Post-Marathon Brainstorming

[chimera]

1) What else do we need out there to aid our teammates (and others) on the course?

Licorice was a hot item, I think Anne said the oranges and ice were too, so maybe more of those. Tricia mentioned Skittles and LifeSavers. How did the pretzels work out? More cold cloths, water and Gatorade/Powerade? I had some Gu, but probably only went through about 3/4 of a box, so not sure if that would be helpful. Clif Bars instead maybe? Or something else easier to eat and digest?

2) Where should we set up?

I think most of our efforts are concentrated from the turnaround to EPCOT, which seems to be where the runners need us most. Should we stay in those areas? Split up groups to have more folks available? Anyplace else to try and hit? Seems like most folks do well up to the half marathon point, then it all comes crashing down. Anything we can do for the half?

Okay, discuss!

 

[luvdiz2]

I am so glad you posted this, as I can thank you "personally" for all of your support and help. This was my first marathon and I WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH IT if it wasn't for your efforts today with the licorice, oranges and a stranger who pushed a cold cloth down my sweaty back - THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

If you want input, the only thing I would change is forget the gu, other than that as a pretty near the back of packer, you didn't seem to run out of anything.

Again, I thank you so much for your efforts today!

 

[jbucci]

I want to add my sincere thanks for all of the awesome support out there today (and a special thanks to Matt for hanging with me during the race). It was so nice to see familiar, friendly faces along the course. The oranges were totally awesome (I'm not a big fan of bananas and those were the only fruit available on the course, so the oranges were really welcome.) The twizzlers were great too-- remarkably easy to digest and hold.

I had a great time my first marathon and that is largely thanks to you guys!

 

[bubba73]

Mel,

What I experienced for my first Half was extraordinary!! Everything was fantastic. My only thought would be that most of the runners already have GU on them so that is not a necessity. But, especially for new runners like me, having something to actually snack on to help refuel would be wonderful. Between the time that we have to get up and get ready, head over to the waiting area, then the corral and then start, anything that we would have had for breakfast would have disappeared by then. We didn't really have anything like that on the Half. I had the GU but I hadn't thought of a snack. But in all honesty, it was a wonderful experience and I cannot wait until next year. Everyone was fantastic and made this weekend something that I will always remember. Thanks!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Mel! I agree with the others, I cannot thank everyone enough for all the support out there today. I somehow missed the oranges at the turnaround, but I got some twizzlers from you all outside DHS. I was at a point where I was hitting a wall, but knew if I could just keep on going I would have a PR (which I did by quite a bit)...but anyhow, I think everything was great today, and I know I greatly appreciated it!!!

 

[SamSam]

I wasn't able to be there this year (I do plan on next year), but I wanted to weigh in on what I found really worked for me when I participated in some biking events. You mentioned oranges, which were always a great pick me up. Ditto with the twizzlers. Another that I always loved was apples that had been divided into sections.....perfect pick me up. Another item that really gave me a very needed energy boost were Fig Newtons, they never upset my stomach and gave a great boost of energy.

 

[twoWDWfools]

First, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!! This was my first marathon and seeing you all out there and having snacks at the out/back from AK then outside DHS was certainly a serious lift to my spirits. Big THANKS to the guy who walked and talked with me from DHS to Boardwalk (sorry but forgot to get your name...was just moving forward).

Twizzlers and oranges huge fave. I agree about the GUs, think most of us carry our own. Having the water/gatorade and pretzels was great. I also use Fig Newtons on long distances so maybe something to think about.

Oh, cold rags BIG help with yesterday's heat and lack of shade.

Again Thank You all so much whether at one of the snack stops or along the course cheering!!!!

 

[TnTsParty]

I want to thank everyone who was out there yesterday. I mentioned it on the other thread but I really appreciated the oranges. I didn't get any Twizzlers but from other people I got Skittles and a Lifesavers. It was really a lifesaver. I think by that point you really need/enjoy candy and the oranges. I like bananas but for some reason when I run they don't agree with my stomach so I stayed away from them so Thank You Thank You Thank You for the oranges they hit the spot.

 

[scoolover]

Mel,
Keep in mind that I am really a bad a@@ so don't go thinking that I am a whimp but I got some tears in my eyes when I saw you guys at HS. Not quite sure why but it probably has something to do with simple kindness. You guys are awesome! The orange/ice crew was in just the right spot, too.

I missed the pretzles but that was what I had my crew bring. They are easy on my stomach. The clif bars that the race was handing out were surprisingly good and again, didn't hurt my digestive system. I was scared of the orange but it went down well and was a nice treat. I am not signing up for any races next year but I would like to take the weekend to volunteer to help out instead of just taking. I think that we WISHers represented ourselves very well again with kindness and a positive attitude. What an awesome display.

You are right that the second half of the full is where we really need to consentrate our efforts. Most people get through the half easy enough and anyone who enters the full probably has a fairly easy time for the first 13 miles. The last 13 and more than likely the last 6-8 are where people really struggle and need the help. It was great this year but perhaps we can expand that next year. The exploding # of WISHers may make it possible to have a group every mile or so for the last 6-8 miles of the race.

Overall, this year was great!!! Thanks to everyone who handed out a goodie or gave some words of encouragement or simply gave a nod of acknowledgement to someone who was struggling. I was proud to be a WISHer in 09.

 

[Kimickey]

Yesterday, I ran by two WISH'ers (ladies) who ran up to two Wisher's and received twizzlers, it was right at the Ticket and Transportation place? Who might they be? Oh I was too embarrassed to stop and introduce myself, because I didn't want to be looked at like I was crazy. Any-who I thought it was AWESOME to see the support and love that was given

 

[hockeygirl]

Scott--I can relate to the whole tears in your eyes thing. I was the same exact way. I was hitting a wall at that point and just wanted to get to the end, when I saw the crew outside DHS, I teared up, and couldn't even really speak to say thanks! You guys have no idea the boost that it gave me at that point!!!!!!!

 

[bubba73]

I was working Water Stop #11 in the back of the Magic Kingdom with Tracy, Amy and Maura. I was drafted to work the Powerade table at the beginning of the stop. At the beginning, it wasn't so bad but once the real crowd kicked in, I wasn't able to look up. I saw a couple of WISHers (that honestly I didn't know who you were), a couple of Triple D teammates (Mike, I hope you had a great race!) and Dave with Erica. I was only able to say Hey to one or two of them as it was. I spent over 2 hours straight just pouring and mixing up the Powerade so I am sorry that I wasn't truly able to support my WISH teammates. I do have a new respect for all who did the Full. I can only imagine how it feels to be able to finish that sort of distance. I know how I felt just doing the Half. You guys are awesome!!

Bryan

 

[TnTsParty]

thank you Bryan and all other volunteers at yesterday's full. There was always plenty of water or powerade at all the stops I went through. The early stops I didn't stop at but I used them further along the course. It got pretty crowded through some of those water stops so I could imagine how busy it was for the volunteers at those stops. So thank you for all the hard work.

I saw a guy volunteer that was handing out cups without any gloves on - even after all those miles I still am worried about germs. He had his fingers in the cups though so it was pretty gross.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I am so very appreciative of any and all efforts that were made to support our WISH Team on the course.
You were fantastic. I don't have any real request for any additions. I just want to say THANK YOU for the cold cloth and the ice to put in after the cold turned hot since I was on fire and was just not able to cool myself. Thank you for the phone communications going on so I could get another cold cloth at BW at that point I was not very well and then Matt appeared to walk me around the world. I am so greatful for all encouraging words, by our participants as they passed me and by those on the side offering things.

I did not take much of anything since this time I was prepared with all the Gu I needed and partook of the water/powerade as well. I just was overheated and I was afraid of taking any treats or anything else. But since it was hot on Sunday, the cold cloth and ice did me good.

WISH Team is the greatest! Thank you.

 

[solotraveler]

First off... THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!! to all our scream team members and volunteers. Couldn't have done it without you.

As for your questions... I actually loved the twizzlers and oranges are always good in the back half of the race. What I really liked last year were the wet washcloths... either those or sponges, maybe at a couple stops would be WONDERFUL!

As for locations for the full... I pretty much like where everyone sets up now. If I had to add one, I might put someone in the AK parking lot near mile 18... but that's my own personal low point The turnaround, just past MGM and the Beach Club are all good spots for screamers.

For the half... that's a lot tougher since so much of it is highway road. Maybe someone could take Matt's spot and yell from the overpass at Mile 10 again. That was an awesome spot!

Kevin

 

[escape]

After we left the "turnaround" I went to the Boardwalk to hand out the remaining oranges, pretzels and wet towels. They all went like hotcakes. I could have given out a ton of pretzels as that's what most people were requesting.

Although I had no problems giving out the oranges, I think the "turnaround" is the best place for that. After I ran out of everything, the folks at the little snack bar by the pool (Beachclub?) at the boardwalk were gracious enough to give me more ice to give to the marathoners. The runners really appreciated our WISH team efforts.

 

[Villains_Rock]

I also can't eat a banana while I'm running but the orange was a perfect treat. I got cut off for my Twizzler by a non-WISHer that nabbed it. He apologized, and I was so happy that I was almost done that I didn't care. The best thing you guys did out there was the strong support after HS...I too got teary eyed. Best place to set up IMO. Thank you SOOOOOOOO much!!!!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Scott--I can relate to the whole tears in your eyes thing. I was the same exact way. I was hitting a wall at that point and just wanted to get to the end, when I saw the crew outside DHS, I teared up, and couldn't even really speak to say thanks! You guys have no idea the boost that it gave me at that point!!!!!!!

DH and I were part of the crew outside of MGM and please believe me when I say that we had an absolute blast cheering for everyone!!

 

[mkymsehi]

What, there was a snack shop on the out and back??? LOL, Anne told me I was too fast, and I missed it. Hmm, next year I'm walking the marathon with Matt.

I did score a Twizzler from the gang at DHS. Seeing the Team Green ChEar-squad helped me kick it in gear.

Bubba, I was wondering where the heck you were at the mile #11 watershop. I saw you in Tracy's pictures, but only saw the three of them at the end of the table. Even though I missed you, thanks buddy. You ready to do a full, or Goofy with me?

Great meeting all the WISH team at POP Century. We need to get another meet up going either after the half, or full, or both.

 

[chimera]

Thanks for all the great ideas! Keep 'em comin'.

DH has said something with a little protein would be nice. What do y'all think of peanut butter crackers or those cheese crackers? That would give salt, protein and carbs.

I love the fig newton idea...though the hard part would be not eating them myself.

What do y'all think of frozen seedless grapes? I'm not sure if we could keep them frozen through the whole race, but if they start that way they might stay cold. Definitely more oranges and Twizzlers

I truly enjoy cheering for the full more than running it. I think WDW does a pretty good job with the food and water stops, but I like to have some extra stuff out there for our team just in case of shortages. and so WISHers don't have to feel alone out there. This all started in 2007 when the weather was so warm and I was worried about our teammates not used to training in it. The weather can be brutal for the uninitiated, and rough even for those of us that train in it all the time. Thanks for helping fine tune the process!