Wk of Jan. 13th-- WISH Walking/Running Club

[nepatsfan73]

:

We had breakfast at Boma's on Friday, after the 5K. As we were leaving, a man came up and started talking to me about WISH. By then, I had taken my WISH race shirt off and put the 5K shirt on to go into Boma's, so I had to ask him how he knew I was a WISHer. His answer?....Your SOCKS!!!!!! Yea, Dave!!!! He went on to tell me that he is a lurker, and really enjoys reading our posts and learning from them. But he noticed my socks!!!!

OK, is it just me. You didn't find it a bit strange that a self-proclaimed lurker was checking out your feet/ ankles.

 

[Maherae]

Thanks, team... BUT TXBelle/Heather and I handed out the washcloths, it was kareneast/Karen who brought them!!! She had them at the half and told me to take them for the full. Fortunately, I had brought a knife to cut the oranges, and we used it to cut the washcloths in half. We used the melted ice water to wet them (as well as some of Heather's drinking water!). Heather had brought Sports Beans that she also generously shared. We both felt so bad for the athletes that we gave up some of our WISH supplies..We MADE ourselves stop giving to others, though, because we knew our WISHers were coming. Heather was the spotter for WISH shirts, so if you didn't wear one, you would sneak up on us and we would scramble to get something to you! After the last WISHer passed we were completely out of everything!! I'm starting the list for next year!

Space Ranger/John, Karen's DH, had backpacks made up and gave them to the WISHers at Pop. Unbelieveably generous!! But that's the WISH team!!


nepatsfan/Bill STOP THAT!!

 

[nepatsfan73]

Space Ranger/John, Karen's DH, had backpacks made up and gave them to the WISHers at Pop. Unbelieveably generous!! But that's the WISH team!!


nepatsfan/Bill STOP THAT!!

BACKPACKS!!! OK, I'm better now.

 

[deekaypee]

Just popping in after getting in late last night & being behind the 8-ball at work. I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all the WISHers out there.

1) To those I met on the course....you helped me in more ways than I can count. I just wanted you to know even though I talked with you for just a few minutes, those were the times I looked forward to most on the course. (I hope I didn't seem too standoffish, I was just nervous.) You were my inspiration. I will join you next year, hopefully feeling less anxious & more social.

2) To those on the scream team...you motivated me (and everyone else, I'm sure) to keep going, and to do so with a smile on my face. You reminded me that it wasn't just about the medals for me--it was the experience!!!! I hope to join you next year at the race, supporting other runners/walkers.

3) To everyone here who regularly posts & provided me with advice & encouragement on the boards here--whether I was posting (infrequently) or as a lurker. I literally couldn't have done it without you. It's the WISHers out there who gave me the courage to start, who had me believe I could perservere even when my training (and life) got way off-track. It is you who taught me not only to "respect the distance" but that DLF > DNF > DNS!!

Collectively, you made my Goofy finish (my first 1/2 & my first marathon, too) possible. I hope to meet you all next year, when my trip will be more WISH focused and less in-law focused.

 

[Kristi1357]

I am signing Chad up for the Goofy this week. IF I decide not to do the Half again, I will try to be there to Scream Team (and do the 5k instead). I will start a bin in the basement for old towels and washcloths!

I LOVED doing the volunteer thing! I am doing that again next year if I do go - watch for a thread about that sometime in the summer. It was fun having 5 WISHers at the same water stop. And Kim & Mike at the other one. What an inspiration to be on the course watching practically everyone go by.

I also might have been a little bit too hard on myself for my Half. I thought I only had a sore throat all weekend. But it is now this full-blown "crud" that is going around. And combined with my asthma - not good! I am not making excuses in any way, shape or form. I just think that was a contributor to my downfall.

Lisa - I am sorry I wasn't so social after the Half. I was really mad at myself (and am still mad now). I wish we could have talked about more since we live relatively close. I do remember you saying to me that you were Princess Runner! I was just in a fog of kicking myself at that point. Oh, and being furious about the misplacing of medals yet again....

 

[chimera]

There's still so much to process from this weekend, I don't know where to start. I have a really long race report on the Jan 13th thread if anyone's interested.

I really have to thank all of you for getting me to this point. I never would've imagined completing a marathon but here I am. I think today's the first day I've realized what happened. I'm so shocked...I actually feel okay today. Only my quads are sore. My ankle straightened out much quicker than I ever imagined.

SOMEBODY STOP ME...I'M THINKING ABOUT REGISTERING FOR NEXT YEAR'S FULL

Seriously though, I owe thanks to so many of you.

Jen...thanks for getting me through another race. I'm sorry that I wasn't more lively and chatty to help us through it. I feel a bit like an anchor dragging you down...you would've finished much sooner if I hadn't crashed around mile 13.

Vic...thanks for joining us during the full. It was great having someone else to 'lean' on to get to the finish.

Carrie, Steve, Krista, Cam, Howard, Heather, Lily, Craig, Christa, Helen, Bill, Lynnda, Rhonda, Lynne, Kathy, Erin, Colleen, Pat...it's been 3 years for most of us (4 for some of you). I can't believe how much the team has grown. Thanks to all of you for your support, advice and encouragement over these years. I wouldn't be here without you.

Anne...thanks for being our voice and our spirit. Your enthusiasm and energy keep us all going.

To the newer folks, this is an incredible place and I'm so glad that you're here. The team continues to grow and develop into this wonderful entity because of you.

I wish I could mention everyone individually, but please know that all of you mean a lot to me and look forward to getting to know everyone better through our WISH team years!

Perspective:

2006 WISH team at Trails End

2008 WISH team at Pop

 

[wfloyd]

Thanks, team... BUT TXBelle/Heather and I handed out the washcloths, it was kareneast/Karen who brought them!!! She had them at the half and told me to take them for the full. Fortunately, I had brought a knife to cut the oranges, and we used it to cut the washcloths in half. We used the melted ice water to wet them (as well as some of Heather's drinking water!). Heather had brought Sports Beans that she also generously shared. We both felt so bad for the athletes that we gave up some of our WISH supplies..We MADE ourselves stop giving to others, though, because we knew our WISHers were coming. Heather was the spotter for WISH shirts, so if you didn't wear one, you would sneak up on us and we would scramble to get something to you! After the last WISHer passed we were completely out of everything!! I'm starting the list for next year!

Anne/Heather - I was sooooooo grateful for the washcloth at the 20.5 spot. I was also glad that you were able to find the right spot. I have to admit that just before entering AK I was wondering if I was going to see you and Heather or whether you wound up at Sea World because of me. We'll get some local oranges for next year if someone would be willing to hand them out. With two little ones it is still a little difficult running all over the complex.

Karen and John - Thank you so much for the backpacks. Billy loves his and is trying to figure out which special things to keep in his. Thank you for the washcloths as well.

Whoever brought extra cowbells, well I am not sure about you right now. For some reason Billy thinks that everything is worth cheering for especially inside the house. The dog is hiding under the bed which is an interesting sight since only his head fits. I may have a hard time explaining to the doctor why I keep hearing a ringing in my head.

I am working on my report but I probably need to get caught up on everything that I neglected for the past month or so.....

Bill

 

[Big Vic]

SOMEBODY STOP ME...I'M THINKING ABOUT REGISTERING FOR NEXT YEAR'S FULL

hehehe

 

[angietuck2]

I NEED SOME OF THAT WISH TEAM MAGIC

Since there is so much supportiveness floating around right now I am going to reach out to you guys and ask for some.

It seems that I pushed it way too much way too fast the past couple of weeks as I jumped RIGHT back in after 7 weeks after back surgery.

This whole weekend while we were at Disney my back was KILLING ME

I am so anxious to get back and I can honestly say that I have figured out that I am MAJORLY addicted to running, hence jumping right back into 3 and 4mile runs. I definately learned my lesson, I went to the gym tonight and did very light weights, core and stretching. I want to be there to do the full next year so what I am asking for is support and ACCOUNTABILITY

OK so I will be posting what I am and am NOT doing and I hope you guys will help me through it.

After what I saw this weekend I have no doubt that you will.

angie

 

[hockeygirl]

So, after running my first marathon on Sunday, my day got even better!! We were walking towards the safari just before the afternoon parade in the animal kingdom and a cast member comes up to us and starts talking to me about the marathon, since I had my medal on.....well, I think the lady is just being nice but then she asks us if DBF and I would like to ride on a float in the parade!!!

I was sooooo... excited....so my awesome day got even better!!! Here we are riding in the FIRST float in the Jammin Jungle Parade with Rafiki!!!

 

[tiberius]

The Disney Magic lives!

Housekeeping found my Garmin and Lost & Found will mail it to me!

Yippee!!

That is so great, and congratulations on your weekend!!!

 

[padisneyfan]

Doing a race at WDW is so wonderful because of all the support that you get from the Scream Team and from fellow Wishers doing the race with you. I just wish I could have meet all of you. Actually from reading some of the race reports I am now better able to put name to the face.

Mel-- I was walking with you and Vic for a while on the stretch along BWV. I had to leave you or I might have stolen your soda. I grabbed a diet coke as soon as the race was over. And this is from a Pespi person.

By mile 18, I thought I would never finish, but between my walking partner Jeanne who kept saying we can do this and all the support from Wishers I was able to complete the Mickey in 6:57. I plan to be back next year, but will be doing the Donald and a Scream Team for the Mickey.

Thanks for the wonderful back pack.

Nancy

 

[Larahb]

Well, I didn't break any speed records, but thanks to all of your support and encouragement I DID make it across the line sub 3:30! I am so grateful and appreciative for all of your kindness and genorousity! It was wonderful to meet some of you at Pop on Friday and to talk with others at the start line or along the route. Special thanks to Valentine (Kathy) for the company on the way in! And thanks for the great backpacks, too! At first my friend thought I was nuts for joining up with a group of people I didn't know but now she wants to become a WISHer, too! Anyway, thanks so much to all of you and here's to the next half in 2009! Anyone doing the Disneyland Half?!?
Lara

 

[Maherae]

hockeygirl/Laurie..FANTASTIC!!! How cool was that??!!
wfloyd/Bill, Oh, Bill!! You were such a lifesaver!! Your map was PERFECT!! It got us right to the turn around with no problem whatsoever. Thank you so much!!
KeNottAt/Kelley, I meant to say that I was so glad Mousekeeping found and returned your GARMIN!!
Angietuck2/Angie, You are stuck with us, kiddo! Slow it down and build back up gradually!! Slow now, so you can go fast and be healthy later!! HASTE MAKES WASTE!! (does that help...a little?)
Kristi1357/Kristi, Jim was telling us of your adventures with being refused admission to volunteer at the water stop!! Can't wait for your report!!
chimera/Mel, awww, shucks, ma'am..
Larahb/Lara, It was GREAT meeting you! Because of the special medal Disney is offering for doing 2008 WDW half or full and DL half, there will probably be more people than would have signing up. Keep an eye on the calendar at the top of this thread..

 

[escape]

Hey everyone!

I'm back home now and missing Disney big time! Unfortunately, with the marathon events, I didn't get to do much "playing" but I sure enjoyed seeing everyone and getting that Mickey medal! If only I didn't have to walk/run 26.2 miles (more like 27 according to my Garmin!) to get it.

Unfortunately, work calls now so I won't get to post my marathon report until this weekend. Condensed version: I forgot my chip (long story), DH brought it to my around mile 13, I finished the race (thanks to Kareneast), my feet hurt, it's over!

Kelley - it was nice meeting you on the course. You're such a speedy walker. I'm so glad mousekeeping found your Garmin!

Laurie - for being in the parade. Great picture! Several friends and I were chosen to be in a Magic Kingdom parade last year due to the fact we had our medals on while visiting the park! That was a lot of fun. Enjoyed visiting with you on Sat. and Sunday.

Kristi - I didn't know that you were having a bad day on Saturday! You looked like you were doing pretty well when I saw you around the Polynesian. It was awfully hot and humid that day. Yikes! At least for the marathon, we had some breeze and clouds (during last half) for the most part. As for the medals at the end....more There is just NO EXCUSE for the "missing" medals. And, to be told that they would be sent to those that did not receive one. BAD IDEA! Half the fun is wearing it to the parks and around Disney. Someone in charge of medals just doesn't have a clue.

Lara - I'm thinking about doing the Disneyland half. I think I blew my budget for the year at Disney in one weekend. I'll have to look at my finances.

Carrie - how was Jikos? Boma was good as usual! I can't believe I made it there after the full. I could barely walk on my left foot. And, I was so tired. Getting up at 2:30am is not my idea of fun!

Jeanne and Nancy - I really didn't mean to go off and leave you ladies. I wanted to get a little faster time in at first so I could slow down at the end (because I knew I would). I thought we might all catch up then but I pushed a little too hard and got too far ahead at the time.

Anne - thanks for dropping off my socks! You are a life saver. Thanks so much to you and Heather for distributing those nice, cold oranges and for being our scream team top cheerleader! You are awesome!

Speaking of oranges, there were a few other ladies about a mile before Anne and Heather handing out cold, sliced oranges as well. They were sooooooo good!

Angie - you can do it! Just don't push too hard and hurt yourself!

As for my future marathon plans - I don't have any. My next one may be for the 20th anniversary at Disney. I don't think I will be back at Disney next year. I'm already sad thinking about it. My DH, Steve, and I are thinking about doing the Phoenix Rock 'N Roll half next year instead. I don't know though, it's gonna be tough not being at Disney. We're also thinking about doing the Race for the Taste at Epcot in the Fall so we can work it in with the MNSSHP and the Food and Wine Festival. Anyone planning on doing that one? I did ToT last year and Steve can't too much Disney in one year. Go figure!

Take care, all! I'm fading fast. Report to come soon.

 

[MarkMichaels]

I just wanted to add my congrats to everyone that participated in these events!!! You should all walk very proudly right now, I really wish I could have been there.

One way or another, I am going to sign up for the full next year! I'm pretty sure I'm ready for a full marathon, I just want Disney to be my first!

Mark

 

[Tiggergrams1]

I too want to congratulate all who did the marathon I work at Epcot and I did meet a few of you only I didn't get names you came to my window and bought or got your tickets. I stood in the back where you all came through on my breaks and cheered you on along with all my other co-workers. Maybe next year I can meet some of you and be more of a cheering squad.

 

[westcliffemom]

The marathon tracking thread got me thinking about what happened during the half. Between mile 11-12, my phone started ringing. Thinking it was my friend & DH, I answered it. It was my mom (@ home). She says, where are you? I say, somewhere between mile 11-12. She says, I got your 15K time, it's 2:09:55. It cracked me up, since she thought I should be done now, she didn't realize it was further than a 15k. (The last race I did that she was there for was the Minnie 15K) But her call did spur me on to go faster!

Then, when I call her after it was over, and tell her my time, she says, it took you that much longer to finish (3:04 from 2:09). I'm like, YEAH, it was another 4.1 miles! She says, but that took you an hour? YEP! I just laughed!

 

[nucpharm29]

Morning all. We made it back home safely late last night, and back to work we go this morning.

What a weekend we had! The WISH team is the greatest. Scream teamers are the best! Ya'll got us through to the end. The marathon itself wasn't the greatest, it was just one of those days. Scott and I had a great first half, around 2 hours for the first 13.1 and feeling good. But about the time we were coming out of Animal Kingdom, Scott started to cramp up really bad and we had to slow WAY down--ended up walking the last 6 miles or so. We are a running "team", and I stayed with him to the finish line. He was feeling really down on the out and back portion to WWOS and I told him, " We knew we weren't gonna be first and we know we won't be last--so lets just have fun and get the same medal as everyone else". We finished just under 5 hours--4:50 something. Definitely not a PR, but really, who cares--it was a great time. Thanks WISH team for an awesome time!

Can't wait for next year-oh, BTW, we're gonna go GOOFY!! Okay, so I verbalized it, so now it's a little more real. This next year will be the last year we have no kids in school, so it will still be easy for us to travel in January. So I told DH that I wanted to try the Goofy, he told me that he wasn't gonna let me out do him. So he's wants to be Goofy too!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Hi Everyone!

I don't think we can ever express our gratitude to the WISH Team, both dh and I found the Scream Team to be invaluable -- I knew you would be cheering (but not so many in so many places!), and dh is not on the Dis, so he was really blown away.

We went to the Pop meet, and it was so great to put faces with names. All my heroes in one room -- and you even look like regular people!

We finished the Half, I have a Donald medal, and I had a blast! This is the first physically hard thing I've ever completed in my life, and my whole mindset changed out on the course. I went from I hope I can do this to I can do anything!

I'm not even sure of her screen name, but I want to thank Ruth from Chicago so much! She stayed with me (I know I was holding her back), and kept me going for the first five miles, then showed up again at mile 10 to keep me going. I don't know how she knew I was slowing down, but her encouragement made me finish. You know those threads you see about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you at Disney? Well, her kindness was definitely the best -- I definitely feel a little pixie dust made it happen for me!

You guys are awesome! DH does not like Disney, I have to drag him there. After this race, he told me he wants to go back and do next year, you guys have made him a believer. I guess I'll have to keep training....

Ok, gotta get back into life, but I'll be posting!

Maria