I'm back! Gee- WHAT HAVE I MISSED?!?!?

[karebear1]

Geesh! You're gone 1 week longer then everyone else and suddenly you have no idea baout what the heck is happening anymore!! I haven't had a chance to read the 15 PAGE 2006 WDW Marathon thread yet- but there are several more marathon threads I see! Does anyone want to give me a synopsis of what the heck is going on?!?!?!!?

I missed you all so much last week! Would've much rather been WISHIN' the crusin'. It was a BUST! We were only able to stop at 2 islands because of the weather- and that meant 5 DAYS AT SEA!!! UGH!!! No sea sickness here, JUST PLAIN BOREDOM!!!! Well- that's enough talk about the cruise- onto bigger and better things!

I'm not sure if I am going to do another half or not next year. I'm VERY disappopinted with what happened this year. So- any inside thoughts on that would be appreciated. Does anyone have an email addy I can use to write to WDW about that marathon snafu???

 

[Kimickey]

Yeah!!!!

We've all been anxiously waiting for you. We all here missed you? Happy Anniversary to you and Jim with many, many, many many more. I'm so sorry to hear about your cruise That means we have to plan for a WISH Walkers cruise to make up for the busted cruise. There is a lot of threads here about everything. Everyone here is trying to just keep on pace and stay healthy.


WELCOME BACK

 

[pixiechick]

Welcome Back Karen!!!! We missed you!!!!

Briefly.. a bunch of people have signed on for next year's run and are working towards that. In addition, some of the 2005 wishers (and some newer wishers) have decided to run/walk/"wog" local races as well.

I know everyone was concerned about your race. Someone has the email address for your complaint. Lani at Mouseplanet was looking for info for an article she's writing as well.

One more time though--thank you for everything you did to motivate and inspire us!
Colleen

 

[ohMom]

KAREN!!! your cruise was a BUST???? how can that be? you must not have stopped at CC????

i'm soooooo sorry it wasn't all you had dreamed of? i'm going to PM you about it later!

WELCOME BACK! missed ya!

 

[tw1nsmom]

Welcome back Karen!!

I posted on another thread how sorry I was that I didn't stay in the W area to offer encouragement/moral support to everyone. I had no idea how badly everyone was treated. When I talked to you on my cell phone I was soooo out of it. DH couldn't even make it to the finish line. He was stuck on a bus for 1 1/2 hours with the twins and when I got to area W he had just made it to the TTC. His back was spasming, so I told hime to stay where he was and I would find him.

Karen, if it weren't for you I would never have gone through with participating in the marathon. Sometime last summer, I would have just quit. It was your ongoing encouragement that made me think I could do this. You are a fantastic person and getting to spend time with you on the Illuminations cruise and at TE was a highlight of my families trip.

I didn't receive an official time. They turned off the mats before I crossed the finish line. I'd been thinking about doing the half in 2006 just so that I could shoot for an official time, but now I don't think I'm going to do it. I'm going to try to find a half marathon closer to home in the fall and try to finish in under 3 hours and 30 minutes. I didn't like the way the Disney marathon was organized. DH also reminded me that we are still renovating the attic into a master bedroom, and there are a few other places he would like to go on vacation.

Do you think you'll try again somewhere other than Disney? You definitely would have finished if it weren't for their (Disney's) bonehead move at mile 10.

Dawn

 

[karebear1]

Molli- We did NOT stop at CC! Can you believe that!!! there's only been 1 other tie that has happened. I didn't matter that we tried to wish our way into that port either! It just plain didn't work.

Kimmy- the only way I'd go on another Disney Cruise is if there were WISHWalkers on it! It is not a good cruise for adults when you can only stop at 2 ports.

Collen- I emailed Lani at Mouse palnet to get some info about the half snafu. While I am pretty diasppointed in what happened and want to email Disney concerning the situation, I do want to email them as well, about the outstanding CM's that were on the firing range at that 10 mile marker! They were calm in the face of the storm. I think they should be given many accolades for the way they responded.

Who else form this year's WISHWalkers is signing up for the 2006 half???

 

[Rachael Q]

Karen,

Welcome Back. I am sorry that I didn't get to spend more time with you, but Thanks for everything you did.

I know there are several other people of the board who both emailed and wrote regarding the mess, so someone should be able to give you the addresses.

There are a couple of half marathons on the west coast that are great for beginners maybe you could try one of those - Portland, Seattle and Victoria...I can vouch for Victoria it was the first one I ever did.

I am hope all is well.

Rachael

 

[LittleMissMickey]

Welcome Back, Karen!

Sorry to hear about your cruise... What a bummer!!! I didn't realize that the weather was so bad down that way. Yuck. Hopefully there was at least a little bit of fun to be had... And hopefully you still had a lovely anniversary! Congratulations!

About the marathon... As you cruise through that huge thread that is the January Marathon Thread, you will come to a list that shows how many people are doing it and who exactly they are. Chad (my brother) and I are braving the full next year. Hopefully I can get him to train. This year he kept saying that it was because his knees were bad. I told him to buck up, go to a doctor, and get over it... Once he starts training and maybe doing some lifting he should build up the muscles around his knees and that will make exercise much easier. We also want an official time, since the mats must have been shut off when we crossed. We know that our net time was right around 3:35, though, and since it was TOM I had a couple bathroom trips that took a few minutes too long...

I hope you will do another one with us. If not Disney than at least some other one. Your posts were always so inspiring, and I cannot explain how special it made me feel when you hunted me down like a mother hen. I was, after all, the kid on the thread... You are a true inspiration, and we love having you around! Make sure you do what is right for you, though. Either way, you rock!!!

Good luck getting in touch with Disney. Next year is supposed to be different, with the two races on different days.

Sorry... Got a little long winded. I get that way when trapped in my house for extended periods of time.

Take care and welcome back!

Ashley

 

[wiskband]

KAREBEARRRRRRRRRR
I have been asking about you! glad your back! Sorr y to hear aout the MArathon thing, you sound ok about it, which is good, dont let it get to ya! Sorry about your cruise thing too! But it must have been nice to be away fro so long! We have been planning since we have been back about next year! there are many who are returning and many new folks going! I think a trend may have started, thanks to you! lol. You helped make this all happen. We have about 50 participants and its only JANUARY!
Check out the thread named 2006 marathon. Torwards the end is the latest master list, hope to see your name on it. I have called disney leisure and are expected to speak withe them tomorrow about blocking rooms and perhaps some other events. Ill pass along any info. Anyway, dont want to bombard you now, I kow you have alot to read and write.
Just onel ast thing. like everyone else, thanks for all you have done to get me there and do that marathon. It was so nice to meet you and your family, your daughter is a trip! Also, if you get chance, there is a thread about pics during the marathon,.

You enter a bib number and can see pics. we all entered our number and could see one another! It was alot of fun. You may want to check that o ut!
anyway talk to you soon.
renee

 

[LAWalz23]

Karebear, glad you are back! Sorry to hear your cruise was a bummer! Would it have been better if there were kids with you? I have signed up for 2006 because I want to finish this time. Had to stop early because of legs. Hope you join us next year!

 

[geetey]

Karen!!

Welcome home!! I am sorry to hear your DCL cruise was boring. With that many days at sea, you probably did every class/show/movie they offered! Can you make towel animals now? We did that 'class'.

You have lots of reading to catch up on the post marathon high. Lots of people thinking about next year's WDW marathon; lots thinking about other marathons.

Thanks again for putting the WISH Walkers together! I am so glad we got to meet up in the corral! Check your PM box!

 

[lmhall2000]

I wished so badly I could have made it to the Marathon...if only to see all the WISH gang...I know you've had a long couple of weeks...I would love your point of view on the marathon...debating about signing up for next year if we can afford it.

You are such an inspiration and strong encourager...I'm sure your letters to the top will keep this from happening again...it broke my heart to see WISH'ers taken off the course before time allowed.

WELCOME BACK!!!

Tara

 

[maryliz]

Karen ... Welcome back, my friend! I thought that we might have run into you at the Villas before you went on your cruise ... I guess we were just spending way too much time in the parks

Sorry your cruise was cursed by some bad weather. But I hope that you had a fabulous anniversary anyway

Thank you so much for all of your wonderful inspiration, humour and friendship over the past year. You were definitely our driving force, and I still smile everytime I think of the weekly training thread you started the day that NancyK and I did the Niagara 1/2 - it was along the lines of "here's the thread, let's wait for Team Canada to tell us how they made out to begin our week". It made us both feel so special, and we truly felt all of the WISH support with us.

Don't let Disney's mistakes take away anything that you've earned over the past year. You display that medal proudly ... you earned it. You are the WISH Walker Queen

Take care!

Mary-Liz

 

[karebear1]

Thanks Mary Liz for that vote for Queen- first time I was ever Queen of anything!!!

And Thanks to everyone else for the warm welcome back. It's so nice to come here and know that people will be wondering what you've been up to and how you're feeling about thigns.

Tara- as of right now, I am not planning on going back to WDW for the Half next year. But, I am looking at other marathons! I was wondering if Mary Liz and her DS were gonna do the Niagara Falls one again OR maybe some other one closer to WI.? Don't one of you live close to Wisconsin??? There's a marathon/half marathon in Appleton in September that I'm thinking about challenging my DH family to! They live in that area and might just take me up on it. I was thinking maybe some folks would want to do that one if they lived nearby? Anyway- doing a half marathon is well worth the training effort- and you will feel no greater sense of achievement then actually training and meeting that challenge. I honestly always dreamed of doing one, but never thought I could accomplish my goal of doing it. I guess I kinda did 2 weeks ago- even though I was not aloowed to finish the 13 miles. I did make it to mile 10, and that will just have to be good enough for me. In the future, I will register for events that are NOT timed- that way I kow I'll finish. of course, there's always this little voice inside that says.... "Train with Team In Training- they'll be sure you're time will be good enough!" So.... who knows, maybe I'll break down and regioster for WDW 2006 or 2007. I just can't believe at that at this time last year it was hard for me to walk 10 minutes let alone 10 miles.... and that is NO EXAGGERATION! Please pm me or just let me know if you need some other ideas or have some other questions about the half. I'm more then happy to answer any questions you have- related to any subject you may have!

 

[NCRedding]

Karebear: I am so sorry your cruise was a bust, you deserved a great one. I'm surprised I didn't see you or Mary liz at VWL while we were there.

Thanks so much for all your hard work on making the 2005 wishwalkers happen. You were the driving force behind what turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life!!

My DS is looking into doing the Portland, Oregon 1/2 in October (but the way I read the website, there is no mention of a 1/2 marathon)--it is supposed to be one of the best for walkers.

 

[lizdotcom99]

Karebear, I am sosorry to hear your cruise was a bust as well. I see you ae looking at a Wisconsin Marathon.....I might be interested...just have to see how I do at the one in Chicago on August 7th......feel free to head that diredtion if you would like. There seems to be a few of us that are interested. It is supposed to be a great race....and if you are a John Bingham fan, it is one of his races. There is a 4 hour limit....but I am thinking that must be doable....of course easy for me to say as I have NEVER actually tied to do this...yet! Anyway, welcome back!! Looks like you have been quite the inspiration to folks! I look forward to meeting you....maybe even a a marathon some day!!

Liz

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Karen,

Sorry to hear you missed all those ports on your cruise. What a shame.
I'm so glad I got to meet you and I'm so sorry that all of you got stopped at the 10 mile mark. I really wish Disney would have known how much it would have meant to all the Wishwalkers to have been able to complete the entire thing. I really hope they learn from this and make it better next year. You are such an inspiration! Thanks for all your help this year with the marathon.

 

[Baileymouse]

Hi Karen,

Welcome back, sorry the cruise didn't live up to its reputation!

It was great meeting you and I'm sorry that it ended the way it did. Don't let Disney keep you from other events. My husband and I are thinking of going to the Virginia Beach 1/2 marathon in September.

I hope everything works out for you!!!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Karebear--sorry to hear about your cruise being a bust .

I finished--but Overtime, and sick as a proverbial dog (at least not as sick as the night before).

Here's my link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=712826

Here's the photos thread with everyone's bib numbers and links to my official photos:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=714755

And they shut my mat off 35 seconds before I finished. Grrrrr! Oh well!! I am going back

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Karen! Glad you checked in. Sorry that your trip was not what you expected, but I hope you found some enjoyment.
Add me to the list of those who thank you for being you. You were a great friend and organizer and all of my experience would not have been as rich if you were not part of it. Thank you.
If you are not going to go back to WDW for your medal, at least train with the rest of the group. It seems that even if everyone doesn't meet in the World that there are others who will be training for other events as well as THE WDW event. Me, I still have not made up my mind yet, but I think I really enjoy the walking/jogging Wogging thing and will continue my efforts with that.

Come play with everyone!