May Wrap Up

First of all  - this is NOT my lake serene. But wouldn't it be cool if it were? How beautiful is this? This is yet another lake serene in the Seattle area. But not mine. :)

So I did another lap around the lake today - 39:30 for 2.89 miles. Not bad overall! And I did complete my May challenge of 15 days of 30 minutes of exercise or more! YAY! And now we gear up for the rumble in the jungle! 

STROLLER BOY v. THE VOICE!

Ladies and gentlemen! The following contest is scheduled for 30 days! 

In this corner, weighing in around 287, THE VOICE!

*cheering*

And in this corner, hailing from the kingdom of far far away, STROLLER BOY!

*crickets*

Teeheehee. I couldn't resist.

Although Chris - should we do little WWE like promos periodically in our blogs?

I know Chris has been posting amazing milage, but the Voice-a-maniacs are behind me, saying their prayers, taking their vitamins, and whatcha gonna do, when voice-a-mania runs wild on you!?!?

Hmmmmm.....not sure....

Anyhow. The battle starts tomorrow! And Monday we weigh in and sponsor letters go out.

AND WE ARE SEVEN MONTHS FROM THE RACE.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Beef

The reconstruction at our condo has reached a fevered pace, and last night as I drove home, I was met with an interesting sight. My desperate mousewife walking down the street away from the house.

They'd apparently put down some sealant or paint or both on the deck, after fixing the structural problems, and the fumes had made the house all but uninhabitable.

So she hopped in the car, and off we went to go out to dinner.

Bad idea for weight loss. 

We went to "The Keg", one of our favorite local haunts, where I had a SMALLER NY Strip Steak, with a baked potato and veggies. But still - we know what beef does to me.

So this morning I feel sluggish and bloated. Add to that a pain in my thigh that's a little sharp, and this morning's run goes right out the window. Ugh.

Don't get me wrong - it's necessary from time to time to eat out and enjoy a good meal - but why do I always do it towards the end of a month a few days from weigh-in?

Speaking of that - for now - the plan is to do the weigh in on Monday, despite it being June 2. My challenge with strollerboy starts on Sunday - so I'll warm up with a nice run tomorrow - maybe shoot for 3-4 miles on Sunday - and off we go! 

One last challenge - tonight we go out for dinner with friends. Chinese food. Luckily I know what the good choices there are, and since it's karaoke TOO I drink LOTS of water (I sing you know - hehehe).

Don't believe me? Trust me - there'll be pictures. :)

Until tomorrow:

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Secret Plans

Or not so secret plans....I couldn't resist the Star Wars reference though. :)

"Secret mission? What plans?"

Okay - so people have been asking about my training plan from here out - especially since I'm not renewing my training with Christina.

We'll start with June. 

June is a running month. Minimal cross training, mostly running. The bet with Chris takes center stage. Wogging miles count, and the bet is whether or not Chris can do 1.5x my mileage. If he CAN - I put $50 into the dream team fund. And pout. If he can't - then he puts $50 into the fund, and we all cheer! :) Just kidding - it's all good fun. That being said - who are YOU rooting for?

July 7th, though, starts my 28 week march to the race. Here's how this plan works. Each week is organized the same way. Each exercise day starts with a five minute warm up, ends with a five minute cool down, and a strides exercise. These do NOT count towards the time/mileage goal of the day.

Monday: Timed run. (we start with running 3 minutes/walking 2 and advance to 3/1 and 4/1)

Tuesday: Timed cross training.

Wednesday: Rest.

Thursday: Timed run (see above).

Friday: Timed cross training (see above).

Saturday: Mileage based run.

Sunday: Rest.

The cross training I plan on doing is upper and lower body WEIGHTS. I'll work BIG muscle groups - chest, quads, etc. And not push them so hard - we're going for strength and stability - not bulk.

Now - since this is a 14 week program - I'm doing each week TWICE. So my 28 will look like:

W1/W1/W2/W2/W3/W3/W4, and so on.

And here's a preview of the planned week's.

1: 35/30/R/35/30/3miles/R (does this make sense given the key above?)

2: 35/30/R/35/30/4miles/R

3: 40/30/R/40/30/4miles/R

4: 40/30/R/40/30/5miles/R

And so on. The long runs vary a bit as we get closer. Half way through they hit 7, then go to 4, 6, 8, and 10. Ten miles is the longest run scheduled.

What I might do, though, is every "double week" add half a mile. So week one part two would be 3.5. 

Not sure yet on that one.

And those are the plans!

Speaking of plans. We have our hotel room. :) Sadly, we have to stay at the Contemporary. Oh darn. :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Stairs

Had a great workout with Christina today (according to her measurements, I've lost 2.5 pounds of body fat! YAY!!). We did crunches, push ups, lunges, twists, donkey kicks, rows, shoulder lifts, and balance and core exercises. And then - those dreaded stairs.

Which I just happily did my five laps on. No problem! No slowing! No bannister!

That right there made me feel WONDERFUL. I remember my first stairs with Angie. Holy Cats have I come a long way!

Chris has accepted my June Challenge - we've wagered $50 on a mileage challenge - loser puts $50 into my dream team fund! Anyone else want to contribute? Anyone want to lay odds on who's going to win? Chris may be fast, but I'm an up and comer! :)

And I only have two sessions with Christina left, and I don't think I'll be renewing. Don't get me wrong - she's GREAT to work with. But as I prepare to start my 28 week training plan - I have the tools to cross train effectively, and not necessarily the cash to re-up. Maybe in the fall if I need a final push.

Generally though - food is good, exercise is good. LIFE is good.

Hey - check out www.runningforawish.com - more team voice members who are raising money! You go guys! I'm proud of you!!!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

387.0 - 3.86 miles - Just Around the River Bend

I look once more,

Just around the river bend!

And that's what I did today - look around the river bend. Kinda.

See - I went out for a run today - and had several firsts. 

1) First time I took a different turn than planned to see where it would lead me. And thinking it might add an extra .33 miles or something, found out it added an extra MILE. But I finished it. And under pace. Mostly speed walking today though. 14:50 pace, roughly.

2) First time I used my new water belt. Amphipod - one bottle with water - the other with water and a "nuun" tablet (electrolyte) - trying to keep hydrated and to keep myself getting prepared for my longer runs.

3) First time I tried an energy gel. Specifically "GU" vanilla bean w/ caffeine. Tasty, but the texture...wow...how do I describe the texture. Raw egg white, perhaps? There are more comparisons - but they're gross.

So basically - I'm working my way towards gearing up for a long distance run. Here's the fun part. I have so many different "local" road loops here in my neighborhood now, that I can easily string together 6-8 miles. Find 2 more, and that's my 10 (which is the longest run I'll do while training with the Bingham plan). And it's outside, with varied terrain - lots of little hills, a few big ones. 

And hey - I'm down another 1.8 pounds!

Next month - I think Chris and I are going to have a little race. Mileage challenge! Loser donates to the dream team fund. I'm thinkin' $50. Chris - your thoughts?

Everything seems to be going in the right direction for once! And who knows what awaits me just around the river bend! Oh wait! I know - it's MAIN STREET!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

You're the best - around!

Nothing's gonna ever keep ya down!

You're the best - in town!

Nothing's gonna ever keep ya down!

How about 2.79 miles in 36:50? And a beautiful area too - did you know there's a lake right by my house?Yeah - Lake Serene! What a nice path. Have to incorporate it into longer runs. I'm learning the paths around my house, and where all the hills are, etc, so I can make nice circuitous routes around for my longer runs.

But you must understand - that just before the last .75 miles, I developed a nasty side stitch.

And then two songs hit the iPhone."Gonna Fly Now"

and
"You're the Best"

I ran - jumped - pumped my arms - felt like I could conquer the world.

C'mon - you know the scene in Karate Kid - the tournament? Where Daniel is taking on all comers and taking them down one at a time? The Cobra Kais are falling hard and fast?

Or when Rocky hits the top of the steps?

THAT is how I feel right now.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Inspiration

This morning I did something I wasn't sure I'd be able to do - but I tried and succeeded.

I ran further outside than ever before.

2.84 miles in 40 minutes flat. Roughly a 14 minute mile pace.

Now let's be clear. I only "ran" about 15 minutes of 40. The rest were speed walking, and the occassional "jog" - but it counts - it's below race pace, and I'm fine with that for now.

And it wasn't so bad, considering the monster hill I climbed to get home. LOL

But there were moments my legs felt like jelly and I thought I should pack it in and go home.

And then a new song would come on the iPod. Something like "Star Wars Disco" or the Magic Kingdom "Welcome Medley"....and a new burst of speed and power would erupt.

And it occurred to me - there are different things that inspire us all to go further, push harder, do more.

Things that inspire me?

Music.
Helping others.
The chance to inspire others.
The chance to succeed.
Smiling faces.

Simple, I know. But they all work.

Oh yeah - and you, dear reader.

You, who are a team voice member, or a blog reader, or a commenter, or just a lurker. YOU inspire me.

You keep me writing every morning - baring my soul to you so that you know I'm here - doing it all for me....and for you.....and for us. So we can have richer lives.

So thank you for being my inspiration.

What inspires you?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Lessons from the Professor

Yesterday he was over at the Snowy Tundra - and today he visits the Voice.

Because this morning, I learned from the wonderful Professor Ludvig von Drake!

Shall we hear from him directly about what I've learned?

"Ah...velcome. You see - today, Jonathan vas going to be training with Christina at his gymnasium, and have a great workout! But he forgot a few important things!

1. ALWAYS eat before your workout at the gym.

2. ALWAYS bring water with you.

3. Avoid having a heavy beef dinner before a gym workout."
Thank you professor! See - I woke up with stomach cramps. More than usual after a beef dinner (side note: the WW Swiss Steak recipe ROCKS). And then I forgot to eat and left my water in the car.

Needless to say - the first 30 minutes of my workout with Christina went well. We did jumping jacks - leg curls - shoulder press - planks - and then....squats.

And I got VERY naseous.
So we sat on the floor and discussed nutrition and planning my meals for the January trip. Lots of feedback and I'm glad we had the chance to chat. More on this in a future post.

But the basic point to take away from today is this - well - there are two really:

1) Even if you've learned something before - occasionally forgetting and getting a reminder is a good thing.
2) Make sure you prepare for your workouts - or you'll be on the floor turning lavender blue dilly dilly dilly dilly.....silly.

Also - my sincere thanks to Jeff W at the Tundry and Chris at Blog'n Right Along for their posts yesterday - you guys rock! 

And hey - since we're mentioning friends - how about a MOUSEKATEER ROLL CALL today? If you're reading this - POST A COMMENT - say hi. Even if it's just a word or two - tell us you're out there!!!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Progress II

Didn't I just elaborate on progress last Tuesday?

But I feel the need to discuss it again today.

You see - there are times when I say I'm going to do something, for instance, run outside tomorrow, and I don't. I usually do something...and rarely do nothing. But sometimes I don't hit my goal exactly right. Like yesterday I said I'd be outside...and wasn't. Partially it was the rain. Partially it was the fact that we didn't get the laundry totally done and I had no running shorts. *blush*

But I still went and did 2.01 miles in 30 minutes.

Do you remember LAST May?

I do.

I was doing an average of 18min pace - and shocked that I could do 1.4 miles in 25 minutes.

I weighed about fifty pounds more than I do now.

I've lost an average of one pound a week for a year. I've increased my speed and stamina significantly.

And overall - I feel great. Better than I have in a long while.

But please don't misunderstand that success. Every step is still a struggle for me. Every day I fight my urges to drop into a Sara Lee box and never come out. But it gets easier. I no longer want to stop exercising moments after I start. I'm now going outside and have increased my average pace to around 14.5 minutes. I'm doing 30 minutes minimum most days - and sometimes more.

I plan on using June to work on longer runs - pushing my weekend workouts to 60 minutes plus.

Jeff, over at Snowy Tundra, today posted an interesting article that really calls into focus the progress I've made.

And it's staggering to me. Stunning.

I'm amazed that this is me. But it is.

Now - don't get me wrong - I'm not coming down on anyone for making comments on the blog - and I don't want anyone to stop - please do not stop. I know that every single comment, positive and negative, comes from the hearts of all of you, my friends. Sometimes, the negative ones get me riled up, but this isn't that. I promise. If you guys didn't care - you wouldn't comment at all - and just the fact that you care - is enough to keep me going.

I just wanted to remind us all that we've all started a journey at different places, and we are all fairly far along the road to health and fitness. Some of us still have a ways to go - but we keep on moving forward.

And that, dear friends, is the definition of progress.

Here's the plan: today - rest; tomorrow - Christina; thursday - 30; friday - 45; Saturday - 60. I'm going to try to make at least one of those runs outside, weather permitting.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

288.8

(May 18th, 2004, around 1:15pm)

(May 18th, 2004, around 7pm)

Good morning my friends - and happy Monday!

First - an update on yesterday - I never went back and re-posted, but I did go right into the exercise room and do 30 minutes, as promised. :) No extra sleeping, and no slacking.

Rae has indicated I've seemed a little off - which is odd to me - I think I've had a great May so far. The weight is going down (see above), albeit slowly, the speed and distance is going up (see to your right). I've had a few stranger days, but on the whole - May is shaping up great. And I even lost weight this week with a celebration dinner over the weekend of some WONDERFUL Phad Thai!

What was I celebrating?

An anniversary and a birthday. Both mine.

Now wait - I know what you're saying - "Your anniversary is in March, and your birthday is in April!"

And you're right....sorta.

See - May 18th is the day I was sworn in as a lawyer, four years ago.

So it's my birthday as a lawyer. :)

And to celebrate that night, I asked a friend of mine out to dinner. We went down to the beach, ate and watched the sunset, acted silly, and shared a kiss on a tree stump.

I think I fell in love with Amber that night on that tree stump.

So May 18th was ALSO our "date-aversarry". If there is such a thing.

But since we say there is - there is. :)

And despite celebrating with a movie (popcorn and Narnia! YUM!) and Phad Thai - I'm still down a half pound - and am up more mileage - and feel GREAT.

I'm really excited about July 7th coming up - can't wait to start my official training program!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Sleep

It's an amazing thing the body needs. And we all need it. Roughly 8 hours a night.

I usually get between 6-8. Sometimes 9.

Last night I got two.

And I was awake from 2:00am until roughly 6:00am when I crawled back into bed and finally, exhausted, slept. I just couldn't sleep. So I sat at the computer. I dithered. I dillied. I even dallied a bit.

It's also been brutally hot here. It was over 90 degrees yesterday. Heat we usually reserve for August. And today looks to be no better.

Last night was sweaty and icky.

This morning is muggy and nasty.

And it's 9:30 already.

Therefore, I am abandoning my plan to do a run outside this morning, given how miserable it already is.

But what I will do, is drag my sleepy body into the exercise room, and do 30 minutes on the treadmill this morning. Because I said I would.

Granted - I said I'd do 45 - but I'm willing to give myself a pass this morning.

And tonight, I'll sleep well.

Tomorrow morning I'll do 30 minimum outside.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Speed

It's not the speed of the race you complete, but rather the fact that you completed it.

Right?

And yet - why does it feel good to complete a 2.19 mile workout with under a 14 minute pace?

Why does it feel so good to be increasing ones speed and pace?

Because, my friends, it means we're improving.

It also means we enjoy what we're doing.

We enjoy seeing the changes in ourselves. We enjoy the whole shebang.

All of it.

And yes - I'm enjoying myself.

How weird of a feeling is that?

I'm enjoying getting fit.

And running. Well...jogging, really.

But still - MOVING. OUTSIDE.

ME! Video game boy!

Wow.

Speed translates from outside to in. I'm faster to get up. Faster to move my body around.

And faster to believe that I'll make it to main street.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Change...

(Get it? Cuz it's an attraction that's CHANGED....see? It fits!)

Sometimes change is scary.

For instance - when I announced that I'd be training for the 2009 half-marathon, I did it in such a public way that my life changed immediately. Granted it changed for the better overall - but at the beginning I was riddled with fear. Fear of failure. Fear of SUCCESS. Fear of YOU all judging and watching and expecting and counting on me. And what if I let you down?

What if I tried my hardest and just....couldn't?
But as time's gone by, those feelings have changed mostly into confidence and personal challenges. Now it's not can I, but rather how can I...better?

Other times change is necessary.
For instance - today I was supposed to do 30 minutes. But between a sleepless night worrying about possibly the most important court room hearing of my career thus-far (the sentencing of the client who had the huge trial back in March), and a slight soreness in my quads, I limited myself to 13 minutes and .758 miles.

Essentially a quick warm-up to get the blood flowing to the legs and muscles.
But change is also good, even in these circumstances. We must be ready to change our plans at a moment's notice if we have to - whether it's today because of soreness and tiredness, tomorrow because the weather is BEAUTIFUL and I just have to go outside, or on January 10th, because someone drops a sweatshirt right in my path.

And so I will change this week's layout, and simply move my 30 minutes to tomorrow, and do 45 on Sunday. Then regroup for next week. See that? My change added a workout!

The fact is, my friends, we all change things daily to adjust. And it's not what we don't do because of adversity that really counts...

It's what we change and then do in spite of adversity.

What changes, positive or negative, have you gone through lately?
Meow!!!!

Yes, Sam. I know we've changed your litter box in preparation for the construction people...but just don't....ya know....change and GO on the floor! Thanks!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Rest Days

We all need them.

We all deserve them.

This is mine.

When's yours? :)

Meow!

I know, Sam. You're always resting. But do you have to rub it in? Sheesh!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Earning It...

I've been accused of getting "preachy" lately...

It's not my intention. In fact, my intention is only to help folks think, and to add my own experiences to the mix.

So today - let's talk about how to "earn" your success.

Or rather - how NOT to earn it.
You see - this week, I've struggled hard to get in my exercise, and in that vein, have earned the right to be proud of myself. I'll brag to Christina when I see her shortly.

BUT I have also had a few slip ups with food, namely yesterday, a powerbar stop that was unscheduled, and an extra snack during Dancing with the Stars. (Don't you really want Christian to win?)
And in that vein, I said last night I wasn't earning it. I wasn't earning my props/rewards.

But that's not entirely true.

I mean - c'mon. I didn't have a doughnut. I didn't have McDonalds. I didn't go overboard. I was hungry, and in a place where I could conveniently get a relatively healthy snack. I didn't plan for it, so that's a little off kilter, but how bad was it really?

Now - no rationalizations here - this is NOT a habit. BUT. Remember that each and every day that you get up, and focus on your goals and dreams - you are absolutely earning the right to keep moving forward. And as we know, that's what it's all about.

So - stand strong in the face of your own adversity - and remember that you are not the person you used to be.

Editor's Note: I just returned from my workout with Christina. We decided, after measurements (although I'm down bodyweight, my bodyfat is up .1 pounds, and my lean muscle is down a pound) and discussing food, to look at my future training plan. I also asked Christina what "stride" workouts were, as they're required in the plan. She read it, and I think we did them wrong...but we did essentially 21 minutes of interval training on a random hill course on the treadmill...with speeds up to 8.0mph (sustained for 30s to 1 minute). HOLY CATS!!! Best quote for today:

"Are you sure you don't want to do another five minutes or so at 7 or 8? I'm really enjoying this! You're like watching my hamster! Did I mention I killed my hamster?"

LOL YIKES!

Oh yeah - and for joggerblogger - here's the Sam. Sam - welcome to the blog!
Meow!

Which is kittyspeak for:

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

On Progress

How do you define progress?

How do I define progress?

Well - progress is taking steps in the right direction. It's in losing weight, slowly and healthily (although we all want it gone RIGHT NOW). It's in increasing time and pace, slowly and carefully (although I'd rather be running at 6.0mph today - it's likely a year away).

Progress is in putting a 30 minute jog back to back with a 45 minute speed walk and not feeling like complaining about it, knowing full well that I see Christina tomorrow and do measurements.

Progress is about measurements. Waist. Chest. Arms. Legs. Etc.

Body fat.

We'll know more about that on Thursday (after Christina measures me).

Progress, my friends, is getting up every day and saying "This is what I've chosen to do with my life today. This is how I will begin." And then doing it.

And that's where I'm at. DOING IT.

Are you doing it today?

Are you progressing? Even just a little bit?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

289.3 (30 minutes - 2.06 miles) - On Dreams

Things are back on schedule today - I'm down a pound, and feel great after a good jog this morning.

So then today I wanted to talk a little bit about something we all share: Dreams.

No - not what we sit up and think about late at night and wish for...

What our minds wish for when we finally succumb to sleep. Although they are often one in the same.

Dreams are powerful predictors of what you feel, need, want, and lack. Dreams can be fun, happy, scary, or even hazy. Dreams are those things wherein the universe can send you a direct message to tell you if you're on the right track or not.

Sometimes you dream of silly things...like a giraffe on a bicycle.

And other times you dream of your future.

Like seeing yourself turning a corner in a race you've yet to run, feet pounding on the pavement, and catching sight of your mousewife cheering you on as your eyes focus ahead of you on Cinderella's Castle in the distance, getting closer with every step.

Now that's a dream.

What do YOU dream about?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Weekend Training Woes

(Pleas note - this picture has nothing to do with this post - I just like it - with the backlighting and all - I took it at Mousefest. Isn't it great?!)

Alright - not woes, per se.

The plan was to do 30 minutes yesterday and today. You can see I haven't logged anything.

Things have been CRAZY at the AATM Studios West this weekend.

Did I tell you our condo development is undergoing massive reconstruction? That they've just gotten to our building? That we're losing access to the master bathroom for 5-10 weeks?

Yup.

Add to that having to clear our deck and storage unit, buy a new TV and have it delivered and installed when the old one broke (granted - the new one ROCKS), have a shower door installed to complete our second bathroom so we can use it, find a new smaller litter box for Sam, move it, hide it, and do about a gazillion other projects. And oh yeah - it's been raining. Hard.

But here's the good news.

I haven't given myself a free pass on food.

I've given myself a weekend off from running, but keeping up with the diet. This is a good thing, and will likely show good things tomorrow.

And since I still need a minimum of 12 days of 30 minutes left to complete the May challenge, and I plan on upping the stakes a bit. I'll set WEEKLY challenges.

So - for the week of May 12th - here are the challenges:

Monday - 45 minutes on the treadmill.
Tuesday - 30 minutes (weather permitting) outside - if not on the treadmill.
Wednesday - workout with Christina.
Thursday - off.
Friday - 45 minutes on the treadmill.
Saturday - 30 minutes (weather permitting) outside - if not on the treadmill.
Sunday - off.

Not bad eh?

July 7th is not far away - so I have to kick the game into high gear here folks! It's go time!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

30 minutes - 1.857 miles

I almost didn't do it.

My abs and quads are SO sore today. Christina loves making me do squats and core exercises so much...

I almost didn't do it.

But then - I did it.

I started saying I'd do about 10 minutes to loosen up and do a full 30 tomorrow.

I said I'd just warm up.

But then I realized that I HAD to do 30 minutes. Minimum.

So I slowed my pace a little.

And went the distance.

A minor victory - but one nonetheless.

I'm proud of me today.

Are you proud of YOU?

As for the Marathon trip - the plans are still being made - I'm not revealing any details until we have them set...so stay tuned!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

The Best Laid Plans

So the plan was to get up at 6am this morning and do a run.

I just woke up at 7:10. Frankly - I don't know if I could run this morning anyhow. Christina REALLY worked me hard yesterday - my abs are so tight - and my butt and legs are so sore. A rest day may be just what the doctor ordered.

So then tomorrow we'll do a run. No worries.

Speaking of the best laid plans - I'm going to really focus this week, and the rest of the month, on my food intake. Vegas wasn't so bad, but when we came home and had Ayla, well - the cupboard was bare, and we just didn't go shopping because we had Ayla.

So things got a little dicey.

But now we've been to the store, and things are going back to normal.

And here's some great news: I'm in the process of getting together a booking for my Marathon trip! We should be booked by the end of the month! YAY!

Are you booked yet? Where are you staying? What are your dates?

Is it weird that I'm REALLY excited about this? That I'm just generally excited about running and exercising and working out?

Who have I become?!?!

Don't get me wrong - I like him - I'm just still getting to know him. :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Vegas Wrap Up

Good morning my friends!!

So here's the nitty gritty on Vegas. We arrived EARLY in the morning on Thursday - and got a room right away. As invited guests of the "TI" (formerly Treasure Island) we had a nice deal waiting for us. Little did we know it was right above construction. We were quickly moved to a less noisy room.
Thursday was a day filled with fun and games. We played slots, tables, and generally got our butts kicked. We ate at the hotel coffee shop for most meals - they had a decent selection of salads and sandwiches as well as entrees, and a GREAT French Onion Soup. :)

Thursday night we saw "Love". Wow is all I can say. Definitely NOT my favorite Cirque show - but an experience to be sure. If you're a Beatles fan, you'll adore it. But it's more music and interpretive dance than it is Cirque. I would have liked it a little more "Cirque-ish".
Friday I ran the strip from TI to the Bellagio and back. I shouldn't say "ran" - it was more of a speed walk/jog at times. But it was 30:30 and just over 2 miles. So not bad.
Friday evening the bride and groom arrived, and we split up to celebrate the night before the wedding, but not before getting into the most frightening cab ride of our lives. Careening down closed side streets with clearly posted "no entry" signs, our driver exclaimed "I don't read English!"

The day of the wedding began with a nice breakfast with my good friend Tairy Rich, who lives in Vegas, and her son, who was just a really cute kid. Then it was off to the wedding.
A beautiful, albeit small, service. I was proud to be a part of it!

And Saturday night we decided to finish out our gambling, but went on a hot streak - and managed to make some cash back! All in all, when we checked out on Sunday, the TI had picked up our room, one buffet, and given us an additional $50 off the bill for our play. We'll definitely be invited back. Not bad.

Then home - and the best part of all? We have AYLA until tonight! YAY!!! Isn't she adorable?

Wonder how long it'll be before I can get HER to say "abso-oot-ee"....

Tomorrow I'm in the gym with Christina! Another run for Thursday/Saturday/Sunday - that'll make five overall so far this month. :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

290.3 - Little Red

Good morning friends! I have survived Sin City - and even returned with some cash in pocket. :) How nice is THAT?

I've posted a small gain for being on vacation, but now there's nothing in my way until my July trip to Boston! The time has come to really buckle down and see what I can do. If my math is right, I have until Amber's birthday on July 7th to get ready for my 28 week Half-Marathon training plan, from "Marathoning for Mortals" - that's a little over TWO months to push harder and harder. I think I can push past the 95 lb lost mark by then. Maybe even 100 - but let's not get too crazy.

So - today I'd like to ask you to check out a podcast you may or may not already know about. Our good friend Tairy Rich, who is Paul Barrie's girlfriend, has a creative writing podcast called "Little Red's Writing Hood" which is found at www.lrwh.us.

Please go check it out today - because one of our own Team Voice members, Kate, is prominently featured. As is myself, Paul Barrie, Mike Hamilton, and all of our goals.

Let me tell you something: there is nothing in the world more amazing than having a talented writer (Kate) write the most touching piece of poetry you've ever heard - and then having an equally amazing writer and performer, who KNOWS poetry, read it.

Holy cow.

That's all I'm saying.

Holy cow.

Go listen.

More about Vegas tomorrow.

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