Day 45 - Hoppin' Along

Alright - so RB isn't here today - it's just me - and I didn't have a new picture of him - so I though I'd include his cousin. Thumper. :)

Had a great workout this morning - just over 8.5 miles in just about 2.0 hours! Not a bad thing if I do say so myself!!

Here's the schedule for this holiday week:

M: Rest/Wii Fit

T: Lake Serene/Wii Fit

W: Travel to OKC

Th: Turkey.

F: Yoga/Strength Training

S: 5+ miles (OKC loop)

Sun: Travel Home

It's not an optimal week - but hey - it's Thanksgiving.

Hopefully will have good news about Dad's recovery when I return!

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Day 47 - Runny Bunny Returns

Hello friends! RB here again!

While Jonathan was out doing his 3 miles (which he tells me he completed in just under 45 minutes) - I was sitting here by the computer wondering if you all realize that today marks Jonathan's triumphant return to AATM! Go download the show right away! It's a GOOD'un. And did ya see my new Disneyland button? I'm an honorary Bun-izen. :)

As for training - his session this morning was 3/4 walking, and 1/4 light jogging - I was VERY proud of that - since my name isn't WALKY bunny. I'd like to see him lightly jog some of the actual half marathon, but really this Sunday will be a good test. We'll see how on pace he is with 8+ miles.

Foodwise this week has gone good for him - and I'm about to make him some Special K Red Berries for breakfast. Did you know that Fiber One makes toaster pastries now? And they're GOOD - 8 points for 2 if you need an "on the run" breakfast!

Well - that's really it for today - I'll likely be back on Sunday to update you on the BIG training session.

Can you believe we're getting closer and closer to this thing? Holy cats! Er...I mean...HOLY BUNNIES!

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Day 48 - Slight Adjustments

Good morning my friends! 

I want to thank RB for taking the reins the last few days - it's been great to focus on getting back on track! He's a HUGE help!

We even had a big discussion today and made a slight adjustment to this week's training plan.

See - Dad is exhibiting some strange behavior and confusion in the hospital now. The doctor's say it's electrolyte imbalance, but it's still quite upsetting. They also did an ultrasound to rule out another stroke. And the last two days have been quite stressful. (No worries - no stress eating, except for ONE clif bar, which is FAR better than I'd been doing)

Regardless, I just really didn't sleep well last night. So RB and I talked today, and he told me to get some extra sleep and push back everything one day. He says that sleep is very important, and that if I'm not well rested, I won't work out well, and I'll be more prone to snacking.

He's smart!

As for dad - I think that it's likely the electrolytes, and they've been fixing it - he was low on magnesium and calcium, and that can create confusion. And if all is looking good today, he may even be discharged today - and go back home.

So today I slept in - and will eat breakfast soon and head to work. Tomorrow I'll do the Safeway loop/wii fit, Saturday will be weights/wii fit, and SUNDAY will be 8.6 miles.

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Day 50 - The Adventures of Runny Bunny Continue

Greetings again friends!

Jonathan's getting ready for work and breakfast, and still a little grumpy, so I'm here to pick up the happiness quotient today! 

As you know, I, Runny Bunny (or RB...which I kinda like!) am training Jonathan for this race now - we're in the home stretch, and really focusing on being CONSISTENT with training and eating.

And when the alarm went off this morning, Jonathan was not feeling it. But I told him he hadn't come this far to slack off, and so I packed him into the car (grabbed his water) and went with him to the gym! Once he was there, he threw himself into the workout! He really pushed himself (arms and legs) for 30 minutes - including 15 INCLINED crunches (which are HARD). 

Then we came home and he went to change. But I reminded him that he wasn't done yet. Oh no. He still had wii fit to do. So he did a few yoga poses, some tricep training - and then some really good core balance work. He likes the step aerobics too, but didn't do them this morning. He got to 18 minutes (of 20 scheduled) and his legs were literally shaking from the balance exercises, so I let him off 2 minutes early. I'm not heartless, you know. :)

Food today is going to be better than yesterday. It wasn't bad - but he snacked a little more than I'd like. But they were an extra rice cake here or there, so at least not doughnuts and candy, right?

So today we'll be having oatmeal and cottage cheese again for breakfast. Lunch will be a nice weight watchers microwave meal with an apple and two rice cakes. Dinner tonight will be the traditional AATM pasta night. Oh yeah? Did I mention Jonathan's super happy about returning to AATM tonight?

And about recording an interview with Bobbi Kotula from Beauty and the Beast here at the Village Theatre?

It'll be fun to see the mayhem back in action, huh? No more of this grumpy gus stuff. :)

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Day 51 - The Adventures of Runny Bunny

Greetings friends! Jonathan is getting ready for work, so I, Runny Bunny, am taking over today!

I wanted to let you know how he did today!

We woke up EARLY (around 5am! See the picture!!!) and I shooed him out the door - where he did 3.10 miles in 45 minutes! I'm proud of that pace, but I'd like to see it faster.

Then when he got home, I immediately shoved him onto the wii fit! No rest for the weary, you know! He had a lot of fun there, and then got a well deserved hot shower.

As for his food intake? Well - since I'm taking over his training now for him - I'm making him oatmeal and raisins with some cottage cheese on the side and a nice english muffin for breakfast. All high fiber low fat low calorie low point stuff! Granted, I'd suggest carrots, but hey - we can't all be bunnies.

Lunch? Well I'm packing him a turkey sandwich, a couple of apples, and some rice cakes. Should be enough to get him through to dinner with Amber.

Which is some chicken and a nice caesar salad. 

I think he's on the right track again - at least stepping in the right direction. For more information on being OFF track - read yesterday's grumpy post. I'm SO glad I stepped in to take over. :)

Feel free to comment today on today or yesterday if you'd like - I know he loves hearing from everyone!!!

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Day 52 - Grumpy

At first I wasn't even sure I'd post today - but then I remembered how supportive you've all been through the last three weeks, and figured I should at least tell you all where I'm at and what's going on - in the hopes that you'll keep supporting me.

1. Dad. He's back in the hospital. He was home less than 24 hours before he had trouble breathing, my mom noticed swelling in his legs, and yes, guess what? He's back in congestive heart failure. So he was re-admitted - on lasix - and is slowly trying to get rid of his fluid. I can't tell you how stressful this all is - especially since at times my mother can be so...demanding of attention and help. Couple that with worries about my dad, and the fact that Amber and I are exhausted from OUR trips out there and just not really looking forward to going back in a week and a half for thanksgiving (don't get me wrong - we love my family - but this has taken a toll on us) - and you can understand why we lead into #2....

2. Food. I've been stress eating. No doubt about it. And because of how tired I am emotionally, physically, and otherwise, my defenses are down.

3. Exercise. Inconsistent at best. 

4. Attitude. Poor. I've been snippy with friends and coworkers. I'm just plain ol' GRUMPY. When usually I'm more Dopey.

But as I lay awake in bed this morning thinking of how far I've come, and how far back I COULD slide if I let myself, and feeling my stomach cramping slightly, I made a conscious decision to stop.

I've always been big on new beginnings - and so I'm giving myself one.

Tomorrow begins a new week - and only 7 weeks from the trip and the race. And it's time to CRUNCH down and fight hard. Amber and I meal planned for the remainder of this month (including our trip for Thanksgiving) to ensure quality, healthy meals - and already went grocery shopping. No more eating out. 

I've moved Runny Bunny to near my bed so I CAN SEE him no matter what - instead of having him sitting in my office where he is inspirational only if I choose to look at him.

So here's the plan:

Monday - we start with 3 miles around Lake Serene and then 20 minutes on wii fit.

Tuesday - 30 minutes of weights at the gym - and 20 minutes on wii fit.

Wednesday - 20 minutes of wii fit.

Thursday - 3 miles around Safeway (different loop) and then 20 minutes on wii fit.

Friday - 30 minutes of weights at the gym - and 20 minutes on wii fit.

Saturday - 8.6 miles and 20 minutes of wii fit.

Sunday - 20 minutes of wii fit.

I'm not at all concerned about pace while I do these - my base pace is under 16 minutes (barely - but under) - and so I'm just concerned about getting BACK into the habit of working out daily. Moving my body more - and getting my legs used to it again.

I haven't slid far, folks, but I'm jamming on the brakes and pushing forward. 

What I need from you guys is support. I need you to believe I can do this. I need you to believe that I'm not just some fat guy that lost a bunch of weight to start putting it back on and go back to the couch. I need you to believe that miracles are possible and that a guy like me who was once over 370 pounds (and still under 300, thank you) CAN complete a half-marathon. Because if I can do that - then I can do anything - and will. I've already started scoping out local races for after...because if I can cross that line at EPCOT and finish - I'm never turning back. 

Believe in me. I believe in you.

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55 Days - Tale as Old as Time

I'm baaaaack.

And Dad is coming home from the hospital today. YAY! This is really really good news! He still has a long recovery ahead of him at home - but the fact is - he's going HOME. No more hospital. This is a good thing.

Speaking of good things - tonight is the opening of Beauty and the Beast at the Village Theatre (www.villagetheatre.org) and of course, Amber and I will be there to see the show. It looks to be amazing!

Now - as for me. Things have been holding pretty steady weightwise. I've made strides to not let this Oklahoma plane jumping throw me off track. Exercise though has been a little inconsistent. But I DID do my 5 miles as planned on Sunday! And I've been continuing to workout.

As we work on getting re-settled after the last two-and-a-half weeks, however, I'm focusing on getting BACK on track. This Saturday I'm doing another 8 miles. And hopefully fixing our treadmill this weekend (the belt slips) because the torrential rainy season is upon us here in Seattle. Flooding etc have been occurring, and although it comes and goes, I'd like an alternative for days where being outside isn't the smartest. Although I plan to do my long runs outside regardless of weather. We'll see how long that lasts - at least until it starts snowing!

The fact is - I'm going to do this. We hit a bump in the road. And it looks more and more likely that I'll be at the back of the pack, striving to finish in under 3:15. But finish I shall. And celebrate we will.

Right team? I mean - if I haven't given up yet - nothing can stop me! :)

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61 Days - Wishes

I'm on my way to Oklahoma.

While I'm gone I have a few wishes.

I wish that when I return, my father is at home recovering, NOT in the hospital anymore.

I wish that when I return, I'll be bringing my desperate mousewife with me.

I wish that ALL of you enjoy a wonderful weekend.

I wish that my training continues and I get stronger and faster and gain stamina enough to overcome this goal we've set for ourselves.

And I wish I were at the Magic Kingdom. Right NOW.

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63 Days - Can We Succeed?

First of all an update on my dad. It seems that he's developed a slight ileus (a shutting down of the bowel) which is causing some concern. We don't know yet WHAT the concern is going to amount to - but he's still in ICU, and they're monitoring him closely. Let's just hope it doesn't require surgery again. Please keep your fingers crossed.

And now - today - I have a question for Team Voice. You see - I was inspired by yesterday's amazing turnout at polls across this great country of ours. And whether you voted for President-Elect Obama or Senator McCain, both of whom I respect greatly, if you voted, you were part of history. And you affirmed your love of our country and our democracy.

But did you affirm your love of Team Voice?

You see, my fellow teammates, we are now just over 60 days away from a historic opportunity of our own. An opportunity for people of all states, shapes and sizes - age - gender - and hairstyle - to band together in a love for all things health related and Disney related - and complete a monumental task.

Yes we can.

And as we gather in the paddocks that chilly morning at 4am waiting for the fireworks to trigger us on our way - can we say to each other that we've done everything we know how to make ourselves the best teammates we can be? Can we know in our hearts that we have trained and fought and worked hard to get there? Can we step across the starting line confident in our abilities to finish what we've started?

YES we can.

And as we walk, run, jog, or gallop through the Magic Kingdom - and we see the smiling faces of our friends and family cheering for us in our bright yellow Team Voice shirts - will we hold our heads up proudly? Will we know that we've not only accomplished something for ourselves, but for them? And for a sick child? Can we honor them all while we trot down Main Street?

YES WE CAN!

And when we cross the finish line in EPCOT and receive our Donald Medal - can we know that our journey has not been completed, but really has just begun? Can we recognize that the first hurdle was the highest, and set our sights on new goals, new races, new healthy living, new charities? Can we endure, my friends and teammates?

YES WE CAN!

We haven't had one in awhile - so lets have a Team Voice rollcall today! Right here - on this day - in this blog post - in these comments. Let your voices ring high and loud to the heavens. Let the entire internet know you are here. Post a comment of support for your teammates - for each other - and for our cause - right here in this blog. Let us know you're out there. Let us know you believe in yourself and in all of us.

YES WE CAN!

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64 Days - Ah Dude! HE LIVES!

Hey guys!

Okay - let's get the big stuff out of the way. Dad is doing fine. He's in ICU still and we're hoping for him to be home this weekend. He had an obstructed bowel and an emergency bowel recission. They removed the right colon. They were VERY worried about his lungs, and tried to avoid surgery at all costs. But he came through like a champ! No colostomy, no ventilator, nothing. 

I'm home now, but Amber is still in Oklahoma. I'm flying back there on Friday through Tuesday to hopefully bring him home and get him settled before we both fly back home.

Thank you all so much for your comments, e-mails, etc. while I was gone. It meant the world to me. I can't even really tell you how much.

Training DID suffer while I was gone. There was so much stress and so little sleep. I did SOME strength training (yoga poses, etc) while I was gone, but not much. Eating also suffered SOME. I made better choices than I would have under the circumstances (more subway than Sonic). On the bright side - I gained exactly 0.7 pounds over the ENTIRE week. Not bad.

I've been home since EARLY Monday (1am). Here's the plan for this week:

1. Back on track with eating. Already started that. And going to plan out how to handle this weekend better before I go back.

2. Exercise - did wii fit yesterday and will do it tonight (have an early court date this morning). Will do a 45 minute wog tomorrow and Thursday. Wii Fit Friday morning. Then a 4-5 mile wog on Sunday in Oklahoma. Another 45 minutes Tuesday morning in Oklahoma. And then we'll be back on schedule on Thursday. 

My long runs will be as follows: Sunday - 5 miles. 11/15 - 8 miles. 11/22 - 8 miles. 11/29 - 6 miles. 12/6 - 6 miles. 12/13 - 10 miles. 12/20 - 10 miles. 12/27 - 8 miles. 1/3 - 6 miles. 1/10 - Half Marathon.

And trust me folks - nothing is coming between me and that Donald Medal!!!

Off to work! Have a great day!!!

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