See You Real Soon...

[thndrmatt]

Hot off the presses, my Ironman Florida 70.3 race report is up!

On a completely unrelated note, I'm deploying sooner rather than later. This race was my last hurrah until I get back in a few months. I'll miss keeping up on the boards, and I do hope the times I get on the internet over there I'll have at least 23849724 pages of postings on the weekly threads to catch up with. ;)

As always this group has been quite an inspiration. Since discovering it and deciding to run the Disneyland Half Marathon last year and introduce myself to everyone there, it's been a busy eight months or so.

Two 5ks, one 8k, three 10ks, two 15ks, eight(!) half marathons, one marathon, one metric century ride, two sprint triathlons, and one Ironman 70.3.

And during all of them, I was thinking about the different mental and physical challenges we all face, and although our times/distances/goals might vary, we all have the will. Motivation is where we sometimes falter, and knowing we're all in this together is the best motivation for me. Although I won't be able to carry over my WISH shirt and represent over yonder, I'll know people are wearing it all over the country during my absence.

Edit: And yes, I'll be back for ToT and Goofy of course, depending on when my second deployment is...

[Kristi1357]

Take care, Matt! I will be missing your posts. :hug:
Does this mean you should be back in time for ToT?

And THANK YOU!

[Big Vic]

Keep your head down and your powder dry.

[MouseDogMom]

Matt - Take care - and be careful! We'll miss you, and your always entertaining race reports.

Jackie

[DianeL]

Take care Matt!!!! and btw what an amazing racing year you've had! WOW!

[gatorphipps]

WOW Matt! Be real careful! We will all miss you, but will look forward to seeing you at ToT and WDW 08...well if I go. Congrats on your 1/2 Ironman! I say you will be doing a full soon..you know you will.;)

Tell DW to post so she won't be lonely and also so she can keep us updated on you.

[Calcio]

Matt

You've been one of my inspirations this year, keeping me pushing it instead of lounging while I'm in my running shoes. Otherwise I'll never keep up with you.

Let us all know when you get in and where you are staying for Tower of Terror and Goofy. At one or the other, or if I'm lucky both, I'd like to sit down with you and treat you to a drink or drinks of your choice.

Craig

[Kristi1357]

Tell DW to post so she won't be lonely and also so she can keep us updated on you.
Yeah, please tell Cheryl to post while you are gone (and when you are around too ;) )!

[wfloyd]

Take care Matt, we will be anxiously awaiting your return.

[nucpharm29]

Matt--you will be missed! It was nice to meet you and your DW, although briefly, at Minnie this year. Can't wait to have you back with us for ToT and Goofy (although I will only be doing the Mickey portion!;) )

[ultramickeymouse]

My DW & I enjoyed meeting you at Minnie. Take care! See you at ToT and Goofy:)

[Mouse Skywalker]

Take care Matt. Thank you for all you do for us. Keep in touch if you can. We'll be thinking of you. Hope to meet you at a race in the future!

[Cindylou]

Matt,

Best WISHes to you. Take care of yourself.

Cindy

[Honeibee]

Oh Matt, please be careful. We will REALLY miss you here. I concur that DW should post (she should anyway!).

Thank you so much. I mean that. :hug: I for one really REALLY appreciate what you do.

[keenercam]

Matt -- We will miss you here, and we WISH you a safe and speedy return. What fun it was to meet Cheryl at the POP gathering in January and to see you both at the Minnie. It is so good to know we can look forward to seeing you in just over 5 months, and we will keep you in our prayers.

Please tell Cheryl to keep in touch with us. We'd love to see her posting. mrstropicana, right? We'll be looking for her, with arms wide open :hug: and huge smiling faces :) .

[princessmomma]

Please tell Cheryl to keep in touch with us. We'd love to see her posting. mrstropicana, right? We'll be looking for her, with arms wide open :hug: and huge smiling faces :) .

Yes, Matt, please tell Cheryl to keep in touch. It was so good to meet her at the WISH meet in January. Sorry we didn't get a chance to meet then. Congratulations on all your races this year and on your Ironman! See you in January 08 and take care until then!:goodvibes

Colleen

[HMHunters]

You'll be taking lots of prayers and thoughts from the DIS with you. Please tell your DW to come here for support and maybe even a laugh or two!

[wtpclc]

Matt & Cheryl - Prayers for both of you and thanks for what you put yourselves through. :grouphug: Both of you keep us posted when you can. We'll be thinking of you. CAn't wait to see you both at ToT!!!!

[KeenHo]

Matt:

Buddy - take care and keep training! My Marathon partner Kevin Z. is now deployed. He and I are "training" together across the miles. I hope you get the opportunity to get some miles in.

It was a true pleasure to meet you a few times now and to even run a couple hundred yards with you in January. Had I known you were just ahead of me in Disneyland, I would have caught up to you and run it in with you.

Take care, you will be in our thoughts and prayers.

All the best,

Howard

[Tiger Lily 03]

Matt, PD and Prayers your way for a safe return. I look forward to seeing you in October.

Thanks for all you do.

[hockeygirl]

Matt--we will miss you here on the boards! Even though I haven't been here very long, I have loved reading your race reports, you are truly and inspiration! We will all be thinking of you here!

[windwalker]

Matt, we look forward to meeting you in Oct at the ToT event. Never lose faith in what you do, freedom is not free it is bought with the courage of our warriors.

Dave

[kareneast]

Matt - Thank you for what you do! Be Safe & Be Careful! I look forward to seeing you in October & January.