Team 6 - Team Ohana - Check in and introduce!

[chimera]

I apologize for not being around much, but I would love to see Ohana stay together. I'm hoping things will settle down soon...this has been our craziest month ever. We had Xmas parade Dec 6, then DD16's sweet 16 party on the 13th, my office party (at my house) on the 19th, now 20+ crazy relatives coming for Xmas. After that, things should be great

Training's going okay. I was too exhausted for my LR on Sat, but back on track with 4 today, 5 Wed, then 12 on Sat, then taper madness!!

Christa...congrats on another fab race!

Richard...anytime you're bored, dude, you're welcome to come clean over here!

I hope all of you are well and enjoying the holiday season. Can't wait to meet you in just a couple weeks!

 

[tiberius]

OK, ladies, much as I love you all, I don't take cleaning requests.

This is my wife's first Christmas without her mother, who always did Christmas up big. So, I am trying to keep things looking up around here as much as possible right now. Christmas is still a happy time around here, but also a reminder about our loss early this year.

 

[deekaypee]

I'm taking Jeanne at her word that those of us who have been MIA in action might be welcomed back into the fold... My last few months have been the most difficult of my professional life, which spilled over into my personal life. My disappearance has nothing to do with any of you! Have you got room for me in your lives?

If so, I'm back and for good. The semester from, well, let's just call it the Semester-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named is over with. I'm not going back to the university next semester--the semester-by-semester contract was as unstable as I feared. So I'm unemployed, but not particularly unhappily. That's how well the semester went. Someday I'll tell you all the horror stories.

In other horror stories, my training has gone far, far by the wayside after a slip-and-fall back injury in November. At this point, I'm planning on walking the marathon and my training miles have not gone about 14 on a LR! I'm okay with being underprepared for the marathon so long as I'm not injured coming into it, especially as I've resigned myself to having to plan for the NEXT event (not that I know what that is). So... if anyone wants to keep me company on the long, slow walk I'm planning, I'll see if I can come up with some funny stories about my unposted experiences, complete with funny voices and hand gestures. I cannot promise they will be G-rated.

More importantly, I need to catch up with everyone's lives and stories--which means reading when I can. I'll be sneaking in some reading during the holidays with my ILs. They're in Pgh right now, and showed up early (and are staying late). They'll also be at WDW for the marathon, so please, please, please tell me I have to attend the WISH meets.

Quick responses to those folks whose posts I can see when I hit the reply button:

Maria: So you're sending yourself to the basement? In my upbringing, that was punishment (as in, clean the basement, you smart-alecky child). It sounds like your basement is much more pleasant than DH's gym, though. You sound like you're in great shape for January. And I assume your holiday school vacations have started. Fun, fun, fun... My plans involve catching up with all the movies and television shows I've missed. Fringe is oddly addictive, even with Joshua Jackson. (I just might forgive him for Dawson's Creek.)

Richard: It sounds like you've been doing a great job with lots of endurance events, including shopping! And your bad run still sounds pretty successful, if for no other reason than you could analyze it. Great job on your 30K, btw. Give your wife an extra big hug from all of us, as she could use it. I'm sure you all have good memories of her mother to share, and I hope that helps.

Julie: Coming back from an injury? Gee, sounds familiar. It sounds like your PT has really helped, though, and you're feeling strong coming into January! You're not a thread killer, trust me. You've helped keep it together!

Jeanne: Like Julie said, you're a great captain and very supportive. I don't know what we would do without you, but can only imagine how time-consuming being captain has been. We need to get you a captain's gift. Do you drink rum, perchance? (Okay, that's soooo not original. Of course you do! )

Nancy: Like you, most of my training have been anything but walking/running, only the LR (really LWs these days). Lots of elliptical and some biking. So I can empathize with being up in the air with things. I'm planning on starting the course, even if I don't finish. (Does anyone know if the sweepers are gorgeous men who would sweep me off my feet? That might influence my motivation to finish.) I do hope to see you, though, on or off the course.

JenB: Hope you're feeling better. It sounds as if you're in great shape for the race! 20 miles and you're not at 100%. Wow, I second Julie's I can't remember, is DH doing the marathon too?

Christa: Congrats on you're 8th marathon! I look forward to catching up on your 2008 successes and will be cheering you on in your 2009 ones. Your log always gives me good ideas, and I'm so proud of you.

Mel: Things sound as busy as ever for you--and I know post-marathon will be the same in many ways. I'd forgotten you're doing the 1/2. You're going to be in great shape for that. After all a 1/2 has to be easier than hosting an office party in your home, right? (Just guessing, as I'm crazy, but not that crazy.)

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Welcome Back, Debra!

So good to hear from you! I promise, we will empathize with you as you tell all the tales.

Yes, your attendance at WISH events is mandatory -- I for one have a big hug for you at the Pop Meet!

Happy Christmas Eve, to all those celebrating!

Happy Hannakuh, to all those celebrating! (yes, I'm sure I spelled that wrong, Sorry!)

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Hi Cousins!

Yay, Christmas came early - Debra's back!!!!!!!:

Debra - Welcome back! I'm so sorry to hear that you just had the Semester That Shall Not Be Named. Also, I'm sorry to hear about your back injury. I think it's great that you're still doing the marathon, though. Your promise of funny stories with voices and (probably not G-rated) hand gestures is alluring. If my knee acts up and I need to walk, I know who I'm walking with! And yes, the WISH meets are mandatory, so I'm sorry to tell you that you'll have to spend some time away from the IL's. I hope you don't mind.

Mel - Wow, you have been busy! The holidays can be fun, but hectic too.

Richard - I hope that you and your wife are able to focus on the happy Christmas memories of her mom. The holidays can be so hard when you've lost someone.

Hello to Maria (are you ready for rain all day today? ), Corinna, Jeanne, Nancy, Jen B, Jen, Christa, and all of my other cousins.

Merry Christmas and/or Happy Chanukah!

 

[jeanneg]

Hi Cousins!

Yay, Christmas came early - Debra's back!!!!!!!:

My thoughts exactly, Julie! Welcome back, Debra!

That said, I can't say much today. It's Christmas Eve and the kitchen is calling me. I have a BIG meal to prepare and then I have to get myself ready for tonight's festivities. I am surrounded by those I love right now and that is what is most important. A very Merry Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) to my beloved Ohana family. I'll be signing off for a few days, but will be back soon. Peace.......Joy.......Love

 

[jeanneg]

Ooooops, just wanted to make a comment to Debra.........

I WALK.......and I will finish.....and I have nearly 7 hours to hear the stories!

 

[padisneyfan]

Morning to all my Cousins. The final countdown has started for the holidays. I am at work this morning, but hope to leave early. It was icy this morning so slip and slided to work. Not much traffic at 7am as so many people are off work. Family is all home for the holidays. DS#1 will be leaving on Christmas morning so will have our Christmas tonight. Seafood lasagna for dinner, church and then open gifts. It will be a late night but get to sleep in Christmas morning since we have no little ones that wake us early.

Christa--Congratulations on your marathon. I enjoyed your race report and pictures.

Debra---Welcome back. Took bad I won't be with Jeanne to hear all the stories, since I know so much about that university. I will have to introduce you to DS#2 who will be with us for marathon weekend since thats his alma mater. Sorry it was such a bad experience for you. The upside is that we will be hearing more from you as I always enjoy reading your postings.

Richard--- I remember my first Christmas after my Mom died and it can be emotional. Hugs to both of you and your family.

Mel--- Glad to see you posting again. The holidays are such busy time, but looks like you have still managed to get training it. You are doing the half this year?

Julie--Glad the knee is doing better.

JenB--Hope you are feeling better. There is alot of illness going around in my area also. Impressive that you were able to get your 20 miler in with not feeling well.

Maria-- So you are not fond of the gym. I actually like the classes at the gym mostly because someone else is telling me what to do and pushes me harder than I would normally push myself. I thought I would never love spin class, but it is becoming my favorite class. The instructor on the Tues class really make you work hard without being in your face yelling at you. I am exhausted when I am finished and have burned alot of calories in a shorter period of time than I would have done walking on TM.

Jeanne-- You have done a great job as Captain. A will be coming your way from me for all your hard work this year as are fearless leader. Enjoy your time with the family.

I have enjoyed being on this team with all my cousins. I think the Team concept was a great idea and really helped me to meet all of you. I'm not sure if I will continue next year. I have a health care issue that I need to deal with the day after I return from the marathon weekend. Depending on the outcome, I could be limited with exercising for awhile. I also do not plan to do anymore long distance races so my contribution in distance would be great decreased. As I have started before I really like the classes and cross training so am going to focus on those in 2009 and lose some weight.

I do have my Ohana scarf from the Princess event. Once we get through the holidays can we post who is doing what in Jan. I am confused about who all will be there and what event they are doing.

Hi to all my Other Cousins who are MIA

Merry Christmas

Happy Hanukkah
Nancy

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Drive by today ...I just did 5 mi on the TM. That is my last exercise before Christmas. Now I have to get cleaned up and do my last cooking (dh makes our breakfast and big meal tomorrow). I'm making lemon cookies with buttercream frosting, chocolate fudge, and spicy oyster crackers. Some of that is going to our neighbors tonight.

DS says he can stay awake for church services that start at 11 pm tonight...we shall see. We have to visit neighbors, drive around and look at lights, and I have two movies (Elf, Fred Claus) and a puzzle. We should have enough to keep us occupied.

DH's gym does not offer any classes, it is just a straight equipment place. It's priced accordingly (Planet Fitness), but it just wasn't for me.

Ok, I'm off or I'll type all day. Everyone have an awesome holiday, and I'll chat soon!

Maria

 

[grizbuzz]

Another straggler here...sorry I am not posting enough on the board.

Thanks to all of you who encouraged me when I was having foot problems. The new shoes and rest seem to have helped. I am back on my training schedule, gearing for my first 1/2 marathon on Feb 1. Just did 10 miles (longest I have run) this past weekend. So slowly but surely I am going to get to this goal!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year! And good luck to all of you going to WDW in January! I wish I could be there. One of these years!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
-Jen G (there are so many Jens on this board!)

 

[tiberius]

Your words of support have made me a bit teary-eyed, and warmed my heart.
Thanks for all your support and love.

 

[deekaypee]

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa (in case I don't get back on in the next couple of days).

Maria: And I intend to collect that hug--from you and any other member of the Ohana family. I'm not a particularly touchy-feely person (one BF nicknamed me Ice Queen...and that was in the courtship phase of our relationship), but I just want to hug all of you! I seriously don't know if I would have kept up the minimal training I did without knowing you were all here. And training is what has kept me at the minimal level of sanity I have maintained since September. So

And yay for your 5 miles and the cooking all today. That and neighborhood visiting, etc. I don't know how everyone keeps up with all the holiday activities.

Julie: Okay, is it selfish of me to wish your knee acts up? Kidding, just kidding. But I am happy to know that attendance at the WISH meet is mandatory, regardless of the ILs. Will there be drinking in advance of the races? That's probably not a good idea, but I'll raise my glass to all of you anyway--just don't make me drink a Shirley Temple.

Jeanne: I know you're with your family tonight, the most important thing. It's so good to know things are well with you and yours, and am sending warm thoughts out to you all. Know that I'm planning on hanging with you at the marathon, where I expect to here lots of stories to keep me going. Nancy will be with us in spirit, so maybe some tales of your escapades?

Nancy: I'm so happy you get to have Christmas with your family AND sleep in late. That's a pretty good deal. I'm sorry to hear you'll not be on the course and, more importantly, you have health care issues in the new year. I hope they're relatively minor and that you would consider sticking with Ohana. I don't really see this team thing as being about mileage or minutes contributes--I really enjoy getting to know you all and knowing you all support me (even when I'm not here). I'd love it if you stayed, but also hope you do what works best for you.

JenG: Good news on the shoes and feet. I never knew how much of a difference they could make until I get fitted. I hope you're fully recovered now. You've already hit 10 miles, so you're in really good shape for the Feb. 1/2.

Richard: Right back at you with the love.

As for me: Home early, as we changed our holiday plans from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. My BIL couldn't fly in this year (weather), so the schedule's a bit wonky. And I almost had a political fight with a family friend who spends Christmas with my ILs every year. He didn't listen to my first statement, "You're not going to convince me and I'm not going to convince you, so let's change the subject?" and launched into full-lecture mode. So we called it an early night. Ahhhhh, the holidays. I'm so glad to hear that my friends are enjoying their family get-togethers without the social lubricant of alcohol; I'll work on that tomorrow.

 

[gatorphipps]

Happy Christmas to everyone!​

Richard - You and your family are in my prayers. I know Christmas is sad when you have someone you love not there.

Debra - Welcome back. You will do great on the marathon.

I have not put this race in my schedule, so I won't be there...but will be thinking about everyone that day. I know you guys are excited!

 

[padisneyfan]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Hard to believe it is over already and the marthon weekend is only 2 weeks away.

Have an 8 miler planned for the weekend. It is to be in the 50's so hopefully it won't rain and can do it outside of on the TM.


Have a good weekend everyone.

Nancy

 

[deekaypee]

Christa: I hope your holidays were wonderful! I've never been to Myrtle Beach, but I see you've got an upcoming marathon there. I hear it's beautiful, and DOOD's extended family vacations there every other year, so I'll be reading your RR with an eye toward running there someday....

Nancy: Didn't you just love the weather this last weekend. Even the rain!! Saturday was a gorgeous day to spend outside...was still with family and put off my LW, but got to show them Schenley Park, so all was good with the world. How was your 8 miler?

As for me: Okay, I'm about to be really petty about family, so I hope my Ohana family will commiserate with me AND forgive me. My BIL just sent us an email. He missed the holidays here with us in Pgh because of bad weather. My ILs are going to be in Disney with us for the marathon, and I'd jokingly suggested he spend his flight credit on a plane ticket to Orlando to make up for missing Christmas. I never thought he'd take it seriously, because he doesn't like Disney and is pretty vocal in his derision of it.

Well, now he's thinking about surprising his parents by flying in for marathon weekend. Part of me is happy--because his parents were really bummed by his absence (trust me, I was there). But there's this part of me that's really annoyed with him. If past patterns hold, I'm afraid the weekend will be all about accommodating my BIL's schedule, especially because he missed the holidays and would be flying in for a quick weekend. Anyway, he wants to stay at the same resort (POP) and I'll have to try to rearrange the ADRs. Part of me just wants to say, "No, don't come. I've got my WISH race weekend planned" or "Come and spend time with your parents, but don't expect me to change my plans." I know, I know, I'm an awful person. So jack-slap me out of my pettiness, please! This is a good thing--if my BIL is in town my ILs will be ecstatic and I could score some major brownie points for rearranging the schedule.

In happier news, is it time for an Ohana roll call for marathon weekend? Who's doing what, staying where?

Resort:
WISH events:
Race:

Debra and DOOD
Resort: POP Century
WISH events: POP meet for sure; hopefully Boardwalk
Race: Full marathon; I'm walking between 6.00 - 7.00 hours; DOOD should finish around 3.30 hours, although he's willing to slow and pace with WISHers for the company.

 

[gatorphipps]

Debra - Girl, I cannot slap you out of your pettiness...b/c I agree with you. IMHO Marathon weekend should be about the person/people who are running the marathon. I hate that you have to be thinking about this when you have a marathon to think about. I have been to myrtle beach for vacation and a century ride. I have heard the course is boring, but it is flat and that is what I want!

Nancy - How did that 8 miler go?

Richard - I hope your Christmas went well.

As for me - Not sure if I told you guys, but I got clipless pedals and new cycle shoes for Christmas. WOOT! Tried them out on the real road today and it was wonderful.....this was after a 6 mile run. I love this weather in Charlotte....64. WOW!

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello Cousins,

Jeanne - I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Eve with your family. You're right - being surrounded by those you love is the most important thing.

Nancy - I can't imagine a Christmas morning where I could sleep in. I think I'll have to wait at least 10 years for that to happen! I hope you enjoyed it. I'm sorry to hear that you have some health care issues to deal with. I hope it's nothing too serious.

Maria - Did your DS stay awake for the chuch service? My kiddos would never make it that late, but they're not exactly night owls. Your lemon cookies with buttercream frosting sound delicious! I'm sure they're fat-free and calorie-free, right?

Jen G - I'm so glad to hear that new shoes and rest have helped your foot problems.

Richard - I hope that you and your family had a nice Christmas, focusing on some happy memories.

Christa - I'm sorry that you won't be there in Jan. It would have been great to meet you. You've been really wonderful sharing your knowledge and experience on this and some other threads, so I wanted to say a big Thank You!

Debra - Oh, there's a little tiny part of me that wants my knee to act up so I could walk with you, but most of me hopes that my knee is great and I can run the whole race. I'm looking forward to meeting you at the Pop meet and hearing at least some of your stories (complete with funny voices and hand gestures ). I don't think drinking before the marathon is recommended, but drinking after it is mandatory (at least it is in my world). Definitely no Shirley Temples. How about some bourbon? As for your BIL, I don't have any advice, but I hope it all works out for you.

As for me, I'm trying to deal with this tapering thing. I know it's what I'm supposed to be doing, but it just felt so wrong to only run 4 miles today. My littlest kiddo is still battling some cold/virus, and now the other two kiddos are coughing too. If that's not stressful enough, I brought the baby to the dr today and as I was driving home, the car overheated. I was able to drive to my mechanic's shop, but smoke was billowing out of the hood by the time I got there. I feel like a black cloud is following me around today.

Hello to Mel, Jen B, Jen, and all of my other cousins! Can't wait to meet as many of you as possible in Jan!

For the 'Ohana roll call...

Julie and DH (Rob)
Resort: Contemporary
WISH events: Pop meet
Race: Marathon - hoping to finish in 5.5 hrs, but I'll be happy with any finish at all

 

[jbucci]

Hello cousins.

Debra: I'm with you on the BIL thing-- I'd be happy he was coming and give him a list of what you plan to be doing and tell him he is welcome to join in and meet up with you or you can get back together later in the evening-- all of the graciousness, none of the time on hold changing ressies. We went with a couple who is tough in Disney (we really tried to get out of it but couldn't). After we adopted the "here is what we are doing" plan things went better and everyone had more fun.

Julie: I hope you knee holds up. I'm hoping to finish in about the same time as you 5.5ish hours with a combo r/w-- I'll keep my eyes open for you.

as for race weekend:
Jen and DH (Butch, Rob, whatever you want to call him)
race:full
events: POP meet
hotel: SSR
and DD5 is doing the kids race on Friday

 

[laughinplace199]

Jen B - Thanks for the well wishes for my knee. I'm hoping that since my 20 miler went ok, that I'll be fine for the marathon. How's your toe? Did the foam "sock" help at all? It's great that we're planning on finishing around the same time. I will definitely keep my eyes open for you as well.

Who will be watching your DD while you're doing the marathon? Do you have friends or relatives coming to WDW with you? I'm just curious as to what people do for childcare on race day. We're leaving ours at home with my parents.

 

[chimera]

Debra...can BIL even get a room at POP? I had heard WDW is pretty full for marathon weekend. Or is he planning to stay with you guys too? I like Jen's idea...tell him where you're going to be and when. Then he can choose to hangout with you or not.

Can't believe it's almost race weekend!

We're staying at OKW.

I'm doing the half, DH is doing the full.
I haven't decided when I'm planning to finish the half. This is a training run for my half in Feb so I don't want to go in for a PR...maybe 2:45 to 3 hours. DH is hoping to finish the marathon 5:30 to 6.