Disney’s Princess Half Marathon Media Mixer Recap

Half marathon number four is officially in the books. This past weekend I ran in Disney’s Princess Half Marathon and took part in their Princess Media Mixer. The good folks at Walt Disney World Resort hosted me, my BlogRollin’ partner, Christie, and five other fabulous bloggers (Racing with Babes, Workout Mommy, Long Legs on the Loose, Run Faster Mommy and CutieBootyCakes) in association with our Get Moving! initiative.  Mo Travels, Running Backwards in High Heels, WDW Mom’s Panelist Disney Deborah, Maria Bailey and her BSM Media crew rounded out the group. To say we had a BLAST would be an understatement. Running at Disney is ALWAYS a fun experience - if you haven’t done a runDisney event it should definitely top your list - but when you have the Disney crew sprinkling pixie dust on you all weekend it is definitely something magical.

I took plenty of pictures and will let them tell the story.

We arrived Saturday afternoon, checked into the Polynesian Resort then headed over to the expo and a tour of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

The expo was packed!

We paused our shopping for a pic. Notice the “champion” above our heads. I’m just sayin.

See, there really are glass running shoes!

After the expo we had a little welcome reception where we mingled with Ethan Zohn and Jenna Morasca from “Survivor;” and had a great, intimate Q&A with the legendary Jeff Galloway.

Me with Jeff Galloway. He's the runDisney training consultant.  I was so thrilled because I follow his Galloway method for long runs.  Am I grinning hard enough?

We left ESPN and headed to Hollywood Studios where we CARB LOADED at Mama Melrose. I could eat there every night if Disney, and my hips, could take it. Then it was off to bed - we had a 3:45 a.m. call time. YIKES!

My pre-race EARLY morning pic!

We hopped on the bus and dropped our stuff off in the Media/VIP tent before heading to the start line. Every corral started with a bang, literally, as fireworks sent more than 16,000 runners from Epcot to Magic Kingdom and back. The course is filled with every one’s favorite Disney characters and live entertainment.

There’s nothing more magical than running up Main Street and through Cinderella’s castle.

The Princesses weren't the only ones who dressed up. There was frog man, too. Yup, he ran 13.1 miles in a frog suit. Got to love it.

There was also a little eye-candy to cheer us on.

And, a gospel choir at mile 13. It was Sunday morning and, yes, I needed a little Jesus to get to the finish line.

I finished in 2:46:42. The Princess is not a “race” race because you can stop a million times for pics and fun - unless of course you are this badass who sets a sub 2:00 PR!

Afterwards we celebrated in the Media/VIP tent; ate brunch and cheered in the rest of the runners. (Heather, me and T)

Oh, "Captain Jack" Jeff Galloway showed up there, too!

Most people rest after running 13.1 miles, but, um, yeah - not us!

We headed back to ESPN Wide World of Sports to catch the Atlanta Braves Spring Training Season Opener against the NY Mets.

It was a GORGEOUS day to catch a game.

After having lunch and the classic baseball snack we had a few more things on the agenda.

No, I didn’t really drive it but I did hit some golf balls.

The ladies and I were treated to a private hour lesson with two of Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Course professionals.

If I didn’t have my hands full with running and tennis I just might of had to take up golf. I was whacking the mess out of the ball. GASP!

Next up we were all excited to learn more about sports and endurance nutrition with Disney Chef Gary Jones, a culinary dietary specialist.

He enlisted Lisa …

... and Heather to help him chef up a dish for us. He also fed us dark chocolate. Does it get any better?

We ended our evening with a FABULOUS dinner in France at Epcot’s Bistro de Paris, then had a private dessert party where we sipped champagne made for Disney’s newest cruise ship, The Dream, and watched the Illuminations fireworks show.

As if that wasn’t enough a few of us ran over to Magic Kingdom to take advantage of their late night Magic Hours and took on Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Thunder Mountain and the Haunted House. We were too tired to snap any pictures but my scratchy voice from yelling is proof that we were there.

A huge thank you to the wonderful team at Walt Disney World Resort for hosting such an incredible experience and for supporting our Get Moving! initiative. I’m excited that I’ll be here until Sunday for Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. No running for me today, I’ll be back at it tomorrow; maybe, I can get my girl Minnie to join me.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: My travel, meals and accommodations were provided by Walt Disney World Resort. As always, my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Friday’s Confession: Too Much Fun with My Tutu

Friday’s Confession … I’m having WAY too much fun with this.

I enlisted my girl, Minnie, to model my Princess tiara and tutu.

I got all crafty with the back. Ahem. Every Princess should have a little bling, right? I’m going have sparkles all over my house FOREVER.

Now that's done, I’m off to go figure out what I’m going to wear for the OTHER days when I'm not pretending to be a princess. GASP!

Winks & Smiles,

Eight Days of Magic: Running and Dreaming at Disney

So, I’m headed to Disney on Saturday and will be there for EIGHT days. GASP! A wonderful, fun-filled eight days at one of my FAVORITE places. Yes, I’m a closet Disney lover.

First, I’ll be rockin’ my tutu (um, right, the one that I DON’T have yet) when I run in Disney’s Princess Half Marathon; then I’ll stay for Disney’s Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine. I was honored to be one of the final judges who selected the 100 participants for this year’s event and can’t wait to meet some of the Dreamers.

While I plan on enjoying every minute I’m also a bit freaked out concerned about staying on track with my Project Me plan. It’s been almost two months since I started working on my Birthday Goal to rock a bikini and I feel good about where I am. I can feel and SEE positive changes in my body but I know the final two months are crucial in my reaching my goal.

There will be lots of wonderful distractions and temptations for me to stray from my workout and healthy eating while I’m there, but I’m determined to stay the course. Sure, I’ll indulge in a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar but I’m also going to make friends with the Fitness Center at my resort. I’m going to search out some of the healthier options the Mouse has to offer and put my traveling fitness skills to the test.

I’ll be tweeting, Facebooking and of course blogging and will look to you lovely folks for some support. Please do cheer me on when I stay on track and feel free to kick me in the butt when I don’t.

Now I’m off to work on that tutu. Today’s the day. I’m not the craftiest person in the world so y’all be nice when you see it.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclosure: Disney is providing my travel and accommodations. As always, my thoughts and opinions are all my own. 

Ask Wifey: Butt Shield, Boobs and Protein Shakes

Ask Wifey about … Butt Shield, boobs and protein shakes.

Not that I’m an expert in any of them, but I do have a butt … and some boobs. And, I do like protein shakes. OK, just watch the video; and don’t talk about my post-workout hair.



Here are links to Butt Shield and CalNaturale. I’m off to go get a tutu to go over my shielded butt.

Winks & Smiles,

Harlem Globetrotters Giveaway

One of my FAVORITE childhood memories was my father taking me and my sister to see the Harlem Globetrotters. At the risk of showing my true age, that was when Curly and Meadowlark Lemon were wowing crowds everywhere. OK, fess up, I know I’m not the only one who remembers when the Globetrotters joined the Scooby-doo cartoon. My son loves it. Ahem.

Well, they’re still at it with a whole new crop of superstars. Known as the magicians of basketball, the Harlem Globetrotters are now celebrating their 85th year of an incredibly entertaining brand of basketball. They’ve played more than 25,000 games, entertaining everyone from Presidents to Popes.

As soon as Miles saw the commercial that they were coming to town he started bargaining for tickets. Yup, I’m getting a clean room out of the deal. Not only is my family going but I’ve got four tickets to give to one of you so your family can enjoy the fun, too.

Want to go? They’ll take the court at Philips Arena in Atlanta on March 12, 2011 at 1pm. As always I’m easy, here’s how to win:

Subscribe/Follow my blog; and/or Like my Run Wifey Run Facebook page. You need to do at least one and leave me a comment letting me know so I can count you in. If you do both you’ve got two entries.

Want another shot? Like the Harlem Globetrotters on Facebook and tell me in a comment.

More?

If you tweet, Facebook or blog about it and let me know in the comments they’ll each earn you one more entry.

Easy, right? The contest starts now and will end next Monday, February 28, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. EST. US residents only, please. The winner will be chosen via Random.org.

Good luck! I’m off to practice some of my own tricks …

Winks & Smiles,

Ten Miles for Two Princesses

Saturday, Renee and I met up at the Silver Comet Trail to do our last long run before we head to Walt Disney World for the Princess Half Marathon. Excited for a fun-filled weekend – we’ll be there taking part in a special media mixer hosted by the good folks at Disney and in association with my BlogRollin’ Get Moving initiative – we knocked out 10.1 miles in 1:57 chatting about what’s to come.

Me getting ready to head out the door. Everyone else in my house was still sleeping –even the dog.

Renee and I pre-run.

We did 2:1’s most of the way, then around mile 6 Renee got the urge to take off.

Go, Renee, go!

We synched back up somewhere in mile 8 and finished strong together.

Post-run pic. Very happy that we were feeling great!

It was a BEAUTIFUL morning for a run and great to tackle 10 miles with a fellow princess. We’re both ready to ROCK our tiaras.

Winks & Smiles,

My Life is a Circus

My life is a circus. OK, not really, but it feels like that sometimes. Too many clowns in one car, wild animals running around, side-show activities fighting for my attention all while I’m trying to balance on a high-wire with no net. The only time when all of that is fun and exciting is at the REAL circus – Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Barnum 200, The Greatest Birthday Bash in Circus History.

I had the opportunity to take my family on Thursday night to Phillips Arena in Atlanta to see opening night. We had a blast. It was a fun family outing where both the adults and the kids were entertained. Truth be told I use my kids as a front for these things. I’m not sure who has more fun – me or them. Ahem.

It was constant entertainment filled with jaw-dropping stunts and how-did-they-do-that-moments. A few of my favorites are the clowns, the trapeze artists (I’m always on the edge of my seat for them), the amazing Motorcycle globe, and of course the elephants. It was kind of dark for my phone, but I managed to snap a few pics:

The kids trying to get me to buy them some goodies.

Getting excited for the motorcycles.

Yay! The elephants. And, I can't even get my DOG to roll over.  

Me and the kids.

This was the perfect distraction as I struggled to rest from training for the past two days. Oh, and yes, rest time is over – 8 days until Disney’s Princess Half Marathon.

Winks & Smiles,

Disclaimer: I was given to tickets to attend this event, however, as always my thoughts and opinions are all my own.

Resisting Rest

Me after last year’s Princess Half Marathon. (Yes, I'm crushing poor Mickey.) That’s EXACTLY how I feel right now.

I’m tired. My body is tired. I have been running, strength training and playing tennis, sometimes doing all three in the same day, constantly since the beginning of the year. I’ve increased my workouts because I’m on a mission to bust out my birthday goal. I want it – bad.

Although I’ve schedule rest days I haven’t fully been taking them – gasp – even though I know better. Rest is just as crucial to the work you do. I know my body needs that recovery but sometimes I can’t help but resist it.

Today I’m going to rest. No running. No strength training. No tennis. My mind is mad at me for sitting still but my body will LOVE me for it.

Winks & Smiles,

RED Hot Winner!

The winner of the RED Hot Prize Pack compliments of the Cherry Marketing Institute is ...

Lesley from Racing it Off!

Congratulations, Lesley! Shoot me an email with your address so I can get you your goodies!

A big thanks to everyone who entered; and remember, there’s still time to enter the recipe contest at ChooseCherries.com.

Winks & Smiles,



The winner was chosen via Random.org. 

The Day After

After four miles of running, 45 minutes of strength-training, five small pieces of dark chocolate, two glasses of red wine and one plate of steak, homemade mashed potatoes, and green beans; I survived Valentine’s Day without OVER indulging.

I actually followed my own advice (shh, don’t tell but that doesn’t always happen) and treated myself without over doing it. Husband and I went out on Saturday night to one of our favorite restaurants, Pozole, since we knew we’d been in the house on Valentine’s Day.

They make the best Raspberry Margarita EVER.

I was feeling a little romantic and domesticated last night, ahem, so I whipped up a nice dinner for us.

My mashed potatoes made with skim milk and no butter or margarine - the right seasoning is all you need. Check out the RED bowl … there’s still time to win your own set in my contest here.

My entire masterpiece. Husband loved it.

We sipped on this. Notice the name? Unfortunately we have no relation and receive no profits from the Robertson Winery. A girl can wish right?

I’m excited to get through Valentine’s Day without going overboard. Holiday’s are tough and usually riddled with excuses. I’m almost two months out from my birthday goal and I’m feeling more and more like I’m going to make it every day.

Winks & Smiles,