304.0
This Week: 1.0 lb
October Total: 0.0 lb
Total: 36.5 lb
Yep, after all was said and done, I'm right back where I started October. So, there will be no sponsor emails this month.
After doing the Tower of Terror race on Saturday, I realize that I've still got a ways to go to be able to successfully finish the "Family Safari" 5K at WDW in January (15min/mi pace). And, I still have a long ways to go to reach my ultimate goals of weight loss and the 2009 WDW 1/2 Marathon. With that said, November IS going to be a special month for me. It WILL be the month I finally cross the line into the 200's. November WILL be my best weight loss month to date! (The 10 lb in July is my best so far) And, by the end of November I WILL be able to cover 3 miles in 45 minutes.
At this point in time I don't have any excuses waiting in front of me...no trips to WDW, I'm not hurt, I'm not sick, yada yada yada.... It just comes down to making the right (and sometimes tough) decisions and then taking action. When my month of November ends on December 3rd, I want to be able to say I've shed over 50 pounds total. Something that I KNOW I CAN do. But, will I?
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
A journey to liberate fat from my body, get stronger, get healthier, enjoy the process and love all things Disney World!!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not So Simply Cancelled!!!
Yep, my "simply delayed" flight was cancelled. After the delay to 6:30, they posted one more delay to 6:45. Then just 5 min after posting 6:45, it was cancelled. Their first plan was to put us up in a hotel and re-book us for the 8ish flight Tues morning. But, luckily, some of us had another option to get home Monday night. There was a flight to Birmingham scheduled to leave at 6:35 but was delayed about 10 minutes. This delay allowed several of us to make it on that flight to Birmingham.
Ok, I make it to Birmingham, but now what? The original plan was for Mel to pick me up at HSV. She was too tired to make the hour and a half plus drive to BHM to pick me up there so I (along with all the other HSV bound on the BHM flight) was provided a transportation voucher...by cab!! I'll just say that the trip to HSV was one of the most interesting, thrilling, death defying rides I've ever taken. We approached 90mph on several occasions. We did the 95 miles in 65 minutes. You do the math!!! Mel did pick me up at HSV and had a more sane trip home.
Thoughts from the race....
First, it was fun!!! Second, as Rae said in one of her comments, I too learned a lot about myself Saturday night. I cannot put into words what it was like in the last 20 minutes of the race as I decided if I was to try to finish under 65 min, and as I tried to do it. It was definitely something that I will not soon forget.
After doing the first 2 miles on open road with almost no cheering, it was nice to hit onstage and immediately see familiar faces cheering us on....Linda, Deb Wills, Masayo, Beci, Mike Newell and others. Getting into the park provided a huge burst of energy and adrenalin.
Disney (I hope) learned many lessons in this first night time (and dual) race. We'll start with packet pickup. After starting some 15-20 (i think) minutes late, parts of the process where obviously not thought out. However, when taking my sister to packet pickup on Saturday, it was obvious they learned their lessons and changed things up a bit.
What is normally a 5 minute trip from Pop Century to MGM took about 20. Luckily, we left earlier than we originally planned and beat the rush that was to come. The combination of the traffic jam getting in and (supposedly) an accident and backup effecting the race course, prompted a 20 delay in starting the race. I would say that a good portion of the traffic jam getting to MGM could have been prevented if Disney would have provided transportation to/from MGM. In the end, after enough people complained, Disney did provide transportation, but didn't provide any notice to the runners, forcing some to rent a car for the day just to get to and from the race.
My final (for now) issue is with the face that this was a dual race....13k & 6.5k at the same time. The start times were staggered by 10 minutes, with the 13k starting at 9:50 and 6.5k starting at 10:00. Because of the "low" number of runners (~3,500 for the 13 & ~1,100 for the 6.5) this provided just enough time between the starts. However, the issue came when and where the two courses merged together for the final 2+ miles. Imagine the 13k runners navigating through the 6.5k walkers....in MGM....with lots of turns. Many of the runners were quite annoyed with the walkers not getting out of their way. And I can understand that. To me, the issue lies in that Disney provided NO guidance on how to handle the situation. For those that have done many races, and maybe even used to training around other runners, they had an idea of what to do and how to listen and react to runners coming from behind. But, I would dare say that many (if not most) of the 6.5 "walkers" had no real idea what to do. I overheard many asking what a runner said and what it meant. "Normally", it is walkers/slower to the right and runners/faster pass to the left. But, in the park there were many, many turns in both directions and the runners want to cut the corners.
For me, I kept my head on a swivel the final 2 miles. The last thing I wanted to do was to cause someone to have an accident. While this was only my second race and I've never trained around other runners, I had done some reading on running courtesy. I also did a lot more running during the final 2 miles, so I was on both sides of the fence.
In the end, however, it was a fun race. It was a neat experience to "run" through a Disney park and to run through a Disney park with people cheering for you. It definitely provides me with a glimpse of the bigger and better things to come. ;-)
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Ok, I make it to Birmingham, but now what? The original plan was for Mel to pick me up at HSV. She was too tired to make the hour and a half plus drive to BHM to pick me up there so I (along with all the other HSV bound on the BHM flight) was provided a transportation voucher...by cab!! I'll just say that the trip to HSV was one of the most interesting, thrilling, death defying rides I've ever taken. We approached 90mph on several occasions. We did the 95 miles in 65 minutes. You do the math!!! Mel did pick me up at HSV and had a more sane trip home.
Thoughts from the race....
First, it was fun!!! Second, as Rae said in one of her comments, I too learned a lot about myself Saturday night. I cannot put into words what it was like in the last 20 minutes of the race as I decided if I was to try to finish under 65 min, and as I tried to do it. It was definitely something that I will not soon forget.
After doing the first 2 miles on open road with almost no cheering, it was nice to hit onstage and immediately see familiar faces cheering us on....Linda, Deb Wills, Masayo, Beci, Mike Newell and others. Getting into the park provided a huge burst of energy and adrenalin.
Disney (I hope) learned many lessons in this first night time (and dual) race. We'll start with packet pickup. After starting some 15-20 (i think) minutes late, parts of the process where obviously not thought out. However, when taking my sister to packet pickup on Saturday, it was obvious they learned their lessons and changed things up a bit.
What is normally a 5 minute trip from Pop Century to MGM took about 20. Luckily, we left earlier than we originally planned and beat the rush that was to come. The combination of the traffic jam getting in and (supposedly) an accident and backup effecting the race course, prompted a 20 delay in starting the race. I would say that a good portion of the traffic jam getting to MGM could have been prevented if Disney would have provided transportation to/from MGM. In the end, after enough people complained, Disney did provide transportation, but didn't provide any notice to the runners, forcing some to rent a car for the day just to get to and from the race.
My final (for now) issue is with the face that this was a dual race....13k & 6.5k at the same time. The start times were staggered by 10 minutes, with the 13k starting at 9:50 and 6.5k starting at 10:00. Because of the "low" number of runners (~3,500 for the 13 & ~1,100 for the 6.5) this provided just enough time between the starts. However, the issue came when and where the two courses merged together for the final 2+ miles. Imagine the 13k runners navigating through the 6.5k walkers....in MGM....with lots of turns. Many of the runners were quite annoyed with the walkers not getting out of their way. And I can understand that. To me, the issue lies in that Disney provided NO guidance on how to handle the situation. For those that have done many races, and maybe even used to training around other runners, they had an idea of what to do and how to listen and react to runners coming from behind. But, I would dare say that many (if not most) of the 6.5 "walkers" had no real idea what to do. I overheard many asking what a runner said and what it meant. "Normally", it is walkers/slower to the right and runners/faster pass to the left. But, in the park there were many, many turns in both directions and the runners want to cut the corners.
For me, I kept my head on a swivel the final 2 miles. The last thing I wanted to do was to cause someone to have an accident. While this was only my second race and I've never trained around other runners, I had done some reading on running courtesy. I also did a lot more running during the final 2 miles, so I was on both sides of the fence.
In the end, however, it was a fun race. It was a neat experience to "run" through a Disney park and to run through a Disney park with people cheering for you. It definitely provides me with a glimpse of the bigger and better things to come. ;-)
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Simply Delayed...
Yep, sitting in the Orlando airport waiting on my delayed flight. Scheduled departure was 5:00 but is currently @ 6:30.
This has been a very fun but at the same time, very tiring trip. Friday night was Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It ran till midnight so we were up late. But, was for the best since we "needed" to sleep late in preperation for the race Sat night. Of course, on Sat was the race. There was a slight 20 delay in starting the race due to traffic issues getting to MGM. We stayed till the party ended at 1am. Sunday night I did MNSSHP again as my sister and her family were doing the party as well. Between the party and packing, it was a late night.
Well, now that my one "target" (ToT 6.5k) is behind me...now what?? It just so happens that a couple week ago, before registration closed, I signed up for the 5k race during the 2008 WDW Marathon weekend. While a 5k may not sound like much, it is a Disney race with a 15 min/mile requirement. I know I can do a 15 min mile (I did 14:30 in my last mile Sat night), but the question is putting together multiple 15 min miles at one time. I've got 2 1/2 months to get ready!!
Ok, my fingers are tired as this is being done on my Blackberry.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
This has been a very fun but at the same time, very tiring trip. Friday night was Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. It ran till midnight so we were up late. But, was for the best since we "needed" to sleep late in preperation for the race Sat night. Of course, on Sat was the race. There was a slight 20 delay in starting the race due to traffic issues getting to MGM. We stayed till the party ended at 1am. Sunday night I did MNSSHP again as my sister and her family were doing the party as well. Between the party and packing, it was a late night.
Well, now that my one "target" (ToT 6.5k) is behind me...now what?? It just so happens that a couple week ago, before registration closed, I signed up for the 5k race during the 2008 WDW Marathon weekend. While a 5k may not sound like much, it is a Disney race with a 15 min/mile requirement. I know I can do a 15 min mile (I did 14:30 in my last mile Sat night), but the question is putting together multiple 15 min miles at one time. I've got 2 1/2 months to get ready!!
Ok, my fingers are tired as this is being done on my Blackberry.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
I DID IT!!!!!!!
I finished the 6.5 in 64:49!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OK......I pooped now!!!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!!!!!
OK......I pooped now!!!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!!!!!
It's almost time.
Well, the day has finally come. The race is about 7 hours away. We are definately taking things easy today. Right now, I'm sitting down for lunch at the Kona Cafe.
We were up late last night with MNSSHP and got to bed just before 2 and got up about 10:30.
One thing about the race, I'm surprised at the cap numbers Disney has for the race. The 13k has about 3500 and the 6.5k has 1050. These seem low to me, but that is just my opinion.
Well, time to eat. I may try to post again tonight.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
We were up late last night with MNSSHP and got to bed just before 2 and got up about 10:30.
One thing about the race, I'm surprised at the cap numbers Disney has for the race. The 13k has about 3500 and the 6.5k has 1050. These seem low to me, but that is just my opinion.
Well, time to eat. I may try to post again tonight.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Leaving on a Jet Plane....
Right now I'm sitting in the airport waiting on my flight to Orlando. It was originally scheduled for 6:15, but has been delayed till 7:10. Thankfully, the delay was posted all day, so I didn't have to worry about it too much and allowed me some more time at work.
The legs are a little sore today. Mel and I did 2.02 miles last night...in the rain. First time running in the rain. It didn't bother me too much so I'm not too concerned it it rains Saturday night. We finished the 2.02 in 34:30 so that "should" put us around 69 minutes for the 6.5k. Which is not far off my "target" of 65.
As I've said before both of my previous 2 WDW trips, I HOPE to post while I'm there. I'm taking it as a personal mission to post at least as much as Scopa does.
Well, I guess it is time to Fly Like an Eagle. Hmm, what's with the song references tonight.
Oh, one other thing...I've setup things to be able to post from my Blackberry. So, you might see some short (and probably misspelled and otherwise incoherent posts) in the next few days.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
The legs are a little sore today. Mel and I did 2.02 miles last night...in the rain. First time running in the rain. It didn't bother me too much so I'm not too concerned it it rains Saturday night. We finished the 2.02 in 34:30 so that "should" put us around 69 minutes for the 6.5k. Which is not far off my "target" of 65.
As I've said before both of my previous 2 WDW trips, I HOPE to post while I'm there. I'm taking it as a personal mission to post at least as much as Scopa does.
Well, I guess it is time to Fly Like an Eagle. Hmm, what's with the song references tonight.
Oh, one other thing...I've setup things to be able to post from my Blackberry. So, you might see some short (and probably misspelled and otherwise incoherent posts) in the next few days.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Monday Update - 22 OCT 2007
305.0
This Week: 2.5 lb
October Total: +1.0 lb
Total: 35.5 lb
Wow, now how did that happen...down 2.5 for the week? Considering I only exercised once (1.3 mi) and ate...well, we won't talk about that......
I do have one "correction" from last week...I forgot that I will be at WDW on the 29th so my month will actually end on Wednesday (31th).
Sorry, I don't have much good news to report, but I now have a MySpace page!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
This Week: 2.5 lb
October Total: +1.0 lb
Total: 35.5 lb
Wow, now how did that happen...down 2.5 for the week? Considering I only exercised once (1.3 mi) and ate...well, we won't talk about that......
I do have one "correction" from last week...I forgot that I will be at WDW on the 29th so my month will actually end on Wednesday (31th).
Sorry, I don't have much good news to report, but I now have a MySpace page!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday Update - 15 OCT 2007
307.5
This Week (2 weeks): +3.5 lb
October Total: +3.5 lb
Total: 33.0 lb
Not much I can say about the numbers today. I spent a week at WDW and ate too much! But, I'm not sure how much I "trust" that number. Same as usual, will probably be back down by midweek. We'll see.
It just dawned on me that there are only 2 weeks left in October (my month will end on the 29th). YIKES!!! I've been stuck in the same place for too long now and need to get moving...in more ways than one. I only have 9 days till I leave for the Tower of Terror race, and only 12 days till the race itself. Double YIKES!! Right now, my goal is to finish the 6.5k race under 65 minutes. I believe I can do it, I just don't know how crowded it will be.
Well, time to get moving...
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
This Week (2 weeks): +3.5 lb
October Total: +3.5 lb
Total: 33.0 lb
Not much I can say about the numbers today. I spent a week at WDW and ate too much! But, I'm not sure how much I "trust" that number. Same as usual, will probably be back down by midweek. We'll see.
It just dawned on me that there are only 2 weeks left in October (my month will end on the 29th). YIKES!!! I've been stuck in the same place for too long now and need to get moving...in more ways than one. I only have 9 days till I leave for the Tower of Terror race, and only 12 days till the race itself. Double YIKES!! Right now, my goal is to finish the 6.5k race under 65 minutes. I believe I can do it, I just don't know how crowded it will be.
Well, time to get moving...
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
It's Hot Down Here!!!!
Well, I made it. I posted while at WDW. And let me tell you...IT IS HOT!!!!! Low to mid-90s everyday and humid.
I'm just relaxing in our cabin at Fort Wilderness. This is our first time in a FW Cabin, but I can promise you it won't be our last. We love the cabins and Fort Wilderness. The golf cart is nice too!
We made it to all four parks and a couple of them more than once. We are planning on doing Epcot tomorrow, with diner at Garden Grill followed by Illuminations.
Tonight we are doing the Hoop-Dee-Do Music Revue for the first time. Should be interesting.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
I'm just relaxing in our cabin at Fort Wilderness. This is our first time in a FW Cabin, but I can promise you it won't be our last. We love the cabins and Fort Wilderness. The golf cart is nice too!
We made it to all four parks and a couple of them more than once. We are planning on doing Epcot tomorrow, with diner at Garden Grill followed by Illuminations.
Tonight we are doing the Hoop-Dee-Do Music Revue for the first time. Should be interesting.
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Friday, October 5, 2007
Getting ready to go...
...to Walt Disney World!!
Still have some packing to do tonight but other than that we are more than ready for our trip. As I said before I hope to post some while in WDW...I said HOPE!!
As might be expected, there will not be a normal Monday update next week. The next weigh-in will be Oct 15th.
After making tons of excuses and just not "wanting" to get up at 5 and run, I finally got up Thursday morning and did 1.87 in 30 minutes. Considering my last "run" was the 5K and only 2 "runs" (including the 5K) in the last month, I am most definately happy with those results. We are staying at Fort Wilderness so I will have plenty of good roads and trails for me to use.
Well, time to finish packing!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Still have some packing to do tonight but other than that we are more than ready for our trip. As I said before I hope to post some while in WDW...I said HOPE!!
As might be expected, there will not be a normal Monday update next week. The next weigh-in will be Oct 15th.
After making tons of excuses and just not "wanting" to get up at 5 and run, I finally got up Thursday morning and did 1.87 in 30 minutes. Considering my last "run" was the 5K and only 2 "runs" (including the 5K) in the last month, I am most definately happy with those results. We are staying at Fort Wilderness so I will have plenty of good roads and trails for me to use.
Well, time to finish packing!!
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
Monday, October 1, 2007
Monday Update - 01 OCT 2007
304.0
This Week: 1.5 lb
September Total: 2.5 lb
Total: 36.5 lb
WOW! So much to write about this week!!
To start off, I somehow was able to finish the month with a loss. It was definately not the amount I wanted, but it is also not a gain!! I had said that I would find a way to finish the month under 300. Well, of course, that didn't happen and I was closer to finding a way to finish the month with a gain. Even with all that happened in September, and over the last week, I take full responsibility for my poor outcome. NOW...on to October!! Its looking to be somewhat of a crazy month, at least at the beginning. This Sat we leave for a week at Walt Disney World, so eating will be a challenge. Beyond the WDW trip I'm hoping the rest of the month will be somewhat "normal".
As I said, this Saturday, my wife and I leave for WDW. More specifically, a cabin at Fort Wilderness. We are both SO looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing trip. Most of our trips to WDW seem to be non-stop, all day long. But, this trip should be a little different. While we will spend plenty of time in the parks, we are not going to push things. And because we will be down there for 6 nights, we have the opportunity to just relax if, or should I say WHEN we want to. I'll make the same statement I made before my last trip...I hope to post while at WDW. Our schedule should be better than my last trip and should afford me more opportunity to post. We'll see!!
SPONSORS!!!....Sponsor emails should...no WILL being going out starting tonight. If you don't receive your email by Tuesday night, please let me know. For most of you, your email will cover August and September.
I've saved the best for last!! As I've said many times before, last Friday, the Trideum Foundation hosted its first wish party. The Foundation's first wish child was a 5 year old boy, Tommy. Just over a year ago, a day after his 4th birthday, Tommy was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Tommy recently celebrated his 5th birthday with a clean bill of health. I will post pictures from the party as soon as I get the release from Make-A-Wish. In the mean time, here are some stories done about Tommy by WAFF 48 (NBC) here in Huntsville..... Diagnosed with Lymphoma.....Cancer Free....Wish Party...the last two include video.
At this point I want to say a big THANK YOU to a few special people in the Disney community..... Steve Barrett, Kim Button, Lou Mongello, Len Testa, Tim Foster, Deb Wills and Dave Marx. Each of these authors so graciously agreed to donate a copy of their books to our wish child and family. I want to add another thanks to Pat Whitson of the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team for sending two backpacks filled with all sorts of goodies for Tommy and his sister. THANK YOU!!!!!
Well, with that, this post will come to a close.....after you take a look at the number over there------->
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
This Week: 1.5 lb
September Total: 2.5 lb
Total: 36.5 lb
WOW! So much to write about this week!!
To start off, I somehow was able to finish the month with a loss. It was definately not the amount I wanted, but it is also not a gain!! I had said that I would find a way to finish the month under 300. Well, of course, that didn't happen and I was closer to finding a way to finish the month with a gain. Even with all that happened in September, and over the last week, I take full responsibility for my poor outcome. NOW...on to October!! Its looking to be somewhat of a crazy month, at least at the beginning. This Sat we leave for a week at Walt Disney World, so eating will be a challenge. Beyond the WDW trip I'm hoping the rest of the month will be somewhat "normal".
As I said, this Saturday, my wife and I leave for WDW. More specifically, a cabin at Fort Wilderness. We are both SO looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing trip. Most of our trips to WDW seem to be non-stop, all day long. But, this trip should be a little different. While we will spend plenty of time in the parks, we are not going to push things. And because we will be down there for 6 nights, we have the opportunity to just relax if, or should I say WHEN we want to. I'll make the same statement I made before my last trip...I hope to post while at WDW. Our schedule should be better than my last trip and should afford me more opportunity to post. We'll see!!
SPONSORS!!!....Sponsor emails should...no WILL being going out starting tonight. If you don't receive your email by Tuesday night, please let me know. For most of you, your email will cover August and September.
I've saved the best for last!! As I've said many times before, last Friday, the Trideum Foundation hosted its first wish party. The Foundation's first wish child was a 5 year old boy, Tommy. Just over a year ago, a day after his 4th birthday, Tommy was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma. Tommy recently celebrated his 5th birthday with a clean bill of health. I will post pictures from the party as soon as I get the release from Make-A-Wish. In the mean time, here are some stories done about Tommy by WAFF 48 (NBC) here in Huntsville..... Diagnosed with Lymphoma.....Cancer Free....Wish Party...the last two include video.
At this point I want to say a big THANK YOU to a few special people in the Disney community..... Steve Barrett, Kim Button, Lou Mongello, Len Testa, Tim Foster, Deb Wills and Dave Marx. Each of these authors so graciously agreed to donate a copy of their books to our wish child and family. I want to add another thanks to Pat Whitson of the DisneyWorldTrivia.com Dream Team for sending two backpacks filled with all sorts of goodies for Tommy and his sister. THANK YOU!!!!!
Well, with that, this post will come to a close.....after you take a look at the number over there------->
Till Next Time...Take Care!!!
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