Team 'Ohana--No One Left Behind: The Continuing Adventures

[corinnak]

Hello Cousins! I am coming to you today from the Disney Dream - It is a beautiful ship, the seas last night were rough, my younger son is disappointed that his favorite game from the Magic, Insaniquarium is NOT on the computers in the clubs he has access to. The teens and tweens have it, but not him and he is P.O.ed. Which makes everything a little less magical. So far, though, my impressions of the new ship are: Size does count. And bigger is not necessarily better. There are so, so many people here. We waited in line about 20 minutes earlier in the day to ride the aquaduck, which was kind of fun, but not fun enough to hop back in that long line again.

Also, I managed to run on the TM for a bit today - at long last! Being on vacay with just my kids has meant a lot formal work-out opportunity for me, until now. I did 4 miles and my tendon felt pretty good except when walking after doing a couple of "Trial" sprints. Weird that it complained a tiny bit ONLY during the walk ing after. Go figure.

Goofy 2012 IS sounding like quite a fun event for the cousins!

Richard, I have said all along that riding Everest was a MUST DO if I were to do the WDW marathon. I may feel differently when it comes up - I have no idea - but if I don't feel well enough to ride, I will wait or walk to stay together.

JenB That is the craziest thing with the smoke producer/detector. It kind of cracks me up that it was so proudly detecting its own smoke. You keep getting my hopes up about June!

I got to see "I am Number Four" last night....the title always makes me think of The Prisoner, but nevermind. It was pretty darned good, I thought. Though some of the images had my 12 year old covering his eyes...but he's sensitive that way. I think I want to read the book and see the sequel!

Well, back to expensive laundry. Tomorrow is Castaway Cay, so that should be...well...it should be pretty crowded with this big ol' full ol' ship but I am going to anticipate having a good time anyhow.

 

[jeanneg]

Hello cousins, I'm trying so hard to get back into the swing of things. Tax season has me totally bogged down.

Jen: glad to see you plan to do the Williamsburg Half......and possibly the Hershey. Ihave already signed up for the first and plan to do so for the second. I think Jackie may also be joining us. What race in MI were you thinking about? Ideally want to do theDearborn Martian half-marathon or marathon relay but it wasn't possible this year.

Corinna: have a wonderful time on the cruise. We'll be sailing on the Dreamourselves in May, along with Nancy(a former Ohana-ite) and her husband. I have some reservations about whether or not Iwill like the larger ship.

Richard: hope the training is going well. My daughter is at the point now where she questions her sanity in taking on this endeavor.

Congrats to all those who are going Goofy next year. I know there's a Goofy in my future, but I'm not sure it's that close. I love the events, but hate the intense training and don't think I'm up to that commitment at this time.

A big shout out to all the other cousins.

 

[deekaypee]

Hello, cousins! I've been missing you, although trying to keep up via Facebook. (If you aren't friends with me but on FB, PM me for my name.)

Lots to catch up on:

Julie: Congrats to DD and your family on her choice of a private school! And for having the choice to make - it's always better to have options! Now that that stress is over, I hope you're able to enjoy some running time for yourself (and sleep)!

Jen B: Speaking of DD, so glad to hear yours in enjoying her new tutor and that school snafu is being ironed out. I'm impressed, and heartened, at the teacher's attitude. That does make a great deal of difference, and it's good to know the communication lines are clearing up. (Now, if only your patient had those communication skills - what a stressful, busy day.) And speaking of busy, what a packed race schedule you have! So glad to know at least we'll share Hershey!

Oh, I'm sorry to hear the updates on your uncle. I didn't realize he was here in Pitt or that your aunt was here. Let me know if there's anything I can do.

Jackie: If I know you, you say 6.2 sounds fine, but then you'll start thinking about how 26.2 sounds better. You're a road warrior, you are.

Richard: I keep reading about your training on FB. I'm so proud of how you're so committed and keep tackling those miles with, I imagine, a smile on your face. Yay for the Texas Independence Relay! A relay with the right people - and the planning skills you mention - could be a lot of fun. DOOD's had not-so-great experiences with them, but he doesn't have your mad skills or focus on fun as well as PRs!

Rose: Yay for signing up for the Kentucky Derby 1/2! It sounds quite important to you, and I know you'll do well. Your success will be all the sweeter since you're doing it solo! (Trust me on this one.)

Maria: I'm just getting to read your PR race and trip report now. How fabulous for you - and you really deserve all the accolades I'm sending your way! You've worked hard, you're put your plan into action, and you're a woman to follow! Your solo trip sounds like a great reward for a job well done. (My spring break trip was my first Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure too, but it won't be my last!)

Your family WAS fated to add Spock to the family. I can't think of a better addition.

Tell Dennis that we simply need to see him in Jan. and use the Chip and Dale as the secondary argument. Yeah. I'm sure that will work.

In silly notes, BBC's Being Human is on my iPod, but I still haven't watched it. It's my travel TV series backup entertainments for flights and airport delays. Strange, I know.

Mel: How's your training for your first tri coming? I'm so impressed by all of you moving in that direction? Lola is gorgeous!

Lisa: How was your NYC 1/2?? It looked to be a beautiful day!

Nicole: Those car accidents can certainly have a long recovery time - glad you're on your way, though! I think it's great that you've got Wine & Dine to look forward to and that your running is something you're enjoying! Sending running fairy pixie dust your way!

Corinna: I hope your knee issues are over and done with at this point. I've loved seeing the updated on your WDW/Cruise trip. You're living the Dream. (Sorry, couldn't resist!) You are SUCH a natural for the Goofy! And I mean that in the spirit of cooperation or competition, whichever works best for you!

John: Ditto on loving the word awesometastic. I think you and your pretty princess look would be perfect for a Goofy Gallowstop plan. Just sayin'....

Jeanne: I'm so glad to know you're in for Hershey! Woo hoo! I haven't seen you in what seems like forever! I hear good things about the Dearborn Martian race. Is the family doing this one?

AFM: We haven't signed up for the Goofy yet - but will before the discount expires - or Hershey. Both are on the post-tax (still haven't filed) to-do list.

Okay, stupid question about the Half Fanatics. If I do Goofy do I qualify. Or does it have to be two halfs proper?

As many of you know, I've been a bit disgruntled with runDisney over their communication skills. Or lack thereof. That said, I'm hoping the new race will be cool and worth doing? Any insights? Thinking of doing it?

Lots of other news, but it will have to wait for another post. Good to be back, though!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Strange happening this weekend for us. We were at a friends house and the smoke detector started to chirp in that dead battery kind of way. It then full force went off, so we started to investigate and noticed tons of smoke pouring from the smoke detector itself. We removed the smoldering thing and went on to have a fine evening, but it was really strange! Not sure if it really caught fire or was some strange smokey chemical reactions The thing did not feel hot to the touch and the wires were not melted (it is one of those wired into the house). The smell was awful! I hope to move into a normal, uneventful week!

Jen--that is really strange! We have had a light fixture catch on fire before--and burn itself out, but I never heard of a smoke detector doing it. We have a good friend who is a retired fire captain. I will ask him about it.

Count me in for Gallowstopping the half. I'd love to get a group of cousins together for that. I'll even help find appropriate wigs for everyone.

I love that word!

I have been the absent cousin. Things have just not been going great since we got back from the Princess. I am feeling good and happy with the decision to go g-f. I ordered some more tests that will hopefully tell me if I have actual gluten intolerance. So all that is going well. My premature atrial contractions are completely gone. (Or at least for as long as I am patient enough to take my pulse.) They used to be between every 4 and 8 beats, now nothing. So I really think my electrolytes were messed up.

The Saturday we got back I did 4 miles. I should have stopped after one because my knee was twinging. By the finish I could barely walk. I tried resting, stretching, ice, etc. and finally ended up on Monday at a Sports Chiropractor after a horrid attempt to run on Sunday. The pain was so bad after less than a mile that I thought Mike was going to have to go get the car. Anyhow, he confirmed what I thought--itbs.

The good news is he thinks I will be running again soon. The bad news--the treatment is really painful. I guess I have a bit of scar tissue. It is feeling better though and I am going to attempt to run on Saturday. (I am allowed to try as long as I stop immediately with pain). I go back again on Monday. I really liked this guy. He emailed me all the stretches and strengthening exercises I need to do and encouraged me to continue to exercise as long as it does not involve bending my knee (running, biking, etc.) So I've been doing the elliptical and a little zumba.

At the appointment on Monday we kind of skirted around the topic of the KY Derby half. It's the end of April. I was heartbroken on Sunday when it hurt so bad to run. I have wanted to do this race for so long. And I do get it that it's an injury and not a failure. But it's still hard. If I do it I will be wearing a big old derby hat and doing a lot of "gallowstopping." And having a big old bourbon at the finish!!! Mike will probably beat my by 30 or 40 minutes so he should have one waiting for me!

Anyhow, I need to go back and catch up on what's been going on, but just wanted you all to know I am still here.

 

[chimera]

I have been the absent cousin. Things have just not been going great since we got back from the Princess. I am feeling good and happy with the decision to go g-f. I ordered some more tests that will hopefully tell me if I have actual gluten intolerance. So all that is going well. My premature atrial contractions are completely gone. (Or at least for as long as I am patient enough to take my pulse.) They used to be between every 4 and 8 beats, now nothing. So I really think my electrolytes were messed up.

Sorry to hear that things haven't been well. Depending on what kind of tests you're having, they may not be accurate if you've already been gluten-free for awhile. Glad the PACs have settled down...I went through a bout of that which improved when I changed jobs I did the whole cardiac workup and they basically just told me not to drink caffeine.

Nicole...welcome back!

Debra...I believe it has to be two independent halfs, though they told me on FB that a half on Sat and half for the relay on Sunday would work. Sounds like the Disney writing gig is working out well for you...I think you guys go more than we do Tri training has stalled with the termination of our Y membership. I need to find a new pool membership pretty quick.

As for Disney races, I'm definitely over the dropping clues deal for the new race. I am waiting to see what that's going to be before I register. What I'd like to do is the Donald, then the relay, especially if so many of y'all are doing Goofy. Still saving myself for Princess though, but 4 races close together sounds pricey!

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello Cousins!

Sorry I've been MIA lately. My whole family got hit with a stomach bug last week. Being sick when you have to take care of sick kids is a little bit tricky!

So, I wasn't running while I was sick. Now we're all better, but DH is out of town for work, so I can't do any early morning runs (we usually alternate mornings so someone is always home with the kiddos). I may be able to run on Thurs while my youngest is at preschool, but that will be all I can do until Sat. We are planning on doing a half at the end of May, so I hope I'm up to it. (Maria - is Dennis doing the run to Remember?)

I hope all is well with everyone.

 

[FFigawi]

Okay, stupid question about the Half Fanatics. If I do Goofy do I qualify. Or does it have to be two halfs proper?

Marathons do not count. Anything over 13.1 up to but not including a marathon does count. So if you wanted to do it at Disney, you could enter the half and the relay and just keep running after finishing the first half of the relay.

Hope everyone is doing well these days. Just a few small items of interest in my world. First, and most important, my Rottweiler Athena turns 14 years old today. Most Rotties never live past 8 or 9, so to have her get to 14 is just wonderful. I'd post pictures if I could, but I can't get to FB or my Picasa albums from here at work. The second news is that I ran in Angie's Half Crazy Half Marathon last Sunday. I had a great time despite the heat, humidity, and my severe lack of training. The race has a different theme every year. This year was baseball, so the medals look like baseballs with a profile of a player at bat (DiMaggio maybe?) in the middle. Very cool.

Also, don't forget that tomorrow is April Fool's Day, so I wouldn't necessarily believe anything or everything that I might happen to post then.

 

[laughinplace199]

John,

Happy Birthday to Athena! My family had a Golden Retriever who lived until he was 14, which is old for Goldens as well. He died this past summer, but we knew we were so lucky to have had him for so many wonderful years.


Also, congrats on the half crazy half marathon! The medals sound cool!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Athena! Please post pictures when you get a chance. My neighbor had a Rottie who we absolutely LOVED, but she met a tragic end several years ago. Haven't ever met one since that quite lives up to her standard. She was the best kind of big dog to have - we got to love her as much as we wanted, but he had to feed her!

Debra - I argued the Goofy thing when I was trying for Half Fanatics. It does seem... but they want two official half marathons. Just because we're overachievers...

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

Athena! Please post pictures when you get a chance.

Here's a link, I hope, to a few of her pictures on Facebook. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to embed them in another post.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Here's a link, I hope, to a few of her pictures on Facebook. If it doesn't work, let me know and I'll try to embed them in another post.

OMG. She's beautiful! No wonder you're so proud of her!

Jackie

 

[tiberius]

Hey guys!
I am back after my Kemah International Tri this weekend and I am sore and tired; fortunately though, not too much of either. It was a muggy day that did not get too hot, and the sun stayed primarily behind the clouds as well. I managed to knock off 12 minutes from the same distance at the Austin Tri last September on a tougher course, so I am quite happy with my 3:06:14. My swim and bike times were pretty much the same as in Austin (swim 30 sec faster, bike 1 minute slower) but better transition times and a 10 minute faster run carried me through the day. In fact, and even I am a bit hard-pressed to believe this, I had a 10K PR during the run portion of the event. After I have a chance to settle down I will be back to post a true report.

Now it is on to IMTX in under 7 weeks....

John - I want to echo all the Athena-love, she looks wonderful for 14 years! On her recent vet visit, we got the "Coco is a senior aged dog now" talk. It so hard to believe, she has been with us for over 6 years since we got her from the rescue.

If you want to see a local April Fool's joke by a local area newspaper here, follow this link to a new blog they created about a future Disney park coming to the area. Unfortunately, it was too good to be true; fortunately, I did not believe it, though some friends of mine did. anyway you can read it for yourself: http://woodlandsrealestatenews.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

 

[deekaypee]

Rose: I'm so sorry to hear about ITBS and scar tissue. It sounds painful and disheartening on top of it. I'm glad you went to see a specialist, who gave you a plan of action. That helps with the recovery and overall mindset, I'm sure. And I love your potential plan for the KY Derby Half, with a real derby hat and Gallowstopping. That actually sounds not only like a great compromise, but a heck of a lot of fun!

Mel: I read your post quickly, so I say that you were "saving yourself for a Princess." And boy, was I confused. On many levels. Have you found a new gym membership yet? We keep meaning to switch gyms, but we're in a comfort rut. Anyway, I guess the bigger question is, how is the tri training. It would be cool if the new Disney race were a tri, but I don't see that happening. (And I'm over the guessing game.)

Julie: How has the running been coming along? Have you been able to get out more regularly, in prep for your half?

John: Nope, sorry, DOOD says it has to be the Goofy. Apparently we're supposed to be in this together, even if we'll never run together. Funny, that. I think he just wants to be supportive. So some of you back of the pack partiers will need to substitute for his physical presence... (Don't tell him, but I think you're more fun anyway.)

Bigger news: I missed Athena's Birthday!!! OH, happy belated birthday to a beautiful girl. She doesn't look a day over 8 or 9. I caught your news on the Angie's Half Crazy, and again - that baseball theme was way cool.

Richard: Congrats on your fabulous finish at the Kemah International Tri and your 10K PR, among other accomplishments. It's very cool that you can track your progress on the course from last September. You've earned every second, every inch of progress, of course!

To all my other cousins!

AFM: Thanks, everyone for the Half Fanatic information. Looks like I'll just need to earn membership the old-fashioned way. By actually earning it. (Isn't that a commercial?)

We did our taxes last week, which turned out to be an even bigger headache than last year. But it's done now, just in time for a trip to Seattle. DOOD's got a conference, I've never been to Seattle, so one of us will have a good time. Turns out we can't do a race in the area - it's much further away than I thought and than our schedule will allow, but I'm hoping for some good running. DOOD's hoping for some good beer. We're a couple of varied interests.

 

[tiberius]

Hi everyone!
I only dragged my tired body back here to post a link to my race report blog post. Since it has several photos, I don't feel energetic enough to post it here and relink the photos correctly.

http://intotransition.blogspot.com/2011/04/kemah-international-distance-triathlon.html

Thanks for reading!

 

[princessbride6205]

Cousins - I love your idea of an Ohana Goofy. You guys have got me all excited, despite that I'll probably not be able to go due to work (or be trained for a full - but that's beside the point!). I hope the new race fits better with my work schedule! The clues are kind of driving me batty at this point. I like the idea of clues, but they're kind of impossible to decipher.

JenB - sounds like things have been crazy! I totally get what you're saying about wanting a lot of races so you'll keep up with your training.

Debra - thanks for the well wishes. Hope you enjoy Seattle.

Richard - congrats on your tri! Just reading about all your races both inspires and tires me.

Rose - I'm sorry to hear about your ITBS - have you been getting manual therapy? I've been getting that on my hip/piriformis - fairly painful, but it seems to be helping. Hopefully you'll be able to make it through the Kentucky Derby! Fingers crossed!

Corinna - I hope you've been able to enjoy your vacation - those solo trips really spoil us! Are you doing any drivable-from-MN races this spring or summer?

To my other cousins-

AFM: I'm following the Galloway 1/2 marathon training plan that's on the run Disney site. I'm up to 5 miles and there are definitely ups and downs. I had one week where I felt like such a rock star - I did two 5k training runs faster than ever. Then the next week I could barely walk/run my "long" 5-miler. I'm setting my sites on a local 10k in May. I definitely need something between now and the Wine & Dine to keep my motivation up.
DH is now an avid runner - he's training for the Wine & Dine but he started early, so he's already up to 9-mile long runs. So we are on that every-other-day running plan with each other so someone is home to watch DD.
We're both trying to find some local races this spring/summer, so that's in process.

 

[FFigawi]

Happy birthday Debra!!!

 

[FFigawi]

Hi everyone!
I only dragged my tired body back here to post a link to my race report blog post. Since it has several photos, I don't feel energetic enough to post it here and relink the photos correctly.

http://intotransition.blogspot.com/2011/04/kemah-international-distance-triathlon.html

Thanks for reading!

Great job in the race Richard! It's a small world out there - I know the BAM guy you passed on the bridge. He's a fellow Houston Hasher with me.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Big Happy Birthday Wishes for Debra!

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Richard - Congrats on your race!

Debra -

I hope all of the cousins are well.

I don't have much time for posting today because I'm taking my princess to WDW tomorrow (this mother/daughter trip is an early graduation gift for her)! I have to get packing!

Have a great week, everyone!

 

[chimera]

Happy Birthday Debra!!