2009 WISH biography thread

[Ronda93]

I saw the last posts on the original bio thread calling for a new one. I didn't find one, so here it is. Close it if it's a dupe.

Ronda

 

[Ronda93]

And I'll start.

I've been introducing myself all over the WISH boards. One more time for the record. I am 45 years old. I live in the central part of Kansas City, Missouri. I grew up near St Louis and started migrating west about 25 years ago. I was a skinny kid, but started gaining weight as a teenager. I kept gaining weight and was startled as a nurse called out 245 when I stood on the scale. I was not able to do stuff I wanted to do and tired so quickly. I started eating less and moving more. After a few years I was down to 210 or so.

In 2001 I heard co-workers talking about a week long bike ride along the KATY Trail. It’s an old rail bed that tracks along the Missouri river and the DNR sponsors a well supported ride every summer. I started training that winter and did it for the first time in 2002. I lost another 25 pounds getting ready for that. I was happy with my endurance and started pursuing more activities.

I did the KATY ride three more times. In 2006, without the ride to train for I regained some weight. I hovered around 200 until late 2007, when I began to pay more attention to the health risks associated with the extra pounds. My people live to old ages. I decided if I live another 40-50 years, I want to be moving until the end. I know I cannot control everything, but I want to tip the odds whenever I am able.

My DGF and I were looking for additional motivation – as if longevity isn’t enough ; ) I mentioned my success when staring at a BIG goal (the bike ride). After a few days we came back to the topic and she said she wanted to participate in a 5K this spring. We found one in late April. She wanted to start running and suggested we run for a bit and walk for a bit. She had the idea for interval training and it turns out it’s a smart one. We started our run/walk routine at the local school track.

I had visited the DIS WISH board years ago and thought it could again be a good resource. Turns out it is. Here I saw C25K mentioned and checked it out. I started this week. I also hit the board as everyone was returning from Disney Marathon weekend and congratulating one another. I also saw references to Marathons for Mortals. After reading it I decided that years of brisk daily dog walks meant the 2010 half was not out of my reach.

So I am training. I’ve never trained before. I have a schedule. I have a commitment and a box to check off every day.

I’m back in the 180s and my clothes fit SO MUCH better. Here’s what I’m doing. Suggestions are welcome.
C25K – just getting started. I am doing the program M-W-F one week and Su-Tu-Th the next week. I’m taking a page from the MfM and using the Saturday of the second week for a really long (for now four mile) walk. My off days are cross training. I ride my bike to work (about an hour of travel time or 9 miles). If the weather is bad or just too cold, I do a combination of rowing and elliptical. Lastly, I am focusing on the core with some stretching and a bunch of crunches before bed.

Right now it feels wonderful. I’m not getting any pains. I am getting inspiration from the boards every day and scouring the internet for interval training podcasts. I am trying to get free hotel rooms from Last Minute Traveler. I am researching what to carry during the run and what to put in my bag for the end of the race. I am trying to guess how long I can wait and still get in the WDW half – I feel confident, but want to get the 5K down before I spring for the non-refundable, non-transferable entry fee. I am looking for the best bras. I am trying to determine what’s a good deal on running shorts – the tight ones. I am fortunate to have the time to devote to my health and getting fit. It would be a crime to waste it.
There’s a lot to do ; )

Ronda

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

I'll keep this going!

My name is Katarina.
I am 19 years old and am from PA. I am a sophomore at West Virginia University- my major is Theatre with a specification in Acting - my minor is Dance. I have danced my entire live and truly love it. My first dance ever was the "Mickey Mouse March" in a Minnie costume . I am a HUGE Steelers and Penguins fan. If you ever want to talk football or hockey- I'm your girl.
I am a self-proclaimed Disney Freak. (I guess most people on these boards are... lol) I LOVE anything and everything Disney. Especially WDW. My dream is to perform as a WDW performer. I have auditioned twice to be a Character/Show/Parade Performer and passed the auditions, but not hired due to no spots being open. I am so close- but yet so far! I love meeting the Princesses and hope to be good friends with some of them some day. My favorite character to meet, however, is Prince Caspian *swoon*
I never was really a runner. I always danced, and that's where I got my exercise. Recently I have been feeling very out of shape and my clothes have kind of been telling me that.... I was always fascinated by the Disney Marathons so I figured "Why not?!" So now I am in training. I am starting with the C25K.
I hope to do the Expedition Everest 5K this year and the WDW 1/2 in 2010.
I am a member of Walt's Warriors on the Wish Racing Team- they are a great group and a huge motivation for me!
Thanks everyone and have a great running year!!!

Kat

 

[JimB.]

Here's Me!

Live in St Augustine, Fl (about 2:15 from WDW if my DW drives. 1:45 if I do.). Work as a firefighter/paramedic. I. Love. My. Job.!!! I came to this career (relatively) late in life. I'm 50 y.o. & have been at this for about 9 years.

I have been running & biking off & on since college, although there was some lag in my 30's. My 1st "real" event since college was the ToT in '07. Since then I've done 3 1/2's, 2 fulls, 2 ToT's, a few 5k's and 1 Olympic Tri. I hope to complete a 1/2 IM within the next year. I train mostly solo (which I think holds me back some......) but am hoping to join a local runner's group soon.

Additionally I volunteer as a Bike Paramedic at a lot of the events at WDW. It's a lot of fun and I get to work with some really fun people and see you guys run! I'll be riding my bike at the Princess 1/2 in a few weeks, and maybe at the Ford 1/2 IM in May (I was hoping to compete in that one, but just do not think I would be ready).

I'm a graduate of THE University of Florida, as is my beautiful DW of 25 years. She's also a graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine. My DD is a sophomore @ UCF & my DS, who is graduating HS a year early, will be starting there this summer.

Here's a picture of me from my flying days in the Navy. Seems so long ago.

Oh yeah. It was............

 

[mkymsehi]

Jeff from Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

[Cinderrunner]

Hi
My name is Ann Marie and I am fairly new to the Disboards. I ran my first half marathon this past Jan in WDW. I saw everyone's yellow t shirts and was so inspired by all of you runners. That when I came home I started researching you all. So I guess you might say I am a WISH wantabee!

I am a mom to 2 wonderful daughters and I have a husband who just thinks I am nuts to have found a tie in to some of my favorited things in life! Running and Disney. I also am a full time teachers to small children!

I have been running a little over two years. I started running at 40. This after spending most of my 30's surviving cancer. I am now left with a few side effects and 64 % of my lungs. So I am pretty slow and on most days I run between 3-4 miles a week. BUT AT LEAST i AM OUT THERE AND NOT ON MY COUCH!!!

I am running the Dl half and I have a number for January half in WDW. So excited to be going for the Coast to Coast medal!!I finished the WDW half in January with a chip time of 2:53:54. IT was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I think I was tearing up the whole last mile. IF you look at my pictures I am not smiling instead I am determined to finish!


Have a great day!

 

[Hockeychic]

OK, me next...from what I can remember anyways.

I am from Ontario, Canada....very proud Canadian if I do not say so myself.

I am 43 years old, been married to my best friend Mike for just shy of 22 years but have dated since I was 16. We have 2 mostly awesome kids, Kevin just turned 20 on the 4th of July and Kaitlyn will be 17 next month.

I have been a member of disboards forever but one day stumbled upon WISH. I was always a athletic person and never carried a pd of extra weight until my kids came along and when I gained I gained good. I got up to 200 pds, was 117 when I got married. So saw this thing called the Goofy marathon and decided for whatever reason that 2010 would be the year...I think that was about 3 years or so ago, didn't at the time realise that 2010 wold be a anniversary year. So I have gotten in better shape however, really not lost any weight. I have completed I think 6 (1/2) marathons and a few other races but my ultimate goal has always been Goofy 2010. i was signed up for the full at disney in 2009 and chickened out and my good friend Liz, bailed me out and we switched bibs...shhhhhh that isn't allowed and I did the 1/2 again. So now I have started to lose weight and doing alot of xtraining getting ready for offial Goofy training on Aug 23, 2009 at which time I hope to have lost some weight and will be down to a respectible 145 - 150 by January.

DH has been right there beside me all the way except in Jan 2009 he did do his marathon!!!!! I belong to 3 awesome support groups, WISH, Disneyrunning and Canadian Disney Runners..............all are awesome just wish I could wear all the shirtsat the same time

So that is me in a nutshell....contining to lose weight but build up neck muscles so i can carry my 3 medals around in january....and yes Iwill be one of those annoying people who wear ALL 3 MEDALS!!!! Well at least till Monday

 

[UGAHokies]

I too am a WISH wanna be, and hopefully after this post someone will let me (and my wife) know how to become official members. I found the WISH Team through my research about the WDW marathon and marathon training/recovery.

My name is Ben and my wife is Chris. We started running in October of 2008. After moving to Athens, Ga to pursue a graduate degree, both my wife and I realized that we had "let ourselves go." We were each approximately 20 pounds heavier than we were before we got married, and well above our ideal weights. Both of us were athletes growing up, but soon found ourselves unable to run 1/2 a mile without stopping. So....in October we made a deal with each other. If we each lost 30 pounds by February we would take a trip to WDW for my spring break, which coincided with the Princess Half Marathon and the Royal Family 5k. Well, we made our weight loss goals, booked the trip and decided to run in our first race, the 5k. The day after our race, we wanted to see and cheer on the women running the half marathon. While watching the women compete, we became further excited about running. We were so impressed with their accomplishment that we challenged ourselves. We decided that we would compete in the 2010 WDW Marathon. Since that time we have slowly been increasing our weekly mileage, and counting down until race day.

Good luck everyone with training, and I hope to see everyone on race day!

Ben

 

[mkymsehi]

Welcome Ben & Chris.

It's official now, you're both WISHers.

Look through the threads, and you'll learn more about WISH meets in January. The group gets together primarily on Friday, Sunday night, and Monday morning. Not just race days.

Let us know if you have any questions.

 

[UGAHokies]

Thank you!!!
That wasn't too bad of an initiation. By the way, if anyone wants to check up on our progress, my wife started a blog this week and plans to update it at least weekly. It has a more complete story of how we got started running, and how we became interested in the marathon. Here is the link.

Ben

 

[syko]

Ben I love the photo of your dog......I have a bassett hound too.

 

[TEK224]

OK I'm in.

My name is Terri and I'm from Philly, PA. I'm 47 and a Disney Nut! I've always been athletic, played multiple sports growing up, but always hated to run.
Put on some weight and was looking for a challenge (really want to do Ironman Hawaii some day) and saw the notice for the 1st ever Goofy Challenge. Decided if I was ever gonna start running, that was the event to do. So I finished (barely) the 1st Goofy! Love my medals!
I've done the DL 1/2, WDW 1/2 3 times, RnR AZ and the Philly Distance Run.
My new challenge is to complete a half marathon in all 50 states (I'm doing Hawaii in Sept!). And I'm going Goofy 2010!
I've had a few injury setbacks, so I tend to walk more than I run.
I have a great time seeing everyone at events and the WISH folks are a great group of people!

 

[kbabe]

Hello everyone. I'm glad to have been introduced to this site. My name is Kelly and I live in Ohio. I'm a mom to two highly energetic boys who are 3 and 5. They keep me busy, that's for sure. They have spent many miles in the double jogger helping me to train for all of my races.

I've been running for "leisure" since I left high school in '96. I started running to race in 2005. My first marathon was in 2007 and I became an addict. Since then I have run three more, including one Goofy. I have also ran a handful of 5ks, a 10k and a 1/2 marathon (in addition to the one during Goofy). My best times are around 22:35 for a 5k, 1:43 for a half, and 3:55 for a full. I hope to BQ sometime in the near future.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to running and racing but I have some experience under my belt and love to help anyone with any knowledge I do have!

I'm looking forward to completing my second Goofy in 2010. I hope to get to know some of you in the coming months and maybe meet some of you in January!

See you on the boards!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hello all my wonderful WISHers...

I joined the WISH racing team in Feb of 2008. Finally met my first WISHers in May of that year for the last MInnie 15k.

I live in Southeast FL which is good as I have a very BIG Disney World Addiction!! I am usually making about 4 trips a year if not more.

I am a walker or I should say Racewalker. I have competed in some official Racewalking events and was the FL State 5K champ in 2008. I am also a wogger most recently to try and better my Half Marathon times.

I have competed/completed 8 Half Marathons, one 15K, a few 10ks and a bunch of 5ks. They include the WDW Half, ING Miami Half, Ft. Lauderdale Half, Disneyland Half and the Princess Half.

I am also the current captain of one of the Miles and Minutes team "Walt's Warriors". I love being a part of this team. You can get as much or as little as you want out of it. Everyone is very supportive and I love our saying that Dea Last Finish is better than Did Not Finish which greatly trumps Did Not Start!! I do truely believe in that.
I have met some great people from all over the US/Canada and England who I consider to be some of my closest friends!!

WISHers Rock!!!

Racey Tracy

 

[goofyinohio]

Hello WISHers how are you doing?

My name is Chris and I joined the WISH team back in July 2006. At that time I was in the process of losing weight. When I started I was just over 300 pounds and by the time I joined the WISH group I was down 50 pounds. I knew I needed some help and support so I found a thread called I want to be under 200 pounds. It was great and I loved it.

One year later I started running and found the Competition section or it found me when I was researching the Marathon in June 2007. I finally topped off at 180 later than summer.

Thanks to the support of this group I finished my first Marathon in 2008 and decided I wanted the Goofy medal so I went after that. I must say I'm a slow runner and both Marathons I've completed I've had to walk part of the last 13 miles.

I have completed 1 Goofy, 2 Marathons, 5 Half Marathons, 1 13k, 2 4 Milers and numerous 5k's.

I'm currently the Captain of Buzz's Brigade in the Miles and Hours Competition and have been so for the last couple years. Come over and say hello sometime we'd love to have you over there.

If you're new to the group...WELCOME...If you've been around for a while....HELLO. We have a ton of great people in this group!!!!

See you on the boards and I hope you all enjoy our Awesome group!!!

Chris

 

[K80K]

My turn! My name is Katie and I joined WISH last night. I am 30 years old and live just north of Baltimore City with my 10 year old Labradoodle Tillie (short for Nika Tillicum which is Chinook Indian for "my friend"). My second home is my parent's house 9 1/2 miles from the back entrance of the Magic Kingdom.

I was never a Disney fan as a kid because my Mom was obsessed with everything Mickey. She worked at the Disney Store and as an anxty teenager I of couse was embarassed.

Time went on and I graduated with my Masters and an extra 100 lbs to drag around. I started working out and to try to get my father to eat better I decided to train to run a 5K with him. We crossed the finish line of my first 5K on October 2005. That January we were both going to run our first Disney 5K but my grandfather fell ill and I ended up racing without him. After finishing that race I was instantly addicted. Since then I have run 54 races including 9 halves (5 of them Disney), a full, and a 24 hour team relay.

I have managed to gain back some of the weight I lost. I am still working on getting rid of those lbs while I train for my second full, the 2009 MCM. After that I will be focusing on my first Goofy in 2010. While I train for Goofy my father is training for his first half WDW 2010. Recently I started following the Galloway method in preparation for both races.

My next Disney race will be the 2009 RFTT which will be my 20th Running event in Disney. This will be my father's first Disney race over he 5K distance. I am really looking forward to running this with him.

 

[Duanerice]

Hi All,

My name is Duane and I live in hot/humid Ft Myers, FL (SW part of the state). I have been a Disboards member since 2001 and a WISH member since late 2006.

I joined Weight Watchers back in 2005 to lose about 30 pounds. I was walking on the treadmill at the time but the weight just wasn't coming off like I wanted so I started running on the treadmill. A few months later I took the big step and started running outside because I wanted to run a fairly large local 5K.

Well, I've never looked back. With a 5K under my belt I found the WISH team and started reading about the Disney 5K. The thought ran through my head about the Disney half. But, before I signed up I thought hmmm, if I am going to put up all that training should I just run the full? That was it, I signed up for the full then the RFTT and the TOT. I never thought I could run a full and was scared to death as we got closer. But, at the age of 50 I ran and completed my first marathon.

Since then I have finished 2 fulls, the Goofy (Dopey), a few half's and many shorter races. After this next Goofy I think I will start focusing on Tri's. Sounds like fun!

I am a proud member of the Buzz's Brigade.
enjoy,
Duane

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Hi all,

My name is Robert and I live in CA. I did my first marathon in 1992 and now have completed of 40 marathons and over 40 Ultramarathons(50K+). I attempted the Western States 100 in 1997. 4 surgeries in last 5 years have left me only to do DL 1/2 and Goofy Challenge. I will be attempting the Perfect Goofy #5 in Jan.

Good luck in training and hope to see you in Sept, Oct or January!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Lily here. I've been part of WISH Team since the inception of Wish Walkers in 2005. This was the first time I had ever done a half marathon at age 55. With the 2010 Goofy I will be celebrating my 5th Goofy and the year of my zero birthday--6-0! I love the support here and have enjoyed meeting folks who love to support each other as we train for events.

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Lily here. I've been part of WISH Team since the inception of Wish Walkers in 2005. This was the first time I had ever done a half marathon at age 55. With the 2010 Goofy I will be celebrating my 5th Goofy and the year of my zero birthday--6-0! I love the support here and have enjoyed meeting folks who love to support each other as we train for events.

You don't look a day over 30. Drivers License must be mistaken!