Team 6 - Team Ohana - Check in and introduce!

[Worfiedoodles]

Howdy Cousins!

It feels weird to still have one LR (10 miles) while most of you are in taper. We're following this plan DH downloaded which only has one week of taper, so I guess we'll see how that works out.

I have yoga today, and I may tack on a 3 miler when I get home. We'll see how tired I'm feeling. I'm off tomorrow so I'm definitely doing 5, then resting on New Year's Day.

Christa, Mel and JenB -- You give sage advice! At this point, other people have to fit into your plans, not the other way around. My SIL who lives in Tampa wanted to come visit Friday night. We politely told her Sunday would work, we have to be in bed very early Friday since we are doing a Half Marathon the next morning and getting up at 3 am!

Julie -- We'll keep sending for your knee, because it sounds like it's working! I hope you don't have to be out and about for the snow tomorrow. I know some people really dislike the TM, but without it I would never work out. I am a total weather wimp! We didn't even try to go to church. DS was sound asleep by 10:30, so that was that. He was pleased because we let him open one present early -- he assumed it was pajamas (and it was), but I also tucked in some Star Wars figures, which was a very happy surprise. Tomorrow I'm making spice cookies with cream cheese frosting.

Richard -- What a gem you are! We love having you here, and clearly your wife is lucky to have you at home!

Nancy -- I think your approach this year has been so well-rounded. You are really working on overall fitness, and since you keep mixing it up, I know you don't get bored!

Jeanne -- How goes it, our captain? Do you feel like you just finished cooking one big meal to start another, or are you going to party like it's 2009?!

I would love to have an Ohana bandana and be very happy to pay for it. I realize it may not be possible at this late date, but I'm throwing it out there. I've heard some other teams are wearing a button or doing something to identify themselves at the Pop Meet. If anyone has ideas, I'm up for that! It's a shame we don't have Aloha Jeff on our team, we could persuade him to bring us something from the Islands!

For the roll call:

Resort: CSR
Pop Events: Pop Meet
Race: Half -- I'm hoping to finish under 3:15, dh will probably finish under 2:15. I hope some of you are around to keep him company while he waits ever so patiently for me. I've been doing 13 minute miles and running the entire time, so I hope I will be able to sustain that on race day. I tend to be slower outside and off the TM, so we shall see.

I am so much improved over last year! This time last year I held onto the TM while wogged. Actually, I wasn't wogging, walking was my top speed, and I was doing good to make 15 minute miles.

I still don't look like an athlete or a runner, but I'd rather be improving than declining!

Everybody have a Happy New Year!
Maria

 

[deekaypee]

Christa: Oooh, you gotta love a flat course. Thanks for having my back--how I wish you were coming for the weekend. You're one of the reasons DOOD and I will be spending more time on the bikes in 2009 (not your level, of course, but more than we've been doing).

Julie: I really don't hope your knee acts up, really I don't. As long as I get to meet you at the POP, that is! I will be imbibing, btw, at the POP meet, and after the marathon. Call me a lush, but I use bourbon for, er, medicinal purposes. And I'm trying to convince myself that it works for hydration, too.

Jen: I had a similar touring experience with friends when I was younger. They stil haven't forgiven me for getting them to the parks by rope drop. Luckily, my BIL has no interest in going to Disney, we'll have two cars, and he's only here for the marathon weekend proper, so I can avoid most of the hassle. I look forward to waving goodbye to you at the start; feels like a pattern!

Mel: I'm not sure if wanted to stay with us, it didn't get that far in the conversation. I told DOOD under no circumstances. Unless he wanted me to reserve my own room at the Poly. Where I'd find a cabana boy to massage my sore muscles! Back to back halfs? Wow!

Maria: It's so great to hear about your progress over the past year. If the teams/Ohana keep up after the marathon--hope, hope--I think we should celebrate how much progress we've all made & make goals for 2009 (and Jan. 2010)!


Thanks, everyone, for your support and great suggestions. I'm almost over my pettiness. Anyway, DOOD and I have decided to mostly suck it up with E's (my BIL's) arrival. I'm changing ADRs and entertainment, but keeping to our bedtime and other race requirements to get through the 1/2 (volunteering) and our race at the full (good thing I've got no projected pace, except to finish).

E. managed to get into AS Music (not POP, no surprise)! He's taking ME, then we'll bring him over to POP and surprise the parents with his presence as part of a pre-dinner drink and nosh. I guess E.'s the tasty appetizer?

And why am I being so accommodating, you may ask? Oh, I like to think it's because I know Disney and I "make the magic happen" (imagine Bob Fosse hands here). But, really, the situation isn't worth starting the family's WWIII over. And with E. (said BIL) around, my ILs will be less likely to interfere/care about my WISH plans. I'm much happier on that front.

So...should I be learning how to make Blue Hawaii cocktails for our meet?

ETA: I see Jeanne's snuck back on for a moment. Another round of applause for you, captain, and all that you've done for us. Much, much appreciated. I'm a better athlete because of your support and encouragement!

 

[corinnak]

Hi cousins! It's great to hear from everyone pre-race.

Jeanne: I also think you have done a remarkable job as captain. I don't care if the competition goes on next year, but I think it would be awesome to stay "Team Ohana" regardless of miles and minutes. I'm not sure how that would go, but it might even be better?


I do still have my Ohana colors, too. And Jen, I still owe you for them! So sorry about that.

My brain is too fried to write much more right now - we just got home for some travels and the return trip was fraught with difficulty and delays. I am enjoying the thread, though. Call me a freeloader - again, sorry!

I did get my 10 miles in, by hook AND by crook on Friday morning, though. 7 on treadmill, 3 on Castaway Cay!

 

[jbucci]

Julie: Thanks for your concern over my toe. The sock thing helps a little, toe still hurts but not quite as bad so I'm likely going to wear it for the marathon and hope for the best (that and premed with some tylenol...)

We have an interesting, unfortunate situation that came up today. My parents are supposed to come to Disney with us as sitters for our daughter. My dad had a stress test today and failed, so is going for cardiac cath on Friday. He seems to think this will not be a problem for driving from NJ to Fl and babysitting, I'm not so convinced. We won't know until late Friday if he will be able to come and I know my mom would never come without him so we are now in an interesting, sucky position of trying to figure out a babysitting contingency plan because, selfishly I have trained for this race and worked hard all year and am going to run it no matter what and my DH feels the same way. Send some good thoughts our way please that this all works out... (of course I want my dad to be ok and that does come first but the timing on this one really stinks)

 

[corinnak]

Oh yeah, in my confusion, I forgot the roll call:


Resort: Boardwalk
Events: Pop Meet, Pre-half Marathon
Race: Half - I just want to finish, somewhere in the realm of 3 hours would be good, but I can't be too picky this year.

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello cousins,

Maria - Are you ready for the snow today? I'm so looking forward to going to WDW. Even if it's cool there, I know there won't be any snow! I hate the white stuff once Christmas is over. Why do I live here?

Debra - I can totally understand bourbon (or any alcohol for that matter) being used for "medicinal purposes."

Corinna - Sorry to hear that your travels home were difficult. Did you have a nice trip? It seems like your training is going great.

Jen B - I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I hope all goes well on Friday. If he's ok, would they consider flying to FL instead of driving? I'm sending some pixie dust your way.

Jeanne - A big thank you to you for being a great captain. I know it's a lot of work, especially when you're busy in real life too, so I just wanted to make sure you knew how much I appreciate all that you do.

Hello to Mel, Nancy, Richard, Jen, and all of the other cousins too.

I know that the future of the teams is sort of up in the air right now, so I wanted to take this opportunity to say how much I have enjoyed being part of this great team. You are all wonderful, supportive "cousins" and I am so glad to have had the chance to get to know you. I'm also looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible during marathon weekend. I hope that we are able to continue as Team 'Ohana, whether it's reporting miles and minutes, or just chatting.

I also wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! arty:

 

[tiberius]

Hi Team!

It's good to talk with you again after Christmas, which came and went well at our house this year. Thanks for all the well wishes.

I won't be making it it out for the half marathon this year, just too many other expenses this time of year. I will be making firm plans to run the full marathon in 2010 as part of the family vacation--girls in college means later Christmas Breaks, which mean later January vacations to the World! Anyway, we are already saving for that trip.

 

[jeanneg]

Just popping in to say everyone has left and I am in the process of doing laundry and catching up on work. I haven't read any posts or recorded any activity, but hope to get to it this afternoon. Talk to everyone soon.

 

[padisneyfan]

I did my 8 miler on Sunday in 60 degree weather with light winds. It was a really nice day to walk. It is just to bad that I really don't like doing long walks anymore and didn't really appreciate the nice weather. Just wanted the thing done.

JenB--- So sorry to hear about your father. I hope everything works out well for him. What a way to start the new year.

Debra--It looks like things are going to work out with your BIL and his visit.

Marie--- I do hope that I get to meet you sometime over marathon weekend. Good luck with your 10 miler.

Corinna-- So you must have been on a Disney Cruise since you did some miles at Castaway Cay.

Julie---I also hope your knee stays healthy to finish the race.

Christa and Mel-- Nice to see you posting again.

Jeanne--- Thanks again for being the Captain of the ship.

Next week at this time, I will be in WDW This trip is a vacation and I plan to treat it as such. I am going to golf with DS#2 and DH on Thurs and Monday. DS#2 is a really good golfer and has not seen me golf since I just started this summer. I'm sure I will be impressing him with my amazing golf skills. They are actually golfing on Sat, but since I can't make up my mind to do the half or not I am not planning on golfing with them. If I was super women, I could do the half and still make their 11 something tee time. I had said that if I wasn't doing the race, I would not attend any of the WISH meets. However, it may be the only way that I can see most of you. So I may stop over for a little while before going to my ADR.

I have enjoyed being on this team and meeting all my cousins. My life is just going in a different direction than most of yours regarding racing event. My goal in 2008 was to complete a Marathon, once I did that I have moved on from long races. I guess you can say I crossed that off my Bucket List and thus my lack of interest in doing the half. Everyone here has been very supportive and it has been such a delight to talk to all of you. I do hope that I can meet some of you either again or for the first time in a little over a week.


Resort: BWV
WISH events: ?POP
Race: ? half



Happy New Year Everyone.

Nancy

 

[gatorphipps]

Julie: Thanks for your concern over my toe. The sock thing helps a little, toe still hurts but not quite as bad so I'm likely going to wear it for the marathon and hope for the best (that and premed with some tylenol...)

We have an interesting, unfortunate situation that came up today. My parents are supposed to come to Disney with us as sitters for our daughter. My dad had a stress test today and failed, so is going for cardiac cath on Friday. He seems to think this will not be a problem for driving from NJ to Fl and babysitting, I'm not so convinced. We won't know until late Friday if he will be able to come and I know my mom would never come without him so we are now in an interesting, sucky position of trying to figure out a babysitting contingency plan because, selfishly I have trained for this race and worked hard all year and am going to run it no matter what and my DH feels the same way. Send some good thoughts our way please that this all works out... (of course I want my dad to be ok and that does come first but the timing on this one really stinks)

Popping in real quick to respond to this.....
1st, so sorry for your dad. Hope all is OK and they get to come.
2nd, if someone else has reponded with the same answer...sorry for the repeat. BUT....DH and I went to WDW with my family and all of us wanted an adult night out. WDW has a baby sitting service and my 2 girls and 2 nephews (ages 10, 8, 7, and 3) LOVED the lady they sent out. We chose what kind of sitter that came. She brought toys and stuff. It was a real treat for the kids. You can choose any time too. Call WDW to get info JIC.
3rd, you are not selfish. I totally understand how you feel. You have put alot into this training and deserve to run this race.
Good luck.

PM me if you need more info...I am sure DH has the info, I just have to ask him.

 

[jeanneg]

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

Just finished reading everyone's posts. Why is it that when I go away you guys decide to get active? Seriously, I LOVE the new excitement and enthusiasm that I feel radiating from all of you. See, all we needed was for Debra to return to breathe new life into us again. Can I nominate her as new team captain? I would love for Ohana to stick together as a support group....you guys are truly my buds. As previously mentioned, I am finding the recording and posting to be a bit tedious. We can continue without the precise reporting using this thread as a sounding board for our training in general. Or, we can continue as we have in the past and someone else can do the posting. What say you all?

In just about a week we'll be at or heading to WDW and I hope I get to meet many of you. I'm very sad that Christa and Richard won't be joining us, but perhaps we'll do an event together sometime in the future.

As for the Ohana roll-call......we'll be staying at the Poly with our son, Jason who is also doing the full. Our daughter and the Greek are staying at PORFQ and will be doing the half. Greek man has trained a total of....maybe 3 miles....several months ago! This will be interesting........
John and I will be at the Pop meet on Friday and will try to make the meeting at the BW on Monday. I will also be volunteering for the half at water stop 1and 11. John plans to back out of this and will let them know at the Expo.

NOWI am headed over to record activity for what is probably going to be ALMOST the last time. I say almost because I know some of you are delinquent and I will have to hunt you down! OHANA RULES!

P.S. JenB: sorry to hear that your dad is not doing well. I hope it all works out for you

 

[jbucci]

Thanks for the sitting suggestion-- do you happen to know what they charge. I think we will wind up bringing a close family friend who is really just looking for an excuse to come to Disney and would be happy to stay with our little one, not to mention DD loves her. I would be interested in some more detail though-- I'd appreciate a pm with some details. Thanks

In running news, we did a 5k on the boardwalk today-- it was a bit cold, but a nice fun race. After the event there was a polar bear swim with more people than I would have imagined jumping into the cold NJ surf -- not me, I watched that part

Thanks for the well wishes, my dad has his procedure tomorrow, so hopefully all goes well....

 

[padisneyfan]

Inside Christmas decorations are down. It was to cold and windy to do the outside, so that will be done this weekend. Then will start to pack. I never put the suitcases away from my Dec trip.

I did spin class at the gym on New Years Day since the wind chill was in single digits outside. I don't like the cold. I am either underdressed or overdressed when I try to do my walks outside when it is cold.

JenB--- Hope things go well with your Dad's procedure.

Jeanne-- Is the team challenge officially over?

At work today and then only Mon and Tues next week.

Have a good day everyone.

Nancy

 

[jeanneg]

Nancy,
As far as I am concerned, we are finished with keeping track of activity. There are still a few stragglers that haven't posted their final weeks, but it looks like Ohana won for hours logged in......YAY!!!!

I think we came in third for actual miles covered which is not shabby by any means. I know there was activity after I posted yesterday so I will go back later and give you the final....or near final...results.

 

[deekaypee]

Corrina: Even with the delays and traveling challenges, it sounds like you're having a great time. 3 miles on Castaway Cay! It will be so cool to meet you!

JenB: I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. How's he doing? (And I empathized deeply with your feelings--you've invested a lot in this weekend, physically and emotionally.) I'm so glad your friend is pinch hitting: will he/she come to the WISH meet? Sending PD your way that all goes well.

Julie: Yes, why do you live so far away from me? Move to Pgh. We get snow, too, but in the 1 1/2 years I've lived here there's not been much. More rain, really. And hills. And me, of course!

Richard: I'm so, so bummed that you're not coming to Disney this year. (Slightly less bummed by the fact you're saving for 2010--think Goofy! ) You need to let us know what other races you're doing. 2009 looks like we're sticking really close to home for most races, but DOOD is attempting the 50 marathons/50 states, so you never know....

Nancy: for doing your long walk. It must be sad (is that the emotion I'm looking for) not to enjoy your LSD and realize that you did, at one point. I really, really wish for you that you keep the with the activities that make you the happiest--whether those are taking challenging spin classes, golfing or drinking margaritas with Jeanne! I love the idea of a Bucket list, though, and am so happy you've crossed another item off your list! I do hope you're not going to be a stranger here--and I'll keep my eye out for you at the WISH meets!

Christa: Thanks for the 2008/2009 thread. I intend to post, as soon as I get a chance to do some serious thinking about my plans. Even if I don't get around to it before the thread disappears, though, thank you for putting me in that mindset!

Jeanne: That Greek--he's a tough guy, isn't he? 3 miles of training for the half. Boy, do I look forward to hearing his war stories. Good times, I predict good times. He's gonna have a whole new respect for the distance (and for you, warrior woman) afterwards!


I think the team should continue, regardless of miles/minutes. One of the things I liked about our team is that we did put in a lot of hours. That makes me think that we kept our focus on working toward our fitness goals, embracing the spirit of the challenge. I really could use the support and accountability--you're the reason I was able to keep somewhat on track during the Semester-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, after all. And seeing what you all do opened up lots of opportunities for events, WOs, activities that I might not have considered. Not to mention TV and books (still reading Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, folks, up to number 7. And James Patterson!)

So, if the miles/minutes continues, I'd like to see Ohana stay together for those so inclined. We've got a structure, we're welcoming of new team members, and, well, I like you. And if the teams are over with, I'd still like to see the thread continue. After all, the motto still works, right? We are family!

As far as captaining, I think Jeanne has earned a break. Jen, too. I can think of half a dozen of you who'd make better captains, but I'd be willing to step in if people are interested and the game continues. I'm not the most stable of us--in so many, many ways --and numbers and spreadsheets are not my friends, but I can learn. Or I could be a good second banana.

Anyway, I assume that post-marathon decisions about the teams will be finalized for WISH as a whole? Should we assume that we'll stay together in one form or another? Pleeeeaaaasseee?

 

[chimera]

My opinion only, I'm not sure of the future of the game...

I would like to see Ohana stay together, maybe in the fashion of the BOT thread...which started out as a group of folks who were going to run MCM together, then Philly and is now it's own entity. I would also encourage all of you to post on the weekly thread as well (I'm hoping to get back into it more regularly myself). I love the little group we have here

So my vote...keep Ohana together even without the game. I'm pretty anal about numbers so I do keep track of mileage all the time. I can post those if and when anyone's interested.

Debra...would you like to start a new Ohana thread? I think we can keep this one for 250 pages so it's not absolutely necessary just yet.

I've started packing, though lightly so far. Last LR is tomorrow!

 

[jbucci]

Thank you all for your well wishes and concern. It really helps to know there are people out there who care.

My dad did pretty well. They did find some blocked arteries and put in a stent. He is spending the night at the hospital and hopefully will be able to come home tomorrow. If this works he will feel better and all be worth it. He will not, however be able to make the trip to Disney, so after I knew he would be ok I called a really good friend of ours and asked if she wanted a weekend trip to Disney as our sitter. It will be a more expensive weekend than we planned and my parents are really disappointed, but it will work. Our friend is coming with us and we will all squish into a studio at SSR (in an effort to save money) and make the best of the weekend.

I have to admit this puts a damper on my racing enthusiasm, I feel exhausted without doing any running at all yet. I' hoping once my dad is home and we are in Disney my energy will return and we'll have a good time.

As for Ohana, I'm in for continuing. I like having a smaller group of people I can get to know a bit better. I haven't been brave enough to tackle the weekly thread yet, but will try in 2009. I happen to have joined into the BOT thread as well since I live near Philadelphia and the original thread was the Philia Marathon, so I stumbled into it without any idea what a tight group they were. Everyone has been very welcoming and it has been nice to have 2 "families" to talk to on the boards.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Just a drive by tonight before I enter the Land of Nod...

JenB -- I am so glad to hear your dad seems to be on the way to recovery. What a wrenching thing to go through right before the big race. No wonder you feel exhausted...I think your enthusiasm will return once you drive through the gate -- I know mine is uncontrollable at that point!

I'm all for continuing Team Ohana, in whatever shape or form. I am lucky I can post, and my Excel skills are laughable, so I'm hoping someone else will captain us -- any one of you would be fantastic! I think we should take the volunteers Mel, Debra up on their offer!

10 mi tomorrow, and then I will taper away...I'm looking forward to both doing it and being done with it. I'd better get to bed at a decent hour!

Maria

 

[gatorphipps]

JenB, so glad your dad is OK. It is hard to see parents go through things. You will be good for the WDW race! Once you get there, you will feel better. It just takes alot to get there.

Debra, Glad you have lived through the holidays...Looks like you are a better person than me for changing up plans on marathon weekend. I hope it all goes well for you.

Jeanne, ONLY 3 miles of training! Good luck with that for him....

Nancy, I do hate you did not enjoy your last long walk. However, I have to say this is very normal for me. I always bomb the last LR and never really like it. So maybe you just need a break. Do a few shorter races.

About Ohana. I would like to see us stay together. I have enjoyed this group. I love the fact we are close, there has never been any drama, I can keep up with the posts. I post all my hours/miles on my BT site, so I am fine about not doing that or doing it....whatever is cool.

About me - Did 16 miles today by the way....the last 2 miles were at a 7:59 pace...WOOT! So while you guys are in taper, I am ramping back up the miles.

 

[padisneyfan]

Outside decorations are down, so today I plan to pack. Checked the weather and it now looks like it will be good weather for both the 1/2 and the full. So I will be mostly packing capris since the temps are to be in the 70s. I was concerned about the weather for my flight down as it was to be winter mix, not saying just showers.

Christa--- What a great pace. I do like the 5K events so I think I will just be staying with them in the future.

Maria---How was the 10 miler? So the plan you use only calls for a 1 week taper. Is that what you used last year? Did you see hockeychic was looking for you.

JenB---Glad everything went well with your father. It seems like Plan B is coming together for you. From the way you posted you must be driving down. Have a safe trip and I hope the weather cooperates.

Debra---I do plan to attend the POP meet so will be looking for you. You should be caught up with Stephanie Plum by the time the new one comes out in June. Don't go out of you way to read the new James Patterson book, (Alex Cross) "Crossing Cross." I am slowing reading it but don't really care for the theme. Both Beth (creativebeth) and I agreed that we wouldn't have read it if we knew the story line. However, if I finish it before the POP meet I can bring it to you.

Jeanne--So the Greek has only trained 3 miles, so maybe I will have to pick him up alongside the road somewhere when I pass him. I can't imagine that he thinks he can do a half without training. It's not like he is 20 something, but oviously he is think like a 20 year old.

Mel--Since you live in Fl we are putting you in charge of making sure the weather is perfect for marathon weekend.

I did do 4 miles outside yesterday in the cold. It was to be 5, but was having some hamstring issues so altered my route to be home at 4miles.
My only other exercise I plan to do is Pilates on Monday. I almost wish I had another long walk to see if I am going to be able to do the half without having major pain issues in either my knee or hamstring. I thought the knee brace would help, but it seems to aggravate my hamstring. I am very goal oriented and if I start the half, I doubt that I will stop of my own free will. My big issue is that after Sat I can not take any antiflammatory medicatations Advil, Alleve or Aspirin because of my procedure on Wed. Extra stenght tylenol just doesn't help me. On days I don't walk, I think it is possible to do it. Then when I do my long walk and am miserable, it is a no go.

I also finally printed out my waiver form. For some crazy reason, I am placed way up in Corral C. Do I have to do something at the Expo to get moved back to like Corral E? I would like to leave in the 2nd wave and that time frame is more reasonable than Corral C.

If we keep Team Ohanna together I will keep posting. It has been over a year since I posted on the weekly thread and don't even read it anymore. I like a smaller community.

Off to do some laundry and start packing.

Have a great day everyone.

Nancy