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!

Seven Seas Lagoon Run at #DisneySMMoms Celebration

On Mother's Day I was up early to meet whoever wanted to run one final time at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration. I had an idea of who was coming based on Tweets and FB posts from the night before and yes...early that morning. I headed to the Contemporary lobby at 6:15 to meet up with everyone at 6:30.  We were going to run to the Grand Floridian and back around the Seven Seas Lagoon!  It is one of my favorite runs on property because of the amazing views across the lagoon.

Good Morning Contemporary! It is like waking up to the circus waiting to come to life! 

I love the scale on this picture! I look like Tinker Bell in a very small lobby.  I was wore my safety vest and light up Tinker Bell wings for our early morning run.  I thought we might make it out before the sun.  That was not the case, but it is always good to take safety seriously!

runDisney had invited Ali Vincent to the DSMMoms Celebration 

and she joined us at many events throughout the weekend including our morning run!  

She is a truly amazing individual.  

Her secret to success is that she is real.  

She is one of the most comfortable people to be around.  

She really puts herself out there to have fun and help others while trying not to forget herself.  

If you ever get a chance to do anything with her...do it!

Here is our running crew ready to set out! I love all of our Princess colors!  On the right is Nicole Brady with her husband and two amazing daughters.  Kia Smith is sporting the Minnie ears.  Andrea Howell from FB Once Upon a Run is in the blue tank.  Ali's camera run buddy is on the left.

We left the Contemporary and headed toward the Ticket and Transportation Center.  

Everyone familiar with runDisney's course to Magic Kingdom should recognize this dip in the road.  

Picture huge Mickey hands clapping and spinning the hits up on the overpass.

There was a lot of chatting, encouragement, and yes picture taking along the way!

Heading through the Ticket and Transportation Center.

There were just a few other folks around...which held true for the entire run.

Over to the Polynesian! What a happy crew! I felt like Tinker bell in a garden.

The girls were amazing! 

They were up for anything...including pictures! 

I know they had an amazing trip all around!

Our first view check.  The Contemporary is all the way across the Lagoon! 

Ali pointing out where we started!

The Polynesia is such a beautiful resort.  

Some day I hope to be so lucky as to stay at the resort.

You can't pass up a trip to the chapel when running around the lagoon.

Sisters!

Ali knew exactly what to do with the rings!

The half way point in our run.  We ran/walked our way up to this point.  

We had quite the mix of running abilities 

and were not going to drop anyone on the way to the Grand Floridian.  

On the way back we ran...

...and took some photos...

...and ran...

...and made it back to the Contemporary!

A parting shot of Belle, Aurora and Cinderella before cleaning up for Mother's Day brunch.

I can not wait to get back to Disney and hit the running paths again.  

I can't wait to meet even more of you this coming week at #DisneyRunFest '13!  

We will have to see where our runs take us!  I am looking forward to seeing some new sights.  

What are your favorite runs on property?

DisneyRunFest '13 - The Itinerary

Here is the itinerary for DisneyRunFest!  There are some TBDs.  What do you all think?  Is there anything we should add?  Where should we run Saturday morning?  This is our event...let's have some fun on the run...at DISNEY!!!

June 21^st DisneyRunFest ’13 Monsters University 5k Fun Run Pre-Party at the Movie!  Movie time: 3:30

https://www.facebook.com/events/611619812188441/

June 21^st DisneyRunFest ’13 Monsters University 5k Fun Run! Time: 6:30-7:30 Location: Meet on the Boardwalk bridge behind the Swan and Dolphin, between the Boardwalk Hotel and the Yacht Club Hotel.

https://www.facebook.com/events/225778324227006/

June 21^st DisneyRunFest ’13 Dine-Out post run. Location: TBD

June 22^nd DisneyRunFest ’13 Morning Run.  Time: 7 am, Location: Art of Animation
https://www.facebook.com/events/556815977695402/

June 22^nd DisneyRunFest ’13 Bowling Party – Splitsville, Downtown Disney, Time: 10 am-noon

https://www.facebook.com/events/551312671568627/

Tollytots Limited - Merida Doll from Brave

While I was at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration Tollytots Limited contacted me about doing a review of the Merida doll.  The offer was one for me to review and one for a lucky reader!  I could not resist her!  She was on display at the Merida Coronation breakfast during the Celebration and I had a chance to take a quick peek before agreeing to the review.  She arrived at my house this past week!  My youngest was really excited to take her out of the box.  She looks beautiful in the box, but I wanted to set her free as well.  Plus I just had to see her beautiful hair in a more natural state.

On the packaging Merida is pictured in her dark green velvet dress with gold trim.  The doll itself is wearing a blue/green plaid dress.  She also has a gold glitter overlay across the front of her skirt.  I love that she comes with a bow and arrow set.  These are so much of her personality.  The belt and quiver come off if you want to play with her on her own as well.  My daughter wanted to know if her shoes come off.  They do.  She is checking out her dress inside and out right now.  Okay...she just turned the dolls head all the way around.  Now she is really putting her through her paces!  She has green underpants painted onto her.

Box off and on to the tray tie downs.  She is almost free!

I love the eye contact!  She is ready to play and her hair looks amazing!

She sits up so nicely and holds her own bow!

Look at that gorgeous hair!

If I bought this doll for my daughter (or myself) I would absolutely love her.  I am thrilled to be able to review her and keep her with my growing Disney doll/character collection.  However, if I had bought this particular doll I would be inclined to return her.  She has blue/green discoloration in 3 places on her "skin."  I am going to try and wash it off, but I fear she is stained.  I don't know if it is from her dress or something else.  

I noticed the spot on her cheek while she was in the box.

I noticed the mark on her finger when I started playing with her.

The large marks on her leg were hard to miss
when I checked to see what kind of underpants she was wearing.

I tried to wash the stains off, but no such luck.  At least the larger stain is under her skirt.  I guess you would either try to exchange her or use it as an opportunity to appreciate peoples differences.  Since you could see the slight mark on her cheek while she was in the box I am somewhat surprised that they sent me this doll to review.

Despite her "flaws" I still love her: her eyes, her smile, her hair, her green dress, how she sits...I just want to pick her up and hug her!

So what do you all think?  

Leave me a comment and I will raffle off a second doll that will ship directly from the company.  The drawing will be Wednesday June 18th at 5 pm.  A little business before kicking off #DisneyRunFest '13! 

This Merida doll was a gift from the company intended for me to review.  I get to keep her.  In exchange they requested a review post, a link to their Facebook page, and encouragement for FB likes.  They also offered a second doll for one of my readers.  My thoughts and photos are all my own.   

UPDATE: Here is the response that I received from the company so far regarding her pigmentation issue.  "We are so very sorry you experienced an issue with the pigmentation on Merida! I talked to the team and we would like to test and review her immediately to determine the issue and solve it. This is the first we are hearing of this issue, so we appreciate you bringing it to our attention. Can I arrange for a carrier to come get her sometime next week so we can take a closer look? In the meantime, we will get you a brand new Merida!  Thanks again for letting us know about this. We really appreciate it and can't wait to get you a new doll!"

And the Winner is:  
Using Random.org I have pulled a winner for the Merida doll...drum roll please...and the winner is number 21...Kelly Brown Retterer!