “taper madness” everyone! (According to John Bingham, it is taper madness that makes everyone go crazy and spend so much money at expos. One of my favorite tidbits from his book Marathoning for Mortals.

Vicky - Yes, we got up early for the lunar eclipse, and got to see it go to full, the moon set before it was over, so did not see it go back to normal. It might have been a West Coast thing, because it started at 5:45 here, which means it would have been after sunrise in the East. No long bike rides, we did get in 10 miles one day, 6 miles the next. I did not think about freezing anything, yes, I guess I could, but then I would know I had the stuff in my freezer. If we get rid of it (by eating of course), then I would not be tempted any more. Take care of the ankle!

Dave - Glad to hear that you can do some outdoor workouts.

Kim - Isn’t that the truth! We all know what we are supposed to do, it is much harder actually doing it!

Sue - Good morning to you!

Tandy - I am enjoying the new bike - with the heavy tires, it is fun to even ride thru snow - doesn’t work too well on ice though LOL. Glad to hear Frank is doing good!!! Have fun at your finals party.

Regina - Great job on the miles and the run in the wind (I am very familiar with the effects of wind!).

AFM - Sorry to have been missing the past few days, just did not make it on the computer. Weather has been nice here, we have gotten out for short bike rides (it is still rather chilly but no wind) the past few days. I am enjoying the new bike very much. Today is supposed to be windier, so do not know if I will make it out there today. Dogs have been getting their daily walks.

Pixie dust to all who are in need!

Have a great day team!

 

[es45]

Happy Wednesday, everyone,

I apologize for my absence these past couple of weeks. The holiday planning got the best of me and I haven't had the time to post.

Hope you are all doing well!

 

[rubato]

Elizabeth: Hi. Post when you can.

Lynn:I'm so happy to hear you're enjoying the bike. I am such a wuss that I would not be riding in snow, but I would run for some reason. Glad the wind is gone. It's certainly been around long enough.

Kim: Wow, just 21. It's getting exciting!!!! As far as the dietitian, yeah, we all know better, don't we? Heck, I used to be a personal trainer and was seriously focused on food. But, it just tastes so darn good!

Sue: Hi. Hope all is well.

Dave: How did the hill go? How was the 9.5 today?

AFM: Well, they say that bad things happen in 3s. So, Frank goes to the hospital. Then, Monday I do my 18 miles and feel fine until about 3:00 in the afternoon. All of a sudden, my stomach was killing me. I was up ALL night with stomach flu. Bad stomach flu. And, my first final was at 8 am on Tuesday. So, I made it to that final, had to wait around at school until 11 for the big anatomy/phys final/party. The food was very unappealing, to say the least. Then, I was on campus today studying since I finally felt a little better, and got a call from Harrison's school nurse. He threw up all over her office and in the boys bathroom earlier. So, I'm home and hopefully, can make it to my last final tomorrow without any issues. No running, obviously, nor any zumba or walking or anything else.

Hope everyone else's week is going a little better.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hi team!

Tandy - That's good that you got in the 18 miles but yikes! Hope you're feeling better and Harrison too! Does that mean that Frank's taking care of everyone this week? Oh you have my measurements from earlier this year? LOL Uh-oh... I asked my trainer on Monday if he had found them and he said no.

Lynn - I don't blame you! I would be out enjoying the nice weather as well. Tomorrow we're suppose to have a high of 53F but rainy. And then it goes back to seasonal. I didn't know you could freeze cookies either but my instructor said she did it all the time. Wasn't there a lunar eclipse around this time last year? I remember waking up around 2 or 3 in the morning and going outside. I just remember it being freezing cold!

Kim - I can't believe we're so close to January again! I think I ended up with a "preferred" room because that's all they had left that was discounted. I noticed a lot of those rooms are facing the pool so I'm bringing a pair of ear plugs

Dave - I love taper time but will have to watch my eating more closely. I haven't been as careful this time because of the mileage! How was your 9.5 miler? I think shopping is a workout of sorts! Sounds like Sally did pretty well

AFM - I workout on Monday e tried a new exercise which I don't remember the name of. The exercise was similar to doing a crunch standing up. I also ran 3 miles afterward. I like running after my workout because I don't have to waste time warming up and then I get to have Tuesday and Wednesday off completely. This weekend is a 20 miler! Yikes! I've done that distance before, just not as a training run. I wish I was as fast as Tandy! Then I'd have all sorts of extra time on the weekend I'm budgeting 4 hours for the run which means I'm going to sleep early on Friday!

Is everyone done their Christmas shopping? I'm pretty much done mine - I bought presents mostly for my family and gave out baked goods to my friends and other people at work.

Ok, I'm off to finish a few things at work and then I'm off! Have a great night everyone!

Is everyone

 

[es45]

Tandy: Hope everyone is feeling better soon

Mike: Good luck with the tests tomorrow. Sending major pixie dust your way.

AFM: I'm about to go to a cookie exchange party. I'm posting here tonight so that I can hold myself accountable when faced with all those yummy cookies.

Have a good evening!

 

[Motomiker]

Hi Team!

Lynn~ Congrats on the new bike!

Tandy~ I'm sorry that Frank had such a difficult time, but very happy to hear he is up and about! Grea job on your 18 miler!

Kim~ I will be arriving on Thursday morning and staying until the next Friday. Looking forward to seeing you!

Rick~ There will be plenty of WISHERS at the races! You will see lots of new faces!

AFM~ I ran six miles yesterday and three more today. Both times in shorts in the middle of December! The weather here has been really mild.
The police car ride was fun for the both of us! The officer had actually forgotten about us and I had to call him when he was late, but it turned out okay. He turned on the siren and I'm sure he woke alot of our neighbors. The principal met us at school and took a ton of pictures.
I've got my CT scan tomorrow at 10am and cannot eat or drink anything after I drink the barium "smoothie". I can't even drink water. I'm calling into work, which will cost me a bonus, but the barium might make make my stomach upset. I'm hoping the radiation will give me a superpower of some sort...

Thanks for all the well wishes and support!

P.S. Anyone thinking of signing up for the Everest Challenge?

-Mike

- Mike