Can we make it better? Is it great already

[Tiger Lily 03]

I took a couple of quotes from the thread about continuing the smaller teams concept.

...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 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.. 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.

I too miss the weekly play with the bigger group and everyone interacting. I don't know if it can ever go back to what it was. We have grown into quite a large group and it is difficult to keep that small town attitude in a big city.

I figure there are three of us who have similar feelings about missing the weekly play and I wonder if there are any thoughts about how to forge onward.

I know with a larger group that it certainly becomes more than challenging to include everyone and serve the needs of everyone. That is part of how the smaller groups got started hoping to reach deeper into our WISH Team and offer a cozy place to train.

Maybe now that many of us are in taper mode we can put some of our thoughful moments into how/what we can do to get to meet more of our WISH Team.

Maybe it is going well as it is.

I just thought it might be good to comment while we are waiting to gather in January and beyond and see where we get to. If there are improvements what do you think would be on your WISH list?

 

[TnTsParty]

I for one find the main weekly thread to be a bit large and intimidating. Since it is so big with so many people participating I felt that I could somewhat keep up with reading but forget about trying to post because I wasn't able to read everything and then if I forgot to comment about someone I would feel bad. I also felt bad just doing "drive-bys" and reporting on myself and leaving everyone else out. I don't know what we can do to make it any better just figured I would note what I didn't like about the massive weekly thread (except right now its not so massive since it seems everyone is deep in training for the marathon and holiday stuff right now)

 

[scoolover]

I joined a team really late thinking that some daily interaction would help keep me motivated. It was okay but was mostly team members just posting milage and minutes with a spattering of encouragement. I personally, lost interest fairly quickly. It didnt seem like a motivational theme. Perhaps I could have spoken up on the thread but If I had been on the team a while I would have told me to shup up and get lost.

This is the second message board that I have been a part of during some rapid growth and I don't really like it. I do well in small groups in real life and in cyber life. Once the groups get too big they lose the personal touch and eventually the bickering starts. People take sides and what was once a nice place to meet becomes kind of miserable. It's just because a lot of people just can't know each other as well as a small group.

This is still a great place to come and hang with other Disney running enthusiasts and I hope it stays that way but I am not too optimistic.

Here is hoping for the best.

 

[laughinplace199]

I for one find the main weekly thread to be a bit large and intimidating. Since it is so big with so many people participating I felt that I could somewhat keep up with reading but forget about trying to post because I wasn't able to read everything and then if I forgot to comment about someone I would feel bad. I also felt bad just doing "drive-bys" and reporting on myself and leaving everyone else out. I don't know what we can do to make it any better just figured I would note what I didn't like about the massive weekly thread (except right now its not so massive since it seems everyone is deep in training for the marathon and holiday stuff right now)

What she said.

I was always very intimidated by the weekly threads. Everyone was always very nice, but as a newbie who didn't "know" anyone, I found it hard to jump into such a fast-paced thread.

I my team and have really enjoyed getting to know everyone on it. I am so looking forward to meeting them IRL next month.

I wonder if there's a way to have two different types of the small teams. Maybe continue with the teams we have, with perhaps one or two teams set aside for those who just want to post miles/hours and aren't interested in socializing? I don't know and I'm probably rambling and not making any sense. I just love my team and posting in a smaller area was much better for me, as a newbie. Then, once I got to know my team, I was more comfortable posting on other threads and getting to know even more WISHers.

 

[chimera]

BIG question, Lily...one I think we've struggled with for at least a year, maybe two now?

I think there are a LOT of people who miss the weekly thread as it was back in the day, but there were many fewer of us back then. We were able to do 'power posts' where you could speak to everyone in turn and keep up with the thread on a daily or weekly basis. I've seen several comments like Tricia's...people around here are really cool and don't want to be all about themselves so feel badly if they don't post a comment to everyone involved. Maybe we just need to give ourselves permission not to keep up. It's okay to have an 'all about me' post or not to mention everyone in every post. That's kinda how conversations work IRL anyway.

Personally, I've felt horrible about 'abandoning' the weekly thread, but have had some significant family/work stressors this year that have kept my attention elsewhere. Hopefully, the new year will allow me to keep up better.

I think too, it's not my first rodeo anymore. I don't consider myself an expert at this by any stretch, but it almost seems weird posting about my last 5 miler at a 12 min pace. That's not really new...I figure most of y'all have heard that from me before. My PF, ankle and stomach issues aren't new either so I often feel like there's nothing really worth reporting.

I don't have any brilliant ideas at the moment, Lily, but I'll think on it. Thanks for bringing it up. The WISH team means a lot to me.

 

[MouseDogMom]

Thanks for asking this one, Lily. I hadn't posted on the original question about continuing the teams yet, but had some of the same feelings you quoted here.

So many people had complained about the main thread being so big, and yet for the past few months it's been so small that the regulars keep wondering where everyone is. I've missed so many people. Just in the past couple of days a lot of old "friends" have checked in, and it's felt like old times again.

I don't know what the answer is - I guess for many of the new members, the teams have worked and they've gotten to know those people better than they might have otherwise. I never felt like my team developed a "conversational" thread, so there was no chattiness like on the main thread. It IS hard to find time for all of it, and like Mel said, some of the veterans don't need the support as much anymore, and yet at the same time they have the most to offer some of the newer members.

Maybe we just let it ride post-marathon, with a reminder to everyone to pop in now and then and not be a stranger?

Jackie

 

[WDWFAN9]

Great question Lily, and one with no easy answers - this is definitely not a one-size-fits-all sort of situation. What works and is helpful for one WISHer probably doesn't for another. I don't think there is one right way (big weekly thread or smaller team threads) and hopefully everyone can take responsibility for finding their own answers.

I've never posted much on the weekly or team threads because, well, frankly I find the "power" type posts kind of annoying - I know I am in the minority, but I'd prefer more "all-about-me" type posts so that I don't have to wade through re-hashes of prior postings. WISH means a lot to me too and has made such a difference in my life.

 

[Kristi1357]

Honestly, I was never a fan of the team threads. I knew the main thread would never be the same.
I still miss the old days & hearing what all my WISH buddies were up to in training & their lives.

That said, I know that we are growing & growing, and that change was bound to happen. And needed to happen.
I have no idea what the answer is though.

I am very glad newbies feel more welcome.
I just miss some of the 'old timers,' I guess.

 

[MomofCKJ]

As a newbie (not to the DIS but to WISH last January) the weekly thread was so intimidating. So big and moved so fast! I would try to jump in but would get maybe a post or two and then be lost. People were so nice though and made me feel welcome, even if I felt at times like I was crashing someone else's party.

My team was great for logging my mileage but it wasn't chatty at all. It was really just a place where people logged their mileage and didn't add very much other chit chat. A lot of people just disappeared and it was just a very small group of people left. I think from what I am reading it was different for other teams.

I don't know what to tell you. I found that there were a few people who would write back to me and those were the people I felt I got to know this year. I gained so much inspiration and encouragement even from lurking and reading. I don't think I could have made it to this point without this board.

Allyson

 

[getnthinr]

I actually posted this on the "Teams and Team Captains" thread, but after reading these posts, maybe I should have posted it here. I guess I still haven't got the hang of this multi-thread posting thing.

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. 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!

I guess that's the important thing I wanted to say: I've met great WISHers in all the threads I've visited. It's a wonderful group and oftentimes thinking about what I'm going to say to the group about a "bad" training walk/race is the only thing that gets me through it.

 

[Valentine]

First off.. Happy Holidays EVERYONE

As a disappearing WISHer... I will chime in here...

The past year has been probably the hardest year I have ever faced. I had many, many personal challenges that took me to a dark and lonely place. That being said.. I ALWAYS knew my WISH friends were here... just a click away... or a phone call away for those WISHers who have become "real life" friends as well.... I couldn't bring myself to make that click.. or phone call at the time.. I felt guilty about not being here.. and almost embarressed to come back... But.. I did anyway.. and when I did.. I was welcomed by the few "old timers" who still are posting with open arms.. and the love that WISHers are known for....and for that I thank you....

Yes.. things have changed around here... there are many new WISHers...and from what I am reading to catch up... many Wonderful new WISHers... But... change is hard to accept at times.....

One of the biggest lessons I have learned this year is that the more you try to hold onto something that used to be.. the unhappier you become....If you allow the change to come... it may not be as bad as you feared....and although it is different..in some ways it can be better than what used to be...

So.. maybe if we don't try to Control anything.. and just accept what is.. as it is.. when it is... no expectations.. no disappointments... Come here.. chat..say hi.. don't say hi... post on whatever threads you want... don't post on others.. be on a team if you want to be.. and don't if you don't want to be... In real life we aren't friends with everyone we come in contact with.. and we can't expect that here either.... there will be Cliques.. and arguments... differences of opinions.. it is life.. it happens. But it is how we deal with those issues that count. Because ultimately.. we are all ONE TEAM.. and even if I don't KNOW you.. if you are wearing that Bright Wish Shirt on Race day.. I will cheer you on with all my heart...just because you are a WISHer... and we are all special...

That being said... All my love to everyone.. health... and Happy Holidays to all us WISHers I am looking forward to seeing everyone in January... I will be the one with the Licorice!

Kathy

 

[SamSam]

Even though I don't post a lot on any of the threads, I read them regularly and am inspired and helped by the WISH team. I like the teams simply because the necessity of posting my training each week encourages me to get to the fitness center or outside to walk on those days that I'm "too busy", "too tired", "too sore", or "too whatever".

I find the big weekly thread a little overwhelming to keep up with, but still enjoy reading it and find myself supported, helped and inspired by the many people who do post.

 

[hockeygirl]

First I want to say Happy Holidays to everyone!!

As for the teams....I am torn on this one. I loved being a part of the team game. The folks on my team are awesome, and they were always there to support each other and I really learned about a lot of the people on my team. Even though, I wasn't around the whole year, everyone still supported each other. There actually aren't many of us left, but those that are left I will always consider my friends!

On the other hand, I miss the weekly thread. Even though it was always so long and hard to keep up with at times, it was always great to see how everyone was doing. Honestly, until the bib threads started for the upcoming marathon weekend, I had no idea who was training for what races, etc. When everyone was on the weekly thread, it was easier to see how everyone was doing.

I guess I am trying to say, I don't really know what we should do for the future. I really liked the smaller teams, but in a way I miss the old weekly thread. Not sure of a way to have both, but I hope somebody can come up with something good!

Enjoy the holidays, can't wait to see everyone in a few weeks!

 

[solotraveler]

BIG question, Lily...one I think we've struggled with for at least a year, maybe two now?

I think there are a LOT of people who miss the weekly thread as it was back in the day, but there were many fewer of us back then. We were able to do 'power posts' where you could speak to everyone in turn and keep up with the thread on a daily or weekly basis. I've seen several comments like Tricia's...people around here are really cool and don't want to be all about themselves so feel badly if they don't post a comment to everyone involved. Maybe we just need to give ourselves permission not to keep up. It's okay to have an 'all about me' post or not to mention everyone in every post. That's kinda how conversations work IRL anyway.

Personally, I've felt horrible about 'abandoning' the weekly thread, but have had some significant family/work stressors this year that have kept my attention elsewhere. Hopefully, the new year will allow me to keep up better.

I think too, it's not my first rodeo anymore. I don't consider myself an expert at this by any stretch, but it almost seems weird posting about my last 5 miler at a 12 min pace. That's not really new...I figure most of y'all have heard that from me before. My PF, ankle and stomach issues aren't new either so I often feel like there's nothing really worth reporting.

I don't have any brilliant ideas at the moment, Lily, but I'll think on it. Thanks for bringing it up. The WISH team means a lot to me.

Ditto.

While I think the team idea is an excellent one in theory, I think it has really had the effect of simulatenously killing the weekly thread and increasing the disconnect from a "WISH team" concept. While the main thread in years past may have been big and moved quickly, I can honestly say that when I went to the Pop Meet last year I knew just about everyone there. This year... That's disappointing to me.

I know there is no answer.... some people really REALLY love their teams and I truly hope they would continue to stick together and benefit from the encouragement that provides. I would just hope that members of the smaller teams would pop into the weekly threads every now and then and let folks know how they are doing. (Said as someone who had months worth of "Life Taking Over" moments this year...) I think Kathy's got the right idea... so long as you are here and feeling supported, that's what matters.

For me, this place is a lot like the marathon as a whole... a place to be encouraged to do something you didn't quite think you could and be a part of something bigger than yourself. In two weeks, I'm looking forward to seeing some dear old friends and hopefully meeting and making some new ones too... and I hope that everyone else who will attend any of the meets or WISH events feels the same way too.

And I hope that on January 15th or so... when everyone returns home and back to training for their next big event, that spirit of friendship and mutual commeraderie and cooperation, which has always been what makes this place special, can be found here in 2009.

Kevin

 

[JimB.]

Happy Holidays all.............!!!

Just my brief .02 worth.......

I do not participate in the weekly thread because it's just too "bulky" for me. I read it & find it quite informative & entertaining, but because I don't really "know" a lot of you, I find it a bit uncomfortable to post there. Even though this is the nameless, faceless internet, i am still a bit shy on it.

But it's a good thing!! Keep it up!!

As far as the teams go, I participate there more, & I know the warriors a bit better that the WISH'ers in general, but people will note I am not really "talky" there either.

From a logistical standpoint, they MAY be a bit big to deal with by one person.

A bit of a suggestion: check out this website www.presidentschallenge.org .

It's a site that keeps track of ANY physical activity one does (the list they have is WAY long) & assigns it a point value. Using this could eliminate the "Does this REALLY count as exercise?" & the "miles vs time" quandary the captains often have to resolve. You can even set up groups on this site.

Check it out. It may be the answer to some difficulties encountered (but than again, maybe not)

The GREAT thing I like about this board & EVERYONE here is that it takes away my excuses. When I read how people overcome their personal issues & still maintain a healthy lifestyle, I've got no reason to sit on my a** and do nothing just because "I don't feel like it today".

You guys ALL rock & are my inspiration!!! Because of YOU & some local friends I have done more than I ever thought I could. I have run a Half Marathon. I have run a Marathon. I have done an Olympic Triathlon. I have done the ToT (twice). By the end of 2009 I will have done at least 2 more marathons another Olympic and (hopefully (fingers crossed)) a 1/2 Ironman.

2 Years ago if someone had told me I would have done all of this I would have said they were freakin' nuts. I'm 50. My BP is 112/60. My resting pulse rate has gone from 78 to 48. I'm still slow as dog poo. I'll MAYBE be a top 1/2 age grouper at best. But who cares? I have fun. I enjoy races, even if I know no one around me. It's the mental & physical struggle I enjoy. And this board is, to a large part, what I have to thank for it. The number of people, be it large or small does not really matter to me personally, as long as we stay positive & keep motivating each other.

Sorry, I DO have this annoying tendency to run on when I get going.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Great insight here. I'm feelin' the love!

You know, we ARE a great group!

If there is anything that someone feels could be needed, I'm glad that we can work out whatever that might be in some way.

I'd like to also take a moment to thank those who have taken time to visit and support those on the main WISH side. There are many who are starting out and hearing from the WISH Team members has been a big help.

 

[Hockeychic]

Hey gang......Merry Christmas to you all.

I haven't spent nearly as much time here this past year as the weekly thread was very quiet and although I was part of a team, I wasn't consisitant in my training this year so kinda dropped out.

I would have to say I prefer the way it use to be with one weekly thread. However, maybe if I contuned with my team I would feel differently but I miss all the regulars I use to chat with each week but since I assume they where chatting with there teams I lost touch.

Regardless of how WISH continues in 2009 I am still proud to be part of the WISH family!!!!

 

[Duanerice]

Hi All,
First of all, the few people left on my team are AWESOME. Without the team concept I wouldn't have known them as well as I do, even though I have never met a one.

Early on I responded to a post about this same thing. I did not like the team concept. Take that back, it is not that I didn't like the team concept I didn't like what it was doing to the main board.

I'm not talking about the weekly post, that is always fun to browse even though I post very little on it. What it ruined for me was all the other posts. We used to have a ton of posts but it seems that these topics are getting asked and answered in the individual teams. There are very few new posts anymore compared to a year ago.

When I come to the WISH board now, I check my team then check the few main board posts that are not team related. Takes about 10 minutes when I used to spend a lot of time reading posts. I don't feel right going into the other teams posts. Same with when the Philly race was going on. Those folks there had their own thread and were posting normal weekly stuff there versus on the main board. Again, I popped over a few times but felt like an outsider since I was not going to Philly.

This is hard because if we didn't have the teams I wouldn't know some people as well as I do. But, I guess overall if I had to choose I'd choose no teams.

You guys helped me get through my first marathon. Without your guidance, advice and friendship I am not sure I would have made it. Thank you!

Either way works for me. And Dave, thanks for taking the time to set it all up, I know it wasn't easy.

enjoy,
Duane

 

[aldisneygrl]

Well, as a new WISHER (being that I've only been a part of this group since Jan.), I have to say that this is the BEST group of folks I have come in contact with. I came to the 5K not knowing a soul ("imaginary" or otherwise), and I wore my WISH shirt to the 5K with my daughter. Our shirt is what got us noticed, and we felt a part of the group even though I didn't know any of you because I didn't even know this part of the DIS existed.

Well, I met several of you at the POP meet, and then came Panda's invitation for the teams. My team has made me feel accountable every week this year. I just never wanted to let my team down. I like the "team" concept, but I have seen the weekly thread wane over time.

Now, I enjoyed the weekly thread after getting back in Jan. because I was a new runner, and wanted to continue, and had LOTS of questions. Y'all were very patient with me, and answered every one even if you had answered the same questions 1,000 times before. Y'all are a great wealth of knowledge for newbies. Now, with that said, the weekly thread was overwhelming, and I felt "inadequate" when I didn't address everyone in my replies, so I quit coming around since my smaller "team thread" was easier to keep up with. I just hate that I won't be there in Jan. to "meet" some of you who I have gotten to "know" here. I'll be there in spirit though, and maybe I'll get to come again sometime.

Now, I will be happy with whatever y'all decide to do. I appreciate all your hard work in keeping this a great place!

 

[msblrobs]

Great question Lily

As a WISH'er for a while now, I do miss the old weekly thread when there was a smaller crowd and a feeling of manageability in being able to post to everyone without inadvertent exclusions or an "all about me" post. I too would feel terrible if I left someone out or just popped in sporadically and reported my miles and goings on. I also felt strange about the fact that even though I was an old timer, there were so many newbies joining the weekly thread that I felt like a complete outsider, KWIM?
I belong to an unofficial conglomerate of WISH'ers who came together during our training for MCM '07. We then decided, as a group, to choose races to run together in the future since geographically we're able to do that rather easily. That being said, we would never, ever want to be thought of as a "group," "club," "team" or anything else that would insinuate the desire to exclude ANY other WISH members from joining us in training for upcoming races. We just like to run, have fun, support each other and embrace the WISH team spirit. I am eternally grateful to WISH for it's ability to bring together such a variety of athletes of all levels who truly strive to support, encourage and motivate each other.
I'll be out on the course next month, most likely walking the 26.2 this time around due to a lack of training and physical limitations and I can assure you I will be proudly wearing my WISH green shirt and cheering for every last WISH member I see, whether or not they know me from the boards.
Hopefully others will chime in with ideas, feelings, etc. so we continue to evolve and grow in a way that continues to foster what we're trying to achieve.
Can't wait to see you all real soon !!