235

I’m not pleased with the number in the title of this post. That number is a result of a few different things. Following Dam to Dam last year, I was able at long last drop below the 200lb mark. I was happy and I had managed to find a nice balance of diet and exercise which kept me in that weight zone. Just prior to the Des Moines half marathon I had a few slip ups in food choices and noticed some weight gain. A couple of adjustment put me back on track and by race time all was good again.

After that October race two things happened.

First: I had injured my left arch and as a result my training dropped drastically. So much so that I dropped my version of running to Disney, off my blog. Why? Because I knew I was not going to make it. (For those of you wondering I made it just past Macon, Georgia. About 300 miles short)

Second: The stress at work began to really wear on me. Why a company waits to the end of the year to complete projects that must be done before the new year, is beyond me. It’s the same every year. But this year was much worse. The week prior to Disney was insane as our corporate office was screaming for HD channel additions. Never mind it’s the holidays and we are half staffed. The trouble arises because pencil pushers are not living in the shoes of those who understand the nuts and bolts of how things work. The phrase “If you make me do this, it will cause problems” does not register. Often the response (and I’m paraphrasing here) is “well just get a big shoe horn and make it work.” So my week at Disney without a company phone was a blessing. I believe I heard birds singing as I boarded the plane. Currently things at work are much better.

Needless to say injury meets stress did not have a positive effect on my weight. Less exercise and stress eating do not make a good combo. Having a touch of apathy about it is never a good sign either.

Coming down to Disney I knew my weight was up. I did not get on a scale out of the fear that Professor Ludwig Von Drake would be haunting my every foot fall regarding heel strike forces. Don’t laugh I’m serious.

So anyway when I returned home I did get on the scale. That is when I was shocked by a 35lb gain. I was expecting 20 at most. 35 pounds puts me right back where I was nearly two years ago when all this started. Now I could be ashamed and feel like I should just walk off into the distance. But I’m not going to do that. Even with this set back, this whole (God I hate using this word) “journey” has been such a positive. I have returned from Orlando reinvigorated and ready to reach for and achieve new goals.

Tomorrow, regardless of whether I post commentary or not, I will once more begin a daily column showing exercise and Weight Watcher points. I will also update the number at the top of this post at least once a week.

Team Voice, I know I’m not the first to say this but, you guys rock! Thank you for the inspiration that each of you, and I do mean EACH OF YOU provide. I draw something from all of you.

This post is already long so I will end for today. I will write about my Disney run experience on another post soon.

Team Voice Event Blog Announced

I know I need to post more about what is going on with me. And I will...
Trust me I need to.

Please do me a favor and give me some feed back. I have created virtualvoice.blogspot.com as a place to post our bigger virtual events. Please check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Team Voice Event Blog

Keeping Your Focus

I was going to give a report on how this are going here on the tundra but today is shaping up to be another busy one. Simply put I did my 3 miles late last night and I have completed 2/3 of Deb's alternate challenge. I will finish the push ups later today. Glad to receive so many email comments and to see the activity over in the forums. Looking forward to hearing from those of you getting out there today!

Here's a little more motivation.



Let's all remember that when things start looking fuzzy, we still have each other. Day by day, week by week. Through victories and pit falls we need to stay in touch and lift one another up. If you notice someone not posting or chiming in from time to time please send them a blog comment or an email. Let's make this a great year!

If Exercise Was Only This Fun

Finally got into my blog this morning. The darn thing thinks I'm Japanese. I finally figured out I can log in from the Google home page. Settings look ok but I don't get what's going on with it.

Here's is a video that's been around for some time. It's kinda fun. Hope everyone is doing ok. I will post more about things here later tonight.

Things I learned during our WDW 2009 Half Marathon Trip.

The Disney Marathon was more fun than I can express. Rather than rehashing all the details that others of you have already done so well. I thought I would put together a list of some of the things I learned during this trip. I am already looking forward to my next visit and beyond. Currently planning Mousefest for later this year and possibly Disneyland. No plans for the Disney half in 2010 but am looking at 2011. Many thanks to all of you for making this trip so special. Here's the list.

The phrase “We wants the red head” can strike fear into the heart of an impressionable young boy. Especially one with red hair.

Purchasing one of those clear lanyard tags for my Magic Your way card seemed like a good idea at the time.

Riding Space Mountain and having the lap bar unknowing shear off said tag from lanyard, can strike fear into the heart of an adult whom upon exiting the attraction realizes his park ticket/hotel key is missing.

Disney Cast Members who locate missing ticket on floor of rocket are priceless.

There is more wonder in the eyes of a child than a teenager. Although there were moments.

I attempted to forbid my kids from texting for the sake of a family vacation. Only to find myself experienced with how to use itap by trips end.

The Cheese soup at Le Cellier, really is delicious!

When dining at Whispering Canyon take the time to enjoy your diet coke. Other wise your waitress may bring you a larger glass and announce to everyone that the guy at table # 14 has a drinking problem.



Evidently the W in my last name stands for Wasowski. That’s Wasowski with one eye.

Seeing monorails pass overhead while running is really cool.

Samantha Brown was right. The Grand Marnier Orange Slush is yummy.

Dole Whips are better here than at the Iowa State Fair. Something about the atmosphere I think.

That other intro guy is a swell dude.

At these links you can look up your marathon photos. Half Full

Did I mention the Cheese soup at Le Cellier, really is delicious!

If your going to heat your pool in the winter. You might as well use it.

Seeing Lisa and Trace all dressed up and riding Big Thunder after their dinner at Victoria & Alberts. Priceless. (Wish I had a picture of that one.)

There is a hidden Tinkerbell outside Big Thunder.

At Epcot I learned that I can predict the future. (Well Sorta) This link will take you to a story I wrote over at Passamaquoddy last February.

Hanging out with friends that also have kids, makes the day more fun for everyone.

I have photographic evidence that giraffes do exist. This fella was right next to our safari truck.



And lastly, these people are great!

Amazing

With over a years worth of training, it is now time for the members of Team Voice to come together for the culmination of a dream shared.

For months now these team mates have supported each other through emotional ups, downs, physical, and dietary struggles. They have cheered, as each achieved personal victories.

Now with the end of this leg of the race in sight, team members must finished any last minute training, pack up the appropriate gear, and comply with the following instructions.


The Milk House, located at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex is a 70,000+ square-foot, state-of-the-art indoor facility and is one of the most comprehensive sports venues to be seen in decades. The Milk House features unprecedented flexibility, modern playing surfaces, custom athlete training areas, and unique design and construction. It is here, that team members will find their final clue.


After a few virtual runs during 2008, this roadblock marks the first "reality" run for Team Voice. If a team member fails to maintain a pace of at least a 16 minute mile, they face being swept from the race.


Hey everyone it has really been an amazing year. I am so proud to be part of Team Voice and I'm also proud of the accomplishments everyone has made this past year.
You guys rock. Travel safe and stay healthy. I'll see you in Walt Disney World and at the pit stop soon.

Oh and remember...

Remember, Keep Moving Forward!

Spectators Unite!

In the words of Ty Pennington "HELLO TEAM VOICE!"

Greetings and Happy New Year to everyone! I was chatting with Matt the other day and we were discussing where our families can go to see us run. I told him I was unsure because an earlier message from Disney Sports had me confused. Disney Sports had sent out an email about something they called "The Cheer Squad." This was a package that cost money. Now I'm not interested in shelling out $60 per family member so I quickly dismissed that email. Well evidently you do not need to pay for the "Cheer Squad" That appears to be some sort of option.

Anyway, I was browsing Disney's marathon page this morning and found this really cool tool for spectators. If you visit this link Marathon Spectator ViewBuilder you can enter your estimated pace and select from some view point options. The tool assumes that your spectators are at the start of the race with you and even gives details on how to best travel to the view points. You can print the result which includes all the details. With some pre planning, the tool could be used by those not at the starting line.


Note: The Marathon Spectator Tool is an estimate. Actual times may be affected by runners starting in different waves and corrals. Spectators should leave a wide time window to see the runner. Spectator travel time is based on an average walking pace. Runner travel time is based on the runner crossing the start line. MARATHON: Runner may take up to 15 minutes after the official Start time of 5:50 a.m. to cross the start line. HALF MARATHON: Runner may take up to 10 minutes to cross the start line after their official Wave Start time. (Wave 1 - 5:50 am, Wave 2 - 6:00 am, Wave 3 - 6:15 am)

I did not submit proof of time which means I will be in WAVE 3. So if the note above is correct I should be crossing the starting line at 6:25. The tool places me on Main Street USA one hour later at 7:25.