2010 Marathon Weekend Recap and List for Next Year

[chimera]

Wow...usually we're trying to make sure our runners stay hydrated on the course due to the heat. Never really had to plan for ice, sleet and bitter cold. I like to check-in with everyone right after race weekend while everything's fresh in your minds.

Half Marathon Support: mostly consists of being out there to cheer on the team. Thanks to those of you who stood out in rain and cold to be there for the team.

Full Marathon Support: This year, we gave out oranges, 30lbs of Twizzlers, 4 lbs of Fig Newtons, cookies, pretzels, chewy granola bars and a pack of grapes. Fig Newtons and cookies were new this year, but very popular. The granola and grapes were an act of desperation, but the granola bars seemed popular. Twizzlers and pretzels are huge favorites! We could easily have gone through 50lbs or more of the Twizzlers.

What could we do differently for next year? What worked, what didn't, what else could we include? Anything in particular for the half (other than smiling, cheering faces)?

 

[RENThead09]

First off. THANK YOU to all who supported the full today. Being a WISH and marathon rookie, the pretzels, oranges, and licorice was awesome and totally at the right places. Next year I will be happy to help with the full as this was my one and only I plan on doing. Also, your locations were perfect for the extra boost in the right places. Thanks again. -Pat

 

[Kira G.]

Oh my gosh, you guys were angels sent from heaven as far as I was concerned. The Twizzlers and pretzels in particular were exactly what my body wanted - and since this was my first marathon I'm grateful you knew better what I was going to want than I did! Thank you so much!!! I can't say it enough!

I don't think you need to make any changes. Obviously if it had been warmer we would have had different needs, but your choices & placement was pretty perfect!

I would love to make a donation to help defray the cost to you. Please pm me with how I could do that!

Thanks again - I couldn't have done it without you!

 

[windwalker]

Wishers with goodies are wonderful. I knew Anne must have been racing because she wasn't at that 20.5 mile turnaround point. I don't know how Valentine and Karen were getting around so quickly but I know I saw both several times.

Thanks guys.

Dave

 

[Kirsty-Leigh]

Ok you guys ROCK, those twizzlers and prezzels saved my life!!!! Thanks you all for being out there, you all made my goofy experience an awesome one!

I honestly don't have enough thanks for all of you but I will say I one more time..... Thanks you

kirsty

 

[wellesleyprincess]

Thank you so much for the twizzlers. I had gi issues all race due to dehydration (slushie drinks meant I wasn't actually drinking like I thought) and the cold meant I wasn't getting enough calories in. You probably kept this WISHer from dropping out

 

[Sandy321]

I've said this often - today at the breakfast....

What worked - the Motto of the WISH team!
- there wasnt the big WISH Cheer team like in '08 on Mainstreet... (I think many did the Goofy) - I ran passed Carrie and Scott I saw 2 more WISHers, then more and more passed me, patting me on the back - So I was reminded of the motto -

At mile 12 I felt good physically (which surprised me!) and was overwhelmed that Scott and Carrie were standing out in that cold, wet, slush - - to cheer me (Matt on the overpass too was a bright shining WISH'er maintaining the Spirit of the WISH!!)

SPIRIT OF WISH!!

Originally Posted by TigerLily03
New WISH Team members. If you read one thing over and over, believe this. Being part of this team is fantastic. Part of the ride you get for the event is what I call the roller coaster. There will be lots of ups and downs. The more you post here, the more you will find yourself enjoying the ride. It is an incredible journey. Don't be afraid, shy or whatever to come here and just post up anything.You don't have to know us right away, or all of us at all. You will get to know some of us. It makes the event you are enjoying have MORE meaning and we love to have you.

huge - - HUGE!!

I know that WISH has evolved, and grown over the years. and frankly at the Pop meet I was so overwhelmed - I'm sure 2 new to wish that joined me were also overwhelmed - but the laughter, hugs... the anticipation.. the weather - it was all overwhelming!!

In the end - its still the focus on the motto of the WISH that keeps it going, and hopefully growing - all maintaining the support to everyone!!

What didnt work weather Ok fine, so we cant control that!!
Communication.
I dont know if there is any "one" of us that is "in charge" of all of it... its a team effort - HUGE - but I think better communication of the meets would be helpful... old timers (yes, I'm old ) "assume" that the schedule is Pop Meet Friday for Group Picture at 4:30

Scream Teamers throughout the course - there were some threads, but I think I would like to see a thread with the motto - everyone welcome - we are a team - YOU are a part of the team - by lurking, posting, participating - YOU have to participate - give to get - and that's huge what I "GET" out of WISH spirit! (see Quote by TigerLily!

I know when I signed up to volunteer at Red Water #2 I didnt "know" - but there was a post, and I jumped on it - I wanted to be part of the team! not knowing how I was going to get there was a *duh me moment - but WISH Spirit and a post - got me Honiebee offering to give me a ride

Boardwalk Bakery Monday Meet again, since it was done in '08, I assumed it was part of the WISH schedule - the thread was started a bit late - so communication...

for those that didnt make the Boardwalk Bakery - its more of a relief, than an overwhelming experience!! A time of hugs, smiles, sharing, and a great picture!!

(I hope I communicated my thoughts, and didnt wander in my thoughts too much)

 

[getnthinr]

Hope all of the WiSH Team volunteers read the thank you, thank you, thank you thread too -- Your support made all the difference in the world!

I was so sick of sweeeeet shot blox by the time I got to the turnaround, I had given up being able to choke another one down. I have never been so happy to see a good ol' pretzel nugget in my entire life! That was EXACTLY the right thing -- and as I said on the thank you thread, how you guys managed to be everywhere on the course was miraculous! I just felt you believed in me -- and it is so easy to succomb to doubt, especially during the marathon.

My running club's volunteer coordinator often says, "Remember, you are running today because someone else didn't" -- I thank you all for making it possible for me to walk/run. You are wonderful supporters!

 

[jmasgat]

I'd love to comment....but I missed everyone on the course. Didn't see one WISH'er anywhere during the marathon. I must have gotten confused as to where the team would be--and what they'd be wearing. Was it obvious? I thought it was at the turnaround near WWoS, but I didn't see anyone.

Maura

 

[chimera]

I'd love to comment....but I missed everyone on the course. Didn't see one WISH'er anywhere during the marathon. I must have gotten confused as to where the team would be--and what they'd be wearing. Was it obvious? I thought it was at the turnaround near WWoS, but I didn't see anyone.

Maura

That was me yelling your name outside of MGM. I think we had just gotten there and I still had my coat on so my shirt wasn't visible.

 

[cewait]

Again thanks to all who stood in the rain and cold. For the runners, I think Wnedy posted a gem. Please pay it forward when you get home. I will work the Houston marathon next weekend. I also work a couple of the local long races as a volunteer. It is my way of saying thank you to all who help. I work as both course montor at busy intersections and as a catcher at the finish. Both are not near as tough as a water stop but just as important.

Again, thank for braving the elements

 

[tiberius]

Just seeing someone cheering for me in a bright WISH shirt picked me up. I loved all the extra nutrition (whenever else will I get to use the words Twizzler and nutrition together?), I even made a point to grab an extra from you Mel as I tried to muster the strength to say thank you to you and Corinna outside of DHS. I'd love to say warm soup would have been good but the logistics for that would likely be next to impossible. Regardless of whether I attend next year, I'd gladly chip in to help with the food expenses.

I'll be out next weekend providing similar support for my friends in Houston also, based on your model here.

 

[ksoehrlein]

I wasn't wearing any WISH gear, so no one recognized me, but it gave me a huge boost to see everyone wearing lime green. Thank you SO much for the orange and Twizzler. They really helped me keep going during my first full. It was great to have that support!

 

[TnTsParty]

I wasn't wearing WISH gear so I wasn't noticable as WISH but everytime I saw WISH I would yell - GO WISH

 

[deekaypee]

Ditto to what Wendy, Charles, and Richard said about volunteering. I'll be volunteering throughout the year and at next year's marathon. It's a great time!

As usual, the volunteers and scream teamers did an excellent job! Knowing I'd see your faces helped motivate me on days where my motivation was playing hide-and-seek with me.

I think the locations I know to expect WISHers to be at are spot on. I was also pleasantly surprised by WISHers (and their families) at other locations, cheering, taking pictures, etc. Very welcomed! I did see Jeanne and DH past MK, between the Poly & GF, near the Lounge Wedding Singer, and that also seems like a good place. (What mile marker is that? 7 or 8--it's all a blur.)

My stomach was off, so I didn't partake of the WISH course goodies as much as usual, but I was glad to know it was there. So I absolutely agree that with Kira that we need a contact person to send money to, to help contribute to the costs of all those twizzlers, oranges, pretzels and--my gosh!--gloves and jackets. Must I start sending money to random WISHers....

Communication
That said, I'd like to echo what Sandy said about communicating about volunteering, the meets, etc.

I think it can be hard for new WISHers to get a sense of all the activities and support that happens during marathon weekend. It might be useful to use the "Welcome to the WISH team" sticky to post information that seems more or less stable, such as:

• Time/Location of POP meet/Boardwalk Bakery
• Time/Location for pre-race meetings (porta-potties)
• Time/Location for post-race celebrations (is this Jellyrolls?)
• Scream-team locations
• Volunteer water stop locations

These need not replace the current links the sticky uses, but might provide the details right there, in one location. Of course, people still need to look at the sticky...

Now, I don't want to give Bill extra work without volunteering to share the load. (Okay, so I do, but would feel guilty about it.) Closer to marathon weekend, I will 1) compile a document with that year's meeting/spectating/volunteering information and 2) start a thread to promote it. I will also email the document those who request it via PM. And I'll print cards with meet-up locations, volunteer & scream team spots, etc., to bring to the POP meet for those who need it.

 

[mkymsehi]

I saw a few Scream Teamers on Saturday, namely Thunder Matt at the offramp and overpass. A few others along Main Street, and Maura at EPCOT near the Christmas tree. (Maura, where was my beer this year in exchange for a kiss? ).

Only Lou and I were standing around at the W tent, when we both decided it was time to get out of the cold. To those who were still out there headed to the finish line, my apologies for not staying to cheer you in. I was just not the day to wait around for everyone to come in. On any other given (warmer) day, I'd be back out to help you get to the finisher's chute.

On Sunday, the course was pretty bare of WISHers, only because everyone was bundled up, or in the race.

Thanks to those halfers who worked the water stops. It must have been miserable. The usual spots where the Scream Team can be spotted were vacant when I went by. (Maura, you were ahead of me).

I did see the group fronting Hollywood Studios, but I didn't need a pit stop, so I just yelled at Tracy as I ran by. She was busy digging in her purse. I think it was Mel and Karen there handing out the goodies.

As far as the communication on meets, it just seemed like leading into December/January there just wasn't much chatter going on about the races or meets. I'd only suggest a general information sticky at the top of the treads providing the regular meets: Friday POP food court at 4:30 pm, the W tents pre/post race, and the Monday Boardwalk Bakery breakfast. I realize there are other mini-meets, but not everyone can make each event. So just concentrate on the major group events.

Congratulations to everyone who competed. Some did not finish, but that's okay because you're a WISHer.

 

[Valentine]

This is one of the reasons that even though I LOVE the volunteer jacket... I really don't want to officially volunteer next year. Doing a water stop means you miss cheering for the faster runners... but the time we finish up at the water stop, check out, get back to WWOS... check out there.. and then travel to whatever next cheer location we want to go to, all the faster WISHers are already past that spot.... sooooooo.. Jeff that is why you didn't see me in any of my spots.. Jim and I hit 4 on the day of the Full.... and I did 4 on the day of the 1/2 as well... Each location I was at, I stayed until the Last Wisher had passed and then moved onto the next spot.. however, you speedies had passed a while ahead... soooo... in my logic, I feel that I could at least see you at my First stop if I wasn't at the water stop... (we were on red.. and I think alot of our runners were on blue)....

Kathy

 

[Hockeychic]

Thank you to all the volunteers and cheer squads on the course. You are all so amazing to stand out in that horrible weather to cheer us all on.

I agree with what Dave said...can't believe how many times I saw some of you, you must all have magic teleporters to get you around that course so fast.

Snacks along the route where a godsend, cookies, oranges, twizzlers, pretzels all totally awesome and right there when I needed them.

As always ThunderMatt at the overpass always is a bright spot at my least favourite part of the course and walking with me a bit in the marathon through Epcot gave me a great boost.

Also the support of fellow racers who where also participating in the runs was amazing.

You guys are all amazing, thank you for letting me be apart of this awesome team!!!!!