Team 6 - Team Ohana - Check in and introduce!

[jeanneg]

Hello team,

Just checking in to say "hi!" It seems like everyone else must be as busy as I have been lately.....this thread has dwindled down to almost nothing. Come'on Cousins, less than 2 months of training (and reporting) and we can get our bragging rights. Don't abandon us now.....the end is truly in sight.
I will be having all my kids (and their significant others) staying over for Thanksgiving......that means 10 people under one roof in our modest little house! I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row and do as much as I can ahead of time so I can enjoy my time with my family and not be stressed. Of course this is also the peak training season for the WDW marathon. I did a half last weekend and walked 10 miles yesterday. Next week it will be 16 and the following week, 18. I had to tweak my schedule a little bit so I can have a low mileage week while the gang is all here. I can't believe the marathon is only 9 weeks away!

 

[corinnak]

Hi Cousins,
I'm sorry I'm not really up to writing shout outs at this point. I'm still feeling the concussion and am easily befuddled, though in general I feel a lot better.

I'm not really getting the training done at this point, cause I tried on Wednesday and it bounced my brain back a few steps in recovery. Ugh. Anyhow, I am eager to get back into things, but hesitant because I don't want to set myself back again. I may be walking significantly more of the half than previously anticipated, but I'm still planning on attending.

Are we planning any Ohana gatherings for Marathon weekend? There had been some talk of a team something or other at Ohana (at the very least, maybe some of us should try to gather for a photo in front of the sign?). It's maybe too late for a reservation and I bet a lot of people have plans in place already, but I don't, so I wanted to mention it again.

 

[jbucci]

We could have an Ohana section at the Pop meet

My training has been slow going. I did do 13 last week and have a half marathon planned for the 23rd so that will count as my long run. The higher mileage is just tough on time-- if only I could run faster

Good luck with training and holiday survival to all of my cousins.

 

[tiberius]

Hi there, Team!

I have been so busy of late I seem to not get around here much these days.
Today I ran a 25K race in nearby Houston. I finished in 3:28:25, a PR by 18+ minutes. Next weekend I will be in San Antonio for the Rock n Roll Marathon (I'm expecting to do the half.).

Anyway, I know this was not much of a report, but I wanted to drop in and check in...even if only for a moment.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Cousins,

Maria - How's the training going? Although I don't have an ipod (I'm probably the only one on the planet who doesn't have one) I do like "So What." What else do you have on your ipod for wogging?

Mel - Thanks for the Shemar Moore link. I wouldn't mind seeing him in his biking tights!

Jeanne - It sounds like you'll be busy having the whole crew for Thanksgiving! I hope you're able to fit your training into your busy schedule.

Corinna - I hope you're feeling better and back to training soon. I don't know of any Team Ohana plans, but I group photo would be great! I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone!

Richard - Congrats on your PR!

Hello to JenB, Nancy, Debra, Jen, & everyone else!

As for me, training is going pretty well. I had a revelation the other day about my speed - or lack thereof. I couldn't figure out why I've been running slower all of a sudden. Then, it dawned on me. It's the leaves! I run in the early AM (usually 5:00 AM). The sidewalks are covered with wet leaves and it's dark out, so I think I'm just running more cautiously. At least, I hope that's the reason.

Also, here's a helpful hint for my cousins: don't play Twister the night before a long run. We had game night on Fri night. and DD9 chose Twister as the first game. I had no problems at the time, but the next morning, my 11 mile run didn't start out too well. I should have intentionally lost the game instead of stretching across the mat for that right foot on red. If I had toned down my competitive side and let one the the kids win, I would have been much better off.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, Team Ohana!

Happy Veteran's Day to our U.S. cousins!

I meant to be on the TM at 5 this morning, but it didn't happen. Now I have to do it after work, which isn't too bad since I plan to skate at 2:30.

I did 3.5 mi yesterday, and was ok with the short wog increase. Next week I go to 4, I'm a little concerned about how that will affect my getting ready in the morning, I guess I'll just have to move a little quicker.

Julie -- My ipod list is well, long. Some of my favorites: Spirit in the Sky, Rock the Cradle of Love, You Make My Dreams, Radar Love, Thks for the Mmres, Baillamos, Runaway (Bon Jovi), No Matter What (Def Leppard), Let's See How Far We've Come, Whip It, I could go on and on -- and I'm always looking for new songs!

Mel -- Shemar Moore is pretty!

Jeanne -- Wow, Thanksgiving sounds like a great time at your house! I think you are going to really enjoy yourself surrounded by your kids. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back, you have a great accomplishment successfully raising them to be adults you are proud of!

Corinna -- I know you are having such a rough time now. Please be kind to yourself and let yourself heal as you need to. I walked way more of the Half than I intended, and I still got my medal. Look at the big picture, we are so psyched we are still going to get to meet you and see you there!

Richard -- Fantastic news on the PR! That is awesome! And it's good to have you check in whenever you can!

JenB -- I wonder if there is a plan to have the Pop Meet have different Team sections, so it will be easy for people to gather. Perhaps we could put something Stitchy on one of the tables as a sign...just thinking out loud.

Nancy -- It is so great to hear from you! I know what you mean about working out in the dark. For some reason it doesn't bother me in the morning, but I find it really hard at night.

Sending to Morgan, Kayci, Debra, Denny, Jen, JenG, Christa, Happy November!

Maria

 

[corinnak]

Hi Cousins,
Reality time. It's been two weeks and I'm still having some cognitive effects. It seems like it doesn't take much to make things worse again (I had an unintentional head-bonk with my 5 year old this week, for instance) and I am not at all sure when I will be able to resume training. It's frustrating, for sure. I am at this point seriously considering the wisdom of my traveling to this race at all. It's kind of a bummer, and unfortunately, I may need to decide sooner than I would like, as I had a travel agent book the room rather than going for a room-only through CRO on my own, and she's asking for the balance now. It's frustrating since I have been looking forward to this race, this year since the very day I started running. And why am I thinking of not doing my "dream race?" Cause I got nudged by a neighbor dog and planted my face on the road? It's kind of a pathetic story, even! No fair.

 

[jbucci]

Corinna: Sorry to hear you still aren't feeling well. Does walking bother you? you could try to get some walks in-- slow at first then slowly ramp up the speed as your head allows, that way you are still doing some activity but is isn't as jostling as running.

 

[corinnak]

I've been walking as I feel well enough to do so. On the treadmill so I don't end up getting in trouble out in the world. It's been OK. I'm not throwing in the towel completely. I think yesterday was just a "reality check" day for me. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[jeanneg]

Corinna: sorry to hear your fall resulted in a concussion. Take care of yourself, PLEASE!

Cousins, where are you? Hopefully, everyone is too busy to post because we are all out there training, right? RIGHT?!? I know we're all busy, but please pop in and let us know everyone is OK. What is it now, something like a little over 7 weeks to marathon weekend? YIKES!!!!!

 

[jbucci]

The marathon is in 7 weeks

I'm doing well, starting to seriously ramp up the long runs-- which takes a long time at my pace-- DH and I are running the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon this weekend as our long run this week (training schedule called for 15 miles, but I figured this was close enough )

Not too much up around here other than procrastinating over raking leaves and watching the snow flurries today.

Have a good Friday everyone

 

[corinnak]

Uh, yeah, I'm not out there training. I was trying to stick with it for a while there, but it seemed like it was too easy to set myself back in the brain department, so I've been back to sedentary this week. Unfortunately. I saw my doctor today. He says he thinks people are usually ready to return to sporting activities about a month after their injuries. So I'm losing a month of training. I am feeling better, though still not 100%.


I don't realistically know what this means for the half marathon. I got a note from my travel agent earlier this week saying that the balance was due on my room for marathon weekend - apparently because it was a group discount deal, it works more like a package than a room-only. So I cancelled my room at the Contemporary. However, since I've already paid for the race and plane fare, and may still be able to get enough training in that I can finish the darned thing, I booked an AP discount room at the Boardwalk Inn. I can cancel up to 5 days out, which seems much more reasonable at this point, don't you think? One thing is for sure - if I get to go this year, this is not going to be the WDW 2009 Half Marathon I was anticipating.

 

[jeanneg]

Don't fret about it, Corinna......if you feel up to the exertion, just do it for the experience. I'm sure you'll end up surprising yourself. Besides, this is Disney....nobody cares about their time as long as they get the bling! Glad that you were able to cancel the ressie, tho....just in case! The company I used had a no-refund policy, so we were locked into it. But I figured with 4 family members (plus the Greek!) doing events we'd have to be there anyway.

 

[jeanneg]

JenB: good luck with the Philly Half.......hope it's not too cold!

 

[corinnak]

Don't fret about it, Corinna......if you feel up to the exertion, just do it for the experience. I'm sure you'll end up surprising yourself. Besides, this is Disney....nobody cares about their time as long as they get the bling! Glad that you were able to cancel the ressie, tho....just in case! The company I used had a no-refund policy, so we were locked into it. But I figured with 4 family members (plus the Greek!) doing events we'd have to be there anyway.

The Greek! I think you're right, that with four of you going, you're going regardless. Who else from your family is running, Jeanne? Do we have a post somewhere with the races our Ohana team is doing over marathon weekend? (I can't remember. Shocker! )

JenB - have a great half-marathon! It sure is starting to feel like winter here. I hope the weather is perfect for your race.

 

[jbucci]

I've never run in cold before, so this is new to me. My DH and I just started running in Jan as a New Years resolution to run the Disney marathon. We have done a few Disney races-- all pretty hot and humid, and on in Philia in Sept. that was also pretty warm. Nearly all of my training has been on the TM in my basement, so I'm not sure what to wear for this race. I figure obsessing over wardrobe is better than worrying about sore legs, so I'm just going with it...

DH and I will be doing the full marathon in WDW in Jan if you are creating any kind of list.

 

[jeanneg]

Corinna: There will be 3 of us doing the full: hubby John, son Jason (23) and myself. Jason did his first full marathon last year training up to only 10 miles. I guess when you're 22 you can do anything! he finished around 5:20 and walked a bit towards the end. He always remembered to run whenever the photograghers were around so he would look good in the photos.

My daughter, Jenni (24) will be doing only the half this year. Last year she did the Goofy, and the year before that, the full. She is only doing the half because she wants to "ease" the Greek into running and decided they would do it together. With only seven weeks to go, he still has NOT started training so this should be very interesting. His response to my daughter has been "If your mom can do a full and your dad has done various halves, how hard can it be?" I don't say a word......but this is going to be a very interesting experience for all of us.
Here's my daughter and my DH after last year's half:

 

[jbucci]

I'm petty sure at 22 I would not have been able to run the marathon that fast. At 36, i'm just hoping to finish in under 6 hours with tons of training under my belt

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Cousins!

JenB - Good luck with your half this weekend. Stay warm!

Corinna - I'm sorry that your training is on hold right now. I really hope that things work out for you and that you're able to do your race. I'm really looking forward to meeting you.

Jeanne - It's great that you have so many family members doing the WDW races.

I ran 18 miles this weekend, my longest run yet. It went ok, but I have been experiencing some knee pain. On my last three long runs, I start to have pain in my left knee after 14 miles or so. I have new shoes, but the pain happened with my old shoes as well, so I don't think the shoes are the issue. If I take a break and walk for a few minutes, the pain goes away and I can run another mile or so, but then the pain comes back and I have to walk again. If any of my cousins have advice on this, I'd love to hear it. Other than the knee pain, I felt really good after the 18 miles (well, after a shower and a nap I felt good). I'm hopeful that I won't be in terrible shape after the full and I just might be able to enjoy some time in the parks.

Hello to Maria, Debra, Nancy, Mel, and the rest of the cousins. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 

[tiberius]

Hi Friends!!

Even when I don't have the time to post, I still try to get by here and I am often so motivated by what I read.

Julie - Congrats on the 18 miler! I've only gone past that distance once.
Jean - Luv the photos!

Last weekend, I met up with some other WISHer's at the San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon. I had a great time doing the half marathon there. I clocked my slowest time ever at the distance, but I only tried to enjoy the experience with no special attempt to run a good time. In the end i ran a 2:59:59, I will say that I had the best time for any event I have done. I am already planning on being back next year, maybe for the full. The course took everyone through downtaown S.A. right past the side and the front of the Alamo and several other historic points. I believe the full course also went by some of the old Mission sites in the area. The one downer of the event was the course right near the end, the road had dipped under the highway anf then rose again at around at 35 to 40 degree angle. The "hill" lasted about a tenth of a mile and was just at the wrong place. In fairness to the course directors, the finish area was well organized and controlled, so the route at the end was likely the only way it could be.

Right now my daughter Amanda (aka my cheering section) is trying to convince me to do the Country Music Marathon in Nashville next April, mostly so I can take her along.

Run long and strong everyone!