It's Time!!!

Mongello! I know it's been forever and a day since I've updated you guys. I do (again and again and again) apologize for these hiatuses. To update you all on my life.... I started back school about a week ago. I'm in a new major (Political Science with Pre-Legal emphasis) and I LOVE IT! I actually feel like I know what the hell the professor is talking about and I can actually add something intelligent to discussions. I should have been here from the beginning.

Anyway, with the move, adjusting back to school life, working out, preparing for Disneyland and all, I've neglected my duties as a citizen in the Disney Community. Well, again I'll have to skip those for a bit longer (I am going to Disneyland after all!) but when I return, I'm getting back involved with you guys. I've only recently started listening to podcasts again (only during workouts) but have yet to get to any of your blogs or even my own. I do apologize for that. But I'll fix that when I return.

But anyway, back to the real reason for this post: I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!! My aunt and I leave early Thursday morning and will return early Monday morning. So, we get 3 1/2 days at the Happiest Place on Earth. I joke with some of my friends (I have very nerdy friends...) that I finally get to make the Hajj to Disney Mecca. I am SO freakin' excited! I can't wait!!!

Here's an "outline" of what our plan is:

Thursday: At around 5:30 am, arrive at Jackson "International" Airport (only international because Jackson gets one cargo shipment from Mexico once a month... it's barely an airport by your guys standards...) and fly to Atlanta (yes... fly east to get west... that's Jackson). After we arrive we have just enough time to get breakfast then we fly across country, which is a first for me to Santa Ana...Yada Yada Yada... We Check in at the Ho Jo, then we immediately walk to Disneyland to enjoy our vacation.

Friday: This day is somewhat in dispute. We think that we're going to California Adventure on Friday, but we're not sure. If this is the case, we're planning We'll sleep in this morning then head over to DCA at rope drop. We're giving ourselves until about 3:00 to see everything here. From what I read and have heard, we won't be here that long, but we just want to give ourselves enough time to see everything. After we're done with DCA, we're going to head over to the Disneyland Hotel and pick up our packets and then look around the Hotel and Walk over to the Paradise Pier Hotel and look around there. I think that after that we'll probably go back to Disneyland.

Saturday: This will probably be our "All Day at Disneyland" Day. Here, we're planning on getting there about an hour before the Park opens. That way we can be first into the park and have the chance to run down Main Street. This is something that I've always wanted to do, ever since I was a little kid. But since WDW doesn't allow that (DL may not either, but I think the do, or at least did) I've never been able to. But now's my chance! We will then run directly to Nemo and see what that is all about. After that, everything is sketchy until 1:00, when we have Blue Bayou reservations. Monte Cristo here I come!!!

Sunday: Race Day! I'm not sure I'm ready for this race at all. Remember how unprepared I was for the Renaissance Half back in June? Well, I'm even less prepared for this one. No worries though, I'll have fun regardless, just as long as I finish. After this I'm not entirely sure what we'll do. I'm sure we'll go back to the room and rest a bit and probably go to Downtown Disney some. After that, we're back at Disneyland until close.

Monday: Come home...

I'm sure this will change as we go along. This is just a rough plan for us that we rarely follow. If you want to see exactly what we're doing and you're not already following me on Facebook or Twitter... follow me! Look me up at mattj4226 on Twitter, then you can see!

Ok... I've got to start packing. See you all when I get back!

It Burns!

This is what it feels like when I walk...

During today's walk, my feet started to burn almost immediately. I tried slowing down, I tried readjusting my shoes... I tried everything that I could think of, but nothing worked. I managed to get past the fire and get in a 3 mile walk (no jogging) in 44:04 today. Still not what I want or need to be doing this close to a race, but what can I do? I have two HUGE blisters on my heels now and they still burn.

I'm going to buy some Dr. Scholl's pads for my shoes tomorrow and give that a try. I bought some for my Shox and they seemed to help with blistering some. Maybe they will help again.

I'm also going to try my old socks again. The ones I bought with the shoes are different than the old ones and seem to be thicker and made of a different material. But for $10 at Fleet Feet, you would think that they would work. I don't know...

But this could be exactly what Chris said... my feet could just be rebelling after not running steadily for a few months. If that's what it is, then it's solely my fault and hopefully my feet will get their act together soon.

With all of my whining in today's post (any one have any Brie?!), I am proud of my walk today. I was able to remain under the 15 minute mark with just walking. And other than the blisters and friction, my shoes are working great. I have zero pain in my feet, legs and back. I haven't experienced that in some time. Now... Only if I can stop them from burining my feet, they'll be perfect!
___________________________________________________

Jeff- Maybe if I soak my feet in Orange Juice and listen to Katrina stories, my feet will cool down... what do you think?

Justin- The new shoes are (and I'm reading from the box, so it may not mean anything) Saucony Progrid Hurricane 11's. As I said earlier, I love them so far... just wish my feet did.

Justin and Chris- I like your idea Justin and yes, if I had a permit, I could "pack some heat". The incident I discribed yesterday was not an isolated incident. I have seen the same kids (different groups that sometimes "play" together) do this to other people and have had it done to me a few time. They apparently get a thrill out of scaring people the way they do and I guess they know no one is going to say anything. I guess I'm making a mountain out of a mole hill, but it really does get annoying after a while. Besides, I get a little happiness whenever I can utter the phrase "Little Bike Bastards". It makes me feel good!

A Question and a Rant

Hey guys! It appears that I'm finally back on the horse today, and not a moment too soon! I had intended for my rebound to happen last week, but due to weather and illness (every time I say I'm going to start back running, I get sick... have you noticed that trend?), I had to wait until this week.

My run today went well, though it was cut short. I was only able to complete 2 1/2 miles in 42:16, which I don't think is bad all things considered. I couldn't go farther because my heel felt like it was on fire! That leads me to my question. What could be causing the burning? I bought new "Drymax" socks, I bought a new pair of shoes (which feel great normally), I'm putting Vaseline on my feet. What's doing it? The only thing that I can think of is that my shoes need to be broken in or my heel just needs to adjust. What do you guys think? Can you think of anything else I can do to address this?

Ok, now for my rant... Do you guys have problems with bikers in the areas that you run/walk in? I'm not talking about the decent human beings that are biking for legit reasons (i.e. Rae). I'm talking about those little hell on wheels biker gangs of 3 or 4 12 year olds. Those "little biker bastards" as I call them, are a menace to society! It's almost like the scope out people with iPods, sneak up on them then zoom past the victim, scaring the bejesus out of them! Then, right when you think it's over, another one zooms past you on the other side, scaring you all over again. That's when the remaining ones come zooming past you. It's really quite annoying. If you're lucky they won't run you over. I've seen that happen to other runners and have a few near misses before.

They're not even supposed to be on the running trail. It would be like me taking my car out for a joyride on the trail and knocking a few of them over! I wouldn't have a problem with them if they would just be considerate of other people and weren't so rude. Where the hell are the parents?! UGH! Ok... I'm going to stop now. See you all soon!

Just Another Restart

Hey Guys... I'm not going to say a word about these constant "restarts". I'm just moving on, haha.

Today went pretty well. I was able to put in a 3 miler with 14:54 as my slowest mile and 11:48 as my fastest. I think I'm beginning to increase my stanima as it doesn't take me nearly as much to push myself to running. I'm actually starting to enjoy it again.

Even though my running is going well, my gym visits are not. It seems that when I excell at one thing, I totally fail at another. I haven't been to the gym in over a week and a half. There aren't any excuses for that, I just haven't been motivated to workout. Hopefully that will change in the coming days and I'll get back to doing both running and working out.

It's time for a new pair of shoes. My Shox have had it. Actually they have had it for quite some time now. So, my Aunt and I are headed up to the Fleet Feet in Jackson to see what we can find. We're going to let "the experts" find me the right shoe since I never thought my old pair were right for me. We also want to get them now so I can break them in before Disneyland. Hopefully with a new pair, they'll help me increase my time.

Well that's it for me. How's everyone else?

Ok... New Game Plan

Hi guys. By now, I'm sure all of you have heard about the tragic accident at Disney this week, so I won't get into that other than to say that my thoughts and prayers are with Austin's family and friends.


Ok, now on to my "see see what happen was..." moment....

As you probably remember, I said that I was going to start publishing trip reports today. Well as usual, I've decided to put it off for a little while. I don't have any pictures right now to add to the reports because my camera is on the fritz. My aunt has a lot of good pictures that I can use, but I have to get them. I should have them in a few days. So, when I get them, I'll start posting a day by day report along with my training updates. That way it will give you guys something to read other than my pointless babel on what I did at the gym and the park that day.

So be patient. The trip reports are coming! Tomorrow will be the race report, I hope....

For the most part, everything is well on the weight training front. I hit the gym pretty hard everyday last week and today, but I'm doing hardly any cardio and absolutely no running. That all changes tomorrow.

I've set up a new "Get Your Rear in Gear" marathon training plan. On this plan I go to the gym twice a day (once for cardio and once for weights... makes it easier on me) and to the park once in the morning. Here's a Sample of my plan:

Monday- Run 5 miles, 30 min on the Elliptical, 10 min on Stairmaster and Arms
Tuesday- Run 3 miles, 30 min on the Bike, 10 on Arm Bike and Chest
Wednesday- Run 6 miles, 30 on Elliptical, 10 on Stairmaster and Back and Shoulders
Thursday- Run 5 miles, 30 on Bike, 10 on Arm Bike and Arms
Friday- Run 2 miles, 30 on Elliptical, 10 on Stairmaster and Chest
Saturday- "Long Run" (depends on weekly goal) and Back and Shoulders

I take a break on Sunday, and do a different ab/oblique exercise everyday. Of course this plan will very from week to week. Like this week, I didn't do it other than the weights, but I'll pick it up tomorrow.

I have GOT to get my ass out there and running. I've only got 62 days before the Disneyland Half and I REFUSE to go on my first trip to Southern California as a fatassed Mississippian (again, WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WOOHOO!!! Oh wait....). I hate to fit into stereotypes. I really do.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Mongello everyone! I hope you all have a great 4th of July. Whether you're an American or not, Have a great day!

Ok... I'm Back...

... At least I hope I'm back. Again, I apologize for being such a bad Disney person lately. But I as of now, I am trying my very best to get back into the swing of things. I've been reading blogs, catching up on podcasts, and even visting the forums. Let's see if I can keep it up.

My plan for the blog is goes like this (we all know how I am with plans... fingers crossed):

Tomorrow, I want to put up my very late review of my last race. I had alot to say about it, but I've forgotten alot of it. Maybe I can recover some of my memories. I can at least post pictures if all else fails.

Then on the next day, I'm going to put up some reviews from my last Disney trip. Be forwarned... I really did not enjoy this trip as much as I normally do. Don't get me wrong, I had fun, but... well I'll get into that later.

Then starting on Monday, I'm hitting the training hard again, so I'll start posting my regular updates again.

Well that's it for tonight. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm still here. Hope you guys haven't bailed on me, haha! See you soon.