Week Eight - Day Three

Good morning Team Voice!

Today I want to respond to some of yesterday's concerns. I got comments here on the blog, as well as a few e-mails. And since Wednesday is a rest day - I figured I'd address them instead of addressing other things. But first - if you are a team voice member - I WANT YOU TO COMMENT TODAY. HERE. I want to hear from EVERYONE. WE ALL NEED TO STICK TOGETHER!

First of all - an admission. Yes - I've been sidetracked and inconsistent. I've plateaued with my weight around 290 (+/- a few pounds depending on the day). And yes, my training has NOT been perfect - although it has roughly matched the Penguin's plan. But the last two weeks even that has been sloppy.

I freely admit all of this. And I am working to change it - one day at a time (forgive the Schneider picture earlier).

Secondly - clarification. I am not competing with anyone else in the WDW Half-Marathon. I am competing with myself. I am also not expecting to RUN the WDW Half-Marathon. I am expecting to do some combination of speed walking and light jogging. Roughly how I train. I expect to finish this race in under 3:30. Hopefully under 3:00. But the most important goal I have for it is....

TO FINISH.

I can worry about time and speed NEXT year. And yes - you heard me. I plan on running this race again. And someday - the Mickey medal race. Perhaps even the Disneyland races. Or the Goofy. This is the START of this. And we must crawl before we walk.

My good friend Deb (and one of the Team Voice founders) e-mailed me yesterday. Here are a few snippits.

"THIS WEEKEND, go out and do 5 miles, no matter what. Walk it, jog it, run it, skip it - but do it!" Exactly my plan Deb. As is the progression of mileage UP UP and AWAY!

"Boy, I'm halfway thru this email and I don't know whether to send it. Who am I to advise you on training? I'm not even sure I"m going to finish the race successfully!" First of all - yes you ARE going to finish. Secondly - you're my friend and teammate - and that means your opinion ALWAYS counts. Never fear commenting or e-mailing. Even if you're being harsh, like mgreene often is. I truly DO appreciate every comment, because I know that it comes from a place of love. And much like you all love me and support me - know that I am constantly thinking of my teammates.

"I believe in you! And I believe in me!" And Deb, I believe in you too. All of us. And I will be at the finish line either to see you when I get there, or to wait for you until you get there.

This team concept is so wonderful - and the peer pressure is so powerful. And in that vein - and in the vein that Jeff and I have decided to "re-focus" - I'm going to remind myself, and you guys, of "WHY I DO WHAT I DO."

1. I choose to train to run this race - because it IS A DISNEY race. Disney is a passion for me, and the thought of running up Main Street motivates me like nothing else.

2. I choose to train to run this race - because I want to be HEALTHY and FIT for my family and my children. I've already lost 80+ pounds training, and it's not just about weight loss. It's about lifelong health.

3. I choose to train to run this race - because doing so is enabling me to help SICK children. We've raised nearly $3000 for the make a wish foundation, and I plan on raising the bar to raise even more before January. Those kids were the motivation from the start, and now they will be again.

You see - I've discovered that over time - since I've been training a year and a half now - that my passion has waned and waxed. But now's the time to PUMP IT UP! Now's the time to ROAR! Now's the time to focus on the castle, the resorts, the characters, the music, and the training to get there.

Believe me, my friends, I have the drive. I have the motivation. And I WILL NOT FAIL.

Tomorrow is scheduled a 40 minute run - then cross training on Friday - and Saturday's 5 miles are already mapped out.

Okay team - 140 days and counting. Who's with me??!?!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!