~Philadelphia Marathon 11/23/08~

[Optimator]

Sorry I've been absent as of late...I don't have any lame excuse like my computer blew up or whatnot '

Mikey - Hey man, what's up?? Did you guys get a new computer yet or are you sneaking into the girls' room again?? When are you leaving for OH?

Lame excuse?? How do the French say it? Oh yeah, kiss my a**!!

No sneaking into the girls' room for the computer. I just removed it from the basement playroom and installed it in the study. Sorry girls, no more computer for you!

The more security minded person in our family would not think it a good idea to say when we are leaving. Thank goodness we will have every entrance to the house wired with plastic explosives and the perimeter will be lined with razor-wire fencing juiced with enough volts to toast any intruder's marshmallows!! Not to mention the big ol' mean dog and squadron of Green Berets (complete with twigs and leaves sticking out of their hats) that will be patrolling the property.


Chester - Loved the race report. Wow, that looks like a lot of fun.


I am happy to report that I have finished the last of the leftover cake from DD7's 1st Communion. Between that and the whopping big carrot cake someone left at work last week I'm quite sure I've eaten about 14 pounds of cake in the last week (and have kept about half of it around my gut as a souvenir )!

It's gonna be a hard crash when I come down from the frosting buzz!!

 

[Theta]

Colleen - You've gotta give up this work stuff, it's interfering with your posting!!

Jodi, tell me about it! To make matters worse, I am actually thinking about taking on a REAL teaching job... I have heart palpitations just thinking about it.

Mike, no I decided to keep my beast after I had some sort of value doohickie changed. Now it purrs! No sense in spending money on a new vehicle when Disney still wants it!

I am exhausted, must go to bed, hey to everyone I missed.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Good Morning TEAM: I had a good run yesterday. 5 miles along the Genesee River Trail in 43:52 min/8:48 mpm! My legs were a little tired, but otherwise good. When I got home, DD7 was waiting for me to go for another bike ride. So we rode another 3 miles around the neighborhood.

I leave really early tomorrow morning for my conference in Orlando. I'm trying to get a ton of work done before I go, so I can relax a little while I'm there. I'm so excited to go!!!

Lou- Nice job with your 13 miler in AC. I'm chuckling at the idea of running into a casino all sweaty for your Jodi-stop...

Mike- Good luck in Cleveland this weekend. Thanks for the offer to pick up my packet, but I don't think I could wear the shirt if I didn't run the race. I can't wait to hear how it goes for you.

Colleen- How are you doing? It sounds like you are getting busier and busier with work, and now you're thinking of a full time teaching job. Good for you! I really wish you all the best, and hope you get what you want and deserve. Hang in there.

Cindy- I think you are right about not overthinking things. It sounds like you are very ready for your taper. Your training has been great, now rest up and heal up for San Diego. You are going to do great!

Chester- Thanks for the Muddy Buddy report. That race looks like a blast. Sounds like you had a great time. Loved the pictures. What do you have coming up next?

Hi Jodi- What's up with the blisters on your feet? Are your shoes and socks fitting OK?

Sara- Hope you're doing OK out there. When is your surgery? Next week? Is it on Monday? How are things at home these days?

 

[Jodi]

Hey PhillyBots

Colleen - Oh stop with that full-time job nonsense, you'll do no such of a thing!! . We need you here, on the boards!!

Dave - Have fun @ the P&P party!! I'm sooo jealous & look forward to a critique of the whole event! Oh, & good luck with that work stuff, too .

Mike - Hopefully that sugar-buzz from all the cake will lead to a Boston qualifying time!! The race is on Sunday, right? Are any other WISHERS gonna be there? Have fun!! luckduck!

Ran 4 miles this afternoon, w/ a few hot spots as a result . Whatever. Hey listen, I know I was all over that Princess 1/2 wagon, but I didin't realize that it was taking place smack dab in the middle of Spring Break!! What the heck??? I don't have enough DVC points for that time of year, dont' they knwo that? . Maybe we can still do VA Beach? What does Kathy think, Mike? What about the rest of you chicks out there ?

 

[lourodrigis]

Cindy - I think you'll do fine in SD. The one thing you can count on in SD is good weather which should be a big help. You should have some low humidity and you can almost guarantee 60 degree temps. Bottom line...you'll have an awesome experience running in SD. The one thing I worry about with Philly is you can get some crazy weather in mid-November. And Matt shouldn't worry. He's probably trained plenty and not running for a few weeks will probably be better for him.

Mike - Nice job on the 5 and with the cakes. I'm usually the one that tries to dump the cakes off to the people at work. If it sits around my house I'll be picking at it too.

Chester - Great race report and pics. That looks like a fun time.

Jodi - Thanks for the toe report. No races for me this weekend. In fact, I don't see any races for a while. There really isn't anything but 5Ks in the summer.

Colleen - Hi...and good luck with the teaching job.

Dave - Have fun in Orlando! I need a business trip like that. Yes, it was quite a site to walk into Caesar's all sweaty and in search of the nearest men's room. I'm glad it was early so it was mostly old ladies playing slots that saw me scampering across the floor.

Sara - Anything new and exciting?

Hello to everyone else I missed.

Not much running to report this week. Got in 4 miles on Tuesday. I'll try to do 5-6 tomorrow. It kind of stinks not having a race to train for. Work is going to be very insane the next month so I am better off not having anything major besides work right now.

Lou

P.S. - Looks like my Flyers are going to be finished soon. I'll need to change the avatar shortly.

 

[msblrobs]

Hey listen, I know I was all over that Princess 1/2 wagon, but I didin't realize that it was taking place smack dab in the middle of Spring Break!! What the heck??? I don't have enough DVC points for that time of year, dont' they knwo that? . Maybe we can still do VA Beach? What does Kathy think, Mike? What about the rest of you chicks out there ?

I am completely down with VA Beach .

I'm lacking the mental capacity to post to y'all at this time but I promise to before the end of the week. I have had serious swollen glands for the past 4 days and my neck is HUGE . I've never had anything like it before. I am afraid they're going to cancel the surgery on me if I am sick with an infection. I have to go for pre-admission testing tomorrow . It's always something .

Glad everyone's well and I'll catch up soon .

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Sara - Sorry that you are getting sick. I hope everything goes ok at your testing tomorrow.

Dave - I hope you are having fun in Orlando!

Chester - I loved the race report. That looks like so much fun!

Mike - Good luck this weekend! I've been at your last 2 races with you, will you miss me?

Colleen - When does the school year end for you?

Lou - thanks for the encouragement. Planning on a long run this weekend?

Jodi - How are the toes? I kinda still want to do the Princess (Matt thinks I am totally crazy - that would mean 5 trips to Disney in a 12 month period. I just look at it as making good use of the annual pass ) But, I could do VA Beach too. I would also suggest the National Marathon. I don't know if Mike would want to run it again, but I'd do the full or the half again. It was a well organized race and I think it will only get better. DC in early spring with the Cherry Blossoms is really pretty. And there was free beer at the end.

I have decided that I want to run a half in the early fall. I'm actually leaning towards the PDR (Sept. 21) because the timing works well, but that would mean 2 races in Philly (not that there is anything wrong with that). I'd prefer the VA Beach RNR Half over Labor Day, but that is the week after we get back from WDW and Matt thinks (and of course, he is right) that there will be more drinking than running during that trip so we might need to recover rather than race. I'm also thinking about the Baltimore half (Oct. 11) but that is the week after the Army Ten-Miler.

Thoughts? Other Suggestions? Anyone (besides Lou, who I know is running the PDR) interested in any of those?

Oh yeah, ran 6 yesterday and 5 today. Supposed to do a 4 and a 12 over the weekend but I'm going to be very busy and not sure how I'm going to fit those both in, but I'm not really concerned about it.

 

[Theta]

Colleen - When does the school year end for you?

Cindy, the kids last day of school is June 5th. The next day some families are going camping in the mountains, so that should be a great way to spend the first weekend of summer!

I haven't really thought about any races in the future. Just tell me where and when and I will try and darndest to be there!

Lou, ah, yeah, kinda stinks not having a race to train for...you are singing my song.

Jodi, see above about the races. I really wasn't keen on the Princess thing, kind of surprised how you were all over it. Not that that was a bad thing, let's just say I was going to be ready with my camera when they gave you your tiara!

Dave, how is Orlando? So is this the conference your NEW employer was sending to?


MIke, toasting any intruder's marshmallows lately? How was Kathy's Minnie weekend? I read she did very well in the race, how was the rest? Was she able to push her friend in the stroller she drank the Optimator? (I only say this because I felt this way after I drank my first!)

Chester, forgot to mentioned..the Muddy Buddy looks like a blast! great pics. By the way, Miranda is SOOOO cute!

Sara, I hope you are staying off that leg, lots of yoga for you girl!

I was able to get out of bed for 6 a.m. yoga this morning, ah, so worth it! I hope to get in 4 miles today after work. Kids have a swim meet this weekend in South Carolina, so that should be fun. Have a great day!

 

[Jodi]

Gooooood Morning all you peeps!!

Cindy - My toes are just being A-holes! . Having a tough time fully recovering from the blisters, I must soak them in epsom salt more than I am, apparently. They're not stopping me from running, that's due to something different (laziness). Don't sweat the LRs this weekend, I wish I was going to San Diego, too. As far as races are concerned, I was totally thinking about that VA Beach R&R 1/2 over Labor Day. I'm going to have to go to the website & check it out. Although you'll be nursing a week-long hangover, I'm sure you could eek out a 1/2, no? . Nice job with the consistent running, BTW

Colleen - Getting up early for yoga!! I think I'm going to have to try this yoga crap...anyone have any suggestions? I was going to go to the library & see if I could borrow a DVD b4 I invested in one...I'm not very flexible . I can't wait to try an Optimator (the ale ) when I'm in Disney next time...Bruce grew up in Germany & loves that pavilion. One day he decided to try an Optimator & oh boy did it knock him for a loop (see Mike's pictures). Then he got the munchies & HAD to sneak a pretzel into the American Adventure. A few days later when we were getting ready to go home he put the windbreaker on that he had worn that night, only to find TONS of leftover salt & bit o' pretzel in his pocket . Nice . Have fun in SC this weekend!! Be safe!

Sara - Don't get sick...at least don't TELL them you are. We need to get this surgery done ASAP!! Take a mental break about running until you're feeling better, please don't stress.

OK, I guess I don't deserve a tiara & we won't be doing the Princess Half dopey run. I got up early & ran 6 this a.m. & have come to the conclusion that this is definitely when I run my best...first thing in the a.m.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Hey Everyone: Just checking in from the Gaylord Palms here in Sunny Orlando!!! I'm taking a break from my meeting that yes my NEW employer has sent me too. Actually it's not officially my new employer yet because we are still negotiating my contract, but them sending me to Orlando puts big points in their favor.

Yesterday was the day before the conference. I got into Tampa at 10:30a, rented a car, waited for my luggage, and was at my hotel by 12:30p. I got an after 2pm park ticket, and was at EPCoT by 1:00p. I actually thought it would take me longer to get into EPCoT. They told me I was way too early, and had to come back at 1:45p. So I rode around on the monorail while I waited. Great ride... got into EPCoT, saw the Flower and Garden Festival - very cool! Rode Soarin', Test Track, and Mission Space, and then walked over to World Showcase. Caught Davy Jones in concert for the Flower Power concert series (he was pretty cheesy, but it was fun). The park was absolutely empty. It was really wierd, but way cool (actually Africa Hot).

Then had dinner on a walkup at Les Chef's de France. They said they could squeeze me in because I was by myself. I have to admit, dinner was just OK. I don't think I ordered the right thing. I had a great salad with baked goat cheese on it, but I went with my waiter's recommendation on my entree the Burgundy Beef and it was just OK. I should have trusted my gut and had lamb. Walked around World Showcase a little more, and was kind of tired so I headed home.

Now I'm getting ready for the Pirate and Princess Party! All by myself, and I'm just hoping I can ride and ride and ride...

Later gators... seriously, there's gators in my hotel lobby...

 

[Jodi]

Hey Everyone: Just checking in from the Gaylord Palms here in Sunny Orlando!!! I'm taking a break from my meeting that yes my NEW employer has sent me too. Actually it's not officially my new employer yet because we are still negotiating my contract, but them sending me to Orlando puts big points in their favor.

Yesterday was the day before the conference. I got into Tampa at 10:30a, rented a car, waited for my luggage, and was at my hotel by 12:30p. I got an after 2pm park ticket, and was at EPCoT by 1:00p. I actually thought it would take me longer to get into EPCoT. They told me I was way too early, and had to come back at 1:45p. So I rode around on the monorail while I waited. Great ride... got into EPCoT, saw the Flower and Garden Festival - very cool! Rode Soarin', Test Track, and Mission Space, and then walked over to World Showcase. Caught Davy Jones in concert for the Flower Power concert series (he was pretty cheesy, but it was fun). The park was absolutely empty. It was really wierd, but way cool (actually Africa Hot).

Then had dinner on a walkup at Les Chef's de France. They said they could squeeze me in because I was by myself. I have to admit, dinner was just OK. I don't think I ordered the right thing. I had a great salad with baked goat cheese on it, but I went with my waiter's recommendation on my entree the Burgundy Beef and it was just OK. I should have trusted my gut and had lamb. Walked around World Showcase a little more, and was kind of tired so I headed home.

Now I'm getting ready for the Pirate and Princess Party! All by myself, and I'm just hoping I can ride and ride and ride...

Later gators... seriously, there's gators in my hotel lobby...

SOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS!! Have fun tonight, DAVE!!!! Wish I was there!!

 

[SilverE]

Alow me to introduce myself....

I'm back and have been reading through all the posts. My achilles is still bad, so I finally decided to shut down the running until June (so no 25K trail race this weekend). Once I made that decision I went into a funk and wasn't even motivated to check out the boards. I have been doing some biking though, so I'm mentally getting back on track.

Dave: Enjoy the World, and the Gaylord Palms. My wife had a conference there a few years ago; I thought it was a really cool hotel. Congrats on the nice times you have clocked on many of your recent runs.

Jodi: What's with the toes? Can your acupuncturist stick some needles in there or something? Glad you are getting some miles in and mentally registering for 56 races between now and next year.

Cindy: Outstanding job at Minnie Weekend! I'm sure you will do well in San Diego; stop fretting about those late mile splits--you are going to sunny CA. Enjoy! Some PD for Matt's knee; I hope the super-taper works for him.

Colleen: Glad you survived the movie night/sleepover. You said in a previous post you were watching the movie with the girls and may need a cocktail later; couldn't you have just skipped the movie and had a cocktail in another room? Great job on getting the walking and yoga in. And school out June 5th? My kids are in school until June 23rd (thanks to 5 snow days).

Mike: Thanks for sending that computer virus my way. My computer died last week also; I spent 4 days of my free time reinstalling everything. The only files I save (thankfully) on an external drive are the photos and my iTunes-so I least I didn't lose those. Nice job on the mileage; even better job on the cake.

Lou: Great job on the mileage, and thanks for the visual of you taking a huge digger on the Boardwalk. Glad you were OK. When I do stuff like that there are usually 15-20 people to witness my unique lack of grace.

Chester: Congrats on the Muddy Buddy! That race seems really fun and the pictures were great. Did you all have to pile back into the Ark encrusted in mud? Congrats to Tracy for her Minnie medals.

Craig: Howdy New England neighbor. Glad you checked in. Hope training is going well.

Sara: I hope you are well enough for surgery tomorrow . My thoughts will be with you. I had arthroscopy for a medial meniscus tear in 2005. I was cleared for light jogging/running after approximately 7 weeks or so. Your best friend after the surgery will be the Cryocuff cooler they most likely will send home with you. Keep that cuff on constantly, it does wonders for pain control and to reduce inflammation. Good Luck!

Hello to all those I missed.

 

[CynthiaCindy]

Sara - I hope everything goes well today - I'll be thinking of you.

 

[Jodi]

Sara - Pixie-crap & all that . Seriously, good luck today & please let us know when you're home!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Sara- I hope your surgery goes well today too. Thinking of you...

 

[Jodi]

Mike - SO, how was it???

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Mike - SO, how was it???

Oh yeah, Mike - how was the Cleveland Marathon? I heard from my SiL that the weather wasn't so great - cold and rainy, good blister weather. I got blisters from my Crocs while walking around MK for the Pirate and Princess Party. So I was right there with you man.

 

[Jodi]

Oh yeah, Mike - how was the Cleveland Marathon? I heard from my SiL that the weather wasn't so great - cold and rainy, good blister weather. I got blisters from my Crocs while walking around MK for the Pirate and Princess Party. So I was right there with you man.

DO TELL!! How was the P&P Party?? I got tix for MNSSHP for my son & I when we go do the Yetti run in Sept. And how was your conference thingie?? I suppose I SHOULD as about that, lol.

 

[Theta]

I got blisters from my Crocs while walking around MK for the Pirate and Princess Party.

Not sure why I find this funny!

Good luck Sara! Take time to recover.

I officially had my last day of "work" Math-mommy-tutor-job today. It was a good experience, but I am still undecided if I will do this again or actually get a real job. Jeff and I have decided that it is best for me not to work full time. So I need to decide if I should just teach part time. I would have to be at school at least 4.5 hours a day and only collect $19, 000 a year working half time with NO BENEFITS, no health, no sick days, no annual leave days, no pension, just the crappy wage. I am really leaning toward sticking with the private tutoring where I get to set my own hours.

Enough about me.

Mike, did you run a marathon or sumthing?!?!

 

[msblrobs]

Love you guys & thanks for the "pixie-dust and crap"

Surgery report

My knee's basically a mangled mess . The Dr. spoke with Mike and showed him lots of pics of the damage and told him that I am "destroying my knee with the running, yada, yada, yada." I did see the doc in recovery and I told him, "we'll talk about this when I see you next week." I do think I need to change to a younger, sports-oriented doc who can work with me. That's not saying I won't accept whatever prognosis I have to but there's a difference between saying no running and a realistic prognosis as to activity level in accordance with the condition of my knee. I am still juiced up on pain meds and feeling no pain but tomorrow may be a different story. One day at a time for now .

Dave - Mike and the kids are flying into Tampa next month so when I'm lucid you'll have to tell me how that worked out for you. Sorry about the blisters .

Colleen - Stick with the private tutoring for sure !! You don't want to get locked into anything when you don't have to.

Steve - I've got my cuff on !! Thanks for checking in with us and get out of that funk .

Cindy, Lou, Howard, Mike, Chester -