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

[FFigawi]

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you're all doing well. It's been great reading everyone's stories and race reports over the past few weeks. Our racing season is starting to wind down for the summer. There's generally only one 5k a month until things start to cool off in September. Yesterday's was in a really nice older neighborhood in Houston. The shade from all the old trees sure was nice.

Here's a picture from the digital photobooth they had after the race. I was one of the first few to go through. I imagine their props were pretty gross by the end of the morning.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Here's a test for how big a sci fi geek you are -- I am now the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything...

Maria

 

[laughinplace199]

Here's a test for how big a sci fi geek you are -- I am now the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything...

Maria

Happy Birthday, Maria!!

 

[FFigawi]

Here's a test for how big a sci fi geek you are -- I am now the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything...

Maria

Could have fooled me. You don't look a day over 35.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Thanks Julie and John!

Now you made me Although 24 would have gotten you more points...

There are days when I feel like the worst cousin ever -- but not today, I'm not letting my poor posting record get me down!

There's a lobster roll with my name on it!

Maria

 

[FFigawi]

Thanks Julie and John!

Now you made me Although 24 would have gotten you more points...

There are days when I feel like the worst cousin ever -- but not today, I'm not letting my poor posting record get me down!

There's a lobster roll with my name on it!

Maria

I certainly hope it comes in a buttered, toasted white bread hot dog bun split on the top, not the side. Otherwise, it's not a real lobster roll.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I certainly hope it comes in a buttered, toasted white bread hot dog bun split on the top, not the side. Otherwise, it's not a real lobster roll.

I see you've been to New England! Yes, and it's even from a local seafood place -- the freshest you can get!

Maria

 

[tiberius]

Here's a test for how big a sci fi geek you are -- I am now the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything...

Maria

Nice, a softball question, Happy Birthday Maria, I did my first (last and only!!) 50K that year. I thought that year was a pretty good one for me. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to Jeanne, too!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Happy Birthday Maria! Enjoy!

Jackie

 

[FFigawi]

I see you've been to New England! Yes, and it's even from a local seafood place -- the freshest you can get!

Maria

I grew up in Maine, so I know all about lobster rolls.

 

[jeanneg]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARIA!!!!!!

 

[deekaypee]

Maria:

Happy, Happy Birthday, my friend! I hope you're off enjoying the evening and getting all your heart's desire, including that lobster roll!


Jen & Corinna: Congratulations on your half marathon successes! And yes, you both rocked!

Richard: Wow, you sound busy, busy, busy, doing good things to help your FIL heal by keeping his mind at ease in terms of his business. But wow! I didn't know you had such a long, long-distance & intermittent relationship with your father. That must be tough, even if you've accepted it mentally. "Interesting personal feelings," indeed!

Corinna: Those are great pictures of of you on the home page and elsewhere, flashing that infamous Corinna smile that I think of when I think of you. I do hope you get an opportunity to sit back and relax a bit, now that summer is here, school is almost done, and you "only" have to focus on such things as summer races (and training) and family stuff. (BTW, I know I'm missing tons of activities & responsibilities you have, so just take that as a general hope that you have some vacationing and relaxing plans.)

John: Woo hoo for your 5K in shady lanes. That's the kind of race I really like! I love, love the idea of a digital photobooth, sans sweaty props of course. I could never use the props, as I'd be far, far behind you.

AFM: Nothing much. Just some running, around town and the still-muddy trails (why does it always rain in Pgh), and on the TM occasionally. And lots of working away, apparently not taking full advantage of my sabbatical from DOOD. Then again, we ARE in daily contact as I edit some of his stuff and try to plan a visit or two...

The bad news today? It looks like I lost my running iPod, so I'll need to get another. The upside is now I'll have the perfect excuse to sit down with it and create some new running mixes. Any new music suggestions? I do so need the bribe to get over the sulky moment of spending money on a replacement iPod...

 

[chimera]

Happy Birthday, Maria!!

 

[jbucci]

Happy Birthday Maria

Mel: now I'm hungry...

John: I like the 5K picture

I'm currently in a debate with myself over running in the Fairfield Half at the end of this month. I really want to do the race to keep me "honest" with my training and get an event in. The downside is that it is a race at the end of June which could be really hot, and there are a few hills on the course which could add to the misery if it is really warm out. I would have to travel by myself to do it (about 3ish hrs from home) and trade a weekend call with someone. I need to decide tonight/tomorrow in order to get a spot... decisions, decisions...

 

[FFigawi]

The bad news today? It looks like I lost my running iPod, so I'll need to get another. The upside is now I'll have the perfect excuse to sit down with it and create some new running mixes. Any new music suggestions? I do so need the bribe to get over the sulky moment of spending money on a replacement iPod...

I doubt most people would like the music I run to, on those rare occasions when I do listen to music, but I'll offer up two suggestions that might work.

Indestructible by Disturbed
Lose Yourself by Eminem

Everything else on my running playlist is a mix of punk, metal, and thrash.

 

[IASW Rider]

Hey Everyone!

One of your newer Cousins / Teammates checking in! So sorry that I haven't been able to stop by and keep up, lately - we've been having some internet connectivity issues over the past several weeks, and I haven't been able to be online as often as I would have liked to be!

Just wanted to THANK YOU all, AGAIN, for all of your kind welcomes!

I have finally caught up with everyone's most recent posts - WOW! You all have such interesting and exciting news to share! And such wonderful photos, too!

LOVED the photos of all of you at ODDyssey, Jen! (So sorry that it took me so long to see them!) You all looked GREAT and it sounds like you had a lot of fun!

Great photo of you from your recent Tri, Richard - that is fantastic! (And hope that your FIL continues to feel well and stronger......and that your recent reunion with your father and the resulting personal feelings have brought some pleasant and / or peaceful ones, as well).

Such a fun photo from your race, John - that is great - a wonderful souvenir of your efforts that day (and hopefully the great time that you had, too)!

And your finish photo and the photos from your recent race's beneficiary were fantastic, Corinna! Congratulations on your success - and your very meaningful support and participation in the race, as well!

Beautiful wedding photos, Jeanne! Congratulations to you and your family - you all must still be in that thrilled and special "post-wedding-haze" of happy memories!

Belated Happy Birthday, Maria! Hope that you had a wonderful day!

Debra - belated congratulations on your promotion to National Disney Travel Examiner! That is amazing news and it sounds like it will be fascinating work and a lot of fun!

Mel - hope that your Mom is continuing to be well and is feeling better and getting stronger every day!

Nicole - hope that you are continuing to enjoy that Garmin! I'm sure that it's been reporting great stats for you!

Jen117 - hope that your half went beautifully! And I think that it's a great achievement, training for and completing such a race so soon after the arrival of your little one!

Hi Jackie! Hope that all is well!

And I hope that I haven't missed anyone - I hope that all of you are well and happy and having a great beginning of Summer and a great racing season, too!

Aside from my frustrating computer problems, all is well, here! Unfortunately, there aren't too many longer races around the greater Central NJ area at this time of year, so I've been running 5K's just about every weekend. This past weekend, I completed a 5K on Saturday and a 10K on Sunday.

(Here I am!

)

It's a little frustrating, as what I'm REALLY trying to work on is my half marathon pace and endurance.......so my finish times in shorter races are getting slower and slower (......as my half marathon pace is (slowly!) decreasing)......but I keep doing them, anyway, because I enjoy them and they are fun! I won't have a 5K PR any time soon (THAT'S for sure! ), but at least I'm getting some good exercise, enjoying the race atmospheres, supporting good causes, and hopefully improving my running form, too!

Summer has always been my favorite time of year........but I can't say that I'm not kinda looking forward to the Fall and the cooler and less humid weather.....and the 3 half marathons for which I've already registered, then!

Hope that all is well with all of you and hope that you're all having a great week!

 

[MouseDogMom]

Lisa - Good job on all the 5K's. I did a couple in the early spring, but will probably do another this weekend. It's hard to work them in when I'm running 10 miles every Saturday with my friends, although I did the first one in February on a Sunday after running 10 on Saturday. I don't recommend that on a regular basis!

JenB - It sounds like the Fairfield race has a lot of things going against it. I totally understand wanting an event to train for, but it seems like a lot of trouble... I'm having the same problem though - after a winter full of races, there's nothing on the calendar until 10/31, and I'm having race withdrawal! I keep trying to fit something in, but there aren't a lot of options in the summer months in the South.

Debra - I have an offbrand MP3 player, and the software wouldn't transfer to my new laptop. So I'm stuck with the playlist I have, or have to fork over the dollars for a new one. I only use it on the TM, and then only when I don't have shows in the DVR that need to be caught up, so it's one of those expenses that's hard to justify. More race entries, or an ipod? Hope yours surfaces, but in these times that's probably not likely.

Corinna – You have the most amazing races! Great photos, and great stories to go with them!

John – Love your race photo! I can’t even begin to imagine using the props at the end of the race, but it’s a great idea. We don't have many 5K's here during the summer either. July 4th seems to bring a few, but other than that, choices are few and far between. Something about running in 90-100 degree temps?

Jen - You are a not a bad cousin. You're just a very busy new mom. And congratulations for even attempting to train for and run a half marathon this soon after childbirth! Great job!

DH and I have decided to run the Race for the Cure this weekend instead of running with our Galloway group. Since we're supposed to do at least 5 miles, we'll probably park at the nearby museum and run the greenway over to the race site, do the 5K, and then run back. Unfortunately, that greenway is also the hilliest route in town, but it is what it is. At least we'll be warmed up!

Jackie

 

[tiberius]

Jackie - Good luck with your Race for the Cure 5K, and try to enjoy the 'extra" hill work for your distance.

Lisa - Nice work on all the 5K's, and I love the photo in the Half Fanatics shirt!

Jen - What did you decide on the Fairfield Half?

Debra - Ah yes, that "relationship" is a tough one, and even tougher mentally--and probably the biggest frustration of my adult life (one of those few times I might actually want to be more normal ), but it is what it is and I can't control it. FIL continues to improve very slowly, he can cover some small distances with a walker, and there is some question as to what his final recovery will be like, but until then the rest of of us are helping take over to help as we can. As to your song requests, one go to song that I like having pop up on a tough run is Suddenly I See by KT Tunstall

Mel - Oh, what a photo!

Today, I am "recovering" from last night at a group track workout. I did a 2 mile time trial in 17:39, which I believe I can comfortably say, is the fastest I have run since 1991 (when I was discharged from active duty, although it was much easier on me then!!). I scoffed when my coach told me she thought I could do 18 minutes and I thought more like 21-22 minutes...so maybe she does know something. BTW "recovering" today means 90 minutes on a spin bike.

On a less happy note, I will not be doing the Disneyland Half this year. The uncertainty over my FIL has me cutting back unnecessary travel away from the area. Sure Labor Day is is like 13 weeks off but I think it fairly certain that he won't ready for field work by then. Maybe Wine and Dine is possible, possibly next January at WDW can now be more likely,...

 

[corinnak]

I'm late as usual, but I have to say:

Happpy Birthday, Maria!!!

I hope it was a wonderful day and the start of a wonder-filled year for you!


Debra - I sure hope your ipod turns up. Sometimes they do go on walkabout for a while. A very frustrating thing to lose, for sure. Thanks for the nice comments on the race photos. There is something nice about not having to get the kids out the door and drive in traffic at 7:20 every morning, I will admit!

Mel - that cupcake is CRAZY!!!! I think I gained 2 pounds just from looking at it!

John - so those weren't YOUR hats? I was gonna say, I don't think I could run in a hat like that without melting. Looks like you had fun with it as usual!


Jen - my condition of likely "overtraining" makes me think: Noooo - don't do that race!!! But then really, I'm thinking of a half at the end of the month followed by a 10 mile on the 4th of July, so I am not sure where I am coming from. It sounds like a lot of trouble for you to go to for what sounds like potentially a hot, sticky race.

Lisa - I love those shorter races for fun as well, and totally agree about already looking forward to fall temps. It is so much harder to race in the warmer and humider weather! Love the 1/2 fanatics shirt!


So I didn't post a report from the Minneapolis Half yet...I don't think. It was not the best race for me. Started off badly with my badly planned packet pick-up trip - I rode up to Minneapolis with a friend who was volunteering, hoping to meet up with the WISHers, but without a plan, it was a foolish thing to do as I ended up stranded in Minneapolis at the expo for about 5 hours without a way home or anyone to meet with or dinner. I kept seeing photo updates on facebook, and kept being unable to reach anyone to try to catch up with them. In the end, I talked to Jen on the phone for a bit and saw Lily in the hallway on the way out at the end of the evening. I also found out about meeting up in the morning, so that was something, but could have been accomplished at home as well, frankly.

The next morning, I got up bright and early, put myself together and drove up for the meet. Ended up parking right across from my friend Austin who was the one who volunteered the night before. He was trying to run this half under 1:45 so he could be in corral A in the TC marathon this fall.

I did meet up with the WISH crew and it was fun seeing Jen, especially! I have no photos or anything. I was also looking for Jenanderson whom I know from the Biggest Loser thread - did not see her before the start, though.

The weather was lovely that early in the morning - not at all warm but not too cold either. I decided to hope for the best and lined up between 2:10 and 2:15 pacers. I actually caught up to the 2:10 group after about a mile and a half, and ran with them for a while before I stopped for a row of Biffy's...and then I proceeded to get passed by pace groups the rest of the race. It just got tough, and I started to slow down. I walked up some hills. Then I walked on some non-hills. I was wearing my Heart Rate Monitor and my heart rate was in the top of my range a LOT when I would run, and I felt pretty crummy. A bit after the turn around and marathon split-off, I saw Jen Anderson and waved and hollered. She was excited to see me too. I got passed by another pace group - 2:20, I think it was, and then she and her DH caught up to me. We had 2 or 3 miles to go - I forget. But I stuck with her and her very nice husband the rest of the way to the finish. She kept saying "You don't have to stay with us" and "You can pass us if you want!!" And I was like "Ughhh.....no, I'm barely keeping up." It was through sticking with them that I came in under 2:25 at all, I believe.

It was kind of demoralizing, to be so much slower than my last race when I stopped for all those photos in March and everything, and to feel SO much worse, too. All I can think is that I've raced too much this spring and that even though I haven't packed on the miles, I've still ended up sort of over-fatigued/overtrained???? My legs and feet felt fine and up to the task the whole race. My pace and heart rate were the real issue.

Somehow I still managed to smile for the cameras. I have no idea how!

Oh well, it is in the past!

 

[corinnak]

I think I took too long to write my post...

Jackie - Have a great Race for the Cure! I love that event - it's so emotional and powerful, too.

As for my races and stories/photos...I can't take responsibility for most of the photos, but the stories....well, there's always something, isn't there?

Richard - It's disappointing that you won't be making it to Disneyland this fall - totally understandable, though. I'm glad your FIL is recovering and I can understand not wanting to plan trips away with things still up in the air. I'll cross my fingers for January, though.

Congratulations on your fastie fast run!