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

[MouseDogMom]

Jen - What an amazing race in Philly! I'm in awe of you. You have shown such improvement in such a relatively short time. That race is on my short list for next year, btw.

John - You sound like you've been really busy getting ready for the move. Are the dogs staying here, or will they be making the trip?

Richard - You just continue to amaze. There's not much more to say! Between the weight loss and the dramatic improvement in time, you've had a banner year, or two. You should absolutely give yourself credit.

I have a PR to report. It's not a long race, but I ran the Turkey Trot this morning (supposed to be an 8K, but it's actually a true 5 miler). I beat my previous record by 4:21! I actually did negative splits (ok, so it was just 5 miles, but the second half of the course was the uphill part) for the first time ever.

We're working on the race calendar for 2012. It looks like we may go to Jacksonville, FL for the 26.2 with Donna Breast Cancer Marathon in February, then run the inaugural NC Half Marathon on the Charlotte Motor Speedway in March, and the inaugural Run Raleigh Half in April. My running buddies want me to do Chicago, but I'm really not feeling a big race, and am leaning more toward doing a half in the fall in either Richmond, Philly, or the Outer Banks. Lots of things to think about!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jackie

 

[jbucci]

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my cousins!

I have so much to be thankful for this year and my WISH friends are high on the list.

Jackie: Come to Philly!!! It is a fun race, hills the first half then mostly flat. Congrats on your PR and negative splits, it is always an achievement in my book.

Richard: You have more than earned a day to sleep in and enjoy your family. Have a great holiday.

We went to see The Muppets after dinner tonight and I liked it. I think they did a nice job capturing the spirit of the original. I laughed out loud a few times throughout.

 

[FFigawi]

Jackie - they're all staying here. Not much for them to do over there, so it wouldn't be fair to them to bring them along. They enjoy training, working, and competing too much. We'll sure miss them though. The house feels really quiet and empty without them.

 

[tiberius]

John - That does make for a quiet and empty feeling house. You'll have a great time out east even if it has to be without the dogs.

Jackie - You're right, I have had a really good year. Something I had not really stopped to appreciate until recently.

Jen - As you already know from Facebook, I did not sleep in but went to race that 5K after all. I also went to see The Muppets this weekend and loved it! I picked up the soundtrack on Amazon.com for $5 and just keep repeating it on my iPod.

AFM - We did our usual Thanksgiving, which means we rented a lake condo and had family over there instead of at our house--it makes preparation so much easier and we have a nice view of Lake Conroe out the window (even if it is 9 feet low right now). I also did that local 5K race this weekend and got that new 5K PR. I cut last year's PR of 27:05 into a 22:43 new PR time--a time I had no idea was even possible for me.

 

[FFigawi]

A 22-min 5k?! As the cousins would say, that's awesometastic!!!

 

[cewait]

A 22-min 5k?! As the cousins would say, that's awesometastic!!!

John,

Maybe the wrong place - but wanted to wish you well. Look us up when you come for Goofy 13 ----- Assuming we get past 12/21/12..

 

[FFigawi]

Thank you Charles. I really appreciate that. I'll still be hanging around here and will definitely see you at Goofy 2013. Assuming, as you pointed out, the Mayans are wrong.

 

[deekaypee]

Popping in briefly - sorry, 2011 has been that kind of year for me. I'd whine but I'm tired of obsessing about some things.

So, here's what I will update folks about. A run of inconsistent training for both DOOD and me, due to some circumstances beyond our control. Some work issues and family issues. So...we're coming to WDW Marathon Weekend. But we're not running the full - we transferred to the half. The distance fits our base level of training and we won't stress about the race, which is the last thing we need at the moment.

And we may just be focusing on halfs for the next year or so; we don't have the time or energy to focus on fulls. We've both lost conditioning over the past six months or so. So it goes.

But enough with the Eeyore moments. We'll both be there. I just bought plane tickets...yay! Right, right? We'll be there. And we're up for cheering for the full.

But - and this is embarrassing - I don't know who's going to be at WDW in January & who's running what. Could I ask for a roll call, as I think a lot of people are switching up their races or have changed their plans like we did.

John: I never got a chance to say goodbye, even though you're not going away virtually. How are you enjoying Doha?

Richard: Happy Birthday, my friend! You're fabulous!

Sorry this is so brief, but onto the next thing!

 

[laughinplace199]

Debra, changing to the half was probably a smart choice. It stinks when life gets in the way of training, but sometimes these things happen. Where are you staying that weekend?

Rob & I will be there, staying at Boardwalk. We were supposed to run the full, but I cannot run at all due to my foot issues. Rob may or may not run, he hasn't decided yet. But, since everything was already paid for, we are still going. It's a kid-free weekend in the World!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Rob & I will be there, staying at Boardwalk. We were supposed to run the full, but I cannot run at all due to my foot issues. Rob may or may not run, he hasn't decided yet. But, since everything was already paid for, we are still going. It's a kid-free weekend in the World!

Is your foot doing any better? I have been going to physical therapy twice a week since October 26th and feel like I am finally seeing some good progress. I ended up with four issues in the same foot--plantar fasciitis, a fat pad injury, achilles tendonitis, and an ankle sprain/strain. I'm still not running, but starting to walk again and I got on the elliptical last night. (I'm not sure if I was supposed to yet, but I really, really wanted to.) The good thing that has come out of this--I have more flexibility/am able to stretch more in my legs than ever before. Trying to find the positive in all this! I am hoping she oks an easy run around the Boardwalk when we are there for Christmas.

Debra--I hope life slows down for you all a bit and that you are able to enjoy the weekend. We won't be there, but are tentatively planning to go in 2013. We are doing Princess--assuming that I can get my mileage up a bit before then I will run/walk with very short intervals.

 

[jbucci]

Julie and Rose: Sorry to hear about the foot issues, I hope you both feel better soon.

Richard: Happy belated birthday

Deb: Butch and I will be there this year staying at BLT. We are doing the 5K with DD8 and then are doing Goofy. I think switchng to the half was probably a wise move for you to keep you sane and injury-free. I'm glad to hear there will be someone out cheering for the full, so many are doing the relay or full I was wondering if we would have any scream teamers.

Things are going well here for the most part. Work is stressful and a bit awful lately but all else is good so I have no real reason to complain. My foot got a bit irritated during the full in Philia so I've been taking it slow and developing a love affair with KT tape. I did do 14 miles this past weekend with minimal complaint from the foot, so I think I will be good to go.

DD8 is doing an amazing job with her 5K training and did 2.25 this weekend with a 12:01 average pace. We have been going to the local track and running the straights then walking the curves. We had a great time singing as we ran, so I'm really looking forward to the race. On other DD news I have to report huge success. If any of you recall we were having some major school issues last year which lead to her being diagnosed with dyslexia. She has been with a tutor since last Feb and is now completely caught up to grade level and is a much happier, more confident kid. I am so thrilled and relieved to see how far we have come in a year.

I look forward to seeing many of you in Jan.

 

[laughinplace199]

Rose: I'm glad to hear that you're making progress with your foot injuries. I hope you get your wish and are able to take that easy run around the Boardwalk!

I'm dealing with PF and heel trauma in both feet. It's slowly getting better, but nowhere near good enough to try a little run. We were just in WDW for Thanksgiving and I was pleasantly surprised that all of that walking didn't make things worse.

Jen: It sounds like your DD is becoming quite the little runner!

Are the 'Ohana cousins meeting for ice cream this year? If so, I'd love to stop by and see you guys.

 

[FFigawi]

John: I never got a chance to say goodbye, even though you're not going away virtually. How are you enjoying Doha?

Doha is pretty good so far. We've managed to get all of our medical tests done (remind to tell you the horror stories about my wife's trip through the women's hospital) and will hopefully have our residency permits next week. We need those to get a driver's license, open a bank account, get our liquor permit, and buy our cars. Needless to say, they can't get here fast enough.

I've found a group to run with, Heather's been to a few yoga classes, and we even know where the nearest grocery stores are. Not bad for one week.

Debra - glad you'll at least be able to make the trip to marathon weekend and run the half. That's a pretty cool medal this year, one I'll be sad not to get.

Julie - sorry to hear about your ongoing foot problems. That's got to be really frustrating. I hope the slow but steady recovery continues.

Jen - glad your daughter is doing so well with her schooling and her running. The confidence from one must surely help her with the other. I bet she'll be beaming when she gets that medal in a few weeks.

 

[tiberius]

Hi everyone!

John - Glad to hear that things are going well in Doha for you guys!

Julie - I am definitely in for ice cream, after all it is life's second greatest gift (someone had to say it)! Doesn't the team typically do that somewhere around mid afternoon on Saturday? Who else is up for that?

Jen - BLT, I will look forward to hearing your report about the resort.

Rose - Good for you for finding the positives in being slowed down.

Debra - I'm happy to hear you are definitely coming! I know you've had so much going on this year in your life. If you're going to take care of organizing a roll call list you can put me down for doing Goofy.

AFM - Things are definitely going well for me here. I had a great 21 mile long run last weekend leading up to Disney and a lot on the first half of the year horizon racewise and am ramping up my training this month and feeling good so far. I will be staying at the Dolphin this year (first time there) and am looking forward to seeing my Ohana cousins.

So, is everyone up for ice cream?

 

[jeanneg]

Count me in for the ice-cream meet......just tell me where and when.
Life is funny.....just when everything seems to going perfectly, there's always something to knock you off your perch. We are definitely going to WDW for marathon weekend, but a new wrinkle may keep me from participating in either of the races. I will know more in the days ahead, so please keep your fingers crossed for me. Of course, my training has been nonexistent, but I'll be so happy to be on the course I'll find it somewhere within me to finish.

Jen:I love the fact that your daughter is embracing the running lifestyle. She is going to be a rockstar!

John:glad to hear that things are going well for you in Doha. Please be safe.

Jackie: a belated congrats on hour PR! You continue to improve in leaps and bounds.

Richard: I'm not surprised that you caught ironman fever. You continue to be an amazing inspiration to all of us. If my own daughter were not 6 months pregnant right now I'm sure she'd be looking for another IM!

Everyone else: big hugs and I look forward to seeing many of you in a few weeks.

 

[laughinplace199]

John: How great that you've already found a running group! It sounds like you guys are settling in nicely.

Richard: We'll be neighbors for marathon weeked - we're at BWV!

Jeanne: My fingers are crossed that you are able to participate in the race(s). I know how you feel. I was going to do the full and I can't. Then I was hoping to swtich to the half, but my Dr said no. We're still coming for marathon weekend though, just not racing, and that part stinks.

 

[deekaypee]

Apparently, this year's crazy schedule hasn't finished with me yet. All I want for Christmas is a do-over for all of 2011. Or at least a much different 2012.

Saturday afternoon ice cream at Beaches & Cream? Does that sound cool to people? Or a Monday DATW? I may be the only person who wants to drink at Disney, who knows? DOOD thinks I'm crazy, but the liquor calls to me. It calls to me, I tell you!

Debra & DOOD: Donald, Bonnet Creek; scream-teaming full at DHS
Jeanne: ????
Jen & Butch: Dopey (5K with DD), BLT
Julie & Rob: BWV
Richard: Goofy, Dolphin

Julie: I'm so glad you'll be at WDW, even if it's not running. (And I hope your foot issues are resolved in 2012.)

Rose: I didn't realize you weren't going to be at WDW in January. Since they've shifted the dates of the Princess it's nearly impossible for us to go. Anyway, how is your mileage coming alone...and your foot issues?

Jen: I'm so, so hyped that your DD (and you and Butch) are doing the 5K. What a great thing to do as a family - you must be very proud of her. And such cool news that her school issues are abating and she's happier. I can't think of a better present for the holidays than seeing your kid happy and more confident!

John: Very cool that you're already plugged into the running scene in Doha. Runners, what a friendly group!

Richard: I just want you to know that I'm planning on following in your footsteps in 2012. Not tris, of course, because that involves swimming and I have that Wicked Witch aversion to water thing going on. But definitely doing more XT and mileage. And maybe in your honor I'll cheer at an IM event!

Jeanne: Good thoughts to you, and PD.

AFM: My back continues to give me mild problems, which I know is aggravated by my lack of XT. I'm running, but not really much else. Same with DOOD. But we'll get through the half - and who really noticed a twinge or two when there are characters to hug.

And WISHers. DOOD & I are really looking forward to seeing those of you who will be there. We've been bad WISHers this year, and we're hoping to re-connect with folks and find some balance between work and play in 2012. And both of us want to re-commit to running in 2012 - 2011 was a focus on other things, unfortunately.

 

[tiberius]

Debra - I will be leaving Monday afternoon/evening so Monday DATW options are limited, at best, for me. I've always doubted to some degree the benefits of cross-training as more hype than substance, probably mostly because I didn't want to take the time to do it right. Well, this year I did become a true fan of the whole cross-training philosophy. It really has helped me improve and was probably a help in injury avoidance over the year. Your words remind me that, earlier this year, I became aware that I was becomes a positive role model for others. I can tell you that is quite humbling, especially since I feel so ordinary and so.......well, just so "me". If you want help with swimming I'll gladly meet you at the pool in January. I bet you'd love the IM race day experience! If you can watch the finish area of a full IM, especially late in the day, it is an awesome experience.

Julie - Howdy, Disney neighbor! Looking forward to getting to meet you in person for the first time.

Jeanne - IM fever is easy to catch! I've know a few women to schedule a pregnancy around or between races, not that I know how anyone has time to parent and train for an IM.

Anyway folks, regarding ice cream (aka Ohana occupies Beaches & Cream), what times are good for people? I should be able to make time almost anytime. I'm thinking Saturday mid-afternoon or so.....

 

[FFigawi]

Merry Christmas Cousins! I hope you are all having safe and happy holidays with your family and friends.

 

[laughinplace199]

Merry Christmas!