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

[tiberius]

Here's an added incentive to doing Donald and either Chip or Dale - two halfs in one weekend ought to get you qualified for the Half Fanatics. Given what poor Corinna went through to join, this sounds like a much easier route.

..and you qualify at the Jupiter level, too!

 

[laughinplace199]

Mel - Lola is adorable! Good luck with your decision for January. Selfishly, I hope that you and Maria (and all of the other cousins) decide to do one of the January races so that I can meet/see you guys in person! Rob & I are pretty sure we'll be doing the marathon in January.


My running has been sidetracked this week. First, I was sleeping horribly - up for hours in the wee hours of the morning. I think I was totally stressed out about figuring out where DD will be going to school (I should relax, this is 7th grade, not college ). I was so tired that I skipped a couple of morning runs to catch up on sleep. Now my youngest is sick, so who knows what the rest of the week holds for me. On a positive note, DD has decided on a school, so that stress is gone.

 

[jbucci]

Julie: Congrats for DD Good luck with the decision.

Maria: Congrats on the new kitty. As I type my kitten is trying to pounce on my feet.

Mel: I understand the race dilemma. The idea of a new medal is appealing-- why are we so quick to fall for this stuff, it's not like I really do much with the medals, but I WANT them. I think we are doing Goofy again, but I am so tempted by the relay as a more sane option.

Jackie: Great job ramping back up with exercise!

We are sitting down tonight to figure out races for the next year. We are doing the National Half in DC on March 26th, then will be doing the Williamsburg Half on May 22 followed foolishly by the ODDyssey Half in Philia one week later on the 29th. After that it gets sketchy. I really wanted to do the full with Corinna in June, but don't think I can devote the time to training and Corinna is now is tri-mode, so I guess that one is out. We are debating the Providence RnR in August and VA Beach over Labor Day weekend (sadly, not doing DL this year). In the fall we are signed up for the Philia RnR Half in Sept and are likely doing Wine and Dine and the Hershey Half in Oct. Heavy debate over doing the full in Philadelphia in Nov and lumping the training in as Goofy training. Decisions....

On the home front: Things with DD are looking up. We got a fantastic tutor who our DD loves. We have seen progress already and it has only been 2 weeks. We had a meeting with her school today (why is it you always feel like you are in trouble when you meet the principal?). Her teacher has blessedly done a 180 degree turn in attitude and now seems to be on our side and actually was really helpful at the meeting, so I take back some of my prior venting. The process is really slow, but at least I see a light at the end of the tunnel and feel more positive about the whole thing.

My final bit of good news is that I can actually weight bear and run correctly on my foot again. I hadn't realized how much I had changed my gait since the pain started in Jan. My legs are protesting a bit now that "new" muscles are involved but hopefully all will be well for the half I am doing in a few weeks.

 

[princessbride6205]

Another long lost cousin checking in. Yay for all the Princess runners! I enjoy reading everyone's experiences.

Julie - Congrats to your DD for getting into BLS. I can appreciate how much you want to choose the right school - we had similar stress just over preschool!

Lisa - Good luck at NYC - that sounds great - I might have to look at that for next year.

Mel - I'm wishing I could do the Chip n Dale relay too! But I don't think a January trip will work for us - work schedule, money, blah. Boo.

Maria - congrats on your new kitty, Spock.

Corinna - I'm glad you've finally made the Half Fanatics - you deserve it!

JenB - I'm so glad you've found a tutor your daughter loves. That makes such a difference!

Hi to everyone else!

AFM - I'm finally done with my physical therapy from my seemingly minor car accident last Labor Day. I've kept physically active - mostly walking. 4 weeks ago I started a run/walk half marathon training plan. DH and I are both planning to do the Wine and Dine Half. In general, I'm feeling good about my running. Of course my hip pain from last year isn't totally gone, so fixing that is still on the radar - I've finally been to the doctor and received a treatment plan. I've also realized I've been woefully neglecting any core or strength training, which probably isn't helping the injuries.
Bummed that I won't be able to do the WDW 2012 or the Princess - work conflict on the former, and extended family vacation for the latter. I want to identify some other local races to keep myself going the rest of 2011 and then early 2012 maybe some further locales.

You guys always inspire me, but when I couldn't run or train for any upcoming races, I was kind of sad to check in here. Now that I'm back on the bandwagon, I plan to check in regularly.

Work kind of sucks right now, so I really was missing running. Even when I can just get on the treadmill for 30 minutes I feel a difference. If the running fairy could just keep me from injuries I would be really really grateful.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Afternoon, Cousins!

It is a rainy, blah day, and I'm not feeling very inspired to work on, well, work

I'm splitting the day with dh tomorrow since ds doesn't have school. I'm going to take the opportunity to get my 10M in.

Nicole -- I'm sure you will have a great time at Wine & Dine! From what I've read, they have addressed the issues that didn't work last year (Rose would know more about those since she was actually there! -- Can't remember if other cousins did it? ), and it sounds to be bigger and better this year

JenB - Let us know if you do Providence, we are already registered...so glad things are better for DD, I know that is making your stress level decrease. And your foot can bear weight -- it is a banner week!

Julie -- Another thread, but we are talking about doing a MA BL Meet, probably somewhere near both of us. You have a lot less you could lose than some of the ladies, I think they would be very inspired to meet someone who runs marathons! Glad DD is all set, I know what a relief it is. How old is your oldest DS? I hope you get a break for a few years...I'm sure we sound like lunatics to most of the Cousins!

Mel -- Forgot to compliment you on Lola -- What a sweetie!

John & Richard -- If I did aspire to the Half Fanatics, that would definitely be a sweet way to do it!

to all the other Cousins!

Maria

 

[corinnak]

Hi cousins! It's a very quick drive-by today, for which I am sorry - I'm at WDW right now and trying to finish up the Marat/Sade program at the same time, so I'm really sneaking this in...but let me just say this to everyone:

Man, I miss you guys! My rest and non-running recovery is going well. Although I feel like a lazy slug and miss the running, my tendon hasn't complained at all lately, which is the first step to getting back to running, right?

Maria - I am SUPER excited about your new kitty! Another great name, too! I love that he's a cuddler! Hopefully he and Chewie are hitting it off great now. Keep us posted on the January negotiations!

Also, those are some pretty famous graduates! Hard to know which is more famous than the others, for sure.

I really wanted to do the full with Corinna in June, but don't think I can devote the time to training and Corinna is now is tri-mode, so I guess that one is out.

Jen, there is a half marathon option that I am still planning on that weekend, provided my knee issues are resolved, anyhow, and I can get enough miles in. I think it's doable, and then I know I'd be able to drive home after, too. Always a plus. We could look at next year, too, if that would be easier.

So glad to hear Sarah's teacher has had a change of heart - some people need a compartment for something to explain why a person is struggling, I guess. Unfortunate that the default is not "maybe this child has a challenge beyond their control."

Also....PLEASE don't be too tempted by the Chip & Dale medal this year - you are supposed to be dragging me through the Goofy!!!

Nicole - I am glad you are feeling better. We should compare notes on local races - I'm planning on the Challenge Obesity 5K again, in the near-term.

John - I agree that Donald + Chipmunks would be potentially less fraught with cancellation, short-changing and snow-covered courses than the route I took, but I am sure there would be other challenges as well. Maybe I'll do it in 2013 and get that Jupiter if I can find someone reliable to take the other half of the relay.

Julie - Glad your DD picked a school. I am planning on January, for sure!

Mel - your Lola is so cute!! Leave it to Disney to come up with new lures, eh? Keep us posted!


And now, back to that program design.....

 

[laughinplace199]

Hello Cousins!

Jen B - Wow - you have a lot of races planned! I wish I was that motivated! So glad that your DD's teacher has come around. That should make things easier on everyone. Hooray for your foot feeling better too!

Nicole - Glad to hear that you're done with PT. I love your "running fairy" comment. I hope that she keeps you injury free. Enjoy the Wine & Dine - it sounds like fun!

Maria - A BL meet would be a lot of fun! And, yes, I'm sure we do sound like lunatics when we talk about getting into 7th grade! My next DS, Patrick, is 9. He's in 4th grade, so I have a 2 year break from all of this craziness.

Corinna - I'm glad you'll be doing the January races (you're going Goofy?!). Looking forward to seeing you. Enjoy WDW and program designing.


Thanks for all the congrats for Erin. She ended up choosing a private school over the excellent public school that she got into, but I think it's the right choice for her. She's really excited about her new school. Now we can all relax a bit.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

 

[chimera]

Corinna...did you say you're at WDW? Will you still be there Friday? DD18s band is marching in the HS parade.

Jen...we're thinking about Va Beach and Savannah. I liked the one RnR race that I did.

I'm thinking to go ahead and register for Donald, then give the relay some thought. Jupiter is calling...I've been trying to level up all year and missed it when I was sick and injured in Dec. Bonus is I could skip Uranus!

 

[tiberius]

Hi Team! I have wandered back in from the wilderness to catch up and comment.....

Mel - Skipping Uranus (such an abused level of the Half Fanatics ) is a worthy goal in itself! Lola is such a cutie puppy!!

Julie - Belated congratulations on the schooling acceptances! Having good choices always makes choices much easier.

Corinna - You are in WDW! I really am out of touch with this thread if I did not know that. I obviously need to spend more time online at night! Good luck finishing up your design work.

Maria - Yes, several of us were at Wine and Dine half last year. I enjoyed it a lot, though the after-party needs work--and I hear it is getting redone a bit. I envy your rain as we have been quite dry here. Thanks for the earlier SGU reminder, I still watch it to get in a SG fix, even if I don't like it as much as the earlier ones.

Nicole - Yay for being done with PT! I know from experience how a "minor" car wreck can be not so minor in its recovery.

Jen - I am so glad I am not the only one who plans for races so far out, although I am behind my normal schedule since I am only registered for 4 races for this year as I try to figure out what my early summer recovery period will be like.

Lisa - I think it is a great idea celebrating your 45th birthday with a marathon! I ran a half marathon on my 44th birthday a little while back and set a PR in weather that proved to be decent preparation for the following month's frozen Disney races.

AFM - I had a fantastically, wonderfully great time doing the Texas Independence Relay a couple weeks back! Well, actually I need a few more positive adjectives to relay my true feelings but I think you get the idea. One word of advice for anyone doing a long relay in their future, be prepared to have lots of fun! Having a good team of people leads to having a great time. A word of advice for anyone putting together a team, you need some good planning skills to keep track of your team's actual progress vs. its expected progress.
These days I am feeling pretty well wiped out much of the time with my IM training, and when I finally get some good rest it is usually because I have a long workout coming to wipe me out again. Tomorrow I have to figure out how to squeeze in a 14 mile run when an evening meeting got sprung on my schedule for 730 pm tomorrow that I first heard about today. So far my best options are to start at 3 am or try to leave work early. In either case I also have a planned 3400 yard swim to work in as well. On the "plus" side, I rode the IM bike distance last weekend in around 7:22 or so. I hope to get under 7 hours on race day, and at least now that looks possible.
I have several stressful situations pending at work and on a volunteer organization where I serve on the Board of Directors and I think the only way I feel none of the stress personally is all the exercise I have been getting has pounded it back out of me. Last week was my peak exercise week so far at just over 17 hours. Well, I am not entirely sure if this all makes sense but I am too tired to proofread it all and I still have work to finish before bed, so I will have to hope this all reads OK.

 

[FFigawi]

Corinna, you're going Goofy this year? Awesometastic! Maybe this is my chance to run an entire race with you instead of having you disappear over the horizon at mile 8.

 

[jbucci]

John: I still love the word awesometastic!

Corinna: I will certainly do Goofy with you if you want me there. I tragically was tempted to see if I could get a partner and run the 1st leg of the relay then continue on and do the rest as part of Goofy. Kind of crazy and expensive and likely not allowed anyway. Maybe next year for the race in Michigan. Do you still want to do a full before Goofy?

Maria: Get us some pictures of Spock.

Julie: I'm not sure that the reason I have so many races planned is due to high motivation. I think it is the opposite... if they are on the schedule it keeps me motivated to actually get off my backside and run, otherwise I'm too likely to skip exercise.

Richard: I knew there was a reason I like you! Let's hear if for compulsive planning!!! Congrats on all of your miles and hours for the IM training. I'm impressed

Yesterday was interesting here-- very comedy of errors. Our hospital just rolled in computerized order entry. I consider myself fairly computer savvy but this has been a mess. It took me 2 hours to do what should take about 30min yesterday morning. The IT people on hand to help had no idea how to do what I needed, so it was less than helpful. I had to get to a meeting at DD's school and was running really late. I should have learned by now not to speed in Medford (my hometown) but wanting to get stuff straightened out for DD made me not realize when I crossed into the 25mph zone still going 40mph. Wasting more time being pulled over made me even more late I somehow managed to not get a ticket and get to the school only about 5 minutes late. The meeting went ok and things are SLOWLY moving forward there. As I left the building I ran into the parent of a patient who snagged me in the parking lot to tell me I would be getting a letter from a lawyer. After a brief moment of panic, she told me she was suing the school because they would not accommodate her dyslexic's son's needs. Groan! My foot has also decided to start hurting again, so I'm a bit frustrated there too. It's got to get better...

One other thing going on here is my uncle's health. I mentioned a while ago he was diagnosed with nasal carcinoma and not given a great prognosis. Fortunately he responded really well to chemo and radiation and they felt they were able to do surgery to remove the tumor. He lives in Rochester, NY and the only surgeon who would do the procedure is in Pitt, PA. It seemed to go well and he made it home to NY but developed complications and had to be taken by ambulance back to Pitt. He had repeat surgery 2 days ago and is still in the hospital. Any prayers/ positive thoughts directed his way would be greatly appreciated. I also have to say that Ronald McDonald Houses are awesome as my aunt has been staying there during all of this mess.

Sorry for the long all about me post. I hope everyone has a good week!

 

[corinnak]

Richard - I don't think I'd mentioned the spring break-a-thon here or facebook. So focused on the present moment, I have hardly a thought for the future until it is upon me. It's kind of zen and at the same time scary, like going from zero to sixty on RnRC on a daily basis.



Jen - it sounds like your day was a crazy one. Deep sigh of relief about the "letter from a lawyer." Good lord, do people not THINK before they SPEAK???

As for Goofy vs. Chipmunk Relay Madness....you were the one talking me into Goofy, so you might be able to talk me into back 2 back halfs, too. But then there wouldn't necessarily be much running together....

John - I think your slow half marathon pace and my slow half marathon pace are different beasts. Sorry for disappearing at Mile 8 - and then reappearing at the chipmunks! And then disappearing again....I should have stuck with you! It didn't do me a lot of good in the grand scheme of things!

Mel - I'm sorry I missed your DD's band performance today. We were in the right park and everything, but there was just no info to be found on where/when etc, and my kids were withering by the time parade time rolled around - the sun was hot for my cold-temp-acclimated boys, and we were like a box of ice cream sandwiches in the hot sun by that point. I hope it went really well and that she had a great time!

Maria - Thanks for the texts earlier - It's always so great to hear from you even when I'm kind of....DIS-flaky.

I'd really better get to bed. I tell ya, these race weekends have totally spoiled me. Solo trip, quiet time of year. Spring break with the kids at WDW is something more like WORK. Fortunately, these boys have already seen a lot of WDW and just want to do a few favorites (with Fastpass almost entirely on this trip!) and other than that, take things at an easier pace. Frankly, I think if they could just play the PS3's in community hall, they'd be just as happy in some ways. And yet we persevere.

Have a great weekend, all you fabulous cousins!

 

[corinnak]

Jen - I forgot to say that I won't hold you to the Goofy thing, but I'm not sure I'll do it this year if you're doing something else. I do intend to do Twin Cities Marathon this coming October - I like the fact that I will have a few friends to wait with at the start and that there is no travel or night in a hotel or dining out the night before required. It's also the most beautiful urban marathon in America, theoretically. I have run chunks of the course in other races and I must say, it IS very nice. Except for that beast of a long hill near the end. It wasn't so bad at the end of the 10 mile. At the end of the marathon....I'll let you know.

 

[FFigawi]

Jen - I forgot to say that I won't hold you to the Goofy thing, but I'm not sure I'll do it this year if you're doing something else.

Corinna, if you want to do Goofy, I'll promise here and now to get you through it, I have no problem running with you the whole time during both races.

 

[corinnak]

Corinna, if you want to do Goofy, I'll promise here and now to get you through it, I have no problem running with you the whole time during both races.

Wow, John! That is a very nice offer. Very cousinly of you!

Would it change things if I said I planned to stop for every single photo on the way? What about if I said I was going to "Gallowalk" it? Not that I know how to Gallowalk....I did call my Princess Half technique"Gallowstopping" though. And are you going to get a new blue wig for the half? Cause that is like running with a celebrity, I tell ya.

 

[tiberius]

Corinna, if you want to do Goofy, I'll promise here and now to get you through it, I have no problem running with you the whole time during both races.

I wasn't planning of Goofy next year, and maybe not even the marathon....but if there was going to be a group of cousins heading out to stay together, now that would be worth signing up for!

 

[corinnak]

Richard, I agree, this does sound like a lot of potential fun! I didn't realize you were considering not doing the Full this year.

I have always envied the WISHers further back who seem to do a lot more hanging together irrespective of time concerns. I had a great time running Disneyland with JenB in that manner - I think that Goofy would definitely be a whole lot more fun as a party/family reunion on the move as well.

I sometimes feel a little...weak or something?...running as many races for fun as I do, instead of for my best time, but seriously, running for best time hurts a lot more, and I'm thinking Goofy probably has the potential to hurt enough without trying to do it as fast as one can. I'd much rather enjoy a spirit of cooperation than a spirit of competition, even though most of us are only competing with ourselves! It's definitely more fun to cooperate with myself.

 

[jbucci]

Corinna: I never meant to give the impression I would not do Goofy-- just wanted to figure out how to get an extra medal for the effort. I will happily stick with you for Goofy. Still tempted by the full in June... decisions...

That actually goes for all of the cousins: I would love "Gallowstopping" with everyone to get pictures and have fun. When I did Goofy last year, Butch and I ran from photo to photo at a comfortably slow pace and had a blast during the half. I then tired to run the full for time, but could be talked into other plans for the full.

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!

 

[FFigawi]

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.

 

[tiberius]

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.

This is shaping up to be my kind of race event! I guess I will have to be in for this, could we try to do EE if we go by there as a group?

Corinna - I had not mentally committed to next year yet as I have a few other tentative plans for early next year, but a fun event is always an attraction to me. Regardless we had planned our vacation for that time period anyway as we enjoy the January "crowds", and it is much easier to travel since our girls are out of school.