5 Days - The Cusp of the New Year

Today is the last day of 2010.

What a year it has been. It started with me seeking help for depression, followed by my father's passing, and a host of other ups and downs.

And now it's nearly behind us.

I for one, am happy. Not to see 2010 go - but to see 2011 shining before me.

A year where I can make positive changes in my life and the lives of others.

A year where Elizabeth will grow by leaps and bounds.

A year of unbridled potential.

And speaking of potential - I hit the gym this morning for the first time since the illness. A little tight as I did an elliptical workout - but stretching and working the kinks out. A few more of those, and I ought to be as ready as I'm going to be come Wednesday.

WOAH. We're under a week from WDW. :)

NOW I'M EXCITED.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

8 Days - Laughter Hurts

So - I have to share this story.

First of all - recall that I've been sick - and that the violent throwing up I've done has really done a number on my rib cage. It hurts to laugh. It hurts to breath deeply. I'm going to the gym tomorrow to start SLOWLY trying to stretch it out so I can handle race day.

Now - flash to last night. While we've been sick, Amber and I haven't been sleeping well - nor really talking a lot. And yesterday we kinda felt like ourselves again.

And rolled into bed around 10:30 - but couldn't sleep.

So we played games on our iPads together while Elizabeth slept between us.

Around midnight, Amber commented that Elizabeth sounded like Darth Vader.

To which I said: "Search your feelings, mommy!"

And Amber paused a moment for dramatic effect, and replied.

"I find your lack of sleep disturbing."

HOLY CATS. We laughed for about 15 minutes solid - couldn't stop. One of those cathartic laughs. PAINFULLY cathartic.

Yeah - you know the kind? The ones that WAKE THE BABY?

Yeah. Those. LOL

So we were up until around 3ish.

But TOTALLY worth it.

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9 Days - Virus - Weight Loss

I hope our entire team had a wonderful Christmas Holiday - and is looking forward with anticipation to the New Year!

We had an interesting one.

You see - on Thursday the 23rd, at about 7am, Elizabeth began vomiting. A lot. This was her first real bout of illness, so we rushed her to the doctors at 8am.

She had a stomach virus. Advice? Just keep her hydrated, and let it run its course. Likely 24-48 hours.

We stayed home Thursday and Friday.

Christmas Eve we invited my mother over for dinner. I cooked. As I cooked, Amber and I noticed a slight discomfort in our bodies. We ended dinner early as Amber rushed to the bathroom, clearly stricken with what Elizabeth had.

I succumbed about 4 hours later.

Between Christmas Eve and today, we've been home - recovering. Aching. Dealing with fevers. And aches. And chills. And pains.

But now - we all appear to be healthier...likely up to 100% by the end of the week.

Except my mom.

Yeah - she got it today.

Don't worry though - better now than on the way to WDW for the race!

I'm hoping to get into the gym Tuesday or Wednesday to loosen up a bit. All that being sick stuff is murder on your ribs and diaphragm. It hurts to laugh right now.

But hey - I managed to actually LOSE weight over the Christmas Holiday. :) I'm down 2 pounds this week - but I'm not posting it as an "official" weight - because, hey - being sick - barely eating - and having things go right through you seems like it doesn't count. LOL

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12 Days - Merry Christmas

To those of you who celebrate Christmas - may tomorrow be your merriest and happiest one yet.

This is just a quick hello.

We have a sick baby for Christmas. She has a stomach virus - and has been throwing up for a day now. She seems to be on the mend, so maybe happy and healthy for Santa Claus's presents tomorrow...

But it's been a long few days. And tough. It's hard watching my baby girl have to be so brave. But she's doing great.

She's been a good girl.

She deserves a Merry Christmas.

And so do you.

From the bottom of our hearts - we wish you all one. And the healthiest and happiest new year possible.

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14 Days - A Christmas Story

How cool is it that Amber almost bought me a T-Shirt that says "It's a major award!" on it?

See - Amber can't STAND this movie. And yet I love it. It's just so...classic. And hilarious. And yet, she tolerates it once or twice during the season.

Let's face it - "You'll shoot your eye out" is one of the monikers of our time.

In any event - let's follow up on my last post.

Elizabeth is no longer febrile.

I've seen a dentist, and was told (thankfully) that it was my wisdom teeth, but that I could keep them. Something had lodged in the gum and worked UNDER the tooth. They numbed me up and dug in there - HARD - and got it out. Advil for three days (this is day two) and I should be good as new. The pain I still feel brings some nausea, but it's lessening and tomorrow should be right as rain.

Did you know that you can't buy the soundtrack from White Christmas?

That really bothers me.

Hey guys - guess what?

TWO WEEKS TO GO UNTIL WDW.

Can't wait!! We start our pre-trip checklist tonight.

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16 Days - 348 - White Christmas

We're halfway through one of my favorite Christmas movies of all time - one we watch EVERY year. And that's the classic "White Christmas". Bing and Danny are such a phenomenal team and the ladies are just wonderful.

"We ate, and then he ate. We slept, and then he slept."

"Yeah, then he woke up and nobody slept for 48 hours."

So - let's update thing for you since I haven't been here in about 4 days. And what an eventful four days it's been. Let's say this - I've maintained my weight - and frankly - I'm just fine with that given the last week.

Last Thursday on my way home, I found myself standing on the side of the highway waiting for roadside assistance. I'd had a tire go flat, and apparently crushed my TPMS sensor (the little thingy that tells you when your tires have gone flat). On the way home, Amber texted me to tell me that Elizabeth was running a temp of around 101.

Starting Thursday night, likely due to teething, Elizabeth has been up for about 3-4 hours every night - and usually my shift is 3-4:30am. Nobody is getting quality sleep.

Oh yeah - and Friday night - I developed a toothache - a bad one. In one of my back molars (or even my wisdom teeth) - I've tried waiting it out - but have started feeling crummy all over - achy - headache - etc. Might be infected - whatever it is. So I'm going to try to see a dentist today. Did I mention that our Dental Insurance hasn't kicked in yet? Oh yeah - and I'm PETRIFIED of dentists. In my entire 33 years, I've had cleanings, and ONE CAVITY filled. And that was about 3 years ago. That's it. So if this is something more serious - I'm going to totally freak out.

Now - here's the GOOD NEWS.

The old me would have given up on a variety of things and let everything go to pot.

Not the new me.

The new me just got back from the gym. (Don't worry Rae - I'll post a 6 before the race)

So - there's that.

But now that Elizabeth's fever is gone - and I'll see a dentist - and the car is fixed - maybe - just maybe - things this week will go more according to plan. Of course - now I've said it...oh boy. ;)

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

20 Days - A Christmas Carol

"Well if they'd rather die, then they had better DO IT. And decrease the surplus population. Good afternoon."

It never ceases to amaze me how evil Ebenezer really is. And Jim Carrey's version is no different. Although I will admit - this is not my favorite version. Not even in my top three. But it's a great adaptation. And a lot of fun. My favorite? Stay tuned to next week, my friends. ;)

Today I did something WONDERFUL.

I wore my new shirt to the gym for a treadmill workout. Let me tell you - the folks at www.runningbanana.com did a GREAT job on this shirt. Wait until you see it! What I love most about it is that the graphics are not laid on it - they're actually woven INTO it. You'll see.

And with the new shirt on, I was faster - stronger - and had less leg/shin area pain. I did a STRONG treadmill workout for 1.25 miles at pace. And it felt GREAT.

I actually caught myself thinking - "Hey - know what? I can DO this!"

Which is one of the first times I've felt no doubt yet.

Let's capitalize on that and keep moving forward! THREE WEEKS TO GO!

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22 Days - Scrooged

"You can open one present Christmas Eve. That's how we always did it in my family. Isn't that how your family did it?"

"Well, if it were gonna spoil, we opened it the night before."

What a great Christmas movie. What I've determined, over years of research, is that the BADDER the Scrooge is - the better the story is. The more dramatic the redemption.

And now that we're just under two weeks from Christmas, we start bringing out the big guns. Think Bing Crosby, Reindeer, Frank Capra, Jim Carrey (no - not the Grinch), Charlie Brown, Albert Finney, and more.

So - I had a dream about the race last night. I dreamed that I was at the starting line, and had forgotten my race chip, my race number, my special shirt, and the right shoes. But they let me race anyhow. And I started right at the starting line with all of you.

As I woke up and dressed for the gym, I realized what that meant.

There's a part of me that feels unprepared. Or UNDERprepared, I should say. And try as I might over the next three weeks - all I can do - ever - is show up. Give it my heart and soul. And do my best. And as long as I do that - I can be proud of my accomplishment.

But I'll tell you something, teammates (and speaking of - CONGRATS JUSTIN for joining Team WDW Radio as well! We'll have to chat about that - I have ideas) - 2011 and 2012 are going to be BANNER years for the Voice. And how amazing a start will that Donald medal be?

It's going to be MINE.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

24 Days - Love Actually

If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around.

This movie is arguably my favorite "non-christmas" Christmas movie. It's more of a romantic comedy that takes place at Christmastime, but we watch it every year. I love the Prime Minister and Natalie story - although Amber's partial to Jamie and Aurelia.

And we're half-way through it.

Oh - didn't I mention? We've been working with Elizabeth in her crib, and she's teething AWFULLY - has some molars coming in. She's in such pain. And as such, our evenings and sleep patterns are VERY off kilter. Saturday night we were up with her most of the night.

As a result, I did my longer workout today, rather than yesterday. But as there's a torrential rain here (thinking it's time to build an ark) - it was at the gym.

Now - why didn't I just brave the rain? It's only water, for heavens sake, you might think. And I'd agree. But as we leave in just over three weeks - I'd rather focus on getting the workout done, and NOT risking injury. So I made a choice.

Now - I alluded to something on Friday. Why I'm a big baby. Here's what I meant.

As the holidays loom and descend, I'm watching movies and TV shows that I love. I'm listening to music I adore. And every day, I find myself missing my father even more. After he passed, it was this gaping wound. After we laid him to rest, it was a dull ache that slowly subsided into a sad loss. But as the holidays came, the pain ramped back up. Significantly. I expected it. But what I didn't expect was to listen to a simple song like "The Island of Misfit Toys" and find myself singing and weeping.

I didn't expect the tears to be so readily available to me.

So - now I'm a crier. But it helps to just....FEEL it. And remind myself about the angel at my back for this race. Win lose or draw - I'll give it everything I have - and be proud of myself.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

26 Days - A Very Glee Christmas

Yes, Bryan got me hooked. And now we watch Glee. And this week was their Christmas episode. It was...in a word....AWESOME.

Anyhow - this will be a short update - I'm off to a seminar all day.

But tomorrow I'll be heading outside (again - weather permitting - which for me means no pounding rain) for my long training session. And to start breaking in my new shoes.

Much like Amanda, Amber and I have committed to going "back to basics" after this trip - in fact, we're dedicating a six month window to hardcore WW to make some serious progress in 2011. I'm really excited about it.

Tomorrow I'll update you on the long run, and tell you about why I keep calling myself a big baby!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

28 Days - Mickey's Christmas Carol

No matter how many times I see different versions, Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" is my very favorite Christmas tale. Loss, redemption, and such joy in finding new leases on life.

It's an appropriate theme for this time of year for all of us - not just those of us struggling with health and running races.

So last night, we sat together, and watched our first (of many) versions of this tale: Mickey's Christmas Carol. A classic from my childhood I never miss. At only 30 minutes it's arguably the shortest version, but Scrooge is PERFECT. Especially when he tosses laundry to Mickey.

While not my favorite version of this tale (check back closer to Christmas for that one) - this is one of my favorite overall holiday classics. And Elizabeth watched, and gnawed on stuff (she's teething).

You know - it is starting to feel like Christmas a bit. :)

Okay - now - training - just got back from the gym - a nice hard workout this morning. Distance - I understand and appreciate the comments and concerns - I'll shoot for 5 this week and up from there. Although my "outside" training is weather dependent. So we'll just hope mother nature cooperates. :)

HOLY COW - it's four weeks until I'm in WDW.

My shirt is ordered - and now we just prepare as best as we can!

We need to organize a Team meeting the morning of the race - I know Jeff, Amanda, my friend Elaine, and I are taking a monorail together from the Contemporary - anyone else? And then where can we meet up at the race itself? I want us ALL there - especially the first timers - and the lurkers!

Will YOU be there?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

29 Days - Emmet Otter

In our continuing saga of Christmas shows and movies, last night we introduced Elizabeth to Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas.

What a wonderful show. One of my favorites, really.

And it has one of my favorite songs in it: "When the River Meets the Sea".

I hear this song, and cry. Every time.

And we watched it snuggled up together, the three of us.

And you know what?

It felt like Christmastime.

And for now - that was good enough.

Quick answer to a few questions about mileage. I plan a 3 this week, then a 5, 7, and 9 the following weeks. I'm not worried about distance though - feet and legwise, the 11 I did in October were no problem. But Amanda and E. Michael were right - and so I wanted to clarify.

See you guys tomorrow!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

30 Days - 348 - Sparks

Before I get too far into this - I have to thank Justin. I asked him to incorporate my father and my daughter into a graphic for me to put on the shirt I'll wear in January for the race. And what you see above is the result. My father as Dreamfinder, and my little Libbit as Figment. My sparks. My inspirations. And holy cats. It's AMAZING.

Justin - as usual - you knocked it out of the park. This will be on my back, while the Team Voice logo will be on my chest.

This from the WW Weight Tracking Website, after telling it I was up a pound this week:

"So, you gained a little bit this week.

Gaining is a normal part of the process and can happen for a lot of reasons

Look back at this week and see what you might be able to change; then let go of what you can't. The best thing to do is focus on is making this coming week a success."

Okay - so let's look back. We started our "cramming session" and exercised more than I have lately - and did well with it. Food - we spent the week LEARNING the new WW PointsPlus system. And now that I have it down, I think I can have a much more successful PointsPlus week. So I'm going to say that this last week was learning the plan, and move forward.

I have four weeks of progress left to go before the race. And I intend to use them.

Here's this week's workout schedule (note that a "core workout" includes minimum 50 crunches and 10 push ups):

T: 20 minutes elliptical - evening core workout

Th: 20 minutes treadmill - evening core workout

F: 20 minutes elliptical - evening core workout

S: 3 miles outside (treadmill if weather prohibits) - evening core workout

Each day that is NOT listed - like today - will include an evening core workout - and some form of "unstructured" cardio. Mall walking - neighborhood strolling - rock banding - etc.

How's YOUR week shaping up?

And what do you think of Justin's graphic?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

31 Days - Muppet Family Christmas

So last night we watched the FIRST of our Christmas movies/specials. And as we watch each, I'll be telling you about them.

And last night was the wonderful "Muppet Family Christmas" - a true classic.

If you haven't seen it - the Muppets (ALL of them - Sesame Street and Fraggles too) descend onto Fozzie's mother's house for Christmas dinner. Sadly, she's on her way out to MALIBU for the holidays. Oh yeah - and watch that icy patch!

The true highlight of the show last night, though, was Elizabeth.

And I know that my good friend Karen Prell reads this blog from time to time. And if she sees this, I hope it makes her smile. :) You see - Elizabeth was watching. And occasionally smiling and/or laughing.

But she stood and DANCED. Wiggled her hips and butt and arms. DANCED, I tell you. Like CRAZY. During the Fraggle Rock Song "Pass it on!"

And so, Karen, if you're reading, as a thank you from Elizabeth - we have for you a beautiful yellow Fraggle pebble. :) Thanks for the joy!

And for the rest of you!

When you're feeling good - like a feeling should - and it's understood - you've got to - (uh-uh) - PASS IT ON!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

32 Days - Daddy/Daughter

Today, Elizabeth and I get to spend some Daddy/Daughter time - while Amber goes and gets some things done at our office.

And what are we doing today? Cardio! :) Together!

Yup - time for some good ol' fashioned Mall Walking Stroller Pushing Christmas Shopping Cardio Getting Daddy Daughter Saturday time.

Or as I like to call it: MWSPCSCGDDST. Which is pronounced just like it looks. :)

Feeling a little more holiday-ish this morning - and feeling good about having done more exercise lately - need to really buckle down and cut back on some foods if I want to lose DRASTICALLY before the race - but 32 days is nothing to shake a stick at.

And for that matter, why are you shaking sticks?

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

33 Days - Christmas Spirit

I noticed something interesting last night - interesting - and a little bit sad.

I'm having a hard time getting fully into the Christmas (or Holiday - since I celebrate Hannukah too) spirit.

I'll get a whiff of it - and then it's gone.

And I think a good portion of that has to do with missing my father. He LOVED the holidays so much. And that's where I got my love of them.

But I asked Amber to try to help me recapture it. Help me sing songs. Watch movies. Tell Christmas stories.

You see - what I know about the spirit is that it lives deep within all of us this time of year, and if we can just bring it out - we can make our worlds brighter, and make that of our fellow man brighter. So I just need to focus on it harder. :)

And even though with my recent struggles, I feel like a Team Voice member on the Island of Misfit toys - I know that Santa Claus and his sleigh will somehow help me find my way to where I belong. The starting line - then Main Street - then the Finish line.

And we'll all do it together.

MAIN STREET AWAITS!

34 Days - Cramming - and Aliens?

Okay - first of all - am I the ONLY one excited about NASA's announcement today at 11am PST? I mean - what will it be? ET? Water? Microbes? Avatars? V's? I'm SO excited! And I just watched Contact, too! :)

Okay - now - back to business.

I'm really pumped today. I really feel like today is a really important turning point in my prep for the race, and in my prep overall for my life and future goals.

I sat on the couch last night and said to Amber - "I need to be more prepared."

And she helped me brainstorm. But most of all - I just said it out loud. Acknowledged the elephant in the room.

And got my butt out of bed this morning and went to the gym. And did a full TREADMILL workout - not elliptical. There's nothing wrong with the elliptical - and I'll be using it over the next 34 days - but I needed to get some actual WALKING miles in. To feel my feet hit each step. To remind myself of what's up.

And now - here's the plan. I always did best on tests when I crammed - so we have a 34 day CRAMMING session ahead.

Each day will involve SOME SORT of cardio - 3-4 times a week it MUST be structured (i.e. - going to the gym) - each day will ALSO include a core workout (situps and pushups before bed at a minimum - but some days full on weight workouts).

Each day will involve eating breakfast and tracking my points throughout the day (and learning the new point system - I have 71 points a day - HOLY CATS).

And each day I will blog. And I will keep the blog POSITIVE.

If I feel doubts, I'll tell you - but I'll find a way to overcome them. Because I know this - I'm not the ONLY one doubting themselves. But I will be your Voice again. I will remind you of why we do what we do - I will inspire - I will be there.

Now - if you're competing in January - POST A COMMENT. Tell me 1 thing you're worried about and to compensate: TWO things you're excited about. Here. I'll go first.

Worry: I'm worried that my side stitch will return, and as a result, I won't cross the finish line.

Excitement: WHEN I cross the finish line, Amber, Elizabeth and my mom will be there to cheer me on. I'm also excited that I get to start the race with my team, meet new friends, and encourage my dear friend Elaine in her FIRST Half-Marathon ever.

Okay - now YOU!

MAIN STREET AWAITS!