WALT's WARRIORS 09 Intros and Activities!

[dsnyfan21]

The 2009 Walt's Warriors!!

Cast of Characters...

wtpclc-Carrie (captain) * dsnyfan21 - Tracy (co-captain) * 1/2 MarathonPixie - Barb * 3disneykids - Erika * amyKab - Amy * bellaDisneydncr - Katarina * GrumpyinNY - Jeff * gsu1988 - Ken * hoosmi - Jen in GA * ImMarcik - Marcie * JimB - Jim * MiaBanda – Michelle * mkymeshi - Aloha Jeff * Mooshu - Marcia * PrincessShea - Katie * Roxy - Roxanne * Sarah Rose - Sarah * SmileyK8 - Kate * TigerLily - Lily * Tink06 - Stacey

Please post something about yourself. How long you've been on the dis, how long you've been walking/running/jogging, what led you to the WISH racing team, what races you've done and what races you are looking forward to completing, where you live, etc. Whatever you want. If you like you can put down your goals, what you would like out of the "smaller" team, and anything else.

You can come back anytime and update your post whenever you like.

To view the spreadsheet that some are posting: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p8PPZEl_DDQVrcFsXQKJmcg

Warriors doing races (R), charity events (C) or volunteering for an event (V).

February:
14th AmyKab (Amy) - (R) 10K Suncoast Classic FL
MiaBand (Michelle) - (R) Valentine 4miler CA
15th JimB (Jim) - (R) National Half Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer FL
21st dsnyfan21 (Tracy) - (V) A1A Fort Lauderdale Marathon weekend EXPO FL
28th AmyKab (Amy) - (R) Gasparilla Distance Classic 5K Stroller Race FL
WDW ESPN 5K - JimB (Jim) FL


March:
1st AmyKab (Amy) - (R) Gasparilla Disntance Classic Half Marathon FL
8th WDW Princess Half Marathon - dsnyfan21 (Tracy), JimB (Jim-Bike Medic), Smileyk8 (Kate)
8th 3DisneyKids (Erika) - (R) Tri-ME Sprint Triathlon, Maine
14th JimB (Jim) - (R) Gate River Run 15K FL
15th MiaBand (Michelle) - (R) Shamrock 1/2 Marathon CA
15th 3DisneyKids (Erika) - (R&C) Kerryman Pub Road Race for Cancer Research, Maine

April:
19th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (V) ULTRAMM CA
20th SmileyKate (Kate) - (R) Boston Marathon MA
25th dsnyfan21 (Tracy) - (C) March of Dimes walk FL
25th 3Disneykids (Erika) - (R&C) Race for the Cure 5K, NJ
25th TigerLily (Lily) - (R) Country Music 1/2 Marathon, Nashville TN

May:
10th dsnyfan21 (Tracy) - (C) Breast Cancer Network walk FL
17th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (R) Bay to Breakers CA

June:
27th SarahRose (Sarah) & TigerLily (Lily)- (R) RnR Seattle

July:

August:

September:
5th Disneyland 5K - MiaBanda (Michelle)
6th Disneyland Half Marathon!! AmyKab (Amy), MiaBand (Michelle), Mkymsehi (Jeff), Mooshu (Marcia), TigerLily (Lily)
20th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (R) MIner's Ravine Fun Run CA

October:
4th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (R) Cowtown Half Marathon CA

November:
14th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (R) Run the River Marathon CA
29th - Spacecoast Half Marathon!! dsnyfan21 (Tracy), Amykab (Amy)

December:
6th MiaBanda (Michelle) - (R) California International Marathon Relay

2010 January:
WDW 5K - MiaBanda (Michelle), dsnyfan21 (Tracy), JimB (Jim)
WDW Half Marathon - dsnyfan21 (Tracy), MiaBanda (Michelle), Roxy DH, JImB as Bike Medic!
WDW Full Marathon - MiaBanda (Michelle), SarahRose (Sarah), JimB (Jim)
WDW GOOFY! - Roxy, Lily

Hotels-
ASMu - Roxy
BLT - Jim
Pop - Tracy

Now Warriors let's get it done!!!!

 

[JimB.]

HI!

My name is Jim. But most people call me................... Jim (slight Blazing Saddles tangent. Sorry). I live in sunny St Augustine, Florida. For the last 24 years. Married to the Greatest Woman On The Planet.

Been on the DIS forever. I think I was one of the 1st 200 registered way back in the mid-90's. But this is pretty much the only board I frequent nowadays.

I am a Firefighter/Paramedic by trade and I think I am one of the relative few in the world who can honestly say without hesitation My Job Totally ROCKS!!

I got back into running after I had volunteered as a Bike Paramedic at a bunch of Disney running events. Started running again seriously & in quantity about 3 years ago. I have done Mickeys, Donalds, 1 (& 1 only) Goofy. I have done a fair amount of non-Disney events also. But do to my job I am somewhat limited in my travel range, so I do not get to do as many organized events as I would like.

BUT, I am doing the ESPN 5K, National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer (1/2) & Gate River Run 15K in March, plus a few Disney events in the fall.

I am also dabbling in Triathlons. I did the last (& the next) Athletes for a Cure Tri @ WDW in September & would like to try a 1/2 IM before I die. I am a top 1/2 age grouper when i run, but am waaaaaaaaaaaaaay down in the age group when I Tri, so I have a lot of work to do. Especially swimming.

This team, YOU guys keep me motivated. I have no excuses to not train when I see what you guys do to train (snowshoes ????!!!!!).

That's it for now!!!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi, Lily here. I am from the original WISH Walkers and did my first half in 2005 at age 55. Four Goofy's later, I'm continuing with the steps and just can't stop. I'm currently training for Country Music Half Marathon April 25th and then Goofy #5. Probably something thrown in the middle of it.

 

[mkymsehi]

I'm Jeff, I am a runner with a Disney problem. I'm from Honolulu, Hawaii (by way of California), and I live to run, and run to eat.

I think I've met almost everyone listed on our roster in person. Yes people, they're all real! I'm pretty shy, so don't expect me to introduce myself in front of a large group.

I've been on the WISH boards for a little over two years. I didn't really post much before the 2008 Goofy, so just sort of saw all the lime green (or original yellow) gear all around me during the races.

Been running since 2006, after watching Marcia run a great Honolulu marathon in 2005. It's all her fault I'm a runner. And it's all my fault she hasn't retired from running.

I have my normal races on tap this year, and will be back for my third Goofy in 2010. Some day I hope to claim the 50 marathons in 50 states. So far I've done Honolulu and WDW. I have to start on some races in between those two points on the map.

Happy training everyone.

 

[dsnyfan21]

Hey Ya'll, It me, Tracy. aka: Racey Tracy, Mount Trashmore Girl, Noodle Lasher, and most recently Toenail Losing Tracy. hehe

Been on the Dis since Feb 2008 so almost a year for me. Got on the dis to find the WISHers after doing two WDW Halfs and seeing the shirts. I thought to myself people who do disney races and love disney are people I want to meet.!! Meet my first REAL wishers in May for the LAST Minnie 15K. And actual first real WISH racing teammate I met was Liz in the parking lot of HS waiting for the bus to WWoS. Since then I have been hooked!! Nice vibes with all the WISH people!!

I am a RACEWALKER, yes that is what I said. I actually won last year RRCA FL state 5K. Not the fastest racewalker around but I think I do a good job. Still don't think walkers get enough respect. I want to see one some of those runners out on a course for 3-6 hours!! For longer events you will find me jogging every now and then, but don't every think you will find me sprinting, that would be a funny site!!

I LOVE DISNEYWORLD, and if that's the only thing you know about me that's alot, but I am also into college football (Go 'Canes - yea I know JimB!), Nascar's #9 Kasey Khane, photography, sci-fi movies, computer geek stuff and my little dog Mickey!!

I'm gonna be 40 in March!! I live in South Florida in the Fort Lauderdale area in a city called Pembroke Pines. I'm single, I know that's hard to believe, but I am, so there! I have a dog that I love and she's getting pretty old and can't see well or hear well anymore. I rent and am looking to buy a townhouse or something this year.

I have signed up for 7 Half Marathons and completed everyone of them. Best time was 3hr 2min 24sec. Hoping to one day go sub 3!!! I do alot of local 5ks and some Racewalking events. Next event is the Princess Half Marathon, doing a girls only weekend. I then have a racewalking 5K called the "Run like a Bunny" in April. Hoping to do the Spacecoast Half Marathon and then deciding on the Donald or Mickey for 2010. I have reg for the Donald but am waiting to decide on the other. I will be doing DL 1/2 again in 2010 with Jeff and Marcia and Michelle!! Loved seeing them and haning out last year for the first Coast to Coast challenge!!

Goals with the Warriors is to stay accountable and keep up with all you peeps. Can't do much snowshoeing, but will try to keep up . I want to cheer everyone else and keep everyone moving and staying active!!

Warriors are Wonderful!!

Racey Tracy

 

[Roxy]

Howdy everyone. I am Roxanne I have been running for four years. I found the Disney marathon 3 years ago by chance. We just happened to be there and when I saw all the excitement that was it now I am hooked. I have three kiddos and I have been married for 15 years this July. I am currently getting ready for the Austin half marathon and the the Womens Zooma half marathon. Then January 2010 will be my third Goofy and I am proud to say my hubbys first half.

 

[smileyk8]

Hi everyone,

I'm Kate, 23 and unfortunately i live on the wrong side of the world. Yep I live in Chester.... in the UK. I've been a disser for a few years now, but the first time i went on the hunt for WISH was after seeing the Minnie marathon 15km poster up and saying to myself i'll do that one day. That was 2007 and I ran the minnie in 2008! Been running (more like jogging!) for 1 year and 3 months- hey who's counting and 2009 is bringing 2 giant targets- the princess 1/2 and Boston marathon. Please don't think i qualified because i didn't!!!! Sports package allowed my friend and i to enter and from what i've seen over the past year I know that the wonderful warriors (incl new recruits) will get me thru the training and keep me acountable. If i get through those two i promise i'll look for more races too top up my mileage have to keep Tracy happy

Thoroughly enjoyed being a warrior last year and can't wait to get it all started again with our wonderful new team

 

[Mooshu]

Hi Warriors ~

My name is Marcia and I live in the San Francisco Bay Area..actually Alameda, about 20 miles from the City. My first marathon was in 2000 and my first WDW race was the Donald 1/2 in 2000, I've been going back every other year to run the half or full...but the last 3 years I've run the Goofy.

I found WISH last year while Jeff and I were running the Goofy, and we were wondering who the people with the lime green shirts were cheering for everyone....great group of people!

This year I have signed up for the Napa to Sonoma 1/2, DL 1/2 and going back for the Goofy in 2010...trying to decide which other races will fit into my vacation schedule.

See you on the boards!

 

[PrincessShea]

Hello all

My name is Katie. I am 25 and from Chicago.

I've literally just started running. I am getting married in WDW this June and needed some motivation to get into shape. One of my friends is a big runner and is training for the Chicago marathon this year, so I am going to be the grasshopper to his Mr. Miyagi as he helps me.

I came over to the WISH boards after seeing references in a lot of the wedding threads. Everyone is so nice over on those boards, and after reading here a bit before posting, I can see the same is true over here! Once the wedding is over I know I'll need something new to obsessively read and post about

I was hoping to do the 8k Shamrock Shuffle with my friend, but I saw yesterday that registration is already closed. So my first race, unless something else comes along is a 5k in May. My ultimate goal though will be to finish the 1/2 marathon in Disney that I've already signed up for.

I went to a real running store yesterday to get shoes. I was disappointed with how ugly my choices were. I asked if the pink options on the racks would work. The guy working just pointed to a sign that said "You can't chose shoes by color." LOL. I guess I'll have to live with the ugly shoes.

 

[bellaDisneydncr]

Hello everyone!

My name is Katarina. I'm 19 and am from PA (Pittsburgh area). I am a sophomore Acting major/dance minor at WVU. I LOVE my major. I can't imagine doing anything else. I am a self-proclaimed Disney freak. I bore those around me with all my random Disney knowledge. So of course, the Dis has been a great refuge for me. Lots of others who share my love. I have been on the dis since March of last year.

Performing in Disney is my dream job. I have auditioned twice to be a character/show/parade performer in WDW and have passed- but not offered a job yet due to over-staffing. Hopefully someday you'll get to see me "working" in the parks (here's hoping it's this summer!).

I started running almost a week ago.. seriously Lately I have been feeling very out of shape and my dance class that I rely on for exercise couldn't fit into my schedule this semester. So to fix that- I have always been fascinated by marathons (esp. Disney ones) and I decided I would use running as a way to get back into shape and maybe squeeze in some extra trips to WDW. I have just completed my first week of the Couch to 5K program. It's been going really well.
I found the WISH page through other people's signatures as well as the podcast episode about the marathons. Hearing the stories of the WISH team meeting made me know this was something I wanted to be a part of. Everyone has been so helpful already! I'm so excited about it all! I know I'm going to need the motivation of a smaller team so this will be great.

I hope in the future to do the Expedition Everest Challenge this year (if they have it and if school schedules allow) and the 1/2 Marathon in 2010. I don't know of any local races coming up, but seeing as it's been 18 degrees most days I figure they aren't having many. Probably when it gets warmer there will be some.

I can't wait to get started! Go Warriors! lol

 

[bubba73]

I am going to temporarily hi-jack your thread. Yes, I am a "Duckie" but it seems like I have made a small impression on this team or at least one or two of it's team members.

Jeff You are a very funny man! And since I have met you in person, I can say too "He's real, people! He's real!!"

Tracy I know I was drafted away from our table at the Full but I can tell you right now, you are an awesome person! But I need to know, when is your birthday in March? My birthday is in March also. Enquiring minds want to know??

To the rest of the cast I have met a few of you but not many but I can tell you that I will be back occasionally to see how you are all doing. Besides, I can use you guys as motivation for me as well!!

Aren't Disney people (fans) the BEST??!!
Bryan

 

[1/2Marathonpixie]

Hi Warriors!

My name is Barbara and I'm from Massachusetts. I did my first WDW 1/2 (and first ever race) in 2004 at the age of 56! I am a former couch potato who did the race in 2004 as a lark and I got hooked. Okay, I'm a Medal Ho!!!!

I came to the WISH team last January because I knew Captain Carrie from another online site. I am so glad I did!!!!

I have now completed 10 1/2 Marathons, 1 6.5k and 1 5K.
5 at WDW
1 at DL
2 Country Music in Nashville
2 in Maine
ToT 6.5K
2008 WDW 5K

I just did my first WDW as a WISH member and the support from the runners and cheer team was amazing. I will never forget Matt on the bridge.

Jeff, I saw you twice at the EXPO. Although I could tell you were very approachable I chickened out. I regret that decision.

So my fellow Warriors, I'm ready for another healthy year with you all. You keep me motivated even when I don't have a race planned.

 

[deekaypee]

Warriors: Sweet new thread and icon! Very homey. (I'd say intimidating, but, well, 'Ohana just likes you too much to be intimidated.)

Just a couple of shout-outs before I get back to the Superbowl (Looking a little anticlimactic here...)

Jim: I love that you're "dabbling in tris." For whatever reason, it reminds of me of dabbling in watercolors--so casual about it.... You rock! What fall Disney events are you considering?

Lily: Goofy #5! You're the face of the face!

Jeff: What, no pictures on this thread yet? Good luck with your 50 state quest. Looks like you'll need to give up some Disney races to accomplish that. Are you sure it's worth it?

Tracy: I didn't realize you were turning the big 4-0 this year. (I think I may have forgotten it.) Welcome to the club. This is going to be your year, including your sub-3 1/2, I'm sure of it!

Marcia: Meant to tell you this the other day, but Happy Birthday!

Hello to all other Warriors. I look forward to chatting with you over this next year. See you on the weekly threads and be sure to visit your cousins!

 

[JimB.]

Donna -

I've registered for the AFAC Triathlon @ DW in Sept. I'll also be doing the ToT again, & maybe the RFTT. If I do not do the RFTT, I'll be playing bike medic for that one.

 

[aldisneygrl]

Just flew in to check on my fellow Warriors! Yep, y'all checked in.

Looking forward to another year, and hope to get to know some of y'all too!

Although you're gonna watch the Buzzies fly right past you To Infinity and Beyond!!!!!

 

[ImMarcik]

Well better late then never right? I'm Marcie. I am so happy to be apart of the Walt Warriors!!! I've been on the Dis since 04 I think?? I have always done some type of working out and a few years ago started enjoying running. At the beginning of last year I really thought about training for a race at disney but ended up losing my motivation and then going through 2 hurricanes. Maybe if I would have ventured off of the community board to the wish then I would have stayed motivated. So, this time I have actually picked a race, the TOT 15k. I have never ran a race before. I am going to be 38 next week (feb 10th) and it seems like a good time to try something new. The weirdest thing happened to me Saturday. I went to a charity event with a friend, she coordinated a girls night out, and one of the girls and I instantly became great friends. Well she has a personal trainer and has really been wanting to get into running. She's big in the community and wants to start a woman's running group to promote confidence. I told her I was her woman, so maybe we will start a group. I am excited to at least have a new running partner.

I am an accountant in a CPA firm. Spring is the craziest time of the year and I work every weekend from January through April 15th. Working out definitely helps the stress. It's only 4 months and the rest of the year is great. I DO love my job. I have been single for about 2 years, I love to date but have not found the one for me yet. I have a 15 year old daughter. Isn't being a Mother the best??? She's my best friend. She will be 16 the week of the TOT and is very excited that we are going to WDW for her birthday.

I am really looking forward to getting to know you all.

 

[wtpclc]

Hi, I'm Carrie! Never guess I'm Captain here with as late as I am to show up. Again, huge thatnks to Tracy for "helping" me. I'm not sure I can call it help when you are doing it all adn I am doign nothing. Hugely appreciated, though!

Anyway, 2 big things happened in Feb/March of 2004. Went on a land/sea vacation adn suffered great WDW withdrawl afterward and my dad was told he needed heart by-pass surgery one week after sepndign a day woith him at Epcot. My dad was always in great shape. Had diabetes (runs in the family), but treated mostly with diet and exercise, has never used insulin. That was a big scare, as dad always ate better than I did and was exercsing more. Anyway, I had started to exercise just before the trip adn that made me stay at it.

Came to DIS to ask 1 question about DVC. hence, teh unpronounceable name. just came up with it on the fly. So, I found teh DVC boards and tehn I found WISH. Dh adn I both ran in HS. He had always wanted to run a amrathon. I swore off running. Then, I found WISH and found out there is a marathon in WDW. Became a WISH team member in 2005, after ebign inspired by the original team. I now have 4 full marathons, 8 half marathons, and 2 tri's under my belt! And I owe it all to WISH!

SOrry, that wan't short, was it?

Thansk to everyone from teh other teams fr opopping in!!!

 

[gsu1988]

Hello Warriors,
I was a Warrior last year but fell off my posting late in the year. I was debating on returning this year but felt i needed to to have someone to be accountable to. Here is my story:
I’m Ken (gsu1988). I am 42 years old and live in Martinez (Augusta) Ga with my wife of 19 (20 in August) years and our 11 year old daughter. As far as career goes I am the Athletic Director for our county Recreation Department.

I am now into my second life as a runner. I ran in high school and college but that was 20 years ago. After college I did not run much and because I still had the same eating habits I gained a lot of weight. About 7 years ago I got fed up with my weight and got back to running again. I lost 50 pounds (many of which I have regained) and got on the road again. I needed a goal to keep myself going so I chose to do the Disney Marathon. During my first running career I had done several half marathons and even several medium length triathlons but never a marathon. I chose Disney because I grew up just about an hour away from Orlando and have been to Disney so many times that I can not even count them all. So, what better place to run my first marathon than a place I loved so much as a kid. Well, things were not meant to be that year since I sprained my ankle on a training run in September so the 2005 race was out of the picture. After healing I continued to run but not at the same level I had before the ankle. I needed another motivator so I took the plunge again and signed up for 2007 full. This time no injuries but also not much training. Not wanting to waist the money I decided to go anyway. I finished which is what my goal was. I was pretty happy with my 5:12 time but knew if I trained I could run better. In 2008 I was in much better shape, still overweight, but in better shape and I shaved nearly 30 minutes off my time. I finished this year in 4:49. In 2009 I took the Goofy plunge and completed my first Goofy Challenge. The biggest honor of completing the challenge was pacing my mom through her first ½ marathon (2:27:59).

Even tough I know that my glory days are over (PR in the half marathon 1:18, 5K 15:20, 10K 33:40 – but like I said that was 20 years ago and about 100 pounds ago) I still enjoy running just as much as I did back then. Joining WISH and getting to know all you people has made my second go round as a runner even better. Thanks for being there!

 

[MiaBanda]

Hi Warriors!

My name is Michelle. I started running in 2007. I just happened to find out that the DL 1/2 was the same weekend that we were going to be there. I decided for some reason that the 5k sounded like fun. Not sure where that came from as I had never run in my life! I trained so hard for that 3.1 miles and finished in 45 minutes. I was so excited over that little plastic medal ...until the next day, when all the 1/2 marathon people came in with their castle medals. My mother was with me and without saying a single thing to her, she immediately says "Uh oh...we'll be back next year, won't we..." Yep...I didn't care what it took...I was gonna get me a castle.

2008 was the most active year of my life. I joined WISH and Disney Running because no one I knew was going to be doing the DL 1/2 and it was so nice to have people to talk to. I also joined a local running group so I had a coach to help me too. I ended up completing at least one event every month since May 2008...a streak I am proud to have kept going! Two of those events ended up being sprint tri's! I completed the 2008 DL 1/2 and could not have been happier. I love my castle! And I loved being there with my "virtual" teammates who had suddenly become a very real cheering section that helped me to finish! (Thanks, Tracy, Jeff and Marcia!) I never once felt alone as I had feared I would be.

So here I am, two 1/2 marathons later (not to mention all the other events in between), in training for my next half in March only to have signed up for Goofy 2010! See what the little people in my computer make me do!?! But I wouldn't have it any other way! Looking forward to another great year as a WARRIOR!!!

 

[dsnyfan21]

Updated and bumping...
Please post your upcoming races, charity events or events you are volunteering for.

Tracy