Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[padisneyfan]

Life has been busy, for some reason May is always a busy month for me.

I went back to work on 4/27 fulltime, which has gone well. I am back into doing my workouts in the evening. I did enjoy the last 2 weeks at home as I could get in my exercise in the morning and then have the rest of the day to do other things. I am back into all my activities at the gym-- spin class, pump class, pilates, stretch and last week added a step class. I take Sunday off as a rest day. I have been able to maintain my 20 pound weight loss, but would like to take off an extra 10 pounds but if it doesn't happen I am ok with that.

While I was recovering from surgery, our beagle Blue got recurrent cancer so we had to put her to sleep. I wasn't going to get another dog, but after not having one for a month we went to the SPCA and found a cute little beagle that was a stray and no one claimed. She is 1-2 years old and very loveable. The only thing is she won't go in our backyard for some reason. She is housebroken, but will only go if you walk her on the leash so am getting alot of extra walking in with walking her several times a day.

DH and I did the PINK ribbon 5K walk on 5/9/09 which is a local breast cancer event. We decided to do this one this year instead of Race for the Cure in Philly. It was a nice event and may just continue to do this yearly instead of the RftC in May. If my schedule allows it we might do the MD RftC in Oct. We have also signed up for a ROAR race in June which benefits local Ovarian cancer patients in our area. I am doing this one for you Debra.

More than likely I am just going to stay with 5K events in the future (mostly charity events) as my knee can only tolerate that distance. At my age and all I have been through in the last several months, I really don't want to have to deal with knee issues and have knee replacement because of all the trauma that long distances do to my knee.

I just finished reading James Patterson's new book "The 8th Confession". It is his Women's murder club series. Enjoyed it unlike his last Alex Cross book "Cross" that I didn't care for.

I have loved LOST this season. Many questions answered, but after last night so many new questions to be answered next season. I so love Sawyer.

Will be leaving for Disney in 15 days. It will be so good to see Jeanne and John again.

Hope everyone has a good day.

Nancy

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning, Team Ohana!

I hope everyone is off to a rip-roarin' Thursday! I got up and did my 4 mi this morning (after staying up late to see the season finale of "Lost"), and for some reason I had the best workout I've had in a long time. I felt strong, everything was just clicking along, I really surprised myself. I figured after just 5.5 hrs of sleep I'd be sluggish. I'll be sleeping in tomorrow -- it's my rest day, and I'm staying up again for the season finale of "Grey's" tonight. I'll also Tivo in case I don't exactly stay awake

Anyway, I'm glad to be really alert because I have 2 meetings today which are making me nervous. I'm going to be very glad to be finished and eat my lunch. Yep, at least I'll be done with the hard stuff by noon, hopefully (crosses fingers).

Nancy! -- It is so great to hear from you! I'm so sorry about Blue. It sounds like the new doggie is keeping you hopping! Just 15 days until your trip, you must be so excited! Details, please! I agree, "Lost" has really been fantastic. Of course, now I'm worried about my personal favorite, Sayid. And I agree, Sawyer was pretty powerful last night. I didn't really think he loved Juliet until the end.

Jen -- I'm glad you could work out with a buddy. Sometimes it makes all the difference having a friend. My workouts aren't as intense, but socialization is important, too!

Mel -- I can't believe someone else remembers "The Phoenix"! You are right -- Judson Scott was also in the Wrath of Kahn, and famously in an episode of Next Gen with the actor who played Kirk's son, David. I can't remember the name of it -- it's from Season 1 where these two planets seemed to have a symbiotic relationship, but actually one planet was providing addictive drugs to the other.

Richard -- Your "off season" maintenance schedule is quite impressive!

Debra -- Who doesn't love Jean Luc? Patrick Stewart got the franchise rolling again. I also loved A Wrinkle in Time!. Remembering that time travelling movie with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour? I thought that was the height of romance. Ah, to be young and easily impressed again...Shh, I actually preferred Richard Hatch, but don't tell anyone! I was also a Han Solo girl. Luke was nice and all, but I needed more scoundrels in my life

Ok, gotta scoot to one of those meetings.

Everyone have an awesome day!

Maria

 

[deekaypee]

More later today, folks. The DIS is slow for me...again!

But this announcement HAS to go out today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JEN!!​

​

 

[grizbuzz]

Happy Birthday Jen!!

Just signed up for a local June 7 1/2 marathon. Easy part is I can walk to start line from my house. Hard part is it's looking hilly and long (and a tad bit scary). I've been training in preparation, but time to kick it up a notch. Gulp.

-Jen G

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Happy Birthday, Jen!!!!


Maria

 

[deekaypee]

This weekend, we have TWO teammates with events scheduled:

5/16, Hog's Hunt 25K Trail Run, Huntsville, TX: Richard
5/17, Sarasota Dirty Duo Race: Mel

WISH Richard and Mel good racing!


Jen: A wee apology--I missed you, somehow, in the post the other day. I don't know why. But post more often, okay? It's so cool that you got to have a combo of workout and good conversation with a friend. Two things to re-energize you!

Richard: Yeah, sorry about the updating list. I don't know why I conflated you and Robert. You look nothing alike! (And I'm sure that's true from the backside, as well, which is what I'll be seeing of either of you come January.) I'm so impressed that you move from tri season to marathon season--I mean, that's a high level of fitness year-round. And it's the kind of base I'd like to establish, I think, and a secret long-term goal for post Dopey this year. Shhhhh, don't tell me that's my goal or I'll feel intimidated.

Mel: As Maria, the Phoenix guy was in a bunch of ST/sci fi films, including Wrath of Khan, V, and B5. He was also in The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., a show I enjoyed because of Bruce Campbell's understated acting. Bad tv, I love it! FWIW, I greatly prefer the new BSG and enjoyed it on DVD better than weekly. DOOD rolls his eyes at the socio-political, cultural, and religious themes as being non-too-subtle. But it's tv, not a dissertation! (And still, I'm not "allowed" to watch these series without him...methinks the lad protests too much.) Oh, and X-Files with Uncle Fester. Yes, yes, that's it precisely! The whole reason for watching the show!

Nancy: First, I'm so touched that you would do an ovarian cancer walk--they're not too common, as far as I know. I thank you, as do the local patients. It means more than I can say. And I'm happy that you enjoyed your local breast cancer event and found it nice, supportive, fun. I do find the large RftC races a bit overwhelming. And it sounds like your plan to stick with shorter distances, which brings you satisfaction, and keep up with your all your classes is the way to go. That 20 pound weight loss doesn't lie! (And I'm so impressed that you've kept it off--all it takes is one week for me to start regaining....)

I also wanted to send you PD and for losing your beloved beagle. That must have been an incredibly difficult decision, but the humane one. I know you and your DH have lots of puppy love to shower on your new beagle, and am hinting for some pictures of the new family member. Maybe after your Disney trip? Pictures of that, too! I'm glad you and Jeanne will be able to get into trouble--er, enjoy each other's company--again.

Oh, one last thing. Thanks for mentioning Patterson. The perfect reading material for an upcoming plane trip of mine, but I have to request his materials in advance. Very popular in my library.

Jeanne: In case you visit before going on vacay with Nancy, have a great time on your trip together and yes, shenanigans are expected!

Maria: Lost. Shirtless men. What can I say? Actually, it's all secondary to the conspiracies and factions, etc. to me, but I do like my added bonus. My favorites in the show are/were Hurley and Charlie, so obviously I'm somewhat warped. Christopher Reeve/Jane Seymour/Christopher Plummer in Somewhere in Time. Filmed, in part, on Mackinaw Island--a few hours away from my hometown and a tourist spot where all the flatlanders/fudgies (slurs for tourists--have you heard of those terms?) visited. Yep, remember it fondly.

I love time-travel stories in general, although I tend to get annoyed at the execution. So if you have any more recommendations along those lines...Working my way through Gabaldon, have read The Time Traveler's Wife....

JenG: Great news on the 1/2? How can you resist a race that practically allows you to roll out of bed to the start? What's the name of the event? This isn't the trail challenge you talked about? And if you'd consider sharing your bib number, I'd love to track you.... (not stalk, just track.)

As for me: Let's see. Not much. Realized that I keep thinking Memorial Day is the last weekend of May and it's not, so my trip is AFTER Memorial Day. They're imploding an apartment high-rise that's 1/2 a block from my gym on Sunday a.m., so we're going to go watch it. Oh yes, DOOD and I lead exciting lives.

 

[tiberius]

All the Trek fans - I went to go see it a second time this afternoon. Still loved it, and cut more detail this time.

Jen - Happy Birthday!

Maria - My "maintenance" is not really maintenance. It is working off all the accumulation of extra weight I piled over the years. Being a goal-oriented kind of guy, it helps to focus on an event.

Debra - Don't worry, your secret is safe with me (and safe from you without intimidation). Besides, with all your training I have no doubt that you have that base for yourself. It's not really hard to transition from tri to running season. I'll just increase the running miles and decrease the cross-training distances, but not cut it out altogether (especially since I might want to do an April half ironman distance , nobody tell my DW!!) BTW, I think some fo those BSG cultural sub-plots really helped the series (although I thought a couple of them bogged the series down for a while, too) in the long run.

 

[chimera]

Hey...any Ohanaians on FB that I don't already know about? PM me if we're not already friends!

Thinking about Ohana meet for marathon weekend. I'm assuming it should involve ice cream. We're at POR right now, but could possibly change to OKW in August. One of the DVC common rooms might be nice.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi Mel!

We are at POR, too. I doubt we'll move because my SIL and BIL are also doing their first Half and staying onsite Friday and Saturday. None of us own DVC, though -- so I can see where you might get a better deal

Just poppin' in for a moment -- go back to your regularly scheduled weekend events! I ran 4 mi this morning, and this afternoon I have to take ds shopping for dh's birthday on Wed.

Oh! For anyone who has BBCAmerica -- It's the season premiere of Primeval tonight. It sounded so kooky (dinosaurs & time travel) I didn't think I'd like it, but I'm hooked!

Maria

 

[grizbuzz]

JenG: Great news on the 1/2? How can you resist a race that practically allows you to roll out of bed to the start? What's the name of the event? This isn't the trail challenge you talked about? And if you'd consider sharing your bib number, I'd love to track you.... (not stalk, just track.)

It is the Lake Chabot trail run. I don't know my bib number. Don't think I got one. This is a pretty small local race. Are we supposed to get bib numbers?

Did my last training long run today before taper. Took me 2 hours and 15 minutes to do 11 miles. The hills were hard and I am tired. This is going to be a challenging race for me.

-JenG

 

[tiberius]

Race Report for my Teammates

Today was the Hog's Hunt 25/50K Trail Races in Huntsville State Park. I ran the 25K race this morning, even though I really hadn't quite properly trained for this distance I have been looking forward to this event for the last two months. Last year I ran this race in 4:46:45, a lot slower than I might otherwise have run due to a foot injury which caused me to walk about half the course. My PR for 25K trail runs was set in the Rocky Raccoon 25K (same course for a November race date) at 3:46:26.

This morning I started out walking the first mile with a friend who was walking the complete event. We walked this mile in just under 16 minutes. Then I started running the event on my own. Starting out slow gave me the opportunity to pass quite a few runners steadily during the event. My general goals was to do a run 4 minutes then walk 1 minute schedule, while also walking on the steeper uphill portions. Overall this worked well for me as I ran a comfortable 12-13 minute per mile pace for the first 10 miles. In mile 11 I was running low on water as I got to a water cooler only aid station. Unfortunately, the cooler was nearly empty and no one was around it. I get a few ounces of water and knowing another aid station was about 1.5 miles ahead, I pressed on. (I would later learn they were in the process of bringing water back to the cooler at this time.) As I ran out of water I reverted to my backup plan which was to only walked until I reached the aid station to resupply, which I did after about another half mile. I was feeling pretty good again--for about a half mile--when I get a bad muscle spasm in my inside right calf. I looked down to see a big tight ball of muscle and an "empty" spot between the spasming muscle and the next muscle. I spend some time massaging the muscle and then start walking for a bit, when I feel up to it I start running some more. Another quarter mile and I get another spasm on my inside right thigh. Again stop, massage, walk, and resume running some. I took it a bit easier on my running, but another (maybe) half mile later the calf spasms return stronger. Again with the stop, massage, walk, and start to run. At this point I mix in walking and running based on feel so as to not overstress the right leg muscles any more than I need to and definitely only walk up all hills. That (slowly) gets me to about the 14.5 mile point. From there I try to push my pace a bit to keep up with some runners who had caught me--and I did stay with then for most of the rest of the race until they sprinted to the finish.

I finish in 3:37:48 on my watch, although the official time will be a bit longer as I took my time to pass over the start line (not a chip-timed race), so I figure I came in around 3:39:00. This is a 1 hour plus improvement over last year's injury-affected time and a 7 minute or so PR for me for 25K trail race course.

All in all, I am a bit disappointed in having the muscle spasms keep me from beating 3 1/2 hours, but I can't really complain too much when I set a new PR. Today's weather was fair to warm, but not too warm. The race staff and volunteers did a good job and things seemed to run pretty well. I suppose I am already starting to think about how I can improve for the next time.

 

[chimera]

Congrats on your race, Richard! Sounds cool. I'd like to get into trail running, but seems like there aren't that many around here. We found some cool trails to run when we were in NC last summer.

Dirty Duo for us in the morning. DD6 has decided she wants to do the kids race.

 

[tiberius]

Congrats on your race, Richard! Sounds cool. I'd like to get into trail running, but seems like there aren't that many around here. We found some cool trails to run !when we were in NC last summer.

Dirty Duo for us in the morning. DD6 has decided she wants to do the kids race.

Thanks, Mel.

Good luck to you and the DD tomorrow!

 

[Jen117]

Hey Cousins.... Thank you for the Birthday Wishes... But I must admit to you all that aren't on Facebook and don't know already... I will not be at Marathon weekend and I will miss ice cream and I will be VERY jealous... But I have to say, I am PREGNANT. Number 3 is on the way. Ironically...I am due marathon weekend.

Pretty insane huh!!!

 

[jbucci]

Jen: Congrats on the news-- running that close to your due date would be a bad idea--- eat some pickles and ice cream in our honor

Nancy: Congrats on the awesome weight loss and getting out there and moving, I'm impresed I lost 5 pounds but they found me again on this recent Disney trip... back to being good, you'll be my role model

Richard: Congrats on your PR-- sorry to hear about the cramping, that happened to me during the Disney Marathon and I wound up about 25 min slower because of it...

As for me, we just got back from a week in WDW. We stayed in the new Animal Kingdom Villas and they were awesome I loved hanging at the room and watching the animals. The pool was great and DD5 got over her fear of water slides and would have spent all day every day at that pool, I even managed to get to the gym at the hotel a few times (of course I ate enough to negate any exercise I got on the trip but ) We even had a date night to go out to dinner. We told DD that we were going to have a boring adult meal and left her at the kids club in Jambo House. She had a blast. The final night of our trip she asked if we could do something boring again so she could co back to the kids' club.

Now it's back to reality again, time to start planning our Disneyland trip and training for that half.

 

[tiberius]

I am PREGNANT. Number 3 is on the way. Ironically...I am due marathon weekend.

CONGRATULATIONS, JEN!!!

Although, it does sound like you'll doing your own "marathon" around that time.

 

[chimera]

Dirty Duo pictures:

Dirty Duo

For the record, my first DNF. The course was two 3 mile loops. I haven't run 6 miles since the Princess half and DD16 hasn't run anywhere since the Minnie 2 years ago. This race had a runner only category with no bikes...next year, taking the bike! Anyway, one loop seemed like enough. Next year, I'll know to train...I guess this counts as my first trail run. Much harder than running on sidewalks. But very very fun!

We started out wheelbarrow racing, then I had to carry her on my back, then you do the run on flat pasture. We saw a 6 foot gator in the pond. People with bikes were trading on and off throughout. Then you go up a 'hill' and do a bunch of trail stuff. We had a lot of rain yesterday so it was pretty slippery and muddy. Down the hill to a tire that you have to flip 4 times, then a log you carry down a hill and back up. Run back up the hill to the road, road to parking lot, then starts the other obstacles, tires, sack race, slip n slide, mud pit, then back out for another loop. One loop was good! Got to watch everyone else finish, then they had the kids races, just through the obstacles at the end.

Definitely would do it again!

 

[tiberius]

Mel - Nice photos! It sounds like you had a great time, and sometimes taking the DNF is the right thing to do.

 

[deekaypee]

'Ohana cousins! Ditto on Mel's FB request--if you're on and we're not friends--and you want to be--PM me and we'll get hooked up!

ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM! I'm all for an 'Ohana meet with or without the tasty goodies! Still haven't planned where we're staying--no surprise there--but we'll have a car and can transport people. And ice cream. I'm so looking forward to it. (Although I'll miss seeing Jen. Waaaaaaaaaah! But yea for the baby news!)

Richard: I see that we're a secret-keeping pair! Me, trying to fool my body into thinking there's always going to be an off-season, you with your April 1/2 IM plans that you're going to surprise DW with! I won't tell if you won't.

The title of your 25/50K event made me giggle, first of all. But ow, ow, ow on the leg cramps--and no consolation whatsoever that you can differentiate your various leg muscles. (Although I do admire that level of toned muscle.) Despite the cramping, probably related to water intake?, you PR'ed. That's fabulous!

Maria: Are you planning on running with SIL/BIL/both during the half? Partying with them? Congratulations on your active weekend! Look for a postcard from me, new postal charges be hanged! (Oh, and cousins, if you like getting postcards just send me your snail mail. I like to send them out.)

JenG: So it IS the trail challenge--I had my dates wrong. I'm no expert on the races, but every race I've done has a bib. Sometimes I don't know it until the day of the event, though? You've been training on hills and you're coming into the race knowing it's going to be a challenge. I KNOW you're going to do just fine. And when I looked up the Lake Chabot race I thought, "What a beautiful event."

Mel: It's so cool that your whole family is running. Side question: who in the family are doing the Disney races come January? I'm sorry you were a DNF for the first time--but impressed that you're so zen about it (as you should be, what you accomplished is fabulous)! The event looks like so much fun and I can see why you're up for it next year. And not to go all teacher on anyone, least of all you, but the needing to train differently for such an event is a lesson for us all. (Especially me, as your pictures gave me the urge to try one of these things.)

Jen: Congratulations on baby #3. I know it's good news and hoped for! What a terrific birthday surprise--you went all out on your special day. Now, although I'm fairly sure you can't do the marathon. I think you should try to deliver your baby in the Magic Kingdom. Wouldn't THAT be magical?

JenB: First, congrats on that 5 pound wait loss. You've got the momentum going, just interrupted for the trip, and I know you'll take it back off! And you went to the gym while there, which just shows how motivated you are. And training for the DL 1/2 will just aid you in your weight loss goal--and your PR goal, of course! I'd love to see pictures of the AKL Villas if you get a chance.

As for me: The weekend flew by without accomplishing much. We saw Paris 36, hoping it would be like a little less frenzied Moulin Rouge! No such luck--can't recommend it. Did some biking this afternoon in the University of Pittsburgh district and wandered around the Children's Festival. Very nice. And am starting to go through our boxes and boxes of books, trying to streamline our lives a little. How did I accumulate so much stuff?

Be back tonight for a mixer question! Let me know if there are any last-minute suggestions or ones for next week!

 

[tiberius]

'Ohana cousins! Ditto on Mel's FB request--if you're on and we're not friends--and you want to be--PM me and we'll get hooked up!

ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM, ICE CREAM! I'm all for an 'Ohana meet with or without the tasty goodies! Still haven't planned where we're staying--no surprise there--but we'll have a car and can transport people. And ice cream. I'm so looking forward to it. (Although I'll miss seeing Jen. Waaaaaaaaaah! But yea for the baby news!)

Richard: I see that we're a secret-keeping pair! Me, trying to fool my body into thinking there's always going to be an off-season, you with your April 1/2 IM plans that you're going to surprise DW with! I won't tell if you won't.

The title of your 25/50K event made me giggle, first of all. But ow, ow, ow on the leg cramps--and no consolation whatsoever that you can differentiate your various leg muscles. (Although I do admire that level of toned muscle.) Despite the cramping, probably related to water intake?, you PR'ed. That's fabulous!

Ah, yes the Hog's Hunt name is a bit funny for a race event isn't it? I've also done this Race Director's November event the Rocky Raccoon 25K/50K.

Yes, I have been known to keep secrets from the DW--nothing too serious (I've long since learned that lesson--and she will get a nice trip to Galveston out of it if she wants to come along if/when I do the half IM next April.

I'm all for any meet, but ice cream and pizza are my two food soft spots. Maybe we could down a few Kitchen Sinks as a team!

I'll be PM'ing you on getting together on FB.