Race Reports, Kudos and Encouragement for August 11th, 12th Racers!

[princessmomma]

Congratulations team!

Thanks for the reports Howard and Jen, Jen love the action shots! So great!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Hello team!

Yesterday I sent JBR this email through the 'contact us' on the CDC website:

Dear JBR team,

I would like to share a few thoughts about yesterdays CDC, which was the second one my husband and I participated in.

First off, Sallie the 3:30 pacer is a hoot. We remembered her from last year, and she remembered us. She is terrific, included everyone, made sure everyone was doing well, in short, she is a gem and represented JBR fabulously.

Now for the not-so-good: where were the port-a-potties this year? Somewhere between mile 3 and 4 there was a construction site pot that had a pretty darn long line. Sallie pointed out a few businesses that were open, but I remember last year had more porties available. At the turning point unto the walking trail the facilities were beyond disgusting from what I heard. Also, one of the water stops had run out of cups.

Now for the really not-so-good: we were well ahead of the 3:30 group and were diverted at 33rd onto the walking/bike path. My husband was especially upset to do the "walk of shame" sharing the path with the runners heading in the other direction. He decided to speed up and while doing so spotted workers taking down the 8 mile marker. He told them it was way too early, and the reply from the worker was "I don't care". Ouch. I don't think I saw mile 7, 8, or 9 markers. I definitely remember mile 10.

Better news: there was plenty of bagels and bananas at the finish, and although the water was warm it was plentiful. No towels though.

Overall, we will definitely do this race again, but I had talked it up to my internet training group (W.I.S.H. - We're Inspired to Stay Healthy) which is part of an unofficial Disney web community, and some of them have already posted that they will not repeat this event because of the lack of support. We had people from New Jersey, Florida, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Ohio all come to Chicago specifically for the CDC. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast seeing each other, but some of them have already decided once was enough - which is a real shame because I don't think JBR meant things to turn out the way they did.

I can only imagine what a logistics nightmare it must be to put on such a race. Please don't think I am sharing these things because we are angry or upset, we just wanted to let you know what a penguin experienced yesterday. I would expect that if the race has a 4 hr limit that the people who are well ahead of the balloon cuties will still have mile markers and find the "real" course still open - although one of my fellow WISHers who wasn't diverted stated that she was uncomfortable with that section of LSD with cars speeding by and just separated from the runners by cones, so maybe being diverted wasn't so terrible after all.

I hope that these few glitches are taken care of for next year, the course is beautiful, and we enjoyed it.

Waddle On!!

Pat

This is the response I received today:

Hi Pat –



You are correct – Sallie is a HOOT! I am so lucky that I often get to run with her on Saturday mornings, she makes the longs runs fun! I have copied her on this email so she too knows how much she is appreciated.



I apologize about the port-o-lets, we had planned for them to be at each aid station on course and they were not. This is unacceptable and will be a priority for 2008. I am not quite sure where the miscommunication was regarding the course, volunteers, police, operations people, but you should have NEVER been led off course, mile markers never should have been taken down, aid stations should never run out of cups.



I am so sorry that this event did not meet with the standards we have set for ourselves and what our customers (you the athletes) have come to expect. Please let me make it up to you by offering you entries into the 2008 Chicago Distance Classic. Please email me in the Spring and I will take care of getting you all registered. I promise you plenty of port-o-lets, cups, the proper course and wet towels at the finish line.



Thank you for passing along your comments, it is through emails like this one that we are able to improve for next year!



Beth



Beth Salinger
The LaSalle Bank Chicago Distance Classic



At least our concerns were heard!

 

[nucpharm29]

Pat--wow, I have to say that is pretty amazing! that you got such a prompt response, and not just a "thank you we're looking into it" response. I'm glad your concerns are being addressed--and yippee that you get the registration next year!

 

[Jen117]

Pat - Great letter. I am glad you got a quick response. Now if only I would have gotten a towel souvenier!!!

 

[aladdinsgirl]

Pat, thank you so much for writing that letter to the CDC. I was thinking about e-mailing one as well, but you did it so much better than I ever could. That's amazing that you already got a response back from the race director. I think this year was a fluke, hopefully things will be a thousand times better next year.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I heard from Sallie the 3:30 pacer and this is what she said:

Pat! You’re too kind to me, and I completely echo your thoughts! I’m attaching the email I sent to Jenny Hadfield (John’s wife, the coach, and organizer). I saw her at the finish and she was LIVID at how poorly this went off…



Please tell your friends at WISH that I was incredibly impressed to see them all at the race – to have such a fun, congenial group out there – and to have them finish with smiles, despite the circumstances –well, that was something I needed to see…



Tell me – how can I keep in touch with your group this year? Do you guys have a website? Also, you mentioned a good walking site while we were on the course – can you direct me to it? I’m training for the Nike women’s ½ and I would love some online support!



You and Jim were great again this year – thanks for including me in the fun and for reminding me why I do this race J



Keep in touch if you’re game!



Sallie



I won't include Sallie's email to Jenny because it is very long and very specific in the details of what happened! But be assured that our concerns have been passed all the way up the chain of command at JBR. Both John and Jenny were cc'd on the response from Beth. I feel bad that my fellow WISHers had a less than magical experience, but notice in Sallie's email above that our WISH team made a wonderful impression!

 

[Maherae]

Pat, you are absolutely FANTASTIC!! I'm so glad that you have entries into next year's CDC. We'll get to find out if FINALLY you will be able to do this without getting a foot blister!!

Howard..WOW!!! You were fast! and you got a towel!!

Darcy and Andrew, Carrie and Scott, John and Karen, Krista and Stephen, Mel, Maggie, Cam, Lily, Jim, and Jenn CONGRATULATIONS!!!

 

[keenercam]

Thanks for all the great race reports here. Pat, your letter was great!

I have to tell you guys that I loved the city, loved the WISH team interaction and LOVED doing the race with all my race buddies and LOVE my medal, but I do not have any desire to do this one again, either. There are so many races in so many beautiful places that I haven't seen yet, so, if I am going to do other non-Disney endurance races, I think I will set my sights on another location. Did I mention I LOVE my penguin medal?

 

[WDWFAN9]

Did I mention I LOVE my penguin medal?

You know.....there is another Bingham race in Arizona And an Alaskan cruise one .

I'm still thinking Vegas Dec 2008 though.....

 

[Maherae]

Test

 

[windwalker]

Guys the Flying Pig in Cincinnati is an interesting race. It has a killer up hill section that will be a character builder but the race is first rate. There is the possibility of a three way next year with a 5 and 10K on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday. Or there is a 5, 10, half, full and a relay.

It's always cool weather and the support is great. This is a regular for us.


The Nashville Country Music Marathon is also a good race, it's a week before the Pig.

Dave

 

[escape]

Congratulations to the WISH CDC team on a job well done despite the conditions! I love reading these reports and seeing the wonderful pictures!

Pat, your letter is awesome. I'll bet these mistakes will not be repeated next year. Sallie sounds like a fun person. I'll be going to the Nike women's half - I wish she was going to be a pacer there. Ha!

I've been thinking about the Las Vegas race too. However, that Alaskan Cruise sure got my attention. I think you can get better cabin rates if a block of rooms were reserved at the same time. Just a thought you guys.

Any more reports? I know there were some other WISHers participating in events this past week.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Pat, you are absolutely FANTASTIC!! I'm so glad that you have entries into next year's CDC. We'll get to find out if FINALLY you will be able to do this without getting a foot blister!!

Anne, you are definitely right about the blisters! The only time I have gotten them is in Chicago. Go figure.

One thing though.....Beth's email said to contact her in the spring about registration for us ALL. I took that to mean all WISHers, certainly she wouldn't refer to me and DH as ALL. So.....if any of this years CDCers want to go again next year let me know!

 

[skfulkers]

Pat--thanks so much for writing the letter. It was easy to tell from the coordination of the race that JBR usually does put on a very high class event, but I think a lot of things just broke down on race day. Sounds like they'll make sure it doesn't happen again.

I don't have time right now to post a real race report. I will certainly try in the next day or two. Let me just say we had an absolutely wonderful time in Chicago with all of you. What a great city and what a great team to spend the weekend with! As Krista and I were getting ready for bed on Saturday night before the race, we were commenting on what a great time we were having and that it was too bad we had to ruin it by getting up early the next morning to do a half marathon.

I'm excited to see you all again at the TOT in October. Hope everyone is recovering well. And Howard and Cam--how are we still all alive after that cab ride???

Steve

 

[Sir Bouncealot]

I wish I had more time right now to post a race report worthy enough to be read by you all, but this is an quick post...with pictures!

It was really great to see Mel, Lily, Cam, Carrie, Anne, Karen, and John again after meeting you all last January at the Marathon Weekend. And it was just as great to meet Steve, Krista, Maggie, Jen, Pat, and Howard for the first time!

Will post a race report soon, and now for the pics....
The crew at Ginos East

My DS defacing private property

My DW Darcey (DJBounce)

Outside of GIno's East (with Steve and Krista)

Millenium Park - the Bean

 

[magslite]

Pat, great letter. Thanks for taking the time to write it. It is nice to know that your voice was heard. Sallie was great too!

Since this was my first race I have nothing to compare, but even I can see that things went wrong. I am looking forward to the next race. I have learned to carry my own water!

Hmmmm - I would definately be able to get my head around the alaskan cruise!! Wouldn't that be a GREAT WISH event!

After meeting everyone this last weekend, I am very proud to be a part of this team. I stumbled trying to explain our team ifl, but not anymore. What a great group you all are!

Maggie

 

[Jen117]

Has anyone read the gossip news this week?? How did we miss Angelina and Brad? They were at the Field Museum on Saturday and that is so close to where we were. We were thissssssss close!!!

 

[TXBelle]

Great job WISH team! We are becoming famous with our lime green shirts and totally cool hats/visors. The Alaskan cruise would be such an incredible experience. I saw all the pictures from the last one, and it looked like so much fun. I just love John Bingham. He is such an inspiration. I'm with Cam, we need to find a race in 2008 with beautiful scenery and cool weather (and a huge honking medal of course). I look forward to more race reports and photos. By the way, I think the official race photos have now been posted. Everyone please provide your bib numbers so that we can find you.

 

[WDWFAN9]

It definitely wouldn't take a lot of arm-twisting to get me on the Alaskan cruise!! Another possibility I've mentioned before is the Dec Las Vegas full/half. The medal is shaped like the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. How cool is that?? And doing the half would be a good training run for those doing the WDW full in Jan.

Of course if I would only win one of the really, really big lottos I'd love to take all us WISHers down to Helen's neck of the woods!! One can only dream....but hey, somebody's gotta lotto, might as well be me!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Oops, forgot to mention - I am bib 1621, DH is 1622.