30 Days - Grandpa's Aces

I told you yesterday that I was more excited about this WDW Trip than any other before.

And that today I'd tell you why.

But first a quick look back.

You see - this trip is about way more than the Wine and Dine. Oh sure - originally it was about that - but it's become something more now. It's also way more than a family vacation - time to relax - get away from the day to day humdrum. Yes - I adore spending time in WDW with my wife - but it's MORE than that now.

It's my first trip to WDW with my daughter. It's my first chance to see the World through her eyes. My first chance to share the magic directly with her. My first chance to, like my dad, gaze out the window of the monorail with her.

Tomorrow is my father's birthday. And I can't even believe that it's been six months since he passed away. In some ways it feels like it was forever ago - and in far more ways - it feels like I just hugged him yesterday. Just saw him in the hospital. Laying there. Fading away. Dying. And then going into the room to kiss his forehead after he was gone. Telling him how much I already missed him. Sobbing to him that I was so sorry that I couldn't be in the room when he left us. That I had to stand in the doorway. That I couldn't hold his hand. Telling him it was just too hard for me. And saying goodbye.

I've had him in my mind and heart a lot the last few days. Just missing him a lot. And so I've been looking for ways to connect with what I loved most about him. And WDW is one of those things. And I get to connect with him there - and connect with Elizabeth too. I hesitate to use the phrase Circle of Life - but you get the idea. It's a way to connect with positive stuff.

Like magic.

Yes - Disney magic, too. But I mean MAGIC.

Many of you don't know this, but I'm something of an amateur card and sleight-of-hand magician. I learned this love from my father, who learned it from my grandpa Jack. I never met grandpa Jack, but I'm told I would have loved him. He too passed away at too young an age. And like Elizabeth will, I grew up without really knowing my father's father.

But he loved magic. As did my dad. And I take it a few steps further - occasionally performing at parties. Buying new books and DVDs to refine my technique. Because I want to be great at it. I want to amaze Elizabeth and her friends. And I want to touch that belief. Touch that magic power. And in doing so - commune with my father and grandfather.

So today I share with you a video of one of my favorite card illusions. This is performed by David Copperfield, who does such a masterful job of it. The story behind it - the music - all of it brings tears to me. Especially today. So please watch it. It's about 3 and a half minutes. And it's called "Grandpa's Aces."

Enjoy it.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

31 Days - Doctor's Appointment

Today I'm off to see my doctor.

I weighed in this morning - and again am still at 339. But this week we'll be focusing on minimizing portions and snacks to try to kick the weight loss in the butt. As well as continuing my daily training.

But today - I'm off to see the doctor.

And no - she's not Bunsen - but it's a great thought isn't it?

"Here we have a new miracle runny pill. It will make you run 10000 miles per hour, but only for 28 seconds - after which time - you will explode. Here - let me let Beaker demonstrate."

Yikes!

So - this weekend is the Disneyland Half Marathon - and I'm really proud of all of you who are getting out there to go do it! I know you'll do GREAT!

And hey - we're only 31 days away from leaving for WDW!

HOLY CATS! I can't wait!!!

Can I just say that I'm more excited about this WDW trip than almost any other. Why?

Glad you asked. More on that tomorrow. ;)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

33 Days - Seven with One Blow

Voice here - checking in after todays Team Voice/Club 8 Virtual 10k.

Sadly, I didn't do 10k.

Oh yeah baby! I PLUSSED IT UP!

7.1 miles in just over 124 minutes!! (Roughly a 17:30 avg. pace)

How's THAT for dedication!?!? And no real shin problems after mile 3. Warmed up nicely. No real hot spots on the feet. I think 13.1 is no problem.

Time for a HOT HOT HOT shower and to check in on my teammates!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

34 Days - Prepping for the 10k

Can you see her teeth!??!

How cool is that?

Yeah - well it's not that cool when she's teething and in pain a lot of time. And of course interrupting her sleep - our sleep - etc. But that's ok - it's part of growing up - right?

Speaking of stuff we're looking forward to - who's ready for tomorrow's run!?

10 k!!! I'll check in when I'm done!!!

I'll see you guys in the morning!!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

35 Days - Right Hand - and an Award

Presented by: Online School

First let's deal with this little cool taggy thing. And I hope to see it on MANY more blogs today - yes team - MANY of us have won an award as one of the top 50 Disney blogs on the interwebs! I'm honored to be considered for this - and really treasure my little badge! :) And if you look at the list - I'm in GOOD company, right team? :)

So - we have netflix at home now (awesome stuff) - and we've been watching Quantum Leap Season One - and there's a great episode called "Right Hand of God" where Sam is a boxer who is working for a convent.

Regardless.

There's a scene where he is faced with a heartwrenching discussion with Sister Angela who has believed in him all the time, and now is shaken. And he says something to the effect of:

"Then I have no chance of winning. See, sister, as long as you believed in me - I knew I could do this. Maybe that's all winning is - having the right person believe in you."

Wow. Talk about profound.

And you know what?

The right people DO believe in me. Amber, Elizabeth, my teammates, and of course - myself.

I did a nice elliptical workout this morning to give the shins a rest - but tomorrow I'm doing around 4.5 miles in prep for my 10k on Saturday (although I might just tweak it and go further). I'm a little worried about pacing though. I'm slower. I'm averaging around 17:00-18:00 per mile. But I'm trying to work in one song jogging per mile. If I can do that and keep it up - then I'm closer to 16:30ish. And as I keep going I'll just get faster.

Plus no hills will help.

The weight is staying put right now - which sucks - but hey - it's NOT going up. As we plan for next week - I'm going to focus on trying to cut down on portions and my nighttime snack - try to boost the weight loss.

Also - we have a doctor's appointment on Monday to give me the green light on the race - and to make sure my shin isn't anything serious. Also some fasting bloodwork. Just a general head to toe check up.

I'll keep you all posted!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

36 Days - Harnessing my inner Kal-El

Okay - another morning wog out of the way - this time the 3 mile lake serene loop.

Still having a bit of shin pain during hills and after jogging segments - but I hope that'll lighten up as I get more consistent with training.

Just really felt like I was bursting out of a shell this morning - you know? Felt like all of a sudden John Williams was scoring my life with the Superman theme - and I was off and jogging.

Now - nowhere NEAR running - but still jogging - was nice.

For one song. LOL

Then it was back to my walk.

My pace isn't where I want it - I'm between 17-18:30 depending on the moment. But I think 30 good days of solid training and weight loss will only help me there. I just want to finish October - and then push ahead to my PR in January.

So what are YOUR goals for October?

Anyone going for a PR? Anyone shooting just to finish? Anyone want to lag behind and keep me company? LOL

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

37 Days - Stoutness Exercises

Okay guys - we have 37 days until I fly from here to Orlando.

HOLY CATS

That being said - sorry I've been missing a few days - things have been hectic - but I'll try to post every day for the next 37. :) Promise!

My weight has stayed where it was last week this week - which is okay - I'd still like to be under 330 when we go - and I think that's doable.

However - the new shoes have kicked exercise into overdrive - elliptical and outside walk/jog workouts! I'm really gearing up for this 10k this weekend! I did a nice 1.5m stroll this morning just to stay loose - and tomorrow 3m - Thursday - 4m - Friday 5m and Saturday 10k. A nice progression, if you ask me. ;)

And what I've realized is that I have a better day overall (food and life in general) if I manage to get a workout done in the morning - even a little one like today. So I think of them as my morningly stoutness exercises. Just like Pooh! Although I'm not shooting to increase my appetite - quite the opposite!

Speaking of which - I have a mango smoothie in the freezer with my name on it for breakfast.

Have a great day team!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

What a Difference a Day Makes

Yesterday's post was primarily about how I wanted my new shoes.

And then they called.

And HERE THEY ARE! They're nice and new and silvery. :)

And this morning I started breaking them in with a nice Lake Serene Loop. Last time I did Lake Serene, my shin pain was around an 8 - and my pace was around 19.

Today - shin pain was about a 3 or less - and pace was under 17:30. I even jogged two songs! And as I train more consistently (I'm going to do tomorrow and Saturday or Sunday depending on rain) the pace will lessen and the pain will lessen.

I feel GREAT this morning! REALLY proud of myself. I was jammin' to the music and really kickin' it up a notch!

Which is important - since we have...oh...six weeks until the race! HOLY CATS!!

WINE AND DINE AWAITS! (Main street too....)

These aren't the shoes you're looking for....

Okay - so I'm starting to get a little peeved. And I'm hoping that today my problem will be solved.

I need those new shoes.

And they're STILL not in.

Now I understand that my feet are HUGE GINORMOUS BOATS (13 4E) but seriously - 2 weeks for a pair of shoes that are manufactured locally? (Brooks is a local company)

Ugh.

Anyhow - there's reason to believe they'll be here today, and if so, tomorrow I'll hit Lake Serene and start gearing up for our Virtual Run next weekend (10k).

Do you realize that there's only like 6 weeks until we'll be in WDW? Celebrating? Enjoying the INAUGURAL Wine and Dine Half Marathon? Going through the parks after they're closed at night?

Am I the only one who thinks Animal Kingdom might be a little scary at night? LOL

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Successes!

Wow - there's a lot to talk about today. So bear with me and read it all the way through, please.

First of all - a Club 8 update - check the side bar folks! I'm down in the 330s again! AT LAST! 15 pounds total since starting South Beach. And yes - that's in spite of buttery pasta stuff while sick - and several meals out during the PNWMM weekend.

Speaking of PNWMM - what an event! HOLY CATS it was awesome! I've included a picture for one of my buddies - this is Amber, Elizabeth, and Sgt. Brian's wife Maria, and his little Samantha! How cute are they all together???

And now - let's talk turkey. Or training. Or races. Or something.

Goals really. And surpassing them.

Why am I here? What am I doing?

It's simple - I started this journey to have a healthier life - and have fun along the way - and to do good things for others - inspire - raise money - etc. In fact, I was told this weekend by a good friend, that I've inspired her to lose weight and train for a Disney race in the future. That meant the world to me.

And the blog? The blog helps me keep track of that journey. And I post honestly and without hesitation at all times. If I succeed - I share. If I flounder - I share. I share regardless of my ups and downs. Why?

Because anyone who's ever been heavy knows that getting to be NOT heavy is a daily struggle - and knows that sometimes things go wrong. And I want them to know they're not alone. YOU are not alone. And neither am I. We are ALL human. We all make mistakes.

The trick here is that WE - those of us on this team - KEEP SWIMMING - KEEP MOVING FORWARD - KEEP HEADING FOR MAIN STREET. No matter what. Sometimes we succeed with flying colors. Sometimes we're swept. And sometimes other things get in our way.

BUT WE KEEP GOING.

Even if we go backwards for a bit - we try to reverse it.

We KEEP ON GOING.

Am I closer to "running" a half-marathon? Nope. Not even a little. Will I ever "run" a half-marathon at my full running speed? Nope. Never.

Why not?

Because I have NO DESIRE TO.

Will I continue to race in half-marathons, enjoying the people, the events, and pushing myself to be a better half-marathoner? YES - a THOUSAND TIMES YES.

And although I'm no closer to "running" a half-marathon - I'm WAY closer to finishing FOUR of them in my life than I was 3 years ago. And then taking on a FIFTH.

This team grows every day - and we support each other - we have buddies - we have meets - we have trials and tribulations - and just by sharing them - WE SUCCEED.

All of us.

So - join us - celebrate our successes! Don't just comment when you can remind us that we faltered. Comment when you can CELEBRATE.

That's what a team is.

We're here for each other NO MATTER WHAT.

WE ALWAYS SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER.

Am I right my friends? My teammates? My buddies?

Let's hear it from ALL OF YOU today! CELEBRATE A SUCCESS!!

What am I celebrating today?

That I'm in the 330s again - and will be in the 320s or better before I come to WDW!

Celebrate with me! I want EVERYONE to comment today! ALL OF YOU!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Daddy's Bug

Hi computer people! It's me - Elizabeth again! Well - Elizabeth and Runny Bunny to be proper.

Daddy wanted me to check in with you today to tell you some things that seem kinda not so good.

His shoes are somewhere called the back order. Which sounds like the back yard, but not as fun. He says he'll have shoes on Monday. But that HIS shoes are good for going to see that lip-tical machine he used.

Which he was going to do today, because he promised Miss Deb that he would! She did 20 minutes and he was going to do 30 or 40.

But now he has a bug. Which is weird - because I don't SEE a bug. But his tummy hurts, and he says there's a bug INSIDE it - and he's running back and forth to the potty room. Which to me seems like a waste of energy - I mean - why use a room? I have a diapey for that.

Anyhow - he didn't eat much yesterday - but for dinner he had a big bowl of buttery pasta stuff that he says makes him feel better. Then he felt WORSE cuz it just SAT there.

So today he's not going to eat much at all and let his bug do it's thing. He's going to have a daddy-daughter day too! We're going to see grandma and go to gymboree too! Mommy has work to do, so she's going to the office - so I can stay home and play with daddy!

And then tomorrow he'll see the lip-tical.

MAIN STREET THINGY!

Bad News and Good News

This is a picture we took on a trip across the mountains we took about three weeks ago. A little Bavarian town called Levenworth here in Washington. We had such a fun time - but really - who wouldn't in a hat like that.

Granted - it was over 100 degrees and we were MELTING.

Regardless - onto today's post.

Bad News - the store STILL doesn't have my shoes in. They'll be here today.

Good News - through a few days on Phase Two of South Beach - doing great - and back down to the weight I was before Boston. And on Monday when I next weigh in - I'll be in the 330s - which will feel AWESOME.

Lovin' my new buddy Deb and old buddy Sgt Brian. How you cats doin' this week so far? Deb? How's the neck? Brian? How's the Sand?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Shin problems solved?

First of all - I want to thank you all for enjoying Elizabeth's posts. She says she really likes playing on the computer - so I'm sure you'll hear more from her soon!

No mileage this morning, but I'm hopeful that my shin problems may be solved. See I went to a new local running store and they took a look at my shoes, and told me quite simply, that they were shot. I knew that. But they were SHOCKED at how they looked.

So we ordered a new pair - they should be here today.

Same shoe - Brooks Dyad 13 4E.

But NEW.

Very excited. Love that new shoe feeling.

And as an aside, Tim, the sales guy, was telling me that the whole store crew (who also are Team in Training Coaches) are coming down to WDW in January for the Goofy - not as part of Team in Training, but just as a group! They've never done a Disney race before.

I got him a little excited.

ME TOO, FYI.

On the food front, I've peeked at the scale, and I'm still up a few pounds (4) from before Boston - but they'll come off. We're transitioning into phase two and lots of whole grains and fruits. And I just need to watch portions, eat what's on the plan, keep an eye on calories, and keep on walking.

I'm so excited about this W&D I can't even BEGIN to tell you!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

Going for a.....well.....stroll.

Since you all seemed to like yesterday's posty thing - I thought I'd do another one!

This morning I'm really happy! Because see - well - I woke up and Daddy and Mommy were both there. Daddy said he didn't have to work this morning. But maybe later. And Mommy was tired. So Daddy took me and put me in my stroller!

I was so happy! We went out for a walk together! We even strolled up to see Grandma!

Daddy said he measured how far we went.

He said I strolled 1.9 miles!

I'm really talented! Even though I have no idea what a mile is and how many of them 1.9 is.

But I feel good for having done it with Daddy and making him PUSH me up the hills!

He said his shins feel a little better, but he wants to buy new shoes.

I don't wear shoes. My feet are bare. See?

Ooooh! TOES!

I like toes!!! These are mine!!! I can even get them in my mmmggphghgfffff....

Yum. Tasty!

Um...okay - I'm getting off track.

MAIN STREET THINGY!

Where's Octo-fer?

Hello computer people! My fingers are getting a little better at working, but I'm still having Runny Bunny help me out today. And I have lots of questions!

Oh yeah - it's me, Elizabeth!

Daddy's getting ready to go be a judge today, so I thought I'd say hi.

HI!

Hehehe. I'm so funny! Everything I do makes me crack up! And daddy and mommy make me laugh so hard! They're so funny! Everything is funny!

Although I'm wondering something.

Daddy keeps talking about going somewhere in Octofer. I have no idea where that is! He says we're going to "the World". Aren't we IN the world already? He says he's "Training". But also that we're taking another airplane. Why use a train AND an airplane?

I'm really confused. Can you esplain this to me?

He says I'll love this trip - and that Octofer is really special - cuz it's my...berf-day. Whatever that is.

He's been working really hard because he says he has to race at night when we're there. He says he's worried about not being good enough, but I know my daddy is ALWAYS good enough! I tell him not to worry. He tries. He also says his shin hurts pretty bad. He might see the doctor lady. Or get new shoes. I don't wear shoes. But I have feet! I like my feet.

What's a shin? Is it like a chin? Is it on your head too?

Okay - runny bunny says I'm rambleding. So I'll say the Main Street thingy and daddy'll see you tomorrow!!!

MAIN STREET THINGY!