Actually I probably won't get to meet MY favorite Disney characters (cue 'Hot for Teacher' as I think of Daisy Duck again); like Dumbo (tough costume), Jiminy Cricket (who else could EVER sing 'When You Wish Upon A Star') Tramp (from 'Lady and the ...'), and Pongo from '101 Dalmatians'. What a great villainess in Cruella DeVille and such a great name, fun song too. Those are the ones I grew up with and can still watch for hours. Is there a more romantic scene ever than when Tramp and Lady are eating spaghetti out side of the 'ristorante' and they accidentally kiss, then he noses the meat ball to here while the 2 guys sing 'Bella Notte'...dang, *sniff* ahem, ANYWAY - So, I guess I'll just have to try to check out Snow White's cleavage as I run by. I actually will taper (okay, not 'taper', how about not run and REST) for 2 days (don't do as I DO, do as I SAY do) which is more than I got for Flying Monkey. KDS and I ran 5 miles this morning with 5 hill repeats as we build up to 10 repeats. Great workout! Dang, it would be fun if I wasn't living in Siberia. Hill repeats are a great 'break' from intervals, they build strength and if the distance is long enough (we went over 200 meters) you get interval 'benefits',plus strength. My heart rate went through the roof. The warm up and cool down was pretty up-tempo as well; I'm thinking it was (warm up) trying to actually warm up and (cool down) was trying to get back to the car before my sweat froze. We'll alternate these with 800's with mile repeats then add some up-tempo long runs. Not going to mention the 'weenie' who slept in....Laura. 'Time' is going to be a rare commodity for about 3 weeks with Boot Camp coming up, Mercedes Half Group, C25K, and my individuals as well. Got on the scales this morning and clocked in at 167! What a shock! I thought 172.5 was a bit heavy - but then I could have just been bloated, retaining water, from that 'time'...you know. I don't put much stock in scales, but sometimes numbers are the only way you can report information. My weight lies somewhere in between I'm sure, but I did smile this morning, came home and ate an orange (80 calories) for breakfast, I'm telling ya, I am serious! Good luck to those running Red Nose Run this weekend...layer, compression and base layer with one or 2 tops! 2 pair of gloves or even better gloves covered with mittens. Cover your ears and if your nose or cheeks get really cold try a slight 'film' of Vaseline over them. May not warm them but it'll keep them from 'chapping'. I'll try to blog from down there but I'm not taking my lap top, but if not I'll take notes. I do know this, gawd that place is expensive! Our tradition is a steak after a marathon and I looked into the (ahem) nicer (as it were) steak restaurants down there and those guys (price wise) make Flemings look like Milo's! Big shout out though to Shannon, one of my favorite people who in all honesty made this possible with her advice and contacts. As Bear Bryant used to say, "She's a good un." Hakuna Matata!