Team 'Ohana 2009: No One Left Behind

[Worfiedoodles]

Don't worry, Richard, I'm still at home and trying to get everything ready, too! I have yet to even think about packing...and my boss keeps giving me tasks like she thinks my mind is still here. I have three more days to work, and then we leave the 7th. My assistant left for Barbados today, I'm trying not to be too envious. She returns to work the same time I do, after MLK day. She may have more sun and warmth, but I will have more hugs and hopefully less weight gain!

Maria

 

[corinnak]

I'm still here too - and also have not yet even started my packing list. It's been a wild and wooly school vacation - seems like we've been bouncing from one holiday to the next with a sort of frantic glee alternated with stunning boredom (on the part of the kids).

I really don't have a whole lot new to contribute, I guess. Just sticking with the training/eating/sanity plan, pretty much. And thinking about the Princess race. CASH has been cast in a show that has a performance on the same Sunday as the race, but it's just that ONE day, not the whole weekend, which makes me think that perhaps something could be worked out.

Oh, and the Wine and Dine - it's the same weekend as Twin Cities Marathon and 10 Mile. I guess I'm planning on putting my name in the lottery for the 10M again, and if it doesn't come through, I'll think about W&D. Gotta say, running a beautiful, fall 10 Mile close to home sounds far, far more appealing than running a very sweaty nighttime half in October. But maybe that's just me!

In other news....I have no other news. Hope all cousins are safe and warm, too!

 

[laughinplace199]

Happy New Year to all of my cousins!

Don't worry Richard and Maria, I'm still here too. We don't leave for WDW until the 8th. I've spent the day making lists for my parents, who will be watching the kids while we're in WDW. I never knew there was so much to keep track of! School lunches, activities, uniforms, etc. The lists go on and on!

Please send some pixie dust my way for the marathon. I had IT band issues last year and I thought they were behind me. This year, I've had no issues at all...until today. We ran a tricky 8 miles this morning. Many people haven't shoveled the snow from their sidewalks yet, so the run was a little bit more of a workout. Now my knee is killing me when I go up or down stairs. I'm going to do my stretches faithfully from now until race day. I just hope that's enough.

I'll be spending the rest of the week doing errands, cleaning, packing, etc. I'm so looking forward to seeing/meeting my cousins!

 

[laughinplace199]

Corinna - I haven't started packing either. Although I did find my list from last year, so I'm happy for that. The forecast for WDW seems to change every day, so I don't even want to start packing yet.

I hope that all of the races you mentioned work out for you. You have become the queen of racing! I was just thinking about you the other day and how it always seems like you have a race planned (Richard, it seems that you're like this too ). I then realized that I've only run 3 races in my life so far. This marathon will be my 4th race. I've got some serious catching up to do.

 

[chimera]

We're driving up Friday morning so still here. Just finished unpacking from the NC trip and haven't started packing for WDW yet. I remember the first year when I couldn't wait until the holidays were over so we could get to the races. Now, this year, it's kinda routine.

 

[tiberius]

I was just thinking about you the other day and how it always seems like you have a race planned (Richard, it seems that you're like this too ). I then realized that I've only run 3 races in my life so far. This marathon will be my 4th race. I've got some serious catching up to do.

I think it is true to say that every single day of last year (and well at the end of 2008) I was registered for at least 1 future race, and often many more. Ironically, after the marathon on Sunday I will not be registered for any...although have many planned!

 

[corinnak]

I think it is true to say that every single day of last year (and well at the end of 2008) I was registered for at least 1 future race, and often many more. Ironically, after the marathon on Sunday I will not be registered for any...although have many planned!

I think I was unregistered for any race between the 2009 half and registering for 2010 last year. You are making me itchy to register for something NOW!

Julie - man, that is a bummer about your rediscovered IT band. My favorite cure for acute stuff is the trifecta of inflammation reduction: ice, advil and biofreeze. Take good care and feel better soon! Hopefully it will feel loads better tomorrow.

You are so sweet to call me the queen of racing - I do not feel at all like a queen! Someone asked me a few weeks ago "So, what made you decide to start running?" And I said "Desperation!!" It's the same thing that keeps me registering for race after race. Gotta have something on the calendar to look forward to, I guess. Maybe it will settle down as I mature into less of a racing "greenhorn."

Mel - you're in the pause between trips it sounds like! I was looking forward to the holidays being over this year, I'll confess. I think it's more annoyance with the holidays than exuberance about the races though, in my case!

 

[jbucci]

I'll post more later but for now could use some help.

I'd love some opinions on our latest debate. There is a vague prediction for snow on Friday in the Philia area. I'm supposed to fly out on Thurs and hit the expo, etc. Butch and DD6 are flying after school on Friday so she doesn't miss the day of school. I'm a bit worried about snow messing up the flight and having Butch stuck in NJ and missing the 1/2. Should we suck up the fare change and have them fly on Thurs causing DD to miss the day of school or take the risk of a snow delay? I'm not sure what to do. We are waiting to see if the forcast gets a bit more conclusive but I don't know how long the lower fares on Southwest will hold out so that we could switch without spending a fortune...

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Wow, Jen B, I don't know what to say. How does your airport do with snow? Logan is notorious for closing, but I probably wouldn't change flights for a vague prediction of snow. If I knew it was coming, and predicted at more than 4 inches, I would definitely change. I know that wasn't much help...

Best of luck with your decision!
Maria

 

[corinnak]

Hi Jen! The thing that concerns me about Friday is that there is no margin for error, and yeah, the snow could turn out to be a big nothing, but it's important for Butch to be there for the half (is he going Goofy??) then my feeling is it's better to be safe than sorry, especially if you are able to change the flights now. Your DD is still young enough that missing an extra day of school won't set her back too badly. I am a weather pessimist, though, and my motto is "Expect Delays."

Everyone ready for some COLD temps this weekend? I am not worried about the race for myself - it's the waiting aroudn beforehand and the volunteering for the marathon that concern me. Of course it was -9 here this morning when I dropped the kids off at school, so actually what they're predicting sounds like a vast warm-up to me.

 

[jeanneg]

Hello everyone......and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sorry I haven't been posting much. I was doing SOOOOO well with my surgery until I hit the 3-week mark and developed a huge complication. Guess I'm not such a tough old broad afterall. Anyway, needless to say, I am a little bummed out. I'll still be coming to WDW, but I am not 100% sure I can do the 5K or even volunteer for that matter. I figure if I ask my doctor he will definitely say "no" so I'm not saying anything and will just see how I feel. Anything can happen in a few days but for now I'm just going to wing it. I certainly hate to miss out on all the fun. Worst case scenario, I'll still be scream-teaming for all of you.

Jen: Only because you asked.......CHANGE YOUR PLANS! Philly is a pretty bad airport in tterms of cancellations. if Butch's original flight gets cancelled, there's no telling when he will be able to get on another one. You guys worked too hard to miss the race because of an airport/weather glitch. Suck it up and pay the additional fare....it will be so much worth it in terms of your peace of mind. Plus, a little extra time at WDW can't be all bad. Don't worry about the kids missing school.....at their grade level they can make up the missed work easily. You might even ask the teachers for their assignments in advance. Once they hit high school, it's a different matter, but I would never fret over missing a day of grade school. Like you, I was so conscientious about missing school when my kids were very young; I now realize it wasn't really all that important. Go make a memory and stop sweating the small stuff.

So who's doing Wine and Dine? With all the weddings, etc. that may be my only race in 2010. So far 5 members of my immediate family plus 3 significant others will be doing the race as relay teams. I'm hoping my daughter and the Greek will also be able to join us, but they may have a little problem with getting time off from work. Once we get the full roster, we'll make the teams so that the fastest person gets paired with the slowest person and so on down the list. We are trying to make the teams as evenly handicapped as possible so that no one can predict who will win and we should all finish roughly around the same time. I have already booked a Grand Villa for the dates. Toss in meals and park admissions and this was our Christmas gift to our children this year. I am so looking forward to this event and hope lots of my Ohana cousins will join us.

I've been watching the forecast for this coming weekend. As of today, they are saying that there won't be rain on either Saturday or Sunday, although we may get some on Friday. It will, however, be COLD!!!!! I think Sunday will have a high of 45 and a low of 25! Yowsa!!!!! I just took my shorts out of my suitcase and threw in some flannel lined sheeting pants to wear while I work the water stops (God willing). Pack warm clothing, cousins!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Jeanne -- Sending a big and hope you feel better as soon as possible!

Since I don't run outside when it's yucky, I don't have compression pants or anything...I'm planning on buying one of those warm-up suit things at the Expo and wearing it, keeping it on to run if I need to -- is this a good plan or do I need to make a trip to Dick's Sporting Goods? Then I have to hope they come in XL My running shorts do go almost to my knees, so they're not really short...

I have 4M to do after work today. I'm also trying to decide what to do to ramp up again after the Half. I'm thinking I'll do 3M 14th, 4M the 15th, and 5 the 16th, and then back to my normal schedule, with 6M for my long runs on Sat., until I figure out when my next race will be. My 5-day break coincides with our vacation, so I won't plan to run again until I'm at home. Does this make any sense? I followed a published plan last year, but it took weeks before I was back to normal, and that didn't feel right, either.

Maria :upside dow

 

[corinnak]

Jeanne - you are SO tough - complications happen, and surgery of any kind is no joke. The fact that you're omitting the race trip from talks with your doctor so he can't say "no" is a much stronger indicator of your toughness and rebellious spirit than getting slowed down by a surgery is... Do be careful and take care of yourself FIRST, though.

I hadn't thoght about what pants I should bring for volunteering. I have just the ones, but man, I wish I weren't going to bring them to Florida!!! I'm most concerned about our hands getting cold, passing out all that water/powerade.

Wine and Dine - for me, it is a choice between that event and the Twin Cities Marathon weekend. I'm not doing the marathon this year (maybe netxt??) so it would be another lottery draw for a place in the 10 mile. If that comes through for me, I must say, running a scenic 10 in probably coolish weather may appeal more than running 13 at night in probably warmish, stickyish weather requiring air travel and hotel stay. But if the 10 mile doesn't come through, I may be in! It would be fun to see you, for sure!

Maria- if I were you, I'd go to Dick's now - who knows what will be available at the Expo- I bet a lot of people will be buying cold weather gear, and they may run out - not sure how much of that stuff finds its way to a Florida expo in the first place.Dick's will have XL, and they also have a Men's selection in case the women's are cut stupidly (they sometimes are). It would give you a chance to wash the things too, and maybe do a short run to check for obvious chafing/issues.

My favorite cold-weather wardrobe is tights with shorts or skirt over the top and then a shirt with windproof jacket over it - that way I can control my own venting or tie it around my waist if I get too warm. Only works with my water belt over the top, though, as I have no hips, apparently. I make up for that deficiency in the abdominal area, so it's like a straight shot for something tied around my waist without a belt over it. I've done this toooo much. Also on my list for this run are those $1 stretchy gloves and a hat - probably a tossable hat with an ear band underneath. Smartwool socks. And some people are even talking about putting duct tape on their sneakers to keep to the wind. I have run in WAY too much cold, wet junk, apparently, since it seems i could write a dissertation on it!

Your post-race plan sounds really good to me. I may do something similar to the same. I don't think I have another race solidly scheduled until....June. Shocking. I don't like to go too long without running at least a little, though!


I can not wait for the POP meet! Can Not Wait!!! I am also plotting my pre-race chocolate soft serve ice cream cone. Yeah, even if it's cold, I think I still need to go find one. It's tradition!

 

[jbucci]

Thanks for the input everyone. We'll see what the forecasat is over the next 1-2 days then make the call but likely error toward moving their flight to Thurs if it looks at all iffy.

Jeanne: Sorry to hear you hit a rough spot. We really look forward to seeing you and would love for you to do the 5K but your health comes first-- see how you feel. I agree Philia ariport is awful, that is part of my anxiety.

Maria: I second the advice to go buy something now and give it a short test run. That way you know you have it (can you tell I don't like uncertainty) and you can make sure it feels "right" when you run.

We went to a local dollar store and got some cheap ponchos and scored some really nice throw away sweatshirts-- they were only $1 in a thrift section of the store. They are washed and ready for race day. Still not sure how to dress for the race-- I don't want to lug extra stuff with me tied around my waist but don't look forward to freezing either...

 

[laughinplace199]

Jeanne - Sorry to hear about your complications. Make sure you get plenty of rest so that you can recover quickly.

Maria - I'd definitely buy something now so you can try it out before race day. I'm still trying to figure out what to pack for the marathon. It might be 30 degrees at the start, but 50 at the finish. How the heck do I plan for that?!

Jen B - Good luck figuring out your flights. It is so stressful when weather threatens our plans. We're flying out Fri morning and hoping for the best.

 

[tiberius]

Hello from OKW, Team!

I'm trying to take make an early evening while in WDW so I don't wear myself out. It is probably the coldest New Year's trip I have made down here, although not terribly cold (and I am from south Texas), at leat not yet terribly cold. I still have faith that the coldest weather will push out before the races. If not, I brought as much as I could to be ready to run in most any weather.

If anyone wants to meet up earlier than a meet, message me on Facebook and I'll call you or send you my cell # (I am periodically checking and editing my FB status). Regardless of the weather, I am still looking forward to the kitchen sink meet on Saturday afternoon, but may have a Friday WISH meet conflict (btw, what time is the Friday meet anyway?).

See y'all soon!!

 

[laughinplace199]

Richard - I have been enjoying the photos that you've been posting on FB. I hope you're having a great time! My husband Rob & I will not make the WISH meet either, but we're hoping to make it to Beaches & Cream on Sat to see/meet the cousins.

 

[deekaypee]

I'd keep apologizing for being MIA, but since I'm headed out tomorrow let's just say that I'll be happy to meet those cousins who are attending...

Richard: I'm jealous that you're already there--even if it is chilly. I'll touch base with you there.

Jeanne: You hang in there, woman! I know you're tough, but I'm in favor of you sitting the 5K and volunteering out because complications can be, well, more complicated. We'll make sure you have fun, regardless.

JenB: What did you decide about the flight? I'd vote for changing your plans for the peace of mind.

Maria: Hope you got your compression tights. I'll wear mine with shorts over them and hope I don't get too warm on the full. The half won't be a problem, I think. I'll also wear a LS tech shirt under my WISH shirt, and maybe a running jacket for the wind. Heck, since my WISH shirt is big on me, I might just put that on top of everything. A hat or bandanna, some gloves. DOOD's planning on running in shorts....but he's crazy.

Julie: Crossing my fingers and sending PD for the knee.

As for me: Oooh, we're so not prepared to leave. I've not really run for two weeks, so I have no idea what will happen with the Goofy. The holidays were a big mess, and included some news about the death of one of DOOD's colleagues just after the holidays. Very sad. We'll be glad for some lighthearted times with friends.

In other news, I'll be looking for some funky tights at the expo-I have black ones. But I didn't get long, leopard tights for 'Ohana because I was a weather optimist. See where that got us?

Anyone going to be at the Expo on Thursday and want to meet up?

 

[corinnak]

So here is some bummer news - I ran in the Jungle Fever tights this morning and noticed that when I put them on for the first time, there was some thread popping - I think they were sewn with one of the threads on the serger too tight - the seam wasn't giving the way it should. So there's at least one spot on the leg where the seam is coming unraveled. I don't think I can wear them for the half - it might be fine, but it might get worse. So I am going to go with tried and true (though likely too large) tights - the kind with a drawstring!!! and I'll throw something fun over the top. It won't be Jungle Fever, but it will still be wild. That's the best I can do, I think.

I have come to the conclusion that I need to bring a bunch of stuff, but I won't know for sure what I'm wearing until I taste the air outside early Saturday morning!

 

[jbucci]

Procrastination is always our downfall. The Thurs night flight is sold out so the decision is made for us to wait and hope for just flurries on Friday. If it looks really bad they can leave out of Atlantic City on a different airline cause the weather there is usually better-- not ideal, but it will have to do.

Packing is tough! I'm not sure how to fit all of the warm stuff into a very few bags (the deal was if DH brings DD I will take all of the bags with me when I fly early so he is not having to deal with them at the airport). Layers is going to be key and bringing detergent to do a load of laundry.

One more time for those who are slow-- the Pop meet is at 4:30 on Firday and Beaches and Cream in on Sat at ???-- help me