Walkers Wanna Compare Notes??

[jeanneg]

John Bingham's plan looks so doable I shouldn't have any trouble sticking with it. I'm thinking we'll be so emotionally pumped on marathon day that we'll be able to go the extra distance without too much trouble. Last night John and I opted to play 9 holes of golf instead of regular walking. The front 9 is about 3.5 miles and hilly. It was only 90 degrees yesterday but we were practically dead when we finished (we walk, of course). I can't imagine what it must have been like a few days ago when it was 105!

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[katwalks]

I followed the MFM plan for both the Palo Duro Canyon 20k and the Albuquerque half marathon. I know both of those are shorter than what you all are working toward in the marathons, but I found it very easy to follow and was very glad I did! The Palo Duro race is a trail race and I had no clue what I was getting myself into. It was very, VERY hilly, on hiking trails where you climbed up and over rocks, etc. I know if I hadn't trained faithfully for a half-marathon before doing that race, I'd have been in big trouble. It's in the middle of nowhere and once you start, there's really no place to quit. They can't come and get you as there are no roads, so you pretty much HAVE to finish. I suppose if someone collapsed they'd manage to find a way to send in rescue people, but not if you just decided to quit! Anyway, I very glad I had trained so carefully! The hardest part for me in following the plan was the XT days. I finally decided on swimming for those days. I follow the same basic plan even when I'm not training for a specific race, except the long days aren't so long! When I am not recovering from surgery, I walk 3 days per week, do water aerobics once a week and lap swim once a week.

Today I got to DRIVE over to the riverwalk to do my three miles! Today was a bit faster again, although not by much. Still, I'll take it! 16.35 mpm as opposed to yesterday's 16.46. Considering Monday's time was 17.19, I'm pretty pleased. I'll be really pleased when I'm under 15 again, but yesterday was 3 weeks since the surgery, so I think I'm doing okay.

I know most of you are really struggling with the heat. It gets hot here, too, but fortunately it really cools off in the evenings and early mornings, so I can walk before it gets too hot. I think it's been under 55 degrees the last couple of mornings. You all hang in there, cooler days are on the way soon! My daughter, who works in Cripple Creek (about 10,000 feet above sea level) says the leaves are already turning up there, so it won't be much longer before the cool weather gets here! So keep getting in your steps and stay in the habit of getting your walks in!

Make a great day!

 

[windwalker]

Good morning everyone.

I decided today that the heat is not going to bother me anymore. It's summer in the South, it's gonna be hot, I'm an athlete, I'll deal with it.

With my new improved positive attitude my walk was very pleasent and much faster with less precieved effort. I'm gonna bring the joy back to my exercise. My walk was my regular 4 miles on the hills, time 52:05. I took it easy and the first mile was easy warm-up pace.

I went a few minutes earlier than I normally did and got to walk past long lines of cars, filled with people dropping off their kids at the high school. I noticed if someone looked really down that a big smile from me would be answered with a big smile back. It's amazing how someones face brightens up when they smile.

Miranda, Denise's DD, has recommended the Mamma Melrore restraunt at the MGM for dinner the evening before the marathon. She may get a group reservation set up. Any restraunt recommed by a chef as the best pasta at WDW is aplace I want to eat. Anyone else interested? We could have a WISH walkers gathering before the big day.

Erica is feeling much better, she was back to work last night and has her voice back. Maybe I can get her out training again on monday.

Have an awesome day y'all.

Dave

 

[jeanneg]

Dave: I'm a little confused (so what else is new)......when are the plans for Mama Melrose? Friday or Saturday night? I thought there was going to be a meeting at Pop century food court on Friday? If MM is Saturday night, it probably won't work for us as we will want to have dinner with our kids (now that they're grown we don't get to see them that often) and they don't have APs. If they don't plan to go to the parks that day, we won't waste an admission just for dinner. A meeting outside of the parks would work fine.

 

[windwalker]

Dave: I'm a little confused (so what else is new)......when are the plans for Mama Melrose? Friday or Saturday night? I thought there was going to be a meeting at Pop century food court on Friday? If MM is Saturday night, it probably won't work for us as we will want to have dinner with our kids (now that they're grown we don't get to see them that often) and they don't have APs. If they don't plan to go to the parks that day, we won't waste an admission just for dinner. A meeting outside of the parks would work fine.

Yes friday is the official WISH gathering at the Pop. We will of course be there. I understand about Saturday and the Mama Melrose. I would have dinner with the kids also. That is Erica's Birthday so we wanted a nice restraunt with WISH friends. How long are you guys staying? We are there from the 6th till the 17th. Maybe we can all get together at the Brewery or something on the Boardwalk another night.

You know we are having dinner at the Liberty Tree tavern on the friday evening before the ToT which is on Saturday? Then MNSSHP after with a big WISH group. Then Saturday afternoon about 2:00 we are having a meet at the mini golf on the Boardwalk and dinner at the ESPN with time to relax after before going to the ToT.

We have to find some time we can get together.

Dave

 

[jeanneg]

Both the TofT trip and full marathon are going to be quickie vacations for John and myself.

For TofT we will arrive Thursday morning and leave early Sunday evening. Nancy and I opted to do The MNSSHP on Thursday because she is actually extending her family vacation to do the TofT. The rest of her group leaves Friday so Thursday was the only evening we could all do MNSSHP. Friday we have planned to go to Epcot, eat at Germany and see the Village People perform. Nothing like a little YMCA music to get us pumped. The plans for Saturday to meet at mini-golf and eat at ESPN are fine for John and me. I'm sure Nancy will be agreable to them as well as we had nothing planned for that day and no idea what we were going to eat. Maybe you guys can give us some nutritional advice. I have never had one of those humungus turkey legs and keep telling people that's exactly what I'm going to treat myself to right after the TofT. I can't think of anything better to eat at just around midnight! I am so looking forward to meeting you, Erica and all the other WISHers.
For the January events, we are also arriving Thursday but leaving Monday. I bought our plane tickets for the flight down but the return leg is not yet available on SW. Our 22 y/o son will come down with us. Our 23 y/o daughter will be traveling from Michigan and will probably not arrive until Friday. We have absolutely nothing planned except the victory (we hope) dinner at Ohana's on Sunday night. Friday at Pop should be fine. Hubby and daughter are doing the Donald on Saturday so I'm not sure if they want to go to the parks afterward. On Sunday I'd like to attend the post-marathon party at PI even if I have to drag myself to it. Awhile back someone mentioned meeting for breakfast the next day and we could do that also. We won't be able to be at each and every WISH meet, but we should be able to catch a few. Plus, I'm sure there will be other WISHers hanging around between 4 and 6a.m. on the day of the event. Seriously, other than use the port-o-potty, what do people do for those 2 hours?

 

[windwalker]

Good morning Jeanne. That's cool that you can do the Pleasure Island thing with us. We had lots of fun there in 2006, we didn't go in 2007 because we didn't know anyone and that marathon in 85 degrees was pretty draining.

Sweetheart you don't wanna follow my nutritional advice while I'm at Disney, see I buy into the theory that when you are on vacation you eat what you want because the calories don't know where you live. Bring on the Kitchen sink, the beer and the big old greasy burgers and fries at the Electric Umbrella. A turkey leg at midnight sounds like a plan.

We are going to have a cooler of beer and those vodka drinks Erica likes waiting at the Swan for anyone who wants to have an early morning drink before bed. Please don't get me wrong , Erica and I might drink one drink every week or two with dinner normally but on vacation, see theory above.

Thursday of the ToT we are doing dinner at the Espn with Kim from Canada, Robert (UltraMickeyMouse) and his Lady Linda. You guys are welcome to join us before MNSSHP if you don't have other plans. ESPN doesn't require reservations. It's sports bar type food, like sandwiches and wings and stuff.

Dave

 

[padisneyfan]

For the ToT on Sat the minigolf and ESPN sounds fine for me. Jeanne will have to remind me what we are doing as I tend to get everything mixed up. Are we picking our packets up on Friday? We won't be able to make the ESPN on Thursday as their is a group of us( my family, Jeanne, John and friends from Canada) eating at Kona's before MNSSHP.

The marathon weekend is a quickie for us also we are coming down on Friday and leaving Monday. Gosh, Jeanne aren't you the good one getting your airfare already. I just bought airtran ticket for our dec trip for going down, playing the waiting game for the return ticket. I think SWA is opening up through March on Monday. I didn't even know there was a party at PI. I have to many trips planned over the next few months to WDW that I am having trouble finalizing plans. Also not sure if my son Brian is coming down with us in Jan. He would like to come, but since he just started a new job needs to see if he can work his schedule around it. He is coming more to golf than watch the marathon. As long as it will take me to finish he can have an entire round of golf in before I get to the finish line. Yes what are we doing for 2 hrs before the race?

Dave--- I am so into your eating plan at Disney. That is part of the reason I need to lose some weight before Oct as I will be there for 11 days during wine and food festival. Extra pounds lost will be found.

I did 5 miles on the TM today. Since this was the last weekend, I dont have to follow any plan so just did what I felt like doing.

Hope everyone is staying cool.

Nancy

 

[windwalker]

Nancy, meeting you guys at Disney is a must. I've become very fond of you guys over the last year and Erica and I are really looking forward to meeting the wonderful people we found at the other end of the computer. We have meet a lot of people already from Runners World and some from WISH. Everyone has been wonderful. It's so cool to meet a persons personality before you meet them, since the personality is way more who the person really is.

We have a girl friend who we met on line a few years ago on Runners World. Her and Erica became best friends and we go to Cincinnati a couple of times a year to visit her and she comes here a few also. She even came down to Disney and spent a week with us in 06 and did the half with Erica.

At the Flying Pig we meet some of the WISH group, as well as the Runners World bunch. Weekend long meets with dinners and visiting and having a party are the only way to do a marathon.

The PI is open the evening after the Marathon for only the athletes, their friends and family, so we have the run of the place, which when 30,000 are invited there are still a lot who show so it's still crowded. We went to the 8 track and danced to 60s, 70s and 80s music. The club is multi level and has full wall video screens showing a video of the group that is currently playing. The drink prices are cheaper for us also. We all got buzzed nicely for a lot less than I expected.

The girls wore me out then danced by themselves till the wee hours. There is also a lot of other stuff there like a comedy club and the house of Blues. We are open to going anywhere.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Linda and I do Dave's eating and drinking plan. Maybe Dave should right a book and create a training plan and tactics while at WDW

We are looking forward to all our meets planned including the mini golf. I just got done working 12 hour night run(7pm-7am) without any sleep(up 26 straight hrs). I think we have one more "training all nighter" left in mid Sept. That will keep us in "shape" for the night long party at ToT

We haven't been to the comedy club in forever but it used to be really fun.

 

[padisneyfan]

Robert--The comedy club and Adventure club are our favorites.

Dave--- Jeanne and I met on the DIS DCL board before our cruise in 2004. We have become good friends since then having cruised together and meeting up when her and John have been to PA. We are doing the PC cruise next year. These boards are a great way to meet people and you did tend to find people who have common interests as you do. Jeanne's husband and mine have just gone with the flow, but our children think we are strange. However, even our children are beginning to meet each other and us. They have something in common they can talk about their strange parents. Did you just join this thread after the 2007 marathon since you said you didn't go to PI last year because you didn't know anyone?

I am looking forward to meeting everyone in at the coming events.

Nancy

 

[windwalker]

Robert--The comedy club and Adventure club are our favorites.

Dave--- Jeanne and I met on the DIS DCL board before our cruise in 2004. We have become good friends since then having cruised together and meeting up when her and John have been to PA. We are doing the PC cruise next year. These boards are a great way to meet people and you did tend to find people who have common interests as you do. Jeanne's husband and mine have just gone with the flow, but our children think we are strange. However, even our children are beginning to meet each other and us. They have something in common they can talk about their strange parents. Did you just join this thread after the 2007 marathon since you said you didn't go to PI last year because you didn't know anyone?

I am looking forward to meeting everyone in at the coming events.

Nancy

Nancy we joined in December 06, but didn't really take it seriously till after the positive experience we had with the group at the January marathon. When we saw the way the group cheered for each other we were in. We had come over to check it out because Disney 08, Monte, had put a link over on the walking site.

We are here now and it's the only site we go to except for Roberts cool DisneyRunning.com

The ideals and attitude of the WISH Team is so us.

Dave

 

[jeanneg]

Today was a nice day. Jason came home (his college is only 45 minutes away) and we took him to get fitted for some decent running shoes. There was a limited selection because his regular shoe size is a 13, but he got something he was happy with. If those work out, I can always order another pair online. We also got him some decent socks and he seemed excited about all the new gear. I mentioned that our official 20-week training starts tomorrow and he said he would follow the program. So I photocopied our training schedules and gave him the MFM book. I previously had some serious doubts about his level of committment, but he seems very much into it now. The Bingham program starts at such low mileage that it's easy to follow. I suggested he run the City of Oaks half-marathon in November as a test-run for the full and he agreed to that also. Usually, if we say "black" he'll say "white" so it was a really positive experience having him agree to everything. (But he still won't wear a WISH shirt........his loss )

 

[jeanneg]

Ooops, forgot to say something.....

You mentioned Robert's site and I have to tell you I truly LOVE looking at all the photos over there! I was just looking at some the other day. They were taken near the B/YC so I'm assuming it must be around Mile 24. What struck me the most was that all the WISH people were smiling in the photos. And it didn't just seem to be for the camera....they all looked so genuinely happy.... and was Mile 24! That gave me so much encouragement. I sometimes wonder if I'm really going to be able to pull this off, but they truly inspire me. Alot of them did not fit the typical athlete stereotype and I thought "Wow, if these guys did it, I can too!"
So thanks, Robert....your site is the best!

 

[windwalker]

Ooops, forgot to say something.....

You mentioned Robert's site and I have to tell you I truly LOVE looking at all the photos over there! I was just looking at some the other day. They were taken near the B/YC so I'm assuming it must be around Mile 24. What struck me the most was that all the WISH people were smiling in the photos. And it didn't just seem to be for the camera....they all looked so genuinely happy.... and was Mile 24! That gave me so much encouragement. I sometimes wonder if I'm really going to be able to pull this off, but they truly inspire me. Alot of them did not fit the typical athlete stereotype and I thought "Wow, if these guys did it, I can too!"
So thanks, Robert....your site is the best!

Of course we don't fit the stereotype of the typical athlete, we are the pirates of the athletic world. We are the future of endurance racing, we are blazing the trail for generations to come.

Oh screw it we are just staying healthy and having a wicked good time.

Dave

 

[ultramickeymouse]

Ooops, forgot to say something.....

You mentioned Robert's site and I have to tell you I truly LOVE looking at all the photos over there! I was just looking at some the other day. They were taken near the B/YC so I'm assuming it must be around Mile 24. What struck me the most was that all the WISH people were smiling in the photos. And it didn't just seem to be for the camera....they all looked so genuinely happy.... and was Mile 24! That gave me so much encouragement. I sometimes wonder if I'm really going to be able to pull this off, but they truly inspire me. Alot of them did not fit the typical athlete stereotype and I thought "Wow, if these guys did it, I can too!"
So thanks, Robert....your site is the best!

Thanks!

I am glad to help. I too go over and look and some of my pics or those submitted by others to help me on bad days. I love to read others reports. Glad to be able to create a "one stop shop" for running races at WDW. I was like Dave in that I started meeting WISH'ers at the Minnie. "Walked" across Lily during day 2 of the Goofy. Look forward to meeting all at ToT!

Good training!

 

[windwalker]

Thanks!

I am glad to help. I too go over and look and some of my pics or those submitted by others to help me on bad days. I love to read others reports. Glad to be able to create a "one stop shop" for running races at WDW. I was like Dave in that I started meeting WISH'ers at the Minnie. "Walked" across Lily during day 2 of the Goofy. Look forward to meeting all at ToT!

Good training!

I didn't even get a computer of my own till a couple of years ago. We bought a dell about 2003 (Our first) but I never got on it our DD was on it all the time. Then for Christmas 2004 I bought everyone a new laptop for a present.

I found Runner's World Forums and started talking about running with the folks there. It was a lot different than here. This is way better. We have been to Disney World 3 times but this coming trip to ToT is going to be the best ever, Erica and I can't wait.

Erica and I start our Goofy training today. The plan is 5 miles today and 10 tomorrow.

Robert and I were thinking dinner at the Canadian Steak house at Epcot for the 16th of January. Anyone else interested?

Have an awesome day guys.

Dave

 

[padisneyfan]

Morning team. Today starts Day 1 of the 20 week John Bingham marathon training program. I don't know if I should be excited or crying about what have I done. I have to tweek the plan a little to accomodate my half marathon in Oct, and my vacations, but overall it does look like the best one for me. Or I wasn't having hear palpations just looking at the training program.

I bought new sneakers on Friday, I most have tried on every pair in the store that was my size. I can't even remember what ones I finally did buy. I wore them on Sat for my 5 miles on TM, but the verdict is still out.

Jeanne--- Glad that Jason is beginning to be more serious about the marathon. Did classes start already for him? Do you think you can change our O'hana reservation to 7. Brian is really trying to work out his schedule to come with us in Jan. I figure it would be easier to remove someone later than add someone. He wants to play golf, so he can do that either after the half on Sat or while I am walking the full on Sunday and still get to the finish line to see us.

Dave and Robert---If I was staying longer I would gladly join you at LeCellier, but have to leave on Monday.

Dave---Good luck on the start of your Goofy training. Glad that Erica is feeling better.

Got to get busy at work.

Nancy

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

Morning Team..I've finally gotten back into the rhythm again. I was out most of last week with a wicked sinus infection. It seems to be going around here (East Tennessee) with the air quality declining. I didn't hit the gym or walk from Tuesday of last week until this morning. As some of you know I've got a 2 month old and after having a discussion with my DW I decided to start getting up at 4:00 and going to the gym so that I can be at home at night to spend more time with her and the baby.

Saying you're going to get up at 4:00 to go to the gym sounds a lot easier than actually doing it. I was able to get up and make it to the gym for a good 5k on the treadmill. I can admit that I did cheat for about 10 seconds during about the last 500 meters and rested but other than that I was able to keep my 15:00/mile pace. I followed that up with some weight training to help get a little bit more upper body strength (well, when you don't have any upper body strength a little is more than enough to work towards). I'm going to try and work at 5k meters till the end of the year when I'll kick it into high gear to start really training for the Knoxville 1/2 Marathon in April 08.

--Mr. DB

 

[jeanneg]

Dave and Robert: would love to join you at Le Cellier, but we are also leaving on the 15th.

Nancy: That would be great if Brian could come. Then the old folks won't outnumber the young ones so badly! I'll call about the reservation later. it shouldn't be a problem.
Yes, Jason has already started classes. The semester officially began last Tuesday but he had meetings he needed to attend on Monday so he went back as soon as we got home from WDW. He may be back in your neck of the woods as the job he interned with during the summer wants him to return after graduation. It's nice to have something already in his back pocket, so to speak.

off to get my short walk in......