Monday, February 8, 2010

A Day of Firsts... sorta

Hey guys! I finally got my computer fixed! Huzzah! No more viruses (knock on wood). Now, I'm in the process of adding all of your blogs back into my "feeds" so I can keep checking in on you all. I'm pretty sure everyone's blogs are on my blog list, but I'm not sure. So check and make sure so I'll remember to "follow" you again. I had about 30 something blogs in my feed and now I can't remember where they are. Oh well... you guys are the important ones.

Today kind of feels surreal. I don't know why, but it does. I guess it has to do with the fact that I start my first "real and official" job today. That means that Uncle Sam knows about it and it's not a work-study. Its not what I wanted as I'm just a cashier at a local supermarket, but its a job so I'm happy about it.

What I'm not happy about is my performance this morning. Yes, I did get my lazy butt out of the bed at 5:30 am and went walking, but that's all I did. I walked. No running, no jogging, not even any wogging... just walking. And I only went 2 miles at that! And I am SORE! I shouldn't be like this... I feel like I did when I went for my first 2 miler about 3 years ago, except then I was happy and amazed I went 2 miles. Now I'm disappointed. I have got to fix this. I'm headed over to the gym in a few minutes to get some extra miles in on the bike and elliptical. At least I know I can do something on there.

Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to get to all of your blogs at some point today. If I don't post something, that means I haven't "found" your blog, so be sure to send me a link!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

The Bet

Hey guys! First of all, let me apologize for my very few, short posts. My computer has been infected with a really bad virus and I have yet to be able to fix it. Until I can, posts will be very few and far between. I am hoping that soon I can get rid of this Microsoft POS and go Apple. Only time will tell...

Anyway, on to today's topic...

Since I can't participate in this year's Princess Half, my aunt and I have come up with a bit of a contest. At 5:00 am CST on March 7th, I will be running 13.1 miles around my hometown. At the same time, my aunt will be running the Princess. In a since, we will be racing each other. If I win, she has to buy me a new pair of running shoes. If she wins, I have to prep and plant her flowerbeds and yard for the spring. Although I do enjoy yard work, I really really want those running shoes!

I have to prove that I did run that morning, so I'll have to get pictures.

I think this will be fun. Yeah, I'll be in boring Redneck Hell, and she'll be in WDW but it'll be fun none the less. I figure there will be taunting along the way so that should be amusing.

Would any of you like to do this with me? You don't have to get up as early as I am, but for those of you on the East Coast, it wouldn't be too hard I wouldn't think. I think it would be kinda cool if all of us are out running a half "virtually" together.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Just Some Announcements

Hey guys, I've had some things on my mind so I thought I would share them with you.

The Princess Half Marathon- Let's recap on what was going on here. My cousin is signed up to run this race, but she is getting married the next week, so she has decided not to participate in it. That left her entry open and she offered it to me (yes we realize that's not exactly legal, but in today's PC world, I doubt seriously they would say anything...). I would have to find a way to get down there and get a room and of course, any park tickets I chose to buy. It seemed like a good, fun thing to do, but due to some conflicts and finances, I will NOT be doing the Princess this year. The race is not during my Spring Break, so I would have to fly down Friday night, run the race on Sunday and then fly out as soon as the race was over. Just seems very tiring and the cost is crazy just for a 2 day trip.

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon- Why is this race start with "Disney" when the others start with "Disney's"? I just found that interesting. Anyway... As long as finances hold out, I will be doing this race. This race is more practical because, it should take place during my Fall Break, which will allow me to turn this into a mini vacation, which I'm excited about. Also, did you know that (from my research) the rooms for this race actually cost less than the same rooms during the Princess? I found that interesting. I just found this race more doable, so why not?

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge- As of now, I've started training for the Goofy. However, I'm still unsure as to whether or not I will actually be able to make it down for marathon weekend (I've explained why before). But I am still serious about at least doing the training for it. I'm also seriously thinking about turning this into a Dopey. Still not sure, but since I'm training to do 39.3 miles, why not tack on an extra 3.1?

Monday, January 25, 2010

One Crazy Week

Well, maybe more like two weeks, but crazy none the less. I've had all evening LSAT prep classes, new classes, adjusting to a new schedule, fighting with Residence Life, moving to a new dorm room, and a computer virus... Ugh! So, Sorry I haven't really been around, I've been reading blogs and commenting when I can (or my computer would allow) but things around here have been insane! This week should be better.

I finally joined the gym and went for a walk today. Only got two miles in, but I intend on going to the gym and getting some miles in the pool and on the bike and elliptical later today. This campus is just so damn hilly! It's going to take me a few weeks to get readjusted to the terrain, so short walks will all I'll be able to muster in the meantime. Hopefully it won't take me too long.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Just a Few Announcements

Hey guys! Just wanted to fill you guys in on some things that I've decided to do to. Here they go:

1. I've mentioned this on some blogs and many of you know already, but to make it official, I have decided that I am going to train for the 2011 Goofy Challenge. Notice that I said train. I'm still unsure what will be going on next January since it should be my first semester of Law School and I'm not sure if finances will hold up. But, assuming that all works out, I will be down there participating in the race. If they don't, then no worries, I'm still going to do the training!

2. Again, scheduling and finances permitting, "I" will not be running in the Princess Half Marathon, but my cousin who is registered but can't make it will be!

3. I am going to try my best to be in the World for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in October. This race seems very cool and it's during a time of year that I have never been, so I'm really looking forward to this race.

4. This is the main announcement I wanted to make today. I have decided to join in with Jonathan, Justin, Chris, Mike, Trace, and Jeff and run to a Disney Park in one year. Since everyone else lives on the opposite side of the country from WDW and I'm not all that far away, I've decided to run to Disneyland. For me that will be 1,874 miles. Now... I am going to try to get there by December 31, but if I don't make it, I'm not going to beat myself up. I'll get there when I get there, haha!

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The 2010 Walt Disney World Half Marathon

Mongello! I am back from my vacation at Disney's Snowy Tundra Resort... Yeah, this morning, I was in Walt Disney World and now I'm sitting in a dorm room. Oh well, I'll be back soon enough (more in a moment).

All in all, I had a great trip. Family and weather payed a toll but it was still a very good trip. I'll post the trip report tomorrow, but I want to do the race report tonight.

I'll just say it... This race SUCKED!!! Saturday morning had to have been one of the most miserable times of my life! I did the parks commando style all throughout the trip. I know, big mistake, but I just could help it. So, I didn't get back to the room until around 10:00 Friday night. I went straight to bed upon my arrival to my room. And there I laid, and I laid and I laid.... Finally I just got up and read until about 1:30. At this point I attempted to go back to sleep and I laid and I laid and I laid... until 3 am, where I was wide ass awake waiting for the alarm to go off. So, NO sleep...

I get up and take a shower and get dressed. My aunt and I are ready in 10 minutes... The rest of the family? Not even close...

We didn't make it to our rendezvous point until 3:45ish. This causes my aunt and I to get upset (mind you I'm on no sleep and no food) so we're snapping and they're snapping until it's all one big bitch fit. So, we finally make it onto the bus after 4:00, just barely making it in time. Grandparents are pissed because I won't sit with them, parents are upset because I can't sit with them (this is a normal Disney vacation when I'm involved... guess I'm just that lovable) so again, another bitch fit ensues...

We get to Epcot... everyone has calmed down by now. We start walking toward the Family Reunion Area. My Dad asks me "What is that up there?" (referring to the spotlights) I tell him. Then Mom asks "What is that?" (referring to the spotlights). I tell her. Then when we arrive, while looking at the big sign that says "Family Reunion Area", Grandma asks "What is that?" ... yeah, just another average occurrence on a Weeks family vacation...

Anywho... I have no idea what time it was by the time we got into the area, but people were already headed to the Start Line... So I "herded the cats" over that way with my Aunt while I attempted to find the Team Voicers. But I assumed y'all had left because when I got to the "V" no one I recognized was there, so I left to find my aunt.

Fast forward... I'm with my aunt in corrale G (which we were pissed that we were placed in G when I was in like E last year). We were angry because we missed the audio portion of the start. The speaker where we were wasn't working so we missed the anthem and the count down and start of the first wave. Then, it started BLARING afterward... I was totally deaf in my right ear by the time we moved away from the speaker.

Then the third wave crossed the start line then everything was fine... extremely cold, but good. My aunt and I kept up a good pace up until the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza, but then had to slow down because I had a cramp in my side and didn't speed back up until we reached the Contemporary. Once in the Magic Kingdom, my aunt and I were separated because I had to stop and tie my shoe in Frontierland and she didn't hear me and kept running. As I was trying to catch up (doing very very well and had run almost a mile) to her in the congested/narrow portion of the course leaving the Magic Kingdom I was hit hard!

I came up to these two ladies walking together. There was just enough room for me to squeeze through so I did... and when I did, within two seconds I got two hits. One hard hit in my side (so hard that I thought she broke my rib) and another right square in the groin. I thought I was going to die and I didn't know which hurt more! The two ladies were very apologetic and very embarrassed, so that in itself calmed me down so I wasn't pissy with them at all.

After that ordeal, I slowed way down and never gained back my strength. I was in extreme pain from head to toe, my lips were so cold I was drooling and my arms and legs were numb... not to mention the "shoe burn" I was experiencing. By the time we reached the finish line, we were both absolutely miserable. But we did finish and finished in 3:01. We weren't all that happy with the time, but all things considered, I thought we did great.

Medal distribution went pretty smoothly, and I think that is owed mostly to the fact that people didn't have to stand in line to have their chips removed. However, food distribution was a total nightmare! Who in the hell thought it would be a good idea to have a "square" table the entire length of the tent with just a small path around it? It was just mass confusion and chaos! It was insane and I really can't describe it all that great, but trust me!

We were wanting to stay and watch the rest of my family finish, but my aunt and I were so tired and miserable that we just went to the buses, which was another nightmare in itself... For the Pop bus, 5 lines formed to board one bus... again, craziness!!! I was SO thankful when we made it back to the hotel! SOO SOO HAPPY! Then I took a long hot shower and went back to the parks! haha!

As for the rest of the family, everyone but one finished the race. My Grandpa came in third in our group followed by my mom and dad. My grandmother had to drop out at mile 11... yes... mile 11. She said that there was no way should could make it up the hills at the end and she nearly passed out, so I think she did the right thing. The woman is 68 years old by the way, so I say she did excellent... So much in fact that I'm thinking of giving her my medal. My mother did finish, but just barely. She nearly passed out at the finish line and the medics had to get her to the medical tent. She was fine and she did finish so I've extremely proud of her... However, this will be her first and last race, as she said "Anyone who does this to themselves is crazy!"

Now comes my Dad... I wake up to a phone call this morning from a overly cheerful grandmother telling me that they are at (and had been for quite some time) Celebration Hospital because they think my dad is having an appendicitis attack. As usual, no one ever tells me anything, so I had no idea until it was over and I didn't know anything because I was in transit most of the day. Turns out he has a kidney stone and it's trying to pass. So, he's fine, just gave me a scare this morning.

So, this race was the race from hell for me and my family and I'm sure many others agree with me! Had it not been for the fact that I had family in the race and I wasn't going to let them beat me, and my aunt being there to push me, I would have quit. I had never been in so much pain in my life! But I did finish, and I am proud of each and every person who ran/walked/or crawled this race.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

It's Almost Time!!!

MONGELLO!!! I will be leaving for Walt Disney World tomorrow and I am SO FRICKIN' EXCITED!!! So much so that I'm writing a pre-trip report at 3 am... oh well, here it goes.

Monday- Head out around 12ish (as soon as my mom gets off work) and drive as far as possible. We're hoping to make it to at least Tallahassee if not farther.

Tuesday- Leave where ever we make it to, head south through the famed former orange groves of Central Florida and arrive at Pop Century and check in at around 3 or so. (Who else is staying here?)

After we check in, we'll head over to the Magic Kingdom and ride the monorail. We have a tradition in our family where we will do this when we don't have time to go to a park but do have some time to kill. We'll get to the TTC and ride the Epcot monorail round trip and then get on the Resort Monorail and Resort hop. This time though we have to get off at the Magic Kingdom and ride the ferry over to the Wilderness Lodge and show him that Resort as he has never seen it (he hasn't been in over 15 years).

After all that, if there is time, wonder over to Downtown Disney West Side and eat dinner at House of Blues, then meander around until we reach the Marketplace then head back to the hotel and crash.

Wednesday- FIRST PARK DAY! I always like to start my Disney vacations at the Magic Kingdom. It just feels right to me. So my parents and I will be here at rope drop and spend a good portion of the day there. At some point that afternoon we're going to hit Animal Kingdom since they are having evening Extra Magic Hours that night. Hopefully we'll get to do everything that we want to do here then.

Thrusday- I really think that this day will be my "free day". I really have nothing planned and I'm ditching the family! I may possibly do Epcot as I really don't mind doing this park solo. I do have ADRs with the family at Chef Mickey's for 5:30 that I do intend on keeping (as I've never been there), but other than that, I'll be free. So shoot me a text and maybe a group of us can hang out some.

Friday- This will probably be Expo Day for us. Since most of us (except for me and my aunt) are running our first half, I have to attempt to get navigate my family through Packet Pickup and the Expo (I say attempt because ordering your parents and grandparents around for their benefit is like herding cats... and they say children are difficult...) I have no idea how long this will take, but I'm hoping that we'll get there at opening and be in and out.

After that I may ditch the family again. If my aunt comes solo, I will more than likely be with her, but if not, I may be solo again, so text me and maybe we can hangout again. I have ADRs for Coral Reef at 4:25, but I'm thinking of canceling. I haven't decided yet. Yeah the idea of dining in an aquarium room sound cool, but I'm not that big on "fancy" seafood. Give me fried catfish any day!

Saturday- RACE DAY! We all know the drill, so it doesn't need to be mentioned here!

After the race, again, assuming that my aunt is there solo, Her and I intend on drinking around the world again. We did this in June and had a blast! We'll probably head straight back to the room after the race to change then head right back to Epcot for this.

After I'm completely s***faced (haha, not really, we share everything so I'm tipsy at the worst) I'm hoping that I can find my way over to Aloha Isle in the Magic Kingdom for the Dole Whip Meet and then the Jungle Cruise Meet. Again, assuming that I can be released from my cat herding job I should be there and hopefully get to see all of you for sure there.

At 7:00 I have ADRs at 'Ohana, so I'll hop on the Monorail, get to the Poly, fill up then head right back to the Magic Kingdom and hopefully catch Spectro and Wishes before calling it a night. This is my last night in the World, so I may skip 'Ohana so I can spend more time in the parks, but their food is so good! It's a hard decision!

Sunday- Hop on Magical Express and fly back to Redneck Hell...