Here's to Disney and the power of Orange!

Disney loves the color orange and so do I! 

Here are a few favorites! 

Which one is your favorite?

Can you think of any that I have missed?

runDisney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Countdown - the 90s

90 special volunteers along the road,

90 amazing volunteers, 

passing out drinks, 

cheering us on,

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race on!

91 @Fitletic @runDisney belts on the wall, 

91 belts on the wall, 

take them down, 

put them on, 

91 ‪#‎WineDineHalf runners race strong!

92 pairs of ears on the shelf, 

92 pairs of ears, 

take a pair down, 

have them embroidered, 

you've got a ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney costume!

93 pairs of shoes on the wall, 

93 pairs of @NBRunning, 

take a pair down, 

run at night if you dare @runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf, see you there!

94 bunches of bananas on the wall, 

94 bunches of @chiquita, 

take them down + pass them around,

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race strong!

95 packs of gel on the wall, 

95 packs of gel, 

chug one down, 

race through town 

@runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf races on!

96 jugs of wine on the wall, 

96 jugs of wine, 

take one down 

party in town, 

happy ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney crew!

97 bottles of @Gatorade on the wall, 

97 bottles of fuel, 

you take one down 

and pass it around

‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney runners race on!

98 bottles of water on the wall, 

98 bottles of water, 

take one down 

and pass it around, 

@runDisney ‪#‎WineDineHalf for all!

99 bottles of beer on the wall, 

99 bottles of beer, 

you take one down 

and pass it around, 

the ‪#‎WineDineHalf @runDisney countdown has begun!

Night off from running = Disney Interactive game night

Disney Interactive launched a new Muppet game today My Muppets Show! My youngest has always wondered why I don't have any games on my phone. Well today I fixed that problem! 

I have always had a soft spot for the Muppets...I am a child of the 70's.  What else do I have to say?  I can remember watching the movies in the theaters in the early 80's and the Rainbow Connection still enters my running thoughts every now and then.

I played with the game a little at lunch to get the basics, before breaking it out this evening with my daughter. We played together for a while as we both learned more about how the game works.  Now she is on the other couch telling me what she is learning.  "Those suitcase require level 8."  When you start out there is garbage and debris around the stage that you need to clean up.  You get to pick Muppets to add to your band and their is plenty of great stuff to "buy" with which you can decorate the stage.  If you want to keep the band happy you need to keep them feed.

It will be interesting to see how often she asks to play the game.  She brought it over and said she was finished.  That lasted about 3 minutes and she wanted it back!  I would wager that if she hears me playing she is going to want to play.

We have made it to level 7 tonight.  Our band only has three players.  We really need to get some more to diversify the beat.  The good news for us is that we can resume play later without loosing our progress.

Although Disney did contact me about reviewing this new downloadable game, I was not compensated in any way for doing so.  All of my thoughts are my own.

Here is the core material from the press release.  You all can read it if you like for yourselves and/or just download the app and discover as you go along if you like!  That is more along the lines of what we did!

It's Time to Play the Music, It's Time to Light the Lights, It's Time to Meet the Muppets in My Muppets Show Tonight!

Players build their Muppets band in the latest free game from Disney Interactive for iOS and Android Devices

Launching today from Disney Interactive for iOS and Android devices, My Muppets Show has players joining Kermit, Animal, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the Muppets to create their ultimate band in this free musical builder game. In My Muppets Show players collect and recruit popular Muppets, place them on stage to create songs, and put on the show of a lifetime.

Players clean up, fix up and manage the famous Muppet Theater stage in order to recruit an all-star cast of Muppets, and put on a show. Every Muppet that is recruited sings or plays a unique instrument in a larger musical number. Players need to unlock them all to complete their own Muppets Show in this all-new free mobile game.

Features:

·         Reunite the Muppets gang in this original game that’s full of irresistible music, humor and familiar performers.

·         Unlock and collect over 20 well-known Muppets including Kermit, Animal, Fozzie Bear, and many new Muppets as well.

·         Complete different songs across unique stages like the Muppet Theater, Swedish Chef’s Kitchen, and more.

·         Use Bunson & Beaker’s inventions to send Muppets on special missions to recruit star Muppets for the stage.

·         Visit friends’ stages to rate their performances and collect special gifts.

Why do you run...runDisney?

Here is the answer I submitted today!  Why do you run?

I run for fun! I love being out among other amateur athletes have fun running and if there are costumes involved all the better! I have met some pretty amazing folks online through running e-communities and spending time with them at destination races is a fantastic experience.  

I do all of my training solo and run by myself on race day as well, but I am constantly running into folks I know along the course.  Sometimes it is just a "hi", maybe a photo, but other times we run a mile or two together until I inevitably stop to take a picture.  

With Karla Bruning during WDW Marathon '13

I really enjoy documenting the races I run.  I take pictures of the scenery, other runners along the course, and I stop for all the character photos when I am lucky enough to be at a runDisney event!  During my last race I heard a lady commenting on the crazy folks who stop for pictures just as I pulled off to take a shot of runners circling the top concourse of Gillette Stadium.  I love the picture and the special way I got to experience the place!

Disney's Magic of Healthy Living Initiative: TryIt

Food: fuel vs. flavor

As athletes we need fuel. As people we want it to taste good.  At the Disney Social Media Moms Conference I was introduced to Disney's Magic of Healthy Living Initiative and their TryIt campaign.  TryIt rolled out with the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.  You could find well marked offerings at the food stands around Epcot.  Lucky for us we could find TryIt dishes at most of our events.  I of course explored them with my own interests in mind - a mix of flavor and fuel.  

The Saturday nights dinner was hands down my favorite! We were dining al fresco and the food was tasty and fun! My favorite dish of the entire conference was the Avocado and Black Bean Salad! It met all my flavor desires and is pretty amazing as a fuel source.  Part of me just wanted to eat three plates of the stuff and call it dinner!  I don't know if they serve it anywhere on property, but I nominate it as my ideal food for runDisney race weekends and wish event catering would sell tubs of it at the expo!  

My second favorite dish of the conference was the Diced Grouper Escabeche! I would never have guessed this.  It is not something that I would ever have ordered off a menu, yet I really enjoyed it.  I also loved the presentation.  I asked if I could take one of the bamboo serving sets home with me (unused).  I was originally going to take it to work and put it on my desk, instead I am using it to hold earrings on my bedside table.  It is a happy reminder of an amazing experience.

The chefs and servers were amazing throughout the entire conference, but I really enjoyed getting to interact with them at our dinners.

By the third evening, my niece and nephew were really embracing the freedom the event provided.  They were hunters and gatherers seeking out tasty morsels that they could bring back to our table and enjoy!

Disney's TryIt initiative was part of our formal presentation during the conference.  For more information on Disney's TryIt and TryAthlon initiatives check their website http://citizenship.disney.com/try-it. Disney's commitment to health living is proudly displayed on their menus using the Mickey check mark.  It is only a guide in a healthier direction, we must make our own decisions based on our own dietary needs, but it demonstrates that they are trying to offer healthier options.  Life is a balancing game and food is a major component.  Sometimes my body really needs a milk shake, particularly if I feel I am running too lean and I have a marathon the next day, but most of the time there are healthier options.

runDisney, if you are reading, please have a TryIt food court at the Wine & Dine Half expo! It is a pairing that is meant to be! And PLEASE serve the Avocado and Black Bean Salad. I know it is pushing the season, but I bet you can do it.  Athletes need fuel that will sustain them and the TryIt offerings were wonderful!  

I was invited to attend the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration at the Walt Disney World Resort May 9-12, 2013.  The conference fee permitted me access to special events and experiences made available to conference attendees and their families.  I am voluntarily writing about these events and experiences.  These are my own thoughts, opinions and photographs unless otherwise stated.

runDisney lovers training e-team rosters on FB

You never run alone with runDisney! There are characters around every corner!

Are you running a runDisney race between now and #PrincessHalf '14? If you let me know which one/s I can add you to the runDisney lovers training e-team roster/s for those weekends. If you are not planning to runDisney during that window I can add you to the Dreaming of runDisney team. 

I post a daily training mileage update with the totals for each race weekend. You can comment with your training miles there and they will be added into the totals for your race e-team/s. Your miles will count toward the totals for each race weekend you are running. 

It does not matter which distance your are doing for a particular race weekend. Everyone's training miles count! You can post your miles daily or weekly it is up to you. Either way is fine! Welcome to the runDisney lovers training e-team!

Come on over to my FB athlete page at "for the love of Disney running" and join us as we train for runDisney fun one run at a time!

Just leave your name and which races you are running on the pinned FB post and I will add you to the roster in the morning.

Harvard Pilgrim Finish at the 50 - holiday racing at it's best!

You all know how I feel about holiday races...I LOVE THEM! Are you racing this holiday week?

I will be repeating a race I ran last year! Are any of you going to be out there with me?  I have not decided if I am heading up tomorrow to get registered or on Wednesday (race day).

Running back to Gillette Stadium during the 10K in 2012

Do you want to hear a little about the race and the event?
"The Finish at the 50 event is a must do. You will run directly into the stadium onto the field to the cheers of thousands of fans and see yourself on the giant 48 feet wide HDTV screen. Your race finishes on the 50 yard line inside Gillette Stadium at Patriot Place! Stick around to celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display above Patriot Place. Be sure to sign up early as places will be limited and we expect this race to close out. Patriot Place is home to exciting attractions like The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon, CBS Scene Restaurant & Bar, Showcase Live and Bass Pro Shops.  Visit www.patriot-place.com to learn about all the shopping, dining and entertainment options you can enjoy on event day."

Here is my blog post from last years event.
http://lovedisneyrunning.blogspot.com/2012/07/harvardpilgrim-finish-at-50-10k.html

We could set up a pre and/or post race meet up...anyone up for fireworks?  How many races have a full on Fireworks Spectacular afterwards?

Here is the events website: http://www.harvardpilgrimfinishatthe50.com/

Registration will be open from 3pm - 7pm tomorrow (Tuesday) and Noon to race time on Wednesday all in the plaza at Patriot Place by The Hall and the ProShop. There are still bibs available! 

Note: the event is covering my entry in exchange for sharing all this fun with you all!