Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[deekaypee]

Maria: Thanks for the mixer question. DOOD's suggested one, too, so I'll probably keep yours and throw his into the mix. I'm hoping all of us will throw out at least one question--or our guests will have suggestions! Bear of little brain, I am. I am partial to your second question, though. You must check in Monday--what's a paycheck versus the fun we have here?

Dennis: I love the RR you provided on the ESPN weekend. It sounds like a really fun, intimate (by Disney standards) event. So cool that Misty May was there. I really think that DOOD and I might try to plan our regular, non-marathon trips around small events like this. And I really, really love that you have inspired so many people to follow in your footsteps as you have followed in Carrie's. I'm trying to convince a GF to do Disney in January, and love thinking that we spread the love. It's more than Disney, of course, it's the whole event thing that has us hooked, and I know you and M'Lisse are wonderful WISH & race ambassadors.

Jackie: You and I share the same alternate reality. Beignet in hand, FQ, strolling on the trails on the way to the POR meet. Running will have to wait until the tummy settles from the beignet. Good news about Annie being part of the scholars program. That's so much better for her education--and don't you let anyone tell her differently. Seminar classrooms offer a better experience, more contact with people who can help her academically and professionally, and a friendly-yet-competitive atmosphere where it's "cool" to be smart. I vote for the honors dorm, too!

Sorry that you're missing out on the St. Patty's run this year, but it sounds like it's for the best. (I'm still sulking about January, of course.) But congratulations on your 10 miler and feeling strong and inspired to do Richmond. I know you like training with your Galloway group and truly believe this is a great way to get your 2nd full done!

As for me: Sorry for the duplicate from the Lean Meaners thread.
Good run on Thursday, stonker of a run today. Can't figure it out, except the difference was I was on a TM today. (DOOD's been experiencing hip and knee pain, so he decided to go the gym so he could get on the elliptical and use the sauna. I went along for weights.) That shouldn't have caused a problem. Fueling, hydration, and rest were in my normal range. Took a cardio rest day yesterday and only did Pilates and stretching. But no go. So, since I can't figure out what happened I'm just forgetting it happened and we'll see what happens on Tuesday (next run).

Other news...DOOD and I are saw Watchman yesterday (couldn't talk him into a midnight movie). It's 3:40 long. It was a faithful adaptation of a graphic novel that I am, at best, lukewarm about. My tendency is to nosh through long movies that I'm not particularly interested in watching. Yep, when I don't like a movie I eat. Helps keep my mouth shut so DOOD can enjoy a movie in peace. Plus, these days I'm eating every 3 hours to help keep my energy up. Because I knew I'd want to eat for those two reasons, I made myself a little trail mix of almonds, dried cherries, and just a touch of chocolate. A movie treat, but one with some good protein and fats! I tracked it in SP and still came in within range for the day!

Oh, and I know Maria and Mel will appreciate this--as well as many of my cousins. I was talking to DOOD about the Watchman, and compared it to ST: TNG and the "trial of humanity." Turns out he had no idea what I was talking about. Guess what's in our Netflix queue?

ETA: For Corinna, and all our other weight-loss cousins who are tracking....I'm down 2 pounds for March, for 2/5.

 

[chimera]

So that's what Corral A looks like? Big grin

Unfortunately, I don't think I earned the right to stay there...2:48:33. I'm actually relatively pleased with my time considering I started wondering at mile 2 if I could just turn around and go back....then mile 5 I was thinking I could just duck into the Contemporary and hitch the monorail to TTC for a bus back to OKW. I did better through MK, but those monorails at GF and Poly were lookin' pretty sweet Cool I did start out too fast...my first mile was 11:27. I did the first 3 miles at R3/W1, then downshifted to R2/W1, then about mile 8.5 down to R1/W2 for the remainder. I need to focus future training on holding it together after miles 8 to 10. I'm thinking about expanding my training schedule for next year to double the runs from 8 miles and up with a cutback between each.

I think the race was well done, though I still would have preferred the course they originally offered (last half of marathon course). The mileage from AK to MGM is boring, but not really much different than the first 4 miles of Donald/Princess. And then you'd have more entertainment for the latter miles where energy is flagging. There was a LOT more spectator support than I expected would be there...and I'd swear there was a water stop every half mile.

Lenna did very well in her race too. She was so focused. She did a great job packing her race bag...shorts, shirt, hat, ponytail holder, sunglasses. She loved her medal!

Great seeing Jen, Jeanne and Kathy!

 

[tiberius]

Debra - I ran a new 5K PR yesterday by over 2 minutes. New PR 31:09, old PR 33:19! Hmmm, the line between running strong and running crazy... Well, at my 5K I felt strong for the first mile--even running faster than I thought I would and not being able to keep a slower pace, and then crazy to try to keep up the pace much after that. As "fast" as I ran, I only averaged 10 minute miles, so running strong is a relative term. However, those 10 minute miles represent vast improvement over the last 2 1/4 years. I ran that same race in 38:45 just 2 years ago--and that was max effort back then! Also, losing 25 lbs since last year's race had to help with the improved time; stil having 50 or more lbs that I could lose means I should contiunue to improve for so time, IF (!!) I can keep up with the whole diet and weight loss thing. As to the bitterness over my weather, let's see how you feel in a few months when I am pushing (or passing) 100 degrees!

Mel - Looks like I'll be missing the Monday mixer again due to a conflict with my triathlon club. I guess you'll all be getting those tattoos without me.

 

[deekaypee]

Mel and Richard: Congratulations on your races! You're doing the cousins proud!

Mel: You did really well with the PH, I hope you realize. You'd jam-packed your racing schedule with halfs, plus everything else....I didn't know Lenna was doing a race, either. How exciting! Pics? And would you recommend the PH, even if the course doesn't change? I think your expanded strategy is a sound one, btw, and will probably have a long training schedule for the Goofy this year. In the meantime, I'm enjoying my XT and hope you get a lot of good time in the saddle yourself.

Richard: Fabulous! What race was this? I've already added the 5K to our calendar and noted your finish as a PR. So worth celebrating! You're already far ahead of me in pace, so I'll just be satisfied with shouting encouragement from a distance! You definitely had a strong run AND a strong race, going out hard and then pressing to keep it. In addition to the PR, being able to track your progress concerning how you felt running the same race is an added bonus. I call that incentive to keep training hard and to keep up with the weight loss...for all of us. (Isn't there a formula for how many seconds we shave off our time as we meet our weight-loss goals?) Last thing: darn your triathlon club. I'll be posting the mixer later tonight, so join early or come late.

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana Monday Mixer

Mental Health Day

We all know that our mental-health days are just as important as our workouts, recovery days, and proper fueling. So, Monday's question is....

If you had an unexpected free day--no work or other obligations--and $20 to spend just on you, what would you do?

So please share those small indulgences that are essential to your mental well-being. Hopefully, we'll get new ideas and find kindred souls.

There are three little rules. Just because.

1. You have to spend at least part of the $20 on you. No giving it away, no saving it for a rainy day, and no spending the $20 entirely on your beloved partner, cute kidlets, or BFF. You can spend time with these folks, of course, and some of the money. But the focus is on YOU and what you want to do.
2. You can choose to work out, if you wish, or your mental health day can coincide with a recovery day.
3. What you do on your mental health day has to reflect your everyday, local life. No "I just happened to be in Paris..." You can imagine, however, that you have perfect weather.

As usual, full stories that are related to your mental-health day are welcome. Not to mention the odd digression! And you're always welcome to bring drinks, goodies, and profound thoughts on the meaning of life.

 

[tiberius]

Richard: Fabulous! What race was this? I've already added the 5K to our calendar and noted your finish as a PR.

It was the Spring Fever 5K in The Woodlands, TX.
Thanks for making note of it!

 

[princessrunner]

Morning Cousins!!! It is Monday isn't it????

If I had time to myself and $20 in my pocket first up I would pass out!! I NEVER have money in my pocket and I NEVER have time to myself....

Hmmm, then I would find some airfare (which lately has been about $49 one way) to Orlando and go visit the House of Mouse. Would I bring my family...well only if they were nice...

Actually, I would probably put the money toward some new kicks. I am in the shopping process for a replacement for my Kinsei's. Yeah, $165 for a pair of running shoes is just a lot of $$ but at least my knees are still speaking to me after the run!!!

Have a super Monday everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[laxdef69]

I think that it would be an early summer saturday.

DW and the kidlets and I would all ride our bikes up to the farmers market in the morning.

I would buy coffee for me, tea for DW and hot chocolate for the kidlets.

The rest of the $20 would be spent on some fresh pastries for us to share, or kettle corn (sweetened popcorn) and listen to the live music (usually acoustic sets, not the hippie type folk musix where we all hold hands and sing kumbaya...just really good musicians who sing really good songs).

After that, a nice ride back home, and then walk to the neighborhood pool where the kids would play and DW and me would hang out.

Then we'd go home and BBQ some steaks that have been marinating in worcestershire sauce and seasoned salt with garlic rub, and finish off the night with a single malt scotch and a good cigar on the back deck, looking at the trees that have grown enough to block out my white trash neighbors.

Sigh....

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Team Ohana! Thanks for the invite to your social!

A perfect day - Oh, let's see - I think first a nice long walk with the dogs and end the day in the jacuzzi tub with a good book - in between - I might do something I have never done on my own - get a massage - yes, that is more than $20, but I think I read spend AT LEAST $20 on yourself. Oh, I guess I read that part wrong, but I would still go for the massage, I just would have to kick in a little more $$$.

Have a great day everyone!!!

 

[MickeyT]

Hey Cousins,
Let's see......If you had an unexpected free day--no work or other obligations--and $20 to spend just on you, what would you do?

That would be a beautiful day in the 70's (temperature, not 1970's) I'd go for a short run, have breakfast with the wife, then......wait a minute that is the way I've started out today! I'm gonna go work in the yard, go to lunch at my favorite greasy burger place >$20!< and work in the yard some more.....I am so lucky!

 

[frankenpooh]

Hmmm....I've spent a lot of time thinking about this one, which is probably a clue to what I'd actually do if given this opportunity: fritter away the day trying to decide what to do for myself

However, I did narrow it down to a few possibilities. I'd probably go shopping and purchase:

1) Something that smells really good
2) Something that tastes really good
3) Something that meets the criteria for both 1) and 2) OR
4) Something Disney-related

Now, I could meet all of these criteria with a trip to the Main Street Bakery ....

Have a great day, WISHers! I'll check back in later to see what others have to say.

 

[jbucci]

Not quite sure what my perfect relaxing day would be... so mood dependent.

Taking time to curl up with a good book for a few hours and going out to a nice dinner with DH sounds great today. Maybe even a movie afterward

Other days it would be a trip to the park on a beautiful sunny day with DH and DD then spent the $20 getting ice cream at Cold Stone and since we can conjure up whatever we want we would listen to some nice live music while eating our ice cream-- maybe a Trout Fishing in America concert in the park (they are a fun kids band that DD just loves and they do a number of free or pretty cheap park concerts in the summer)

On another note: we had a really good time at the PH. It was a quick weekend and I'm pretty beat right now-likely why my perfect day involves mostly sitting We headed down on Friday and had a really nice dinner at Yachtsman Steakhouse (pricey but wayyyyyy yummy) then did a little bit of EPCOT. We loved doing the Kim Possible missions- cheesy but fun. Sat we spent most of the day at Blizzard Beach. I'm not sure which one of us thought all of those steps would be a good idea before the race, but there was also the vegging on the lazy river. We had a nice time meeting everyone at POR on Sat night then quickly race to MK for one last Space Mountain before they rehab it in April.

We got up bright and early on Sunday for the race (actually dark and early...) We hung out with WISHers in the parking lot prior to heading to the corrals. Butch and I were with Matt at the start and Matt was again decked out in his Sorcerers Apprentice ears and gloves. The race itself was good-- nice weather although toward the end I was really wishing for some shade or more cloud cover-- the sun was killing me. They did a good job with the princess theme- each mile marker had a different princess scene on it. There we princess trivia question on "sharpie signs" along the road for boring stretches. There we lots a princesses and their princes out for pictures along the course. I had a really good 1st 10 miles and felt strong until the final stretch back to EPOCT-- the combination of strange toe pain and the heat just got to me. I did manage a PR of 2:43 despite my troubles the last 2-3 miles After the race I got my massage and then headed back for a shower and lunch. We had a nice lunch and did a few more Kim Possible missions in EPCOT then headed back home. I really missed DD the first day but had a great time and think I might try to do this one again next year.

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Aloha Team Ohana! For my mental health day, I would sleep in first and foremost. Then go for nice easy 5 mile run in the perfect weather of course. I'd have lunch out at Panera or the like and then spend the afternoon with a new paperback.

Jennifer

 

[ImMarcik]

My mental day is coming up. I am off of work on April 16th & 17th after 3 1/2 months of working 6 days a week with no time off. On Saturday I called and scheduled a massage & facial for that day. Mental days are always nice in the spa.

 

[goofyinohio]

Good Afternoon Team Ohana!

Thanks for the invite Debra!

What would my day look like with $20 to spend on myself?

I'd start the day with breakfast at home and awaken to 65 degrees knowing it's going to get up to 77-80. I'd then throw on my running gear and take a nice 5 mile run. Then I'd shower and get the family in car and take a day in at the zoo. We have yearly passes so no cost to me there. For lunch I'd like to hit my local BBQ place. For the afternoon I'd like to sit on the porch and sit and watch my kids play and relax. Sometime later I'd like to take everyone for ice cream and then some time to just hang with the Mrs.

That may sound hectic to many of you, but that's a day that clears my mind. No outside worries.

 

[jship210]

Hmmm... a totally free day huh? No cell phones, e-mails, text messages ect.
I would grabbed the dogs , head to the beach for an hour or two, then come home make a nice pot of coffee sit by the window and read.

 

[windwalker]

Hummmm, what to do with $20 and a day of my own. Well the problem is I have my life set up pretty much exactly like it should be:

A breakfast of Special K, with a banana and skim milk, coffee and vitamin.
Good workout at the gym, prefer walking outside if the weather is pretty.
Come home for a healthy snack then a nap with Erica.
For the $20, dinner at our favorite Mexican place with a frozen margarita in a bowl big enough to raise goldfish in.

Content Panda

 

[MaryJ]

Hi Cousins!

This is my first time to post on the mixer thread. A lot has been going on with my biological family, and I've been really busy!

My perfect day would start with a brisk walk/slow jog with DH. After a relaxing shower, we would pack a picnic lunch and swing by Barnes & Noble. I would use the $20 to buy a new book. Then take the book and the lunch out to the farm where our horses are stabled, where we would have our picnic. Finish the afternoon sitting in the pasture on a lawn chair reading the new book.

I'm looking forward to getting to know my Ohana Cousins!

Mary

 

[bunnyfoo]

Hey Cousins! If I had $20 and a day to myself, I would probably go get a manicure! Or I would go book shopping! Oh, and I can't forget sleep in ...

If I were with friends, I would grab a half dozen cupcakes at my favourite shop and have afternoon tea! Hopefully, they're taking a mental health day too ... otherwise I'd have a whole lot of cupcakes to eat!

 

[deekaypee]

Hello, cousins! It sure is a quiet day around here. And I'm in-between errands, which means I don't have the perfect day today, so will have to come back for the mixer proper. Right now, I only have one drink in hand--and that's part of the errand trip:

I know it's a daytime treat many of us enjoy in one form or another. (There may be a nosh involved at the end of my errand-running. I'll let you know. Probably with pictures. ) In fact, a latte is one of my weekly if not daily small indulgences. Anyone else have small indulgences they want to share, with or without the mental-health day?

In the meantime, I'm loving all the little things we do for our mental health days. Small things can make a big difference, can't they? I love that so many of us enjoy turning off the clock and unplugging from the email/tech communications. And that we instead tune into ourselves--our bodies, our minds, and our relationships.

But before I go, and I promise to return soon, I must point out that none of us are confessing to our perfect nights. Yet. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more)

P.S. I'm working on being a content panda--or my version of it!

P.P.S. JenB--you and Butch rock! And I'm so glad you enjoyed your weekend. I know spending time away from DD was tough on you.