7 Days - Pixie Dust

Well we're a week away. 

The travel planning is done - the preparations are made. My doctor gave me a clean bill of health and her blessing for the race (fyi - my pressure was 128/82 - not bad).

And here and there I'm noticing little touches from unexpected places. 

My boss gave me her sponsorship check for the charity fundraising. She'd DOUBLED what she pledged. 

People I had no idea knew I was running are wishing me good luck.

And friends are already suggesting my next project. Which I'm in the process of thinking about. Nevertheless, I will continue raising money, and continue running. And I will keep getting leaner and faster. This is a change I've made for life, and strangely, I'm enjoying it.

The last two weeks have been intermittent with exercise - and I find myself MISSING it. I also know I want my legs to be rested, but limber by the time we leave - so my plan is as such.

Tomorrow (new years day) - gym.

Saturday - gym.

Monday - gym.

Three more dreadmill workouts before I leave. 

Oh yeah - and since today is the last day of 2008, I encourage you ALL to focus on 2009 in any posts you do tomorrow. Let's have a resolution-fest!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

8 Days - Seeing the Doctor

Today's fun moment, my friends, is a doctor's appointment I set for just before the race to get a quick blood pressure check and a final "okay" from my doc for the race.

I was hoping when I set the appointment to have a little more drastic weight loss, but November and snow got in my way. But nonetheless, I've stayed with it, and am hovering around the high 290s-300 depending on the day. And it gives me a good starting place for when I return from WDW to keep pushing forward to my next race.

And yet - I feel nervous going into the doc's office today. Don't get me wrong, I love my doctor. She's great.

But what if she takes a look at me and says "Nope - no way you're ready." 

Or what if we get to the corrals and everyone looks at me and laughs? 

I was told to find a comfort person in the corral. Look for someone who you believe has LESS ability and drive than you - and tell yourself "If he/she can do it - I can do this." 

But what if I'm that person for others...?

And then I stop and think. And I realize how far I've come. How much I've struggled, and kept with it. And then I ask...

"Who could have less drive? Nobody. Who's more motivated? Not one person!"

And then I remember that this isn't about them. It's about US. This team. Individually and as a group. It's us against the race. And it's about those kids we've helped.

We're already winners. We just have to march strong to where they'll present our medals.

And suddenly - my doctor's office doesn't seem so scary.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

9 Days - Invincible

First of all - I'm going to post every day between now and take-off, and I highly encourage you to read each day from 10 through 1. Comment if you wish. :)

Now - last night I said to Amber that I wanted to watch an "inspirational" movie. I didn't know what. But I was feeling...overwhelmed. So much so that while visiting her family (who I incessantly talked to about the race, the race course, etc.) I found myself reaching for leftover christmas cookies. Thankfully I'd only had 2 before Amber ushered me out of there and to Subway for lunch. LOL

Amber went to our Blu-Ray collection, and pulled Disney's "Invincible" out. We got it free with our TV, and I'd never seen it. She had, though. 

"But I'm not a huge football fan, hun, you know that."

"No. It's like Rudy."

"I haven't seen Rudy either!"

"Okay - we have to watch that too."

As we're watching this movie, which I'm slowly getting into, but enjoying nonetheless, Amber keeps pointing things out to me.

"See. Down on himself. Doesn't believe in himself. Carries the hope of a bunch of regular folks on his shoulders. Lots of pressure. See any similarities?"

I couldn't help but see them, when she put it that way.

Except that I don't see myself alone here. Like Vince Papale, I have a team behind me. Sure, we've had our differences and occassional tough love sessions. But we are a team. United in purpose and goal oriented.

And when Vince scored the touchdown against the Giants, and the movie ended, I found myself wanting MORE. More from Vince. More from the movie. And I found myself wanting to compete. Right away. The Eagles didn't win in Vince's first season. But Vince won that first game for them.

I may not run the perfect race on the 10th. But finish it I will - and win one for the team!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

10 Days - BEGIN THE COUNTDOWN!

We are t-minus 10 days until liftoff!

Holy cats.

Okay - first let's update a few things. I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas. I know I did. And I managed to not gain any weight! So that's a HUGE plus! I might have even taken off a pound. :)

Training - we're all tapering right now - and I did a nice dreadmill run today. First time in a week due to weather. I was literally snowed in most of the last week. Holy cow. And since Cruella is broken, I had to get to the gym.

Emotional Stability - this is interesting folks. I'm...well...kinda all over the place now. I'm excited, happy, scared, nervous, anxious, all of it at once! I have more energy than I know what to do with, and I'm sure I'm driving Amber nuts. I'm obsessing over tiny things, like making sure we have our packing list ready. NOW. I just...I want to be there, and I'm psyched for the run. And as soon as I think about what it means...I start to well up.

I kid you not. I was on the treadmill today, and thought about Kate's poem. And literally was crying in the gym while jogging. 

Now - if you've read "Marathoning for Mortals" you know that this is normal before your first race, and to some extent before EVERY race. But I think it's heightened for me because of the road I've taken to get here, and I'm just enjoying and experiencing it all. THIS, right here, folks, is why I didn't want to do a race BEFORE the half. I want this experience. This catharsis. This whatever it is.

Did I mention I fly out in 10 days?!?!

HOLY CATS!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

13 Days - The Ghost of Christmas Today!

Now now Scrooge. Repeat after me!

I like life.

Life likes me.

Life and I fairly fully agree.

Life is fine.

Life is good!

Specially mine, which is just as it should be!

I like pouring the wine, and why not?

Lifes a pleasure that I deny not!

I like life.

Here and now,

Life and I've made a mutual vow.

Till I die,

Life and I,

We'll both try to be better somehow!

And if life were a woman, she would be my wife.

WHY?

BECAUSE I LIKE LIFE!

Just a little Scroogian moment for you all on this beautiful Christmas day.

Let's not forget how much joy and happiness there is in our lives to share. With ourselves, and with each other.

I sincerely wish each and every one of you the happiest most healthy and warmest Merry Christmas. 

MAIN STREET AWAITS! (See you in two weeks!)

15 Days - A Letter to Santa

Dear Santa (or have we known each other long enough to call you Chris?),

I know it's a little late in the year for me to be getting this to you, but I also know you read every letter right up through tomorrow, which, by the way, is Christmas Eve.

This year I have some unique requests, and you know, I've been working hard on being good ALL year long so that I can ask you these without feeling foolish. 

Now I know you've been watching, and I know I haven't always been perfect. But I also know you know how hard I've been trying. I've worked hard to eat well, exercise regularly, and of course - stay positive. No crying or pouting here.

This year, my requests are for some of my friends, and only one for me. I hope that's okay.

For Rae - nice cool weather, and a boost of confidence on race day. Plus a little extra time to run before she heads down. I know she can do this!

For Deb - lots of phone numbers! She's really been a great organizer of our team, Santa!

For Kate - strong knees, and an even stronger heart to get her through the craziness of doing BOTH the HALF and FULL marathon!

For Jeff - a slight thaw so he can catch his plane (that might help here, too!), plus an extra boost of Adrenaline for him on Race day!

For Lisa -  some awesomeness for her to blog about after the trip!

For the REST of Team Voice - rest, relaxation, and STRENGTH for the races!

And finally, Santa, for me - I just want that Donald Medal. I'll work hard to get it, make no mistake! But I'm asking you for that little magic push. I'll keep working on my end for the next two weeks, and even going to the gym for treadmill workouts, since Cruella IS in fact broken (Rae was right). Just help me cross the finish line, okay?

Is that too much to ask?

I hope this letter finds you and Mrs. Claus (Jessica, I believe) well, and busy preparing for tomorrow night's ride. Give Dasher and Rudolph a pat for me, and tell Vixen I'll leave out some extra celery for her. Oh yeah - and for you on Christmas Eve, I'm kind of out of cookies, so I'm leaving a Clif Shot. Hope that's okay. :)

Your pal,

Jonathan

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

17 Days - The weather outside

TRULY is frightful.

We had about 4 inches of snow yesterday and are expecting another 2-3 today and an inch of solid ice. Our local area just isn't equipped to handle it. I went out yesterday morning to go to the gym and barely got out our driveway. And when I came home, Sam had snuggled into a blanket we have. How adorable!

But go to the gym I did. And I used the treadmill for a nice mild run. Felt GREAT. Although after just shy of 3 miles I got that hot spot on my left foot again. And had a nice blister again. Walking through snow to get to the car? Failure to use body glide? Who knows? But next time I'm trying the body glide.

As for distance - Rae - I don't know if I'll be able to do another 10 before the race.

A) I don't know if I'll be able to get out of my condo development to get to the gym! LOL

B) The gym's treadmills are limited to 60 minutes. And right now there's no way I'm trying an outside run - for safety reasons.

But I know I'm ready - I'm just going to do the best I can to get MORE ready. And to lose MORE weight.

I'm hovering back around the high 290s - but slowly moving the scale in the right direction once more...so that's positive.

Can you believe in 3 weeks we'll be toasting dole whips?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

20 Days

Can you believe we're almost into the TEENS of days before I leave for WDW? It's getting closer and closer every day!

These were just two of my happy Allaboutthemouskakids at the Rainforest Cafe meet. Did I mention that we raised over $70 additional dollars to put into the Dream Team fund?

You know - as I get closer to this race, I reflect on the journey I've taken. It's had it's ups, it's downs, and it's side to sides. Lately it's been a slight downward plateau.

But I look at the faces of these kids, and the money we all raised, and realize that it's not only about ME and my journey. It's about them. The kids I started all this to help. It's about how far I've come. This race isn't a finish line. It's a starting block. What's passed before, to coin a phrase, is prologue.

And I'm going to use the next 20 days to make the best choices I can to finish this race strong, so I can start the rest of my life even stronger. I've even already told my friend Elaine who's cooking Christmas dinner, that I want low fat options. :)

Let's face it - putting this race right after the holidays is CRUEL. Bad food, bad weather, bad habits abound. But what are we all doing? We're trying our darndest to get ourselves to that starting line. Into that corral. And past EPCOT into the Magic Kingdom. And back again.

I believe we can do it. Together.

Team Voice - I'm honored to be among your ranks.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Three Weeks

HOLY CATS. 

Can you believe that in 21 days I hop on a plane for Florida?

And I've vowed this morning to make these 21 days as productive on the weight loss front as possible - even with Christmas in the midsts of it. You see - as Deb and Mike and everyone are saying - every extra pound is something I'll have to carry with me.

My outdoor activities may be limited due to weather, but between the gym, the dreadmill, and the wii fit, I have LOTS of exercise to do. :)

Now - to pick up an OLD topic - I never posted pictures of the house now that the painting is done! So....without further ado...

Remember the dingy dirty kitchen area? Well here it is now folks! See the nice aerogarden on the bar area? See the nice wood floors, and the clean countertops?

Oh yeah - and the CRAZY messy living room? Here it is now - nice cat tree - waterfalls above the couches. QUITE relaxing.
Our master bedroom has taken on a reddish hue of late, and frankly - I LIKE it. It's very warm and cozy in there. Nothing yet to go above the bed, but we're working on a nice piece of artwork.
The master bathroom has taken on a spa theme - nice spa green walls, bonsai, bamboo, and a very relaxing feel.
And the office - my sanctuary. Nice desk - Mickey artwork - pins in shadow boxes. And a nice chocolate milk wall flavor.

On the whole, even if I DO say so myself - I rather like my house. :)

Now I just have to figure out if the courts are open today due to inclement weather. :) 

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

23 Days - Ice Skating?

Well it's been snowing on Main Street - AND here in Lynnwood. The difference? Main Street doesn't turn into a frozen sheet of ice. We're having record cold temperatures here and the string doesn't look to end anytime soon. This morning it was 19 degrees when I went outside to the car. 

I nearly didn't get out of the driveway because my car wouldn't go up the hill covered in ice.

But try try again I did - and I went to the gym. I just couldn't do an outside training walk/jog on ice and in freezing temperatures. I didn't want to hurt myself.

I was able to get into the treadmill for 30 minutes, and learned a few things.

1) I hate treadmills now. I'd much rather be outdoors.

2) The socks I wore today, while warmer than my other running socks, are a little too thick with my shoes, so they're out for race day. 

I also did some reading on the www.disneyrunning.com boards. There are a LOT of walkers who are pushing the pace around 16 or 15.5ish. They all say as well that the excitement of the race pushes you a bit faster. I really am starting to feel READY. Not where I hoped to be originally (jogging most of the race) - but with the difficulties I had late in training - as long as I get my Donald Medal - which I'll proudly wear for WEEKS to come - I'm a winner! And my team has done a GREAT job! I'm proud of you guys!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

24 Days - PNW Meet

Oh the weather outside is frightful - because we have our first snow of the year - and about 2 inches outside, which is a lot for us.

But it's going to STOP snowing today and tomorrow.

So here's the plan - I'm moving my long miles to tomorrow and weather permitting will do them outside. If not (they're predicting ICY chill temperatures) - I'll go do the gym treadmill as long as they'll let me.

Yesterday's Rainforest Cafe meet was a ROUSING success! I'm very happy with the event, and I think everyone who was there enjoyed it immensely too! The audio came out "okay" - I'm a little closer to the mic than everyone, so I'm a little overdriven, but we might be able to fix that. :)

I can't wait to share it all with you guys!!!

Oh yeah - and THREE WEEKS until I leave for Florida.

Holy crow. Cats. Cow. BUNNY!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

27 Days - Happy MouseFest

Hello my friends! And HAPPY MOUSEFEST to you all!!!

Enjoy the dole whips - the 101's - the friends - the attractions - and of course, the Very Merry Christmas Party.

And Saturday don't forget to enjoy the AATM meets!

I'm sure commenting on the blogs will slow this weekend as many of you are in WDW. I wish I were there, but fear not, the AATM PNW I can't make it to MouseFest meet is coming along quite well. :) Just wait until you hear our audio!

As for me? Things are going smoothly - it'll be an interesting weekend - I restructured a few things due to meal plans.

Today was weights and normal food. Tomorrow is my wog with a seminar all day (so they provide food) and my holiday dinner party for the office (at Outback - small sirloin, I'm thinking...we'll see the options). Saturday will be rest (and the Rainforest Cafe), and Sunday will be my 10.5 miler. Just works more smoothly that way.

I hope you all really enjoy MouseFest and miss me tons and send me lots of pictures like this one!

I'll be there in LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

29 Days - UNDER A MONTH

Donald says I rested well yesterday! I win the golden hammock!

And this morning - back on the training plan! Went to the gym for some time on that DREADED treadmill. (Ohh....is THAT where dreadmill comes from?) Although the left foot still has some minor blisters - the Dr. Scholls medicated pads I've been using worked like a CHARM and I did 30 minutes without trouble. 

Tomorrow - weights.

Thursday - 30 minute wog (outside, weather permitting)

Friday - rest.

Saturday - 10.45 mile loop again (my LAST really long run before the race - then we taper to 8, 8, and 6).

Food's been going great - I'm back in the 290's again, and feeling strong.

I really feel ready for this! I know I won't be the fastest finisher - or even the second fastest - because I'm planning on speed walking the whole thing (with maybe a light jog here and there) - but I'm READY.

Are you?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

31 Days - Runny Bunny

Well my friends - he DID it. 

10.45 miles in 2:42!

I'm really proud of Jonathan! He pushed through some rain, and some pain, and made a huge gain! (hey - maybe I should be rhymey bunny!)

But he did have a problem - and I'm curious what YOU all think about it?

Around his 6-7th mile, his feet started hurting. But he powered through it and just kept on moving forward. By mile 9, he was in pain. And when he got home, his feet really hurt. Right around the balls of his feet (beneath his toes). I've never felt this, having paws and all...but anyhow....

He'd developed a few sensitive pressure points, and a few small blisters (2 per foot). He's treating them with Dr. Scholls medicated blister pads right now, but is worried about the race.

He was wearing good synthetic running socks - does he need ones with more padding in that area? Was it just the rain and humidity?

He was also wearing his good Brooks shoes that he just bought. Does he need to be refit? New shoes? 

It it his form? 

Or just something he'll have to live with and treat as they happen? 

I told him to just hop more instead of walking.

He shrugged it off and took a shower. What do YOU think?

Anyhow - on the GOOD news front - Jonathan had a great week of exercise and eating right - and with today's workout, I officially declare him READY for this half-marathon! Now he's just making himself BETTER for it - but he IS READY. Don't you think?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

32 Days - A minor change

First of all, Kate, yes Runny Bunny is still here, and he'll be posting tomorrow a week-end wrap up! :)

Now - a minor change to scheduling. My 10+ miles (for Rae and my pins - it says 10.19 - but it'll actually be about 10.4 because I'm doing the condo development the long way on the way home...) will be TOMORROW. Frankly - I just didn't sleep very well. And didn't get enough sleep. And so rather than push myself when I'm tired and possibly hurt myself - I'm going to wait until tomorrow.

On the bright side, several pounds have come off me, and maybe I'll have even less to carry tomorrow. 

Here's the route I'm planning....

I'll tell you all how it goes TOMORROW! :)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

33 Days - Imagine

Although I'm still fighting off my instincts, which are to declare myself a failure and run and hide - today is better than yesterday. And each day will get progressively better as we approach January 10.

The anger is still there, but it's faded to a nice strong resolve.

And that's what I needed - yesterday was a big push in the right direction - now I just have to capitalize on the momentum and push forward really hard. 

I had a GREAT weight workout this morning. I chose to do weights instead of the elliptical for cross training as I believe they will help MORE with strength building, weight loss, and overall fitness before the race.

Tomorrow is the 10 miler. Chris is doing 12.5. We'll both check in tomorrow to see how we did. But this week has gone pretty well overall. Next week will go even better, and I'll be adding wiifit back in as a daily supplement to my existing routine. If for no other reason than I miss doing the yoga poses! :)

Let's face it folks - what we need now isn't physical strength, or even fancy equipment.

We need something we all started with and have to NOW tap into. Our IMAGINATIONS. Our dreams and hopes. 

Yes Jeff, things have gotten weird as we've approached our goal - but now is the time to tap into those dreams and focus on how wonderful it'll feel to make them a reality! And I'm BACK on the wagon folks!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

34 Days - ANGER

Today folks, I'm angry. In fact, I'm more than that. I'm furious.

But not at any of you. At myself. And I decided before I went to shower it off, to post so I could get it out.

You see - this morning I woke up and weighed myself for the first time in about 2 weeks, and saw something I have dreaded for the last three months. I've peeked up above 300 pounds again. Slightly, but there it was.

And suddenly I felt down. Very down. But I got dressed, and went out for my wog. And as I wogged, I thought. Deep and hard. And I realized that frankly - I've been slipping. Slowly, but surely.

And that makes me MAD. Mad at every extra this, or comfort that. Mad at every hospital meal, every fast food dinner, mad at every extra soda, or missed workout. And mad at myself for not seeing it sooner.

So what did I do? True to myself, I realized that Disney People Don't Give Up. Ever. And I finished my wog STRONG. 2.82 miles in 42 minutes. A 14.8 minute pace. And I stretched good, knowing that I'd need the strength for Saturday's 10 miler. 

You see - I know I'm going to finish this race. But I'm also going to make the most of each and every one of the 34 days I have left to train as hard and lose as much as I can. Over the last 2 months or so, I've slowly, but surely, put back on about 20 pounds. And that's infuriating. Don't misunderstand - it was by no means deliberate. And there are TONS of reasons. But they don't help today. What helped - what I felt - was p.o.'ed.

And yet strangely - the anger felt BETTER than feeling sorry for myself. It pushed me. It spurred me on. Could it be that finally realizing - seeing visually - that things have been backsliding is the push I need to get back on course?

So here I am. Not giving up. Pushing harder than ever before, and ready, willing and able to make the sacrifices and changes I need to in order to win this battle. 

This is hard for me to post to you all. It's hard to admit to the people I look up to as friends and teammates what you've all already known. But it's hard to say it out loud. 

But doing so is the only way to really let it sink in. I said December would be different - and so far - it has been. And it will continue to be. 

Strap in - it's going to be a heckuva 34 days!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

36 Days - Two Turtle Doves....

...and Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer!

Okay - so it's not exactly Disney - but this group (Straight No Chaser) is officially my SECOND favorite acapella group, next to the Voices of Liberty! Holy cats! Listen to this!

Now - on the Team Front - please go encourage Rae today. She needs it. She needs to remember that Disney People Do NOT Give up. We need her, team. And she's feeling down. I understand it - and I want us all to tell her how much we need and love her! GO TO IT! This is an ALL TEAM EFFORT!

As for me? Did my elliptical today - which was quite good - no soreness. I think Thursday's wog will be better than yesterdays! Food was good yesterday, and looks to be good today. I'm feeling picked up by everyone's comments yesterday, and today I'm getting excited. Can you believe it's THIRTY SIX DAYS away folks?

Wow.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

37 Days. SIX WEEKS folks. Six weeks.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a long blog post. Please read it all and I'd like to hear from EVERYONE today. Thanks!

Okay - first of all - I hope EVERYONE had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with their families. Mine was good, bad, and ugly all at once.

Dad is home. This is good. Dad is getting stronger. This is also good. Dad has some confusion issues though - this is bad. And on Friday - it got a little ugly with some scary confusion. Scary enough that we considered sending him to see a neurologist. However - when the home care nurse came to change his dressing - we discovered that for whatever reason, his pressure was running rather low. This could have been the cause.

Needless to say - Friday night I had almost no sleep. I was SO worried. And it was as if someone flicked a switch in him because Saturday - he was BACK to normal. Back to his old self. At least mentally. Still a little tired and slow, but joking, participating, everything.

It's going to be a long recovery, but I'm now sure he'll recover. 

The other ugly part - yeah - between restless nights, uncomfy planes, and stress - exercise went out the window.

So - now here we are. Six weeks from my departure for the race. And what are we doing about it?

Amber suggested to me yesterday that we think of today as a new baptism of sorts. A new birth in my quest for the Donald medal. We take everything I've learned, and put it into place for a kick-butt month! We strive towards our goal. Hard. And hey - I'm a big believer in grand finishes - and fresh starts - so why not on a Monday that happens to also be the FIRST day of a month? 

And I agree. So that's what we're doing. Today starts the push to the finish!

But I'll admit - I'm scared. My fears change a bit. Mostly it's - what if I don't finish? But sometimes it's "I don't think I can." Which I quickly dismiss. But my pace has been hovering around the 15-16 minute mark, and that's cutting it close. Tell me I won't get swept! PLEASE!

I'll feel better this Saturday I think, after my long workout.

This morning I've already gone out and done my workout. It was hard, because of all the plane riding, my legs are stiff and achy, my neck is stiff and achy, but I did it. 

We went shopping and bought GOOD quality whole food for the house - good fuel for the body. And when I cross train, I'm going to focus on really mixing it up - not just weights - focusing on aerobics too - elliptical training - maybe even swimming! 

I'm also going to be a lot more active on the blogs of the team this month. We all need each other to come together to leap this hurdle and win! We need to work together! And besides - I love you all!

Here's this week's plan: 

M: walk

T: Cross training - 30 minutes - elliptical (to work out the calf pain)

W: Rest/wii fit

Th: walk/light jog a segment or two - 45 minutes

F: Cross training - 30 minutes - either weights or elliptical depending on how my legs are

Sa: 10 miles (weather permitting outside - it's supposed to rain though)

Su: Rest/wii fit

Now I may include wiifit play in addition on any days - because it's just fun. :)

And as for the picture today? Am I the only one who hasn't found lolcats yet? I mean! WOW! How much fun are these guys? And frankly - this picture spoke to me. It's as if I'm the little duckie, and the scary kitty is telling me not to be afraid of my hurdles.

So I won't be! I'll rise up to the challenge and show them all!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!