12 Minutes, Baby!

I accomplished something on Saturday that I don't think I've ever done before in my life -- I ran a 12-minute mile!!

It was very exciting for me, one of those little milestones we all have in our heads. Now, it was just one mile, and I don't have any plans to keep it up for 13! I still need to pace myself to survive the race -- but it was cool to do it this week.

Hope you all reach a fun milestone this month!

So So Week

Unfortunately I've had a so-so week of exercise, and not a good week on Weight Watchers. But I've improved in the last few days, and am focused today on making it a good day with both food and exercise.

Now that we're getting closer to THE RACE, a so-so day or week feels like a lost opportunity! But sometimes that's just the way it goes.

In a few weeks, I am lucky enough to be going to MouseFest again this year. I've been working on my schedule -- boy, is it tough trying to make exercise/running a priority amongst all the meets!!

Most days I'm planning on 7 a.m. runs -- luckily I only have one late night scheduled, the AATM Jellyrolls meet. But I've got to squeeze in some weight training at the gym too -- that's going to be all over the place, time-wise.

I'm actually thinking about wearing one of those surgical masks on the plane! I'm starting to get paranoid about not getting sick between now and THE RACE.

Happy Friday everyone!!

What A Year!

One year ago, I was listening to podcasts and living a normal life. I had finally become addicted to the gym and had slimmed down and toned up, and was pretty happy with how things were going. I was an early AATM listener, and had emailed Bryan and Jonathan a few times, and I had started to read a few blogs, especially those from other Mouseketeers.

And then a few weeks later, an unexpected work trip to Tampa got me close enough to WDW at the right time, and I was able to experience my first MouseFest. And then my life changed!

To start with, I was amazed that I could walk up to a group of strangers and almost instantly fit in. Secondly, I was amazed at how quickly long-distance friendships could be developed.

But the most important thing that happened at MouseFest was that Rae and Kate and Jonathan (and probably a few others) talked me into training for the 2008 Half Marathon!

And now, here I am a year later. I have 10-12 new Disney Internet friends whom I love to bits! And I have turned into a quasi-runner, and reached 13 miles once so far! And as I mentioned last time, have finally moved off a weight plateau.

But more importantly than the running and weight, I've learned that I can actually stick to something longer than a week, and I can reach a goal -- especially when I have friends to support me like Team Voice has this year!

So thank you all for a wonderful year!! You've made this birthday one of my best ever!!!

Winter!

Well it has snowed here in Michigan, and I am wearing my wool coat, so it's officially winter up here! It was only about an inch, but it took me 3 hours to get to work instead of the normal 1 hour! The first snow always confuses both drivers and the goverment officials who decide to send the salt trucks out -- hence the 3 hour drive!

Winter means back into the gym for my weekly long runs -- which as you all know is not that fun on a treadmill. But now I'm working on speed more than miles to build up my cardio more, so it will be time well spent.

I did 4 miles this past Saturday and only had minor moments of boredom, since one of my gym buddies was beside me. (I know 4 miles is not long, but I have to build back up my mental stamina to put up with the boredom! This coming Saturday will be 4.5 miles, then I'll keep adding til the end of the year.)

I'm also running during the week now, instead of just cross-training. My legs and knees are strong enough now to handle multiple days of running, so that will help my miles.

I think I mentioned Weight Watchers a few posts ago. I had my third weigh-in this week, and I really thought it would be a week of +/- a pound -- no big loss. But lo and behold, I was down another 2 pounds.

Considering I've been on a weight plateau for about 7 months, despite all the workouts and running, it has been wonderful to lose weight again!! In three weeks, I've lost 9 pounds! That's "Rae numbers"!!!!!

Hope everyone else is doing well, moving forward, and focused! Let's do this!!

Trio Of Gems

Here's a heads up on three gems -- one old, and two new!

There's a podcast named Motivation To Move that I highly recommend. It's a great combo of tips (exercise and eating), as well as some really good perspectives on the mental part of what we are all dealing with. Check it out if you are interested in a fitness podcast.

Now, the new. The Henson.com podcast has a wonderful short video that is Halloweenish, is filmed on the Henson lot (Charlie Chaplin's old studio, if I remember correctly) and a Muppet! Very enjoyable!

And lastly, a short Disney podcast that I am really enjoying right now is Communicore Online. It runs about 10-15 minutes, is very funny and very well done. Paul Barrie recently ran a promo on his show, which made me check it out. It's high on my list now.

That's it for today!

A Little Less Crazy

Tuesday was a chilly morning in Orlando, so we bundled up and headed over to AK. Did the safari first, and saw hippos, black and white rhinos. Our truck had to stop for a giraffe to cross the road! We also saw one of the baby giraffes, and the baby elephant. I even saw an ostrich for the first time in a long time.

But the best was both cheetahs, each sitting up on a boulder in the sun, pretty close to the road! They just sat there, majestic and beautiful in the sun! We've seen them before, but always up in the trees way back in their area. It was an amazing sight!

(We also had a great driver. I need to write a letter about her and our France waiter.)

Then on to Everest for some fast passes. Then we headed to Rafiki's Planet Watch (or Conservation Station, as we still call it.) We haven't been up there for awhile, so it was nice to visit again. I got a picture with Pochahantas, who was hanging out up there with Rafiki. Also some great little reptiles and amphibians in various exhibits. Then we popped outside (still chilly) to see what was in the Affection Section. Lots of goats and two miniature donkeys that were doing all they could to convince their keepers that they wanted to get back inside their stalls! But back to the goats. There were a few kids who were sitting down on the ground, with goats' heads in their laps taking naps!

A little handwashing and a short train ride, and then we headed to the tiger trail. I never get tired of looking at those big cats!

And then on to the bird show, which I insisted Dwain see for the first time. It really is a great, great show. Some humor, and some eco-inspiration. See it next time you're there!

After that, it was time for Everest -- which was almost too much for me! Don't ask me about the Yeti, because my eyes were closed pretty much starting at the backwards section, and until we got close to the end! Wow!

We were planning to head to the Rainforest bar to eat lunch, but decided to check Yak & Yeti since we were walking by. Lo and behold we walked right in at 12:30 with no ADR. Food was good, building was amazing!

A little shopping on our way out of AK, then back to the hotel to rest, do a little packing and get ready for dinner -- and the Mouse Guest Experience/ AATM Giraffe Hunt meet.

After dinner, we bundled up again and headed to the AK Lodge. We had a great turnout, maybe about 20 or so. We chatted for awhile in the lobby and then headed downstairs. Don't tell Jonathan, but the only thing on the savannah was one hooved animal laying down and some birds! I think Bryan's going to put some of the recording up on the podcast.

Then up to the warmth of the bar, and some more chatting and hanging out. If you weren't there for this, rest assured you'll get to enjoy the company in January when we all meet for the race!

All that was left was some late night packing and early morning packing for me, and I headed off on Magical Express to come back to Michigan -- where the temp is only a little colder than Florida was!

Dwain is continuing his vacation solo for another two days. He'll hit Rock N Roller and Thunder Mtn again -- and who knows what else!

Crazy Disney

Hi everyone! Although it's a short trip for me, and I did not intend to cram a lot in while I was here, it's been a little crazy -- like all Disney trips can be!

I arrived on Sunday afternoon, took Magical Express to the Boardwalk, dumped my stuff and walked over to the Studios to meet my husband Dwain.

We had a nice, enjoyable stroll around DHS, rode Star Tours and watched the Muppets. We also kept looping by Toy Story Mania to check the wait time - generally around 90-120 minutes. He did not want to stand in line for that long. But I finally convinced him later in the evening -- and he loved it of course!!

On Monday, we popped over to Epcot and ate and drank around the Food and Wine Festival with the Mouse Guest gang. It was a nice leisurely stroll on a sunny day. Bryan, Dustin and Marissa were there to represent the Mouseketeers. (And aside from the Mango Mousse, it didn't kill my Weight Watchers points for the day!)

Dwain and I had an early dinner at France, and had a wonderful waiter who I chatted with using my high school French! He was great -- I'm going to write a letter about him to WDW! It's one of my husband's favorite Disney restaurants, and we denoted it as his official birthday dinner -- without the hoopla -- he hates hoopla -- I love hoopla! His birthday is October 31, yes, Halloween.

After that, we hopped the monorail over to MK which was going to be open until 11. We met Rae, her husband Eric, their friends from England and Bryan. We all rode Space Mtn first, then the England crew headed back to the hotel. The five us continued a leisurely, Florida night stroll around MK. After Space, we stopped at Mrs. Potts for my traditional choc/van swirl cone. Then on to Haunted, Thunder and Pirates. We wanted to do Jungle Cruise also, but it was closed.

Then we headed to the Partners statue -- another tradition of mine -- I always have to say thank-you and goodbye to Walt and Mickey on my last MK night. We also lucked out and saw the goodnight kiss from the castle, which I had never seen before.

And then we headed down Main Street to our buses -- standing room only, of course -- and back to the hotel to collapse!

I work out, I run -- how can my legs be so tired and achey after a Disney day?!!!!??