WISH Racing Team Roster, Bios/Pictures

[chimera]

Thanks to Matt for the excellent suggestion! We'll be keeping the team list here from now on. I will continue to update as people join us and plan for an annual 'housecleaning' after each WDW marathon weekend. To be included on the list, either post to the weekly walking/running club thread or PM me.

Please feel free to tell us all about yourselves with pictures. Might help us get to know and remember each other a bit better.

We'd like to try to keep the thread from getting out of control, so please limit to just posting your bio. You'll read some really cool stories about folks that I'm sure you'll want to comment on...if so, please feel free to post it to the weekly walking/running club threads. That way we won't have to scroll through so many posts to read about everyone.

Now, on with the show!

WISH Racing Team

1/2Marathonpixie Barbara MA
3DisneyKids Erika ME
39Cinderella Lori OH
airtime247 Steve CA
akasleepingbeauty Rhonda TX
AKBabe Jennifer MD
aladdinsgirl Krista OH
AmyBeth68 Amy NJ
amykab FL
andromedaslove Dana FL
angietuck2 Angie FL
araishin Chet FL
ArelysAdriana Arelys FL
AuntieM03 Michelle
Aurora317 IL
BaciBecky Christine NC
beckyb29 Becky NC
BiggerTigger Jeff FL
Big Vic Vic FL
blizzard Carol AB
BridgeRunner Donna FL
Bubba73 Bubba AL
Caitsmama Stacy RI
Calcio Craig MA
CarolA Carol GA
Caseydilla Casey NV
cdn gal eeyore Leana Alberta
cguill Chuck MO
chimera Mel FL
Chropistopy Christy GA
Cindylou Cindy
Cosi Bella Michelle
Cruella de Mom Cecilia GA
crzy4pooh Lynnda FL
curioser Morgan OH
DaddyBeast Kevin TX
Davis'Mom Kim OH
deekaypee Debra PA
Dennyha Denny SC
DianeL Diane
disneybelle Darcey NJ
Disneydudet Morgan
disney_mommy Andrea
disneyrunningnut David SC
disnyfan21 Tracy FL
dissoccergrl Kaley FL
DJBounce Darcey IA
Duanerice Duane FL
EPCOTDUDE Bob NJ
escape Susie AR
fan_of_small_world Cari NJ
FireDancer Frank OH
french lady Diane QU
gatorphipps Christa NC
getnthinr Wendy NC
ginnyfavers Amanda FL
goingthedistance Paul NM
goofyguy1958 Mike
Goofyin08forErica Erica KY
goofyinohio Chris OH
gortman65 CO
groovygirls
GrumpyinNY Jeff NY
gsu1988 Ken GA
Hey Mickey Erica NY
HMHunters Renee
Hockeychic Kim CAN
hockeygirl Laurie NY
Honeibee Judy NY
hoosmi Jen GA
ironz Betsy TX
IWantMyDVC Jim NJ
jacknjakesmom
JacobsMommy11002 Johanna ME
jeanneg Jeanne NC
Jen117 Jen WI
jimmduck
jims2cool Jim IL
jmasgat Maura MI
joan4mickey
Jodi Jodi CT
Jules123 TN
Jusacruz Jessica ID
JustSmile Tracey MO
karebear1 Karen OR
Kareneast Karen NJ
keenercam Cam DE
KeenHo Howard DE
KelNottAt Kelley MD
Kewz1 Kristen AL
Kim10110 Kim
Kimickey Kim
Kira G Kira PA
klh-or Karla OR
Kristi1357 Kristi NH
kristykay OH
ksoerhlein
kzmarathon Kevin AL/Iraq
Larahb Lara PA
laughinplace199 MA
lenshanem Shan
Lexxiefern Becky MA
Lisa Loves Pooh Lisa FL
littlegreydonkey Helen NZ
lourodrigis Lou NJ
maherae Anne FL
MarkMichaels Mark IA
marsuzcos Marie PA
MaryJ Mary IN
MelRhoads Melissa AR
MiaBanda Michelle CA
MickeyT Mike SC
Minigirl Eva
Minnie Suzy
mkymsehi Jeff HI
mla1977 Megan PA
mogulskr Scott NH
MomofCKJ Allyson MA
momoftwogirls Kathy VA
monte Monica CO
Moonie NC
Mooshu CA
MouseDogMom Jackie NC
mousemgr2
Mouse Skywalker Dave NY
MrsTrx Tracey FL
msblrobs Sara NY
ms.mightyduck NJ
nepatsfan73 Bill CT
nucpharm29 Stephanie AR
NYCpa Kathy NY
ohMom Molli OH
Optimator Mike
padisneyfan Nancy PA
panthergirl Susan NC
Paull117 Paul WI
perfectmatch300 Nancy FL
PiratesRock
pjstevens Patricia DE
plutosmyfav Sunny MA
poppinspal Megan MA
postesf Stacie NC
princessmomma/Theta Colleen NC
princessrunner Lisa ME
Pungodingy Angie NH
ranngoli Shaily NJ
RedDragon Martha MA
rKyDeX Chester FL
rosy1020 Kristin Japan
RoyalCinderella
Rozzie Robyn AL
Rpsemont MA
runningjusme Christine TX
RunningLilo Dena FL
runwdw2008 Dona
ryley26 Rich OH
sailors wife VA
Sandy321 Sandy IL
sap1227 Christy FL
ScoJo15 Scott GA
scoolover Scott CT
scuba diver Jim FL
SilverE Steve ME
SirBouncealot Andrew IA
skfulkers Steve OH
smileyk8 Kate UK
solotraveler Kevin MI
Space Ranger John
Steffwalks Connie
stitch lover sith Erin NY
sunshine girl FL
SuperDebbie Debbie FL
Suzannenews Suzanne FL
TEK224 Terri PA
Texa Tina
thndrmatt Matt FL
tiberius Richard
TiffJ Tiffany AL
TigerLily03 Lily OH
tink06 NY
Tinks Vicki IL
TNTsParty Tricia FL
twoWDWfools Liz and Patrick IL
twotoohappy Liz MA
TXAng TX
TXBelle Heather TX
uptown_girl44 Nessa FL
Valentine Kathy NY
Villains Rock Eva OH
WDWfan9 Pat IL
wellesleyprincess MA
westcliffemom Stacey CO
wfloyd Bill FL
windwalker Dave KY
Worfiedoodles Maria MA
wtpclc Carrie MI
xterratri Lynne ME
zoegirl Bree NC

 

[princessrunner]

My avatar is my pic with my '08 Donald medal. The sunglasses are extra DOY points for me but oh well. I don't have a great pic of my kidlets or DH on this computer so, forgive me Mel, but I will post one later. I live in the beautiful, albeit right now frigid, State of Maine in the central portion. My town (yes town not city) has about 3,000 people in it so I was pretty overwhelmed with the 12,000+ at the Donald needless to say. Anyone who did the half, I was the stalker who snuck up behind you and cheered you on!!!!

 

[chimera]

No rush, Lisa. Lily's going to merge this with Matt's existing thread then sticky it so it's at the top of the board. Then we'll be set!

 

[panthergirl]

Here's me proudly modeling my brand new (at the time) WISH shirt. I'm Susan - 51 years old - from Charlotte, NC. I love the Panthers and my nieces and nephews. It is my goal in life to spoil my sisters' children! I sell Microsoft Dynamics software and love my job. I grew up visiting Disneyland every summer. My dad was in the Air Force and we spent five years living in California. Walt Disney World is about my favorite place on the planet; except for maybe Bank of America Stadium on sunny Sunday when the Panthers are winning!

I started training just before I turned 49 and did my first race - a 5K - in May of that year. I trained hard and did my first WDW Half the January before I turned 50. I am S-L-O-W but vow to keep at it. Thinking about doing the full next year but no commitment yet.

That's about it! I sure do enjoy my time on the boards and look forward to hearing about all of you.

 

[rKyDeX]

I'm 48 and I've been running for 3 years now. I started 6 months before the 2006 WDW Full. My goal is to run a marathon in each State and DC. So far, DC and Florida are crossed off the list.

In real life, I'm an Architect with a Bachelors and Masters Degree from the University of Florida. I've been married to my first wife, MrsTrx (Tracy) for 24 years. We have a son, Araishin (Chet) who is a Sophomore in the Pharmacy program at the University of Florida and a daughter (Miranda) who is a Senior in High School. We live 100 miles from Disney, about half way up the West Coast of Florida.

Chester
W.I.S.H. Half-Fast Marathon Team

 

[JimB.]

Ok, deep breath now............... Since this is the 1st time I've shown my face (and may be the last if the screams are too loud.....)
This 1st pic is of me in my role as a "bike medic" at the marathon in 2006 (remember, back in the days when it was actually cold!) I am obviously hard at work saving lives here.

Ironically, it was working the races that caused me to start running again.

It looked like everyone was enjoying themselves so much, & I was just the vulture circling around the bodies waiting for something bad to happen. I kinda' felt like I was on the outside looking in. So my friend Jeff & I committed a year ago to running the ToT & Donald this year (which we both successfully completed). Next month, a full marathon in Jacksonville, and for some SILLY reason, the Goofy next year.

Since this picture was taken I've lost about 20 lbs (slowly, cuz' I still eat too much crap). I've also started cross-training & hope to complete in 1 or 2 Olympic distance triathlons this year. I now feel the need to continually challenge myself, set higher goals & (most importantly) get more bling.

I am a retired Commander in the US Navy, having spent many moons deployed on really big ships & flying airplanes on & off same. Presently, since I am definitely not a desk job kinda' guy, I am a 49 y.o. firefighter/paramedic for the St Johns County Fire/Rescue Dept.. Graduate of THE University of Florida, as is my DW of 24 1/2 years (She is also a graduate of the Veterinary school there). My DD, 19 is a freshman at UCF & my DS is a sophomore in HS. I live in sunny St Augustine, about 2 hrs away from WDW.

 

[Larahb]

Hi! I'm fairly new, but got to meet some other very friendly WISHers at the Pop meeting this year before doing the half. I did half of the half in 2004, but stopped to help a stroke survivor who had fallen and was bleeding from her head, thus got help to the finish line and felt like a cheater. Did the whole thing this year. Doing the Indy Mini in May with my college friends who got me into jogging. Was in shape and lost 60 pounds running years ago but gained it all back.
In real life I am a physician assistant and live in Steeler country western Pennsylvania. This photo is of my DH and I at Rose and Crown on Sunday of marathon weekend.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I may have a "technical glitch" in the merging of the 2 threads. If it does not work the way we need it to I will have to ask everyone who posted on the original thread linked here to please copy your stuff onto this thread.

 

[Kira G.]

Moving from the other thread:

This thread is great idea!

Here is my family in WDW last August - my husband Tom (43), Annika (9), Will (13), Hannah (15 now, 16 in a few weeks - yikes!), Ally (7) & me (43).

(Yay - I figured out how to post pictures!)

We live in the Mt. Airy neighborhood of Philadelphia with our enormous Collie dog and three cats. I work in the school of my 3 younger children as the Director of Admissions. I really love my job - I helped found the school back when Hannah was just 2 years old. I have also just started a home-based travel business, Blue Sky Destinations, which is a wonderful new adventure for me.

My husband and I have been married for 20 years. We met when we were both just 18, and he truly is the love of my life! My kids are all amazing, and bless and challenge me each day.

I am so excited to be starting this new journey of running. I have always gotten away with taking my body for granted, and I am ready to begin to explore challenging myself in this way. I think that more than anything else, I love the idea of finally becoming an athlete. I am also excited that Tom has decided to do this with me. He doesn't Dis (at least not for now), but you will probably all get to know him anyway!

 

[postesf]

Hello All! I'm not on the official list, but my name is Stacie. I'm 28 years old from Selma, NC. My sister (Larry's girl) turned me to the Disboards and I made my way over to WISH. I started by journaling and I try to check into the weekly thread, but my goodnes...it moves fast! I have always battled my weight, but seem to be winning the battle finally. Slow, but sure. As of today, I just completed my first 5K at WDW and am down 21lbs. My next goal is to complete the Minnie 5K with my DH, Matt and my sister, Susan. Matt and I also plan to do the Minnie 15K. I'm getting sucked into this running thing! lol! Here's the latest pic of me and DH.

Here's one without a hat (but with ears!) lol!

 

[thndrmatt]

Matt is a 26 yr old USAF active duty member who flies out of Hurlburt Field near Pensacola, FL. Married to DW Cheryl who works in the same area as a project manager for a company that does fixture installations nationwide. Deploy on a somewhat regular basis every few months for a few months and thus find it difficult to plan for pretty much anything too far in advance. Been running with the WISH team for more than a few races now, and continue to sport the spirt when doing other events, which have included several triathlons as well including both the WDW Triathlon and the Ironman 70.3 at WDW. Known for running across and into the middle of large medians just to cheer on a fellow WISH team member.

 

[dissoccergrl]

Hey guys!
If ya'll don't know me, I'm Mel's daughter, Kaley. I've finally figured out how this disboard thing works and I was able to find my way here without getting tooooo lost! I just wanted to say hey and make ya'll aware that I might drop in every once in a blue moon just to say hi. So, anyway, gotta fly! Bye! :

 

[chimera]

Since Kaley didn't post a photo, here she is:

Kaley just turned 15 and is a freshman in high school. She is an honor student, soccer player and plays tenor sax in the marching band. She's in a special program in school where she'll complete a 3 year research project and hopes to someday be a historian, possibly in the UK. She's done the Minnie with me the past two years, but knee and marching band issues have kept her out of the last two halves.

I am 39, born and raised in SW Fla. I attended the University of Central Florida where I received my B.S. in Molecular/Microbiology. I worked for awhile as a microbiologist/bench chemist before I realized there's no money in science and went back to school. Add me to the list of UF Gators...I received my Master of Physician Assistant Studies and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees concurrently in 2001. I currently work as a physician assistant for a thyroid specialist but am also a licensed pharmacist. I like puppies and kittens and hate mean people (oh wait, that's a different bio ) I've been with the WISH team since 2005 (first WDW half in 2006).

DH Jeff is biggertigger. He is 38 and was also born and raised in FL, though he's from 'up north' (Jacksonville). He is a network services manager for the Sarasota YMCA (for now). His degree is a B.S in Information Systems that he also received in 2001. He's also a longtime drummer. 2008 was Jeff's first half though he's certainly been a part of the WISH team since my early days.

Last, but definitely not least, is DD5, aka the Wild Todd and/or Wild Thing. Her real name is Lenna and her favorite rides are the Haunted Mansion and the Blue Train (Tomorrowland Transit).

When you put us all together, we are JKLM!!

 

[wtpclc]

I'm Carrie and I have a WISHing problem , I mean, I'm 39 and just finished my 3rd marathon. To quote our shirts, "WISH gave me the courage to start."

Dh, Scott, and I had given up running for 17 years, when we signed up for the 2006 Disney Marathon. I don't think we've gone mor than 2 weeks without running since March of 2005.

I am a civil/environmental engineer and Scott is a mechanical. We were both born and raised in lower Michigan and went to college 30 miles south of the most northern tip of the state. :brrr:

Here's me:

Here's Scott:

You won't see him here, because he's a do, not talk, kind of guy. He wouldn't miss a WISH event to save his life, though, adn I think he'd do about anything for the group who got to us start.

 

[Valentine]

Okay.. My turn...

Hi I am Kathy...

In my real life I am an Insurance Agent by day.. and Singer/Actress/Director/Choreographer by night. I have a passion for Music and Theatre... I perform quite frequently.. which is why shy is not something most people associate with me!! ...When I am not on stage, I am found off stage telling other people what to do when they are onstage!! LOL!! This unfortunate habit prevents me from doing more races... (i.e., Minnie 2008!!! ) Alas, the sun will come out tomorrow (I am doing a production of "Annie") and I will be at whatever run arises afterwards.. can we say.. Race For The Taste????

Here is a photo of me from this past marathon weekend:

Here are some pics from my stage self during an outdoor concert performance of Smokey Joe's Cafe

And finally... for those who have been asking for an updated pic of Tough Guy

So.. that is it... all about me

Kathy

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hello everyone!

My name is Amy and I started running and frequenting the WiSH boards a few years ago. I've run WDW the past two years. I'm not a runner naturally...in other words I started late in life in the distance arena....but I was athletic my whole life and I'm highly competitive. That's a bad combination for me as I find running to be a love/hate thing. I love how it feels to run, and race....but I hate that I'll never be really "good" at it.

 

[Goofyin08forErica]

Hi all I'm Erica otherwise known as evil Panda's adult supervision!

I have been a Registered Nurse for the last 18 1/2 yrs. My avitar is my picture!

I love WDW marathon weekend and TOT along with meeting all the friends I have made here!!

Erica

 

[lenshanem]

Hi! I'm Shannon (Shan). I'm 36 and a SAHM to two girls ages 7 and 9. I started running last April 2007. I had been a walker, but I got inspired when I saw my DH (Len) finish his first half marathon last year at the ING Georgia Half Marathon late March 2007. He had a health scare prior and took up running and had only completed one race before the half - Disney's 5K Family Fun Run in January 2007. After seeing all the runners that weekend, he immediately came home and signed up for the ING. I was very proud of him!

I started running using The Beginning Runner's Handbook: The Proven 13-Week Walk-Run Program and it worked! I was now running! My first race was Disney's Race for the Taste 10K October 2007 and shortly after my local Gobble Jog 10K on Thanksgiving 2007. I was bitten by the bug!

This year DH and I have several races planned - my first half the ING Georgia Half Marathon late March 2008, the Peachtree Road Race 10K July 4th, 2008 and finally the WDW Half Marathon in January 2009! I can't wait!

Here's a few pics. The first is DH and I at Race for the Taste, the second is us partying in Vegas and the third my girls.

Looking forward to reading everyone's bios! Cheers!

 

[nucpharm29]

Cool idea!

Hi I'm Stephanie and I'm 32. I live in a sub-burb of Little Rock, AR with Scott (DH) and my two kidlets, Emma (4 going on 16), and Matthew (2). I am most of the time a SAHM, but I'm also a licensed pharmacist (which I do every 3rd weekend). I also babysit out of my home and work at a gym daycare 2 days a week. Make a little extra $$$ and get a free gym membership.

I got into running relatively early due to my dad. I've mentioned on the forum before that my dad was a super long distance runner (a 2:50 marathoner ) As a family we would travel to all kinds of local events and my dsis and I would always enter 5Ks. I completed my first 1/2 marathon with Scott on the day we were engaged (what 8 years ago now). Once we moved to Wisconsin, I took a hiatus from running and had 2 kids. I got back into running when a co-worker of Scott's put out the challenge of running the LR marathon last March. Scott got sick, so I took his place. It's all history from there! Since starting back running in Sept. '06 and joining the WISH team, I have a new 5K PR 22:57 and a marathon PR of 4:10. You guys rock!

Here's the most recent pic I have of all four of us

 

[sap1227]

Hi! I'm Christy (just turned 30) and a mostly SAHM to 2 boys (Braden 6 and Brennen 4 next week). I do work part time at a local gym in the childcare area--I get to bring the boys with me and I get a family membership for free, so it is really a win win for us! I am also a graduate of UCF!! I am also homeschooling Braden this year for K, which is taking up a lot of my time!

I have never been a runner or even all that athletic, but I was posting on the WISH board in 2004 for losing (baby) weight and saw everyone deciding to do the 1/2 Marathon and I wanted to join. It was then that I ran a mile for the first time EVER! My DH (Steve) joined me in walking the 2007 Half and then ran his first full this year.

Steve is 31 (as of yesterday) and is a Firefighter/Paramedic. He has become quite a lurker on here lately and if he ever decides to post, I will have to find a new screen name (since SAP are his initials ).

Here are a couple of pics of us!

TRIVIA--Do you know which Disney Bathroom this picture was taken in???? We were at one of the parks on Monday when a friend of my DS took this picture of me and Brennen, once I got over the shock of having my picture taken in the bathroom I realized it is the best picture of the 2 of us I have.

This is the boys last year, but Steve still looks pretty much the same.

I am vowing to me a more active poster and meet up with you guys next year!!!!!