TEAMS and TEAM Captains

[windwalker]

The teams were originally set up to run till the 31st of December. That is coming on quickly. The idea of the teams was to help keep everyone motivated and to have a home place to share our experiences. I hope that everyone enjoyed having them.

My team the Hakuna Matata team are going to wear special pins that one of our team members made to identify each other. But that is up to each team what if anything they want to do.

The teams need to decide if they want to continue after the marathon weekend or Febuary 1st like last time. Decide and vote on it and let me know if y'all want to continue.

It was decided that there would be no prizes for the team with the most miles and hours of training. But I hope everyone has WON by being in better shape than last year and that everyone has a good time at the races.

Thank you for the opportunity to help out with the teams.

Dave:hippie:

[bubba73]

Dave

I can tell you for myself, I have gotten in the best shape of my life trying to go that extra mile each week. I have actually dropped a total of 40 pounds since this thing started. Plus, thru some coercing from some teammates and friends, I am about to do my first Half. I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of one of the teams.

I will tell you this too. There is a lot of class on these teams. A lot of times in a competition, one team may try to bash another to try to get the upperhand. I have seen teammates from all teams go across the lines to help, encourage and even praise each other. That is one of the purest forms of selflessness that is left in the world. It is also one of the things that set the "Disney" crowd apart from the rest of the world.

Thanks again Dave!
Bryan
Team Triple D's

[windwalker]

Dave

I can tell you for myself, I have gotten in the best shape of my life trying to go that extra mile each week. I have actually dropped a total of 40 pounds since this thing started. Plus, thru some coercing from some teammates and friends, I am about to do my first Half. I thank you for the opportunity to be a part of one of the teams.

I will tell you this too. There is a lot of class on these teams. A lot of times in a competition, one team may try to bash another to try to get the upperhand. I have seen teammates from all teams go across the lines to help, encourage and even praise each other. That is one of the purest forms of selflessness that is left in the world. It is also one of the things that set the "Disney" crowd apart from the rest of the world.

Thanks again Dave!
Bryan
Team Triple D's


Thank you Bryan, I agree that there are a lot of world class folks on here.

Dave:hippie:

[Tiger Lily 03]

I know our team has enjoyed the time doing this and we have been talking of staying together.

Dave, it was a good idea you had with this to help us through the year.

[suzannews]

Hi Tiger Lily 03 :wave2:



Dave....I just wanted to say thank you for being in charge of the teams, what an incredible year I have had because of it. Without my team, I don't think I would have stuck with any training and doing the 1/2 in January would have seemed like an impossible dream. I feel like I have truly made life long friends and can never thank them enough for getting me to this point. Yeah SUPER GOOFS!!

[Creativebeth]

Thanks Dave for the time and effort you put into this competition. Thanks to Lisa for all the time it took to keep track of the Super Goofs! I enjoyed it and logged alot of time and miles to boot!

Beth

[funwalker]

Thanks, Dave!

I appreciate all the time & effort you spent organizing, encouraging, and motivating us .

I put in a lot of miles that I would not have pushed for if it were not for the TEAM. We did not do it for a prize, really not even to win by getting in the most miles or time, but to help our TEAM be the Best We Can Be!

We are ALL winners - Miles, Times, Health, & Friendships. :grouphug:

I like our TEAM - TEAM MATES and many of them have left forever footprints on my life.

So looking forward to meeting many of them in person in January! :cool1:

[dsnyfan21]

Hey Dave: Thanks from me for all you have done with organinzing the teams!!!!
I started out a bit late with them, but was great to keep up with everyone.
Like Lily my fellow Warrior stated, our team really would like to stay together and all of us have offered our lovely leader Carrie to take turns each month tallying the miles and times. We have become close in our little group.

Thanks again, Tracy

[windwalker]

It shouldn't be a problem keeping the teams going at all. We would just have to have the Captains to keep you rowdy princesses in line. Once we have firm captains we can update the rosters with who wanted to stay.

Party Panda:hippie:

[lenshanem]

First, thank you for all your work Panda. :goodvibes

I have to say, though that I don't think the team I was on really took off. We posted totals and that was about it (and several never really did come post totals). I feel like I missed many people this past year on the weekly thread cause they stuck to their own team thread. It was almost like many people I used to enjoy reading their posts literally disappeared. I even wondered at one point if they were still here. I'm sorry to say that I don't feel like I got anything out of it and I actually missed many people. If we continue this I probably won't bother. I do have to thank our team captain who came in midway and kept up with our totals. I know that was alot of work, we just didn't form any connections within our group like others did. It was kinda like being left out.

Sorry, don't mean to be a downer! :sad2:

[smileyk8]

Third little warrior reporting for action next year. I LOVE our team, feel we support each other so well and know i would never ever ever have registered for a half let alone a whole marathon without their amazing and unconditional positive attitudes.

So sorry your team didn't take off lenshanem, maybe another team could adopt you!!!!

Dave- your idea truly turned my unfit life around and i'm not sure thank you really covers it.... but THANK YOU :hug:

[windwalker]

First, thank you for all your work Panda. :goodvibes

I have to say, though that I don't think the team I was on really took off. We posted totals and that was about it (and several never really did come post totals). I feel like I missed many people this past year on the weekly thread cause they stuck to their own team thread. It was almost like many people I used to enjoy reading their posts literally disappeared. I even wondered at one point if they were still here. I'm sorry to say that I don't feel like I got anything out of it and I actually missed many people. If we continue this I probably won't bother. I do have to thank our team captain who came in midway and kept up with our totals. I know that was alot of work, we just didn't form any connections within our group like others did. It was kinda like being left out.

Sorry, don't mean to be a downer! :sad2:


I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with your team. One of the problems with doing something like this is that life issues to come up that over ride the fun stuff. Some of our captains had real life issues that came up during their time as captains. When such real life issues do arise then things like a fun team really don't even come close in importance.

One of the discussions that led to the creation of the teams was that the daily thread was so big that it had become almost impossible to keep up with. Also there were a lot of people who lurked who were intimidated by the hugeness of the whole thing, so the teams gave them a way to get involved without getting lost in the vastness.

If we do continue the teams then any suggestions to make it better would certainly be welcome. I'm not the smartest guy around, just one that is a take the bull by the horns kinda person.

Thank you.

Dave

[windwalker]

I know our team has enjoyed the time doing this and we have been talking of staying together.

Dave, it was a good idea you had with this to help us through the year.

Your insight went a long way to making the team idea work as well as it did.

Thanks.:hug:

Grateful Panda:hippie:

[windwalker]

Third little warrior reporting for action next year. I LOVE our team, feel we support each other so well and know i would never ever ever have registered for a half let alone a whole marathon without their amazing and unconditional positive attitudes.

So sorry your team didn't take off lenshanem, maybe another team could adopt you!!!!

Dave- your idea truly turned my unfit life around and i'm not sure thank you really covers it.... but THANK YOU :hug:


Does that mean I have a hug coming at the Pop gathering?:yay:

Happy Panda:hippie:

[smileyk8]

Does that mean I have a hug coming at the Pop gathering?:yay:

Happy Panda:hippie:

you would if i was there in Jan or if you can fly to the UK!!! hey come in March and i'll be more than willing to give you a big thank you squeeze :rotfl:

[lenshanem]

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience with your team. One of the problems with doing something like this is that life issues to come up that over ride the fun stuff. Some of our captains had real life issues that came up during their time as captains. When such real life issues do arise then things like a fun team really don't even come close in importance.

One of the discussions that led to the creation of the teams was that the daily thread was so big that it had become almost impossible to keep up with. Also there were a lot of people who lurked who were intimidated by the hugeness of the whole thing, so the teams gave them a way to get involved without getting lost in the vastness.

If we do continue the teams then any suggestions to make it better would certainly be welcome. I'm not the smartest guy around, just one that is a take the bull by the horns kinda person.

Thank you.

Dave


I don't blame any of the captains at all, far from - I appreciate their time in keeping up with the totals. And I totally understand when real life takes priority. I can't always come and post on here, either. It was just our group many keep disappearing, few ever posted totals and there was never any bond made between anyone. Not saying we didn't have alot of nice people in our group, but it just never really took off.

Because the other groups did take off they became like their own little cliques and I depended on the weekly thread to keep up with the WISH vibe. Unfortunately, the weekly thread went from many people to hardly anyone. So it was very much like being left out. I really wondered where many people went. True, the weekly thread was hard to keep up with, but I still got to pop in every once in awhile and catch up with people. I enjoyed it.

I guess my group could be broken up and split upon the other groups. There probably aren't many people to even distribute.

I just feel like the private little groups didn't really make for a very welcoming feeling on the WISH forum. Instead, it leaves some people out. I'm definitely in the minority here apparently in my feelings, so overall I guess it was a huge success for most.

[princessrunner]

Dave, I feel that the teams have been a great bonus addition to the WISH boards!! I think your idea has been a terrific one and I would love to keep the game going.

Shan, we only have 11 members left on the Super Goofs. We have stuck together through thick and thin, hard times and easy times. I love my Goofs each and every one!! You are more than welcome to join in with us!

Dave, if the challenge is to continue, I guess my only suggestion would be that the struggling teams with few remaining members be split or joined to form a full team again. Also, I think that all the captains need to check in as to their willingness to continue with their duties. I have struggled keeping up with things from time to time but I have thoroughly enjoyed the people on the Goofs and will forever treasure the bonds we have formed. :love:

I vote to keep let the games continue!!!!!! :flower3:

[lenshanem]

Thanks Lisa, that is really sweet of you. :goodvibes

Dave, I'm sorry I'm complaining. Really, I know you put alot of work into this. And I don't want my team mates to think I'm not happy with them. It is just only a few really ever checked in and our team just never really got solid and I missed people from other groups.

[TnTsParty]

I must admit I was a little slacker toward the end of the year. I slacked in both my running and my reporting. I did just report all my time and milage from the middle of Oct till now. I didn't really feel as a "team" with my group but I am glad I participated because it did keep me somewhat accountable for my milage and all in all that is a good thing. I would be willing to do another round of the teams. I also would be willing to be be a captain of co-captain. I like the idea that one team mentioned earlier in this thread where they are going to be taking turns updating the spreadsheet - that sounds like a GREAT idea and doesn't leave it all up to one lead person.

And thanks Dave for your time in getting this all together and for motivating us throughout the year.

[wdw4us]

I know I won't be doing the 1/2 in 2010 but I would like to continue with my team.

We've all had our ups and downs throughout the year but I think we have helped each other during those times.

thanks for continuing.

denise

[Steffwalks]

I have enjoyed being the captain of our team, Dave, and I am ready for another and hopefully more productive year.

I, like Sham, miss the group in it's entirety. It was huge and it was cumbersome to keep up with, but it was great for a laugh or two everyday. I don't have a better idea. I did drop in on the other teams threads from-time-to-time, they weren't private afterall.

Thanks for your time and dedication!

[Lynn G]

Dave, I would also love to continue the team, and I might be able to drag Scott along with me. There were several times that I would not have gone out and walked if it were not for the team! It is the team that is making me even consider going to the basement and use the treadmill! Thanks again!

[twoWDWfools]

Dave - first thanks for setting all this up. I've enjoyed the teams and like others really felt like sometimes that is the only thing that got me out.

I would enjoy doing them in 2009 and will even volunteer to be a captain or co-captain if needed.

[getnthinr]

I admit I was one of the disappearing members on my (and Shan's) team. I acknowledged at the beginning of the year that I have never been very good at logging my miles -- some folks are incredibly organized; I am not. And my captain gave me a great spreadsheet so I really don't have any "excuse" for not logging and reporting all the miles I did this year. I'm sorry for that.

OTOH, I love walking races and talking races -- not because I'm good at them, or ever really aspire to be good at them -- I just love the atmosphere, the camaraderie, the energy, the concentration of "wellness seekers." These are the same sorts of thing I love about WISH -- and I admit I made more connections with WISH folks through the walking, weight loss, or upcoming race threads than I did on my team thread -- not because the teams weren't a great idea, but because I did not live up to my mile-reporting responsibilities. I'm at fault.

I don't think I'd sign up for another team, just because I don't want to let them down again, but I hope I can always drop in on the weekly thread or the weight loss or walking threads to check on my WISH buddies -- or when I need advice or support or just want to find out what's happening.

Just because I'm not good at the mileage thing though, doesn't mean I'd want to keep anyone else from reporting their mileage in a team setting. If we weren't going to do teams, as an alternative maybe we could try something similar to the ORN/OWN that the Dead Runners typically do (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Runners_Society). The Dead Runners (an emailing listserv that has been around for many years) has a tradition that at the end of a non-running related email that the poster includes an ORN (obligatory running note). Maybe our group's "ORN" or "OWN" could become an "Optional Running Note" or "Optional Walking Note" that encourages members to report their miles. Just a thought.

Anyway, I want to thank Dave for the team idea as well -- and also for his wisdom, encouragement, and humor. He is one of the many, many WISHers who have been generous with their time, advice, support -- and I'm grateful to all of you!

[escape]

Dave,

I love the team concept and had a wonderful time with my team even though I desserted them during the last two months. I haven't posted my miles or time lately - mainly because I have none to report. :rolleyes1 I might have even been kicked off the team by now. :guilty:

I would love to continue in a team environment because like others have said, it keeps me going. Thank you Dave for setting this up for us. And, special thanks goes to Lisa, our team captain, for faithfully keeping up with our posts and providing encouragement and well wishes to all. She's the best!

Hopefully, if we continue in this manner, I can get Steve more involved.

Thanks, again, Dave! We really appreciate your efforts! :goodvibes

[Cruella de mom]

Hey Dave-

I love the team concept and I have loved my team. However, I also miss the crazy big weekly board and this year I found that I just couldnt post to both.

My team hung with me through an extremely trying year. They held my virtual hand when my daughter got terribly sick and when my dad died. They sent love and support as I struggled to get back into my goofy training after a huge bout of bronchitis & sinusitis and a brush with pnuemonia.

I think we should keep the teams going. We can brainstorm how to change it up a little for the teams that are struggling. And I will try to be better at posting to the weekly thread as well.

Cecilia