W.I.S.H. Racing Team Rocks!

WDWFAN9

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 22, 2001
Messages
2,043
Well, I just returned yesterday from an awesome Marathon experience. I am so grateful I stumbled across WISH back in Jan 2005 after that first group of WISHers were returning from doing the half. Little did I know way back then how important WISH would become in my life and how much my life would be enriched by the experiences I've had with the team.

First off I would like to thank our moderators Molli and Lily who so generously give of their time keeping our little corner of the DIS functioning smoothly.

A big thank you to Vic who keeps our race calendar updated! I love seeing all the awesome races my teammates are participating in....and it's got to be a big job keeping it accurate.

Carrie and Mel - thank you for all you do outfitting our team in our amazing shirts. You've both been doing the orders for several years and make it look easy, but I know it has got to be very time consuming.

Thank you Tracy for taking care of our hat and visor orders AND our meet name tags!

Team captains - I don't know all of you, but appreciate your willingness to be responsible for tracking your team minutes and miles. Thanks so much!

Thanks Liz for organizing the Illuminations Dessert Party again. I couldn't make it this year because of a prior commitment, but it sounds like it was a great time.

The volunteers this weekend were so amazing! Gosh I really appreciated all the smiling faces. I'm just sorry I missed seeing some of you at the water stops! It was really going above and beyond the call of duty to stand out there in the cold and wind and do it so cheerfully. In general I thought the volunteers this year were some of the most enthusiastic that I have ever seen and just about everyone that I thanked turned it around and thanked me. Just as an aside I want to share a quick story about the volunteer who put the Goofy medal around my neck......when the older gentleman went to place the Goofy medal on me he said, "Congratulations on a job well done". I was pretty choked up and barely managed to croak a thank you. God bless him for appreciating the moment because he smiled at me, opened his arms and asked "How about a congratulations hug?" What a sweetheart!

Screamteamers - wow! It meant so much to have you out there on the course. I know the cold made it harder to spot each other since we were all so bundled up, and I think I missed a few people, but those that I saw were awesome. So were the oranges and pretzels! Thank you is just so inadequate to express how greatly your efforts were appreciated. Oh - to the scream teamers outside of MGM and at the Beach Club, I realized after the fact that I just kind of blew by you all.....I was just so anxious to get that Goofy medal around my neck!! Note to those who don't know me - when I say "blew by" I mean walking fast!!

Matt - what can you say about a guy who travels hundreds of miles to cheer on his teammates? You ROCK!

Real life friends - some of you have transitioned from being "just" internet teammates to being real life friends. Your love and support mean the world to me. Just a few years ago I would have never believed that some of the best people in my life would be brought to me via the internet, now I can't imagine my life without you!

WISH teammates - the ones who's screen names I recognize, who's faces I know, even the ones who I have yet had the priviledge of knowing - each and everyone of you are an important part of who the WISH Team is and I am so grateful to all of you. I guess I am just feeling sentimental in my oldER age, but you are ALL awesome.

I'd like to give a special thanks to Anne, who got me into going Goofy in the first place. We trained together long distance and her enthusiasm and dedication were contagious. Who else is crazy enough to travel from FL to IL so that we could do our 16 miler together?? It changed a LSD that I had been dreading into something that I looked forward to. Anne is a real asset to the WISH team.

Finally, even though he doesn't read here, I'd like to thank my wonderful DH Jim. When he wasn't accompanying me to halfs in the fall (getting my training in AND getting a medal - the Wendy training plan) he was a cheerful Goofy widower. He is the best.

I sincerely hope that I haven't forgotten anyone, please know I didn't mean to!

ETA: Whew, I knew I'd forgotten a thank you - a great big thanks to Judy and Kristi for organizing the Red Water Stop # 2 volunteers!

I look forward to seeing you all on the boards and hopefully at some events.
 
It's easy to forget about all the effort that goes in to making WISH look like an easy operating group when it really has so many moving parts run by volunteers (or is that voluntEARS?), my thanks to all who have a part in it.
 
That was very nice Pat. I had tears in my eyes reading your post. It is amazing how we've become friends with people all through the internet and these crazy, races.

Last year I didn't make it to WDW (went to a different race). Even though I was with other friends, I felt withdrawal by not being at WDW with all my WISH friends and teammates. It was tough.

I can't imagine not being at WDW for marathon weekend in the future. It's a must. Just seeing everyone and renewing friendships and meeting the new WISHers - it's just great!

Terri
 

And THIS is why I Love You Pat...... :grouphug:
 
Wow! Not much to add Pat you said it well.

I feel so sorry for the folks that show up at a race without this support. Just seeing an occasional WISH runner or supporter along the course makes all the difference.

Thanks,
Duane
 
Thank you for writing this, Pat! :goodvibes It's exactly how I've been feeling about the WISH group. I'm so thankful for everyone here. They make things so much more fun.

I wanted to say thank you to Matt specifically. I always start dragging a little right before that overpass. It's just that part of the race for me, and seeing Matt's big smile and waving hands just cheers me right back up.

My DH and I were coming up to the overpass and I asked him for my glasses so I could see Matt, and he said the worst thing. He said I don't see him. What do you mean? I'm sorry, Babe, he's not there. He said it in that awful voice he uses like I might turn into a mental paitient. I think all DHs have that voice! LOL

Well, I said, it's really cold, you know, feeling bummed out but trying to be understanding. I mean it was REALLY cold. I was looking up towards the overpass and I saw a blur move. Is that him, is it, is it? My DH handed over my glasses and I was bouncing around it's Matt it's Matt, look everybody it's Matt!!!!! I waved, Matt waved, we go under the bridge and I can feel it, I'm just glowing, I'm so happy. My DH looks at me and he's laughing and he says do you even know Matt? I said, nope, but he's the BEST! :rotfl:

So thanks for the lift Matt! I really needed you this year! :hug:

And also thanks to the Twizler lady! That was an inspired idea. I LURVE me some Twizlers!

From just deciding to race to what to wear, what to eat, where to stay, when to change any of the above, emotional support before during and after the race, this WISH family is just awesome!
 
I looked forward to last weekend all year, but the amazing thing about being a part of this team is that you never know what connections you'll make or what will happen. I knew I'd be racing. I knew I'd be volunteering. I knew I'd be going to a couple of meets and the dessert party. And all of those were great in their own way, but the highlight of the weekend for me:

I ended up traveling to DHS with Tracy after our volunteer shift was over. I had planned to go to Epcot to see people at the W tent, but the monorail line was prohibitive. So a bus to DHS, it was! I had the most incredible time handing out Twizzlers to friends and strangers alike, ringing a cowbell and cheering my head off. Racer's eyes would light up like nothing I've seen before - it was like I had a handful of magic, not just a bunch of cold, chewy red licorice.

I loved meeting up with my teammates and friends that I'd met before. Especially Matt who surprised us all at the last minute! I loved meeting new teammates and friends as well. Two years ago, I was overweight, depressed and lonely. In part because of WISH (and a little hard work), my life is transformed and I am none of those things any longer.

Thank you WISH! :grouphug:
 
Word, Pat. Word.

I bow to you all. As Corinna indicated, I am a better person for knowing you. You all inspire me. :worship:
 
Very well, put, Pat. :goodvibes

If it weren't for the WISH team, I wouldn't be where I am today. I feel blessed and lucky to be a part of this great collaboration. Thank you all...very much.
 
Pat - that gave me goosebumps! Thank you for your post - it reminds me why I joined WISH, why I love being a part of this Amazing Team!! When the weather was ridiculous, the spirit of WISH rose above - drifted to the top and kept many of us going!!

and thinking...

maybe 2011 is possible!!
 












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