Wk of Feb 11--WISH Walking/Running Club

[RedDragon]

Happy Valentine's Day from snow/iced-in MA!! I hope everyone out there is with their honey, significant other, or just someone they care about!!

Why, oh why, did I go to work today? I and only other person (out of 15) were the only ones on-site. Everyone else stayed home to work to stay off the roads. Snow/ice/rain/sleet and every other type of precipitation imaginable.

It was cavernous and BORING!! It has turned to all rain and they are predicting the cold to come roaring back in so everything will freeze and we'll probably have quite a lot of ice to deal with in the morning. Oh boy, what fun. Maybe I'll stay home and work from home tomorrow, like everyone else!!! Or shall I say "work from home"?

No workout today. Couldn't get to the gym. If we get out tomorrow, I'll try for a lunchtime run. I should be able to get it in if I can get to work.

I worked at a Disney Store for 1 month back in 1995. We were called "casual" employees b/c it was seasonal/temp work. It was awful!! They treated everyone as if they were a shoplifter and all employees were searched at the end of the shift before we left the store. The manager-in-training was horrible to the casual employees. They asked me to stay on and I said no. In fact, they didn't even ask me. They just assumed I'd want to stay on and made up a schedule as such. Not a well run store. We didn't even get much of a discount either.

Well, hope everyone enjoys their valentine tonight!!

 

[Kristi1357]

I worked at a Disney Store for 1 month back in 1995. We were called "casual" employees b/c it was seasonal/temp work. It was awful!! They treated everyone as if they were a shoplifter and all employees were searched at the end of the shift before we left the store. The manager-in-training was horrible to the casual employees. They asked me to stay on and I said no. In fact, they didn't even ask me. They just assumed I'd want to stay on and made up a schedule as such. Not a well run store. We didn't even get much of a discount either.

Martha - don't take the bag check thing personally. They do that to everyone, and they do this at most retail stores too. Alot of the stores were not well run. I only stayed for the discount and put up with alot for my love of all things Disney! I worked there from 1993-2004. I even got my 10 year plaque from Disney like a real CA or FL CM would!

You didn't work at the Pheasant Lane store, did you?

 

[hockeygirl]

Good evening WISH team members!! HAPPY VALENTINE"S DAY!!

Well, we escaped without too much snow, but had more of an ice storm, which to me is much worse. I was lucky to get a snow day from work, as most schools in the area were closed!! So, I relaxed all day and did NOTHING!! I wanted to try to get to the gym, but I was afraid to drive with all of the ice, so I didn't go. I will get a workout in tomorrow for sure.

No time now to respond to all the posts, but I have read them. I will post more tomorrow at some point.

To all those affected by this latest storm, hang in there!! Be careful with all of the ice/snow on the roads.

 

[Big Vic]

Evening everyone!

Departing the World in the early AM.

Ran another 3 laps around the lake today at a 11:35 pace. Felt good.

Maria - Sorry, no space mountain.

Dave - I asked everyone, "Have you seen Dave's Photopass?" They haven't located it yet, but they're still looking.

Y'all take care.

 

[scuba diver]

That's so funny. I was one of the people who is supposed to coordinate those things (I was class secretary or something like that senior year). We had a 5 year and nothing since. My HS doesn't even know I'm back in Mass. (and it's going to stay that way).

oh must attend to DS... I keep saying "one more minute..."

I'm one of those people too. For the last few class reunions we hired it out to a firm, "class reunions plus". They do everything from setting it up to tracking everyone down. They did a great job.

It is amazing what people can do to make a living.

 

[scuba diver]

And again, why oh why do I not live in Florida yet???

Can you say Hurricane?

But then again, there are days like this when my daughter was on Daytona Beach....

 

[angietuck2]

AWESOME TRAINING REPORT!!!
6 MILES @ 8:10 PACE - I HAVE NEVER RUN THAT FAST. I FELT LIKE I HAD WINGS ON MY FEET


Have to go study for my last test of the week!!

Happy Training and to all of you up there in those horrible storms - be careful and stay warm. We wil try to send you a little Florida sunshine.

Angie

P.S. Minnie - It's ok to be thirtyish in school, I'll be 33 on Monday!!

 

[scuba diver]

AWESOME TRAINING REPORT!!!
6 MILES @ 8:10 PACE - I HAVE NEVER RUN THAT FAST. I FELT LIKE I HAD WINGS ON MY FEET


Have to go study for my last test of the week!!

Happy Training and to all of you up there in those horrible storms - be careful and stay warm. We wil try to send you a little Florida sunshine.

Angie

P.S. Minnie - It's ok to be thirtyish in school, I'll be 33 on Monday!!

Great job!! Sounds like you are ready for your race on Sunday!!!

 

[meghan74]

We managed to dig out way out of our 13+ inches of snow in order to make it to the gym. I finished up week #3 and was able to increase my running intervals to 5.2. I am really proud of my progress. I'm still slow, but I am still getting off the couch and that is what matters!

 

[wfloyd]

Not to rub it in but I just went outside and looked and there wasn't any snow or ice on the ground. Just lots of warm wind and nice 70 degree temperatures. This snow thing must be a figment of people's imagination.

Happy Valentines day to everyone.

Bill

 

[Calcio]

If everyone doesn't mind I'll go way off topic and get very philosophical.

On Valentine's day it's appropriate to state that I'm married to that Red Dragon girl, I have been married to her for nearly 27 years, it has been a truly wonderful run in every way, and we somehow managed to produce the perfect daughter. Lesley is really, really, smart, introspective, loyal, loving, caring, has a wicked sense of humor, and is very kind. Many of our group met her in January, and I suspect you'll all vouch for this description of her (or I'll hurt you ).

The hard part is she is interviewing for a position in accounting and finance in the Boston area, and her personality is turning out to be a huge negative on the job market. 2 weeks ago she had an interview with a well known firm in the M&A analysis group, she was told by the decision makers that she had the best qualifications for the job, but in the end they still told her no. Lesley knows the reason she was told no was her personality; not sufficiently assertive, confident, aggressive, etc., and it is causing her a great deal of hurt. She told me after the fact that "I am who I am," and you can't argue with that.

As her father I sit here and watch my profession reject her, and it hurts me to the core. For goodness sake, if she isn't good enough for these jobs, then what does that say about my profession? The local news media are full of stories wondering why young college graduates, the future of any region, leave the Boston area, and now I can tell them why. This is a brutal place to live and start a career, and many people simply throw up their hands and choose to leave.

I know I'm a lot older than many in this group (other than Vic, bless you my friend for being a totally cool studly man and the same age as me), and Martha and I have lived all the stages of life and parenting that many of you are working through right now. It's just so surreal to have a child who has made it successfully through all the traps of teen and young adult-hood, who you think so highly of, and watch others dump all over her because she doesn't fit their view of the ideal. If she doesn't find a position in her field which will allow her to start her life she'll have to move on to a location where her personality type is more the norm than the outlier (hello Austin, Boulder, Tucson, the West Coast). I know she is thinking about all of this and I'm trying so hard to let her work it all out for herself, but dear god, if she has to move away because she believes she'll never fit in this place, then maybe I don't want to live here as well.

Please excuse this personal digression, but for a long time so many of you have meant so much to me, and now my lovely wife. I'm just at a complete loss. As many of you have commented recently, our problems certainly don't rise to the problems of so many others, and that is true. To quote Rick/Bogart in "Casablanca," "I'm no good at being noble, but the problems of 3 little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world." It just makes me wonder.

Anyway, thanks for your kindness over the past few years, your support, and your friendship. It means more to me than you can imagine.

Back to topic. I have booked the BWV for the marathon next year, and after payday I'll register for the full. I'll be d***ed if the heat and humidity on Jan 7 2007 will beat me. I'll be back in the corrals on Jan 13 2008, fitter, meaner, and ready to keep up with our resident female jet, Christa/gatorphipps from NC. I won't do a 4:12, but with luck I'll hit a 4:29:59.

Happy training all. It's a long road from here to next January, but remember, life isn't a destination, it is a journey. Sometimes things happen to me and my family which remind me of this philosophy.

Craig

 

[MouseDogMom]

Carrie - I did Curves for a year, but ended up quitting for that exact reason - didn't feel like I was getting enough of a workout. But it was great for getting me back into doing something, so I'll be forever grateful for that!

Martha - Hope you get out tomorrow. The weather sounds just horrid!

Angie - GREAT run! Fly away!

Meghan - Congrats on finishing the 3rd week. This week is my 3rd week of mornings on the TM - I feel like I've accomplished a major victory!

Bill - Your weather report is CRUEL!!!!

Craig - I'm so sorry. Nothing hurts worse than when your offspring are struggling. I feel for Lesley especially since I have that same personality. I hope she can find something soon that works for all of you. And I definitely understand how it's affecting you - it's a really small thing compared to Lesley's job search, but DD16 found out this morning that she didn't make either the varsity or JV soccer team (after playing JV last year), and she has been devastated today. I've spent the day worrying about her and how to cheer her up (which turned out to be a non-issue, since her friends did it for me), but your post brought back the pain that we as parents feel for our children, no matter their age.

Gotta go watch my Blue Devils try to knock off BC!

Jackie

 

[angietuck2]

Craig - I know I am new to these boards, but I hope you won't mind if I say something. First of all, it is so nice to hear about couples who have made it for as long as you guys have, I pray that Bobby and will make it that far! Sunday will be 12 years for us (we are running a 1/2 marathon together to celebrate - are we crazy ) anyway it hasn't always been easy.

It sounds like you have a wonderful daughter and again, I hope I can raise my two boys to be as succesful and driven. My heart just really goes out to you and her both. I am actually terified of the very same thing. I have an advantage being a woman entering the Engineering field, there are not very many graduating with me. However, the field I want to go into, Marine Construction, I know will require a "certain personality", and it will be frustrating if I know my 'stuff' enough to get straight A's, but because I can't chew people up and spit them out I might not be able to handle the job??

I know if this is even close to what you are saying, but I just wanted to say that I agree with you and I think it's very sad !!

I really hope that something opens up for her, something evern better than she could have ever hoped for!!

Angie

 

[crzy4pooh]

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Craig - We will be praying that your daughter will find the job of her dreams! You have done a wonderful job with her - she just needs to find that perfect position, and it may not be where she expects it to be.

Angie - that is an amazing pace!!! You rock!!!

To all those dealing with snow/ice issues - I am truly sorry! I already saw DH was trying to stir up trouble with our weather report... But hey, we have 100+ temps in the summer and hurricanes that knock your power out for 9 days at a time. I guess I'll take that over the massive snow and ice, though!

We have a little more baby news to share with our WISH family. Monday's ultrasound showed that the baby is measuring about 3 weeks too big. Today we went to the doctor, and she said that basically he is over 5 pounds at this point, with 8 weeks to go until the due date - projecting him to be around 9.5 pounds when I'm due. No wonder I feel like I'm farther along!!! So, we are officially scheduled for a repeat c-section in 7.5 weeks. Woo-Hoo!!! I must admit that my 5K next weekend is not looking too promising. We'll see...

Happy training to all and safe travel for those in the snow!

--Lynnda

 

[TXAng]

Abra Cat – Those marshmallows sound delicious!

Minnie – Good luck with whichever test you decide on. You know, you could just go for broke and sit for both! Only if you’re a real glutton for punishment, though.

Kristi – Wow, what a drive! Glad you made it home safely.

Melissa – 50K?? That’s awesome. Good luck!

Jackie – WTG for getting that workout in! Glad it went well.

Angie – WooHoo!! That’s fantastic! Congrats!!

Meghan – Way to stick with it! (Psst…my running intervals are slower than yours, so you sound like a speed demon to me!)

Craig – Wow, that’s so disappointing. You’d think that with her credentials, she’d be able to choose any job in the world. Stupid corporate pre-determined ideals. Bah. I hope she finds something in your area that is even better than anything she’s interviewed for already.

Jackie – Sorry to hear about your dd’s disappointment, too.

Lynnda – Wow! Just wow! It must be nice knowing that you're in the home stretch, but 9.5 pounds?? I'm over here just thinking about it!

I made it to the gym tonight and went 2.75 miles in 43 minutes (including warm up and cool down).

And what great running wisdom did I learn today?

No matter HOW good the shrimp scampi sounds, don't order it for lunch when you're planning on working out that evening. Oh, the shrimp was delightful, but once I started to really get moving, I was wishing I'd made a less buttery-garlicy choice. Who knew?

 

[monte]

Craig - I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's disappointment, but I believe that another door will open for her and she'll be thrilled with it.

I walked 4.5 miles on my treadmill and it took 80 mins. which I think is a 17 min. mile(give or take a second), so I need to shave close to 2 mins. off in order to finish the marathon. I'm going to walk another 4.5 miles tomorrow and compare times.

Sounds like everyone is doing well with their training...keep up the good work team!

 

[Optimator]

Good morning to all.

Yesterday was a great day for me. I'm lucky enough to have my birthday on Valentine's day. DW (momoftwogirls) always gets shortchanged for the Valentine business because of it yet she still made it a great B-day.

She surprised me with a new Garmin 205 (thanks Katie for the heads-up on the Target clearance sale). We already have one but I will be running my first marathon in Maryland the same weekend she's running Minnie. I really couldn't justify the expense for 1 race, but... aren't those the best gifts? The one's you really want but can't justify.

As if that wasn't enough, she threw in an ipod shuffle as well!! She let my DD3 pick the color. Yep, you guessed it. Lime-green. I usually just run to the voices in my head (THE VOICES!! THE VOICES!!) but I'm looking forward to giving some tunes a try. Sorry Cam, I'm quite confident no hip-hop for me!

DW also informed me that I bought her a running skirt for V-day (thanks Leana) but I'd say she deserves that and more.

Abra Cat -

my right knee started getting all clickity and achy. I think maybe I didn't walk enough right before getting off-- I only walked for a minute at the end. It's fine now though, and this morning I did 25 minutes on the exercise bike, which always makes my knees feel better. Now if only I could wean myself of high heels! But they're so pretty

!
I'm pretty sure my knees would be clickity if I ran in high heels too!!

Lily - My folks live about 30 miles south of Cleveland. Dad said they got about 18 inches of snow. He had just finished snowblowing the driveway and was debating whether he was going out to play with his snowmobile or his 4-wheeler. Got a lot of toys for an old dude!!

Kristi - You could have pulled the trick that the mailman used on the rural route we were on when I was a kid. No mail truck. She'd just sit in the passenger seat and reach over with her left foot and do the gas and brake. I never saw her take out a mailbox or any cows.

Angie - Wicked fast pace!! - Now take it easy before your race and you'll be great.

Meghan - Great determination. The snow removal counts as XT. You did it one better by going the the gym. Great job! Extra credit for you.

Craig - I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason. Every setback DW or I have endured ended up putting us in a much better position on down the road. If your DD does the right things and continues to put herself in the right situations, mark my words, she is going to be thankful that the things she is going thru now turned out the way they did. Just continue to stay positive and don't let her loose faith or confidence in herself (he said forcefully).

Oh yeah, training: Did XT yesterday shoveling the winter Oreo cookie ( 1 inch ice, 4 inches snow, 1 inch ice). I'm scheduled for 12 miles today. Needless to say, not outside due to weather. Too much for our treadmill at home which I seem to be wearing out, so I'll have to head for the gym. I'll have to wait to see if I can get away with hogging a machine for 2hrs without being thrown in the pool. If not, I'm doomed to the rollerderby mini-track and way too many circles.

Take care all. Be careful in the snow and ice (or sand and warm tropic breeze as the case may be).

 

[Kristi1357]

Not to rub it in but I just went outside and looked and there wasn't any snow or ice on the ground. Just lots of warm wind and nice 70 degree temperatures. This snow thing must be a figment of people's imagination.

Oh Bill, you are not nice!

Jim - you daughter is beautiful!

Mike - awesome bday gifts!

Vic - so jealous of your laps in WDW!

Angie -

Craig - lots of for all three of you. I am one of those non-aggressive types too. She will get the position that is meant for her. Then you will all look back and see that it was meant to be.

Lynnda - 9.5 lbs.? Thank God for c-sections!

And to beat the snow / driving issue even more to death. Do not buy a Saturn SC2! I loved my old Saturn SL1 that the Big Dig totaled for me. I hate this one! It is horrible in the snow. And my windshield fluid would not work the whole drive into town this morning. Ugh. Good thing not many people are on the roads with me at 3am!

 

[msblrobs]

Craig - Keeping your DD and your entire family in my thoughts and prayers. May she find the perfect job that highlights her amazing personality.

Still lurking but I have started marathon training for Grandma's this week.

Best of luck to all in training, training to train this week

I hope my WISH family had an awesome Valentine's Day!!!

 

[scuba diver]

Lesley knows the reason she was told no was her personality; not sufficiently assertive, confident, aggressive, etc., and it is causing her a great deal of hurt. She told me after the fact that "I am who I am," and you can't argue with that.

Craig

Craig, that must be a very difficult situation to watch your daughter go through.

I've been hired by one a company that is very aggressive. The only thing that matter was increasing stock holder price. If you were not working 80 hours per week, you were not contributing. What did you do to increase the bottom line this week.

It was a brutel place to work, but that was the environment and everyone knew it and we were told that if we did not like it we could leave.

I did leave and I am so thankful I did.

It took some time, but I did find the same job in the same field with another company that matched my personality.

We spend a major portion of waking hours at work so it's important to find a position that does fit our personality. She will be much happier if she just hangs in there and waits for the right fit.

Good luck. It's tough to watch our kids struggle.