06/10/13

RunDisneyTraining Tales

With registration for RunDisney’s Princess Half Marathon opening today I thought that it would be fun to take a look back and see where it all began for me as a RunDisney runner.

Running the 2009 Disneyland Half Marathon might have been my second half marathon, but this is where I fell in love with funning. Crossing the finish line I knew that I would be returning the following year.

Little did I realize that past September that I would be continuing my journey as a runner in Walt Disney World March 7, 2010! Running through the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT with friends and family was an amazing journey made even more magical by the RunDisney team!

My one year love affair with RunDisney and my Runnniversary was celebrated at the 2010 Disneyland Half Marathon. Despite having a double ear infection and a 100 degree temperature I not only crossed the finish line with a smile on my face, but I also earned my first Coast to Coast medal!

The 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon was the beginning of 13 Going on Crazy. This race was celebrated with my family, which made the start of 13 Going on Crazy even more special.

What better way to kick off my 29th birthday and the 5th race of 13 Going on Crazy than to run in RunDisney’s 2012 Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon. Notice the tutu? This was just the start of the running costume madness! Now I can’t imagine running in a RunDisney race without running in costume! Ah, to be young again! :0

The 2012 Disneyland Half Marathon was the culmination of 13 Going on Crazy and it was definitely a weekend worth celebrating. Memories and friendship were made that weekend that I know will last a lifetime. Crossing the 13th finish line in 13 months was an exhilarating experience which taught me the value and lesson of setting your goals high! Regardless of how many finish lines I cross I always feel as though I could move mountains. This time I however felt that I could move not only the Matterhorn, but continents as well.

Along with my ever growing RunDisney costume collection, my goals seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. After completing 13 Going on Crazy I fondly say that I went from “CRAZY” to “GOOFY”! When I first read about RunDisney’s upcoming 2013 20th Anniversary Marathon and Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge, I simply thought that was beyond insane! From seeing the gorgeous medal and all of the social media hype, I went from thinking that it was a goal out of reach, to something that was accomplishable. This past January I turned the BIG 30 and celebrated in a really big way! I completed not only my first full marathon, but my first Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. Running in the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday and the Walt Disney World Full Marathon on Sunday is not easy. It’s takes dedication, a lot of hard work, and perseverance. Training might not have been smooth sailing, but I just kept repeating to myself Walt Disney’s profound words of wisdom, “If you can dream it, you can do it.”

If running 39.3 miles in one weekend was not goofy even enough, I sprinkled a little pixie dust on myself, flew back to Los Angeles and prepared myself to run in the 2nd Tinker Bell Half Marathon that following weekend. Wanting to keep my Perfect Pixie status I simply could not resist participating in another RunDisney event. Notice the costume, it just keeps getting better and better.

Running is a journey where you keep rediscovering yourself and finding your inner strength. Running especially with RunDisney has proven that anything is possible and as Walt Disney say’s, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” The calm in the air and feeling in my heart as I run down Main Street towards the castle is a feeling that never gets old. It is exhilarating each and every time.

I tip my mouse ears and raise my RunDisney water bottle to future RunDisney events. Here’s to the Dumbo Double Dare 2013 and Wine and Dine 2013, Walt Disney Marathon Weekend 2014, and the Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2014, they are going to be AMAZING races!

QOTD: Which RunDisney race is your favorite? If you have not participated in a RunDisney race, which race would you select for your first RunDisney race?

***Please keep in mind when you are planning your magical Disney Vacation plans, that I am a Disney travel planner. I have been to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland more times than I can count! I have also participated in a lot of RunDisney events and would love to help plan your next vacation! It is no additional cost to you to have me book for you! e mail me at melissa@mousekeplanner.com for more details.

06/5/13

National Running Day 2013

How cool is that as runners we get one day a year carved out to recognize the importance of running. Not too many other sports have days to recognizing them. I does not matter if you are fast or slow as long as you lace up your running shoes and get out the door, YOU are a runner! We all run for various reason and I am positive that those reasons are all amazing. I have been known to say that I run because I cannot fly, my iPod has even been engraved with that statement. Truth be told though I strongly feel that running not only keeps my healthy, but is a fantastic outlet to channel my thoughts, redirect energy, and to clear my mind.

QOTD: Why do you run? Will you be running today?

06/1/13

Monthly Goals: June 2013

Summer is here! Well not officially until June 21st, but I like to think that summer is a great novel, June is the beginning chapters, July is the middle, and August is the ending chapters. I am honestly looking forward to this summer and I am ready for change! BBQ’s, pool party, and hot summer nights are in full swing and I intended on enjoying it to the fullest. I need to stay focused in terms as of my training as RunDisney Inaugural Dumbo Double Dare is this Labor Day and I can’t wait! I am keeping my eye on the prize and reaching higher than ever before!

Let’s first take a look back at my May 2013 Goals…

1.) Dumbo Double Dare: (B+) Did I follow this to the best of my ability? YES! Could I have completed more days this past month? YES! Will try again this coming month? ABSOLUTELY!!

2.) Blog More: (C+) Too much, much too much! Is all I can say about May! This now a “Roll Over Goal” as I so much to share with about my May adventures! Stay tuned!!

3.) Cross Train: (B+) Lots and lots of cross training probably CT than actually running, but I now need to find the balance between cross training and running.

Getting Ready for a Monsterous Summer!

Here’s a look at my June 2013 Goals…

1.) Dumbo Double Dare: Roll Over Goal…See Monthly Goals for May 2013.

2.) Create a Monthly Blog Calendar: It is very similar to last month’s goal to simply blog more, but similar to marketing and social media calendars, which I have created I think that this is my smartest and best bet to stay accountable!

3.) Pace: I always preach that it is my race and I am not competing against anyone except myself, but let’s be honest we all want to improve right? Well here I am trying to improve.

4.) Motivation: Since the temps are rising I too need to rise early, not hit the snooze button and get out early in the day to run.

5.) Multi-Vitamin: I have been advised more times than I could count the importance of taking a vitamin and the many health benefits. I aim to not only find a vitamin that works for me, but to also stick with it and take it consistently.

QOTD: What is one of your goals for June? Did you accomplish any May goals?

05/24/13

Live in LA… Support CCFA Sunday June 2nd, 2013

This is for all of my LA peeps! Come out for a great cause and support Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation! BTW…Tell them 13 Going on Crazy sent you!

Per purchase your tickets now at http://wineandcheeseccfa.eventbrite.com

Can’t attend, but want to support CCFA, click here and donate today! Every penny helps and is greatly appreciated!

http://www.active.com/donate/chicagoGLA13/Melissa

05/21/13

The Great Gatsby

Since I first learned about the remake of The Great Gatsby last summer I must admit that I was on the fence about such a remake. I finally decided to get off the fence and yesterday I finally went to see what all the fuss was about. As I handed over my $12.50 to the ticket booth at my local theatre all I could think about was that F. Scott Fitzgerald would be spinning in his grave and it would not be from bathtub gin. In my mind the The Great Gatsby in 3D was truly a travesty. I exchanged my ticket for a pair of child size 3D glasses, found the theatre, and settled into my seat.

I’m a huge fan of Baz Luhrmann and his films which are always insanely over-the-top and The Great Gatsby was just that. The glitzy costumes and the opulence of the roaring twenties leapt off the screen. It is now clear his purpose of creating this and presenting it in 3D. When you read a novel such as one written by F. Scott Fitzgerald the imagery is rich and the words literally leap from the page. Luhrmann’s movies are always a dizzy dose of magic. I was beyond happy that Luhrmann’s Gatsby was above all an extremely faithful adaptation. Did I LOVE this movie? YES! Would I see it again? YES!!

QOTD: Did you see the remake? What did you think? Love it or hate it?

05/16/13

Once Upon a Time…In Wonderland

Once Upon a Time fan? I am and have even blogged about ONCE in the past! Well the shows creators, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz, have a little more magic up their sleeves and starting this fall we will be able to tumble down the rabbit hole with Alice and follow her journey in Once Upon a Time In Wonderland.

Take a look at the sneak peak…Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

I think that I am already in LOVE with these new series.

For more information visit ABC Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. The new series starts this fall!

QOTD: Do you watch Once Upon a Time? Are you looking forward to this new series? Which characters would you have most liked the creators to create a second series?

05/14/13

I’m a Jane!!

I am over the moon and tickled pink that I have been selected to be a 2013 See Jane Run Ambassador! See Jane Run is a really cool online running store for women and I love visiting their flagship location every time I visit Oakland. They also have other locations in San Francisco, Danville, and Boise.

Here is See Jane’s Manifesto…

(Source A & Source B)

Sounds pretty AMAZING to me! What’s even cooler than the great store is that they also have a women-centric 5k and half marathon. Chocolate, Champagne, really cool SWAG, camaraderie, sounds like fun to me! Check out this years See Jane Run Race Schedule. I can’t wait to participate in the 2014 See Jane Run Alameda Half Marathon!

QOTD: Have you participated in a See Jane Run event? Do you like events geared towards women?

05/13/13

Digital Detox

Today’s “Ah ha Moment” was presented to you by running. Despite becoming completely disconnected from the world while running it is the one time that I actually feel the most connected to the world. I would like to think that out on the road is where I come up with some of my great ideas. Today however I started thinking about the world around me. In a society governed by instant replies, instant messaging, and always being connected to one another, my BIG question is WHY? Do we ALWAYS need to be so connected? What would happen if we replied to an email not immediately, but within 24 hours would that still be acceptable in our society? What would happen if were not always Facebooking or Tweeting? Next time you go to a restaurant look around, I have recently become shockingly aware that I am seeing more and more tables not conversing with each other, but silently engaging on activities on their respective smart phones. Now tell me how smart is it to be in a restaurant with someone you like and you can’t even talk to them? I think that our friend Ferris Bueller has the best advice,

(Source)

QOTD: Do you think that you are capable of a little digital detox?

05/12/13

Weekly Recap: May 2013 Week 2

Happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there. I am going to keep today’s post short and sweet as I will be spending the day with my mom and loved ones. I hope that you are spending this day with the ones that you love as well. This past week’s training I decided to ditch my Garmin as much as I love tracking each and other step and simply run for time.

Here’s how I did this week.

Sunday: rest

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 3o minute run/walk

Wednesday: rest

Thursday: 45 minute run/walk

Friday: rest

Saturday: 35 minute run/walk

QOTD: How are you spending this Mother’s Day?

05/9/13

Be Our Guest Restaurant Review

I remember as a little girl falling in love with Beauty and the Beast. I always dreamed about actually being able to visit the Beast’s Castle and all of it’s magic. The amazing Imagineers at Walt Disney World must have been listening and finally created the Beast’s Castle in the new Fantasy Faire area in the Magic Kingdom.

From the moment that you check-in at the entrance of the Beast’s Castle you immediately feel transported to another world. There was so much detail I think that I will need to return to the Be Our Guest restaurant again as I am sure that I might have missed a few things.

I loved this gargoyle on the drawbridge protecting the castle.

Opening the door’s to the Beast’s Castle and looking at the stained glass windows truly set the scene for a magical experience.

Look closely at the angels, they are actually baby pictures of the Imagineers. What an example of the detail and artistry.

I was so excited that my family was seated in the ballroom, which was the main room, you truly feel as though you are dining in the Beast’s Grand Ballroom. I might be tempted to try dining in the West Wing.

Often times the ambience surpasses the quality of your dinning experience. In true Disney fashion the meal was five star.

I also loved that you can get your photo with the Beast after dinner!

As we left the restaurant fireworks had just started and it was the perfect way to end the perfect race weekend. I spent a magical extended weekend with family and accomplished my very first Goofy Race and a Half Challenge!

QOTD: What is your favorite restaurant in the Magic Kingdom?