Marathon weekend roving reporter live trip report

[Mouse Skywalker]

Dave, thanks so much for taking the time to tell us about your trip. I hate running, I was in the Army for 4 years (that's where I met Paul ) we had to run all the time and I vowed, when I got out of the Army to never run again. Your story really has inspired me, I think that I am going to run the Expedition Everest challenge. I gotta tell you between your post and Kathy's blog I got pretty choked up reading. I especially loved the pic of you and Goofy. You look so happy.


BTW: I love the T-shirt you wore to HDDR.

I ran the Expedition Everest Challenge in September, and it was one of the FUNnest races I've ever run. That's a picture of me running it in my siggy. I ran in a costume, and I never had done that before.

I can't believe you noticed my shirt. I was gonna wear that today. You won't tell if you see it again in pictures will you? It's pretty clean...

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I can't believe I'm sharing this, but it's early. I may edit the post out. Alicia, this is what got me running again. My daughter (now DD7 ) took this picture of me when we were on vacation in the Finger Lakes in July 2005.

I couldn't stand it. My weight had increased to over 200 lbs. I had always considered myself a pretty active person. My first daughter was born in 1998, and we moved to Vermont and got a new job at Middlebury College in 1999. My running and exercising just stopped. I saw that picture in 2005 and thought, I need to take better care of myself.

We went to Disney over Labor Day weekend 2005 (first ever Free Dining ), and that's when I really got bitten by the Disney bug. I discovered the DIS when planning that trip. After we got back, I continued surfing on the DIS, but I didn't really have a reason too since we had no plans on coming back. Eventually I thought, "why am I sitting here surfing the internet? If I have time for that, I have time to exercise."

Here's the post I made January 23, 2006

Greetings WISHers... I'm 38, and used to be a regular runner. I fell off when my first daughter was born (DD8 ), and have had a hard time getting back to exercising ever since. Daughter born, got first real job, yada, yada, yada. I'm looking for some support as I try to get back to running. I've always had a dream of running a marathon. I thought it would be great to try to run a half marathon first as I try to get to the marathon, but I need some support. Anyone out there that can help me. I'm going to build up really slowly because the last time I tried to run (last summer), I got terrible shin splints and could barely walk.

Here goes, I'm going to leave work a little early and go for a 1/2 hour walk right now.

I received a reply from Tiger Lily 03 (a moderator on the WISH boards) 20 minutes later welcoming me to the WISH team, and I've been exercising ever since. Thanks to their support.

OK, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I need another cup of coffee.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Thanks for all the kind words and support MODisFan and SamSam.

Kathy, it was a very busy day yesterday. I was exhausted by the time I got back to my room at 8:00pm. It was great to see you in the morning. Thanks again for making the trek out in the wee hours before dawn.

 

[safetymom]

Dave, thank you for your honesty with the picture!!!

Really I am a morning person! I would much rather be out before the sun comes up than out at 10 PM. Thank you for introducing me to the marathon.

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

Full Marathon UPDATE: The leaders just crossed the bridge between the Swan/Dolphin to go to the Yacht Club. They have a little over a mile left. Run around the World Showcase and then they're done. I can hear the cheering from my balcony at the Swan.

 

[TigerTown]

I am so glad you had a good time Dave (aside from the ticket thing ). This was a great trip report. It makes me want to get out of this cold weather even more.

 

[Annette_VA]

Full Marathon UPDATE: The leaders just crossed the bridge between the Swan/Dolphin to go to the Yacht Club. They have a little over a mile left. Run around the World Showcase and then they're done. I can hear the cheering from my balcony at the Swan.

Very cool! One of my bosses is running this morning.

 

[shellyminnie]

Your story really has inspired me, I think that I am going to run the Expedition Everest challenge. QUOTE]


Alicia - if you run the challenge - I will certainly come over and cheer you on!!!

OK, I can't believe I'm sharing this, but it's early. I may edit the post out. Alicia, this is what got me running again. My daughter (now DD7 ) took this picture of me when we were on vacation in the Finger Lakes in July 2005.

I couldn't stand it. My weight had increased to over 200 lbs. I had always considered myself a pretty active person. My first daughter was born in 1998, and we moved to Vermont and got a new job at Middlebury College in 1999. My running and exercising just stopped. I saw that picture in 2005 and thought, I need to take better care of myself.

We went to Disney over Labor Day weekend 2005 (first ever Free Dining ), and that's when I really got bitten by the Disney bug. I discovered the DIS when planning that trip. After we got back, I continued surfing on the DIS, but I didn't really have a reason too since we had no plans on coming back. Eventually I thought, "why am I sitting here surfing the internet? If I have time for that, I have time to exercise."

Here's the post I made January 23, 2006


I received a reply from Tiger Lily 03 (a moderator on the WISH boards) 20 minutes later welcoming me to the WISH team, and I've been exercising ever since. Thanks to their support.

OK, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it. I need another cup of coffee.

Dave - what a great inspirational story!!

I have battled my weight all my life and it's not fun!!!

I am starting to get back to the gym to exercise We'll see how long it lasts!!

Thanks for sharing your story and your trip!!

 

[ADP]

Dave,

Those "moon shots" look wonderful. I heard on our local news this morning the moon is very close to the earth right now. It looks 30% brighter and 10% larger because how close it is to us right now.

Also, I just wanted to say how wonderful it is you took control of your life and lost the weight by becoming active again. We have a lot in common. I too saw a picture or two of myself taken by my family. That is when I also decided to go on a weight loss expedition. Congratulations! And thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

[SamSam]

Dave, Thanks for being brave enough to post your 'before' pic, and sharing your story of getting back into exercising and being healthy. Like you, I have found the WISH team to be supportive, encourging and helpful.

I am also doing Expedition Everest next year, I planned our annual Food and Wine trip to start early enough to participate in it. All the pics that were posted at the last one looked like such fun that I decided immediately that it was something I wanted to do.

 

[klam_chowder]

Dave, congrats on finishing the half. How wonderful of you to share your story. The medal is so cute!

Just curious if you don't mind...

• how long does it take to walk from the Dolphin to Epcot?
• how long to MGM/DHS?
• what time did the Hoop de Doo finish? I'm thinking of doing it before the Podcast Poly meet; also wasn't sure how long I'd need to get from it to the Poly...any idea?

cheers,

 

[crazytp93]

Congrats Dave and thanks for updating us!

 

[exwdwcm]

wow,- great time Dave- congrats to you and all the other runners! thanks for sharing all the great pics and report too!

 

[cocowum]

Dave, thank you so much for sharing your story. I also want to say what a great job you did getting back into shape. Paul and I will definitely be running. Your story really is so inspirational.

Alicia - if you run the challenge - I will certainly come over and cheer you on!!!

Thanks Shelly.

 

[shellyminnie]

Thanks Shelly.

No Problem!! Just let me know when and where!!

 

[Mouse Skywalker]

OK, I'm back home in snowy Rochester, NY. I have some final pictures to post from yesterday. Sunday, I had one final thing I wanted to do before I left the World. I didn't have any park tickets for this weekend, but there was still one thing I needed to do.

I headed to the Polynesian, and made a beeline to here...

Found what I was looking for...

Here's to you Bawb!! Thanks for everything!

 

[SamSam]

Perfect ending for your weekend.....a Dolewhip for Bawb!

 

[Stroller Boy]

Stroller Boy Chris is there! If you see him (LOL), say hi!

Horrible..Horrible....I'm a bad Disboard poster... :-( Feels like when I go to confession... Forgive me podcast folks, it's been months since my last post.... ;-)

So, yeah, I was there! Ran with the "Team Voice" group from All About the Mouse podcast (insert booooooo's here...ha) Pre-race our group was standing right next to all the W.I.S.H folks, and I gotta say...that's one large group!

Here's my shoutout to the W.I.S.H folks though, you guys are AWESOME!!!! On and off the course! There were a ton of folks with W.I.S.H shirts just cheering everyone throughout the race. Fantastic group of people!

I finished in 1:56:54 (I'm pretty sure....). Got a little thrill out of the end when they announced me as I crossed the finish line...kind cool...

If I make it down next year I might just be looking for a dual group membership if it's allowed.

 

[Stroller Boy]

Okay, so I posted and just going back through this post now...So I said that our group was standing right next to the W.I.S.H group....well...my face is directly to the left the first person (on the left) in this picture! LOL (or at least I think that's me....it's kinda dark...) It's a small world after all...

 

[cocowum]

Perfect ending for your weekend.....a Dolewhip for Bawb!

I completely agree. Perfect ending.