Episode 73 - The runICOT Marathon Weekend Recap

[John]

The Cast: Gary O’Brien, Christine Warner, Cindy Jachrimo, Carol Robert, Melanie Bounds, Ian Mitchell. Michael Montanez & John Yaglenski

- The cheering continues, they can’t stop

- The weather and ride reservations

- Triple filtered water

- 5k race day was super cold

- Tambu lounge meet

- Ian is doing a 10k, John is doing a Half

- Our fundraising efforts

- Sunrise in the Magic Kingdom

- Christine tells her Marathon Story

- Gary issues a challenge to Stacey Aswad to run any of the events at Marathon Weekend #runStaceyrun

- John reaches one person with his Cancer story

- The sign issues - code 3636

- Gary and the pink suit

- Get the fever and join us next January!

- Gary’s Column meet

- Disneyland Magic Bands

>> LISTEN, DOWNLOAD, RUN A MARATHON, ENJOY and Spread the love...

[JMTStone]

Already planning on next year.

The only thing better than crossing the finish line for my FIRST 1/2 marathon was looking out for my #cheerICOT friends along the way. Thank you guys so much for keeping me going.

INTERCOT podcast was my first inspiration. I was 260 pounds, then I start losing weight kickboxing. Then I hear Christine and Mel talking about runDisney on the podcast.... then I say "I want to do the 5K in 2014". I did it but after I was #cheerICOT. CheerICOT was so much fun! I decide to push myself and do my first 1/2 in 2015. I do the 5, the 10, then the 1/2.

Whole in 2016? Maybe.... But I will NOT miss the cheerICOT 10K at Boardwalk.

[Melanie]

Awww, Christine. Thank you for your kind words! A little disclaimer here: my stupid Skype dropped the call when Christine was talking about this, and when I finally got reconnected, I was thinking that maybe Christine was talking about me, but wasn't sure. LOL! But, both you and I pushed for runDisney to have a larger presence on the boards (knowing it's popularity and just how fun it can be) and from there it all just kind of rolled into what we now know as #runICOT and #cheerICOT.

I"m not sure what it is about these events that touches me so, because I'm not a runner at all and my hubby has always been a runner, so it's not necessary a tough thing for him. Does that makes sense? I think it's just that I've cheered my hubby for a lot of years at a lot of different events besides Disney, and I've seen a lot of 'journeys.' One of my favorite memories is having VIP access at the Marine Corps Marathon a few years back (certainly not because we're VIPs, but because my hubby knew someone ), and a huge perk with that was being able to stand directly at the finish line. At WDW, it's pretty much impossible to see your runner cross unless you're watching on the big screen or pay that outrageous amount of money to be in the 'cheer zone.' Anyway, the Marine Corps Marathon is one that a lot of first time marathoners run. I'm not ashamed to say that I stood at that finish line with tears running down my face watching so many emotions as folks crossed, ranging from pure elation to pure agony. Amazing! And I stand there and can't help but wonder what story that guy has, who he may be running for, how much weight he may have lost, etc. It's inspiring! This year my tears were for Christine on Marathon Sunday. Such a huge accomplishment, girl!!

My hubby has 'run Disney' since before runDisney was a thing. His first WDW Marathon was in 1999, and he did one more before we moved to Japan in the mid '00's. When we moved back to the States 3 years later, more events had been added (including the Disneyland Half) and runDisney was taking off. We were hooked, and now it's a mild obsession. James has pretty much gotten his fill of the theme parks themselves, but he loves a runDisney event, so I know I'll always get him there for that reason alone.

Cheering has always been fun for me, especially WDW Marathon Weekend. The first few days are especially fun with everyone dressing up and you can holler out "Go Cruella!" , "Go Olaf!", "Go Aladdin!" and get a response from the runners. On the half and full days, when the runners get a little more serious, I always try to pick out sports teams or service members and give them a little "Gig 'em, Aggies" "Go Tigers!" or a "Go Navy!" and hope that little cheer helps them along the next mile or even 100 feet.

Now with #cheerICOT in full force, I can't even explain how much fun it is being with my ICOT buddies and cheering on our ICOT runners. and now the added bonus of recognizing the folks from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. GO TEAM! One of my favorite things is when people find their people on the course, and I hope our ICOT runners feel that way about seeing us. And even if we make Grandma at the Boardwalk mad for waking up her grandson (yes, they were warned it was marathon weekend), I say MORE COWBELL! So let's make 2016 a HUGE year for #runICOT and #cheerICOT. How about it? It's exhausting, and I personally know I look like death warmed over by Saturday, but it's so worth it! Can't wait to see you all in Florida next January, as we'll be running and cheering again for THYCA.

[cer]

I am so crying at work....

[John]

I am so crying at work....

Awwwww!

[diz_girl]

Been away from ICOT and the Podcasts for WAY too long. Have some catching up to do. So it's on to episode 53. I'll comment on this episode in about a month.

[badkitty]

Very emotional podcast... My eyes were not dry for very long and I even got teary the second time I listened to it when I played it for my BFF. You are all such amazing people and I'm so lucky to call you friends. The support we give each other is so wonderful and I'm so glad to have met all of you! It was also great fun hearing my name(s) in the podcast.

It was a thrill running through on the Boardwalk and seeing the #cheerICOT team. I could hear the cowbells and Justin even before I rounded the corner! So exciting to have friends yelling for me! You are my inspiration.

I'm so excited for Christine and in awe of her! It was so fun cheering her on and then watching the live feed at the airport. I yelled out when I saw Christine cross the finish line and got some funny looks from the people around me.

Running is hard for me but the #runCOT and #cheerICOT folks are the best for sticking it out to the end.

On a related note: I can't tell you how much it meant to me to get a text from Christine during the Star Wars half, around mile 12, that she was waiting for me at the finish line! I am really slow, and take too many snap shots along the way, so I was extremely touched that she would wait that long. I was so tired but I actually picked up my pace when I got the text! As I entered the final stretch there she was (and Brian too who had finished days before me!) cheering me on! I was so excited as can be seen in my silly expression/antics on the video! Thank you, thank you for being there! It meant the world to me.

You all rock! Love the podcast! Go team! (I'm looking forward to cheering on Gary as he bikes through the Sierra Nevada.)

Oh, and Ian, your loan is due.