Good afternoon!
How are you guys doing? Things are going well around here! I’ve been running around since 5 a.m., but it is all for a good reason.
Workout + Breakfast
Today’s workout was another hit from the Nike Training Club app. (Be prepared for me to thank you guys 5,000 more times for introducing this app to me!) After a 10 minute warm up, I completed the Get Lean advanced Transformer workout. It was challenging, as always, but I didn’t find it quite as hard as the other Get Lean workouts I’ve done in the past. I was still a sweaty mess at the end, but it didn’t kill me like some of the others.
Once my workout was done, I came home to grab a quick breakfast before it was time to drive back to the gym to work.
On the menu for today was a batch of scrambled eggs with green peppers, chicken sausage, shredded mozzarella cheese and spinach.
I also quickly ate a banana in the car as I drove back to the gym.
Work
Work today went really well. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you to hear that group exercise instructors feed off the energy of class participants and today I was lucky enough to get an entire class full of motivated and upbeat people in my TRX class. I made the workout scalable to all fitness levels and it was obvious to me that everyone was pushing themselves out of their comfort zone a little bit.
I must admit, I did have a bit of an embarrassing moment after class today. Once everyone left the exercise room, as I was putting all of the equipment away, I let my iPod play whatever random music it wanted to and it happened to play this song as my boss walked in.
Awesome.
In my defense, Zero to Hero is a phenomenal song.
My First Disney Race
After TRX, I grabbed a quick lunch in the break room (I still feel awkward taking pictures in there and forgot to snap pics ahead of time) and hopped in my car to make the not-quite-two-hour drive to Orlando where I am staying through the weekend because I am running in my FIRST Disney race thanks to the awesome folks at New Balance! I am so pumped!
Ryan will be joining me tomorrow when he gets off work and we’re planning to spend a fun Disney-filled weekend together after I run Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K. I’ve never run a Disney race before but, having previously lived in Orlando for eight years, I’ve obviously heard a lot about them! They sound like so much fun (the Disney Princess half marathon is on my bucket list) and I can’t wait to experience Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5K. Woop!
I arrived on Disney property about 30 minutes ago and quickly checked in before typing up this blog post. (Full disclosure: New Balance paid for my race entry and my accommodations. Thank you, New Balance!)
I’m so excited to be staying at a real Disney resort! I’ve never stayed on Disney property before, so this is such a treat.
I’m ready for the fun to begin!
I think my fellow bloggers will be arriving shortly and in the meantime, I’m going to try my best not to take a bite out of the giant gingerbread house that’s chilling in the lobby right now.
Questions of the Afternoon
- Have you ever participated in a Disney race? If so, which one? What did you think? Any tips for a first-timer?
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So I am pretty sure that’s the place Full House stayed for their Disney World episode. And I might be a nerd for knowing that haha
Have a great weekend! Looks so fun!
I LOVE that you just said this!! 😀
that is EXACTLY what i thought & now i’m replaying the scene where DJ sees the (real) Steve & he trips as they run toward each other in my head. amazing.
Omg that’s exactly what popped into my head also, the slow mo tripping seen 😀 LOL
Scene* silly phone
Wow – I immediately recognized that hotel too AND googled it to be sure. Where Jesse sang an apology song to Becky at the piano as she looked on from the balcony! CLASSIC 🙂 Have fun!!!
Omg totally forgot about the song! Classic!
Wow to that gingerbread house it looks amazing.
So great of new balance to sponsor the race for you. I’ve read a lot of Disney race recaps in the past and they always look like a lot of fun, if only I didn’t live so far away I may consider entering one! 🙂
Love that you had a Disney song on your iPod. If I had to pick a Disney song for my iPod it would be ‘Under the Sea’ from the little mermaid since it is hands down still my all time fav Disney movie.
Eek! I’m heading up to Orlando now to run in the Wine and Dine half marathon at Disney!!! Lots of luck to you 🙂
Good luck to YOU!!!
Sounds like a blast! Have a great time! LOVE that gingerbread house!
LOVE disney and their races! I’ve done most except the wine and dine.. Marathon, Princess, went to Disneyland in Cali to be a Coast to Coaster (I live just north in gainesville 🙂 ) AND the craziest thing I’ve done is their Goofy Challenge! (1/2 then the full)! Nothing compares to disney and running down main street! all the people are so wonderful and friendly. have a GREAT race! 🙂
I think it’s awesome that you have Zero to Hero on your iPod! It really is a great song.
That is so fun that you’re running your first Disney Race! I hope you have a blast at both the hotel and the race! Disney just makes me so happy. I guess that’s why they call it the “Happiest Place on Earth,” eh? 😉
The Disney Princess Half Marathon was the first race of any kind I ever ran, and it set the bar pretty high for all races to follow! All of the females in my family now travel to FL every year to do it because it’s such a great experience. Everyone is so friendly and it’s a nice “distraction” to run through the parks.
I’m doing my first Disney race in February – the Princess Half Marathon!! It was my sister’s dream to do a half for her 30th bday and she selected this one. And then I said I’d run it with her. I can’t wait!! Good luck and have fun!
Have a great & a fun time staying at Disney! What a treat! 🙂
Oops — meant to type “have a great RACE” 🙂
wow – what a fun opportunity! have fun!! Can’t wait to hear more about it. 🙂
I literally just finished my first day of the couch to 5k program today! I’m hoping to sign up for a Disney race in the next year or two. We’re taking our kids for mine and their first trip to Disney in December. As long as everyone loves it, we’ll be back to run soon. Good luck to and the other bloggers this weekend
So jealous! Any Disney race is on my bucket list, too 🙂
I haven’t ever participated in a Disney race either, but I think it would be so fun! I would like to do the Disney princess half too!
I reallly, reallllllly want to do the Disney wine & dine race! Maybe next year I will get organized in enough time to enter.
Oh my gosh I love the Grand Floridian! It looks JUST like it did when I was there in elementary. I would beg my parents to let me get a hair wrap by the pool! I’m running the Disney Half in January so I am anxious to hear how it goes!
good luck to you in january, kalen!
Ah! I’m so jealous! I am in my 4th year at UCF and have lived in Florida all my life so Disney holds a very special place in my heart.
I ran the Disney Princess Half in 2011 and had the time of my life. It was my first half marathon and I couldn’t have imagined a more fun experience. I will forewarn you, Disney races are CROWDED. I’m almost certain I could have had a sub-2 hour half had it not been for all of the people. Get there early and prepare to have a bit of a slow start when you first take off. However, they are very organized. Despite the incredible amount of people, Disney is quite good and moving everyone around. The atmosphere is great though. I’m sure you’ll have a blast!
I’ve heard that the crowds are crazy! Thank you for the head’s up! I’m definitely planning to run it at a pace that lets me soak up all the fun around me without feeling frustrated by crowds. 🙂
A weekend at Disney is going to be so so fun! Ive only been twice but a Disney race sounds so fun!
Looks like a lot of fun! Plus, I absolutely love Disney hotels, especially the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian resort!
I saw that Tina from Carrots n’ Cake and Sara from Sara Fit are also attending this race. Are they your fellow bloggers? 🙂
I’ve never run in a Disney race, or any “real” race for that matter. I ran in maybe a l mile race when I was a kid, but that’s about it. However…. I am looking for upcoming races. It’s on my New Year’s Resolution to run a 5k race. A Disney Race would be fun… or the Color Run.
Have you done the Color Run yet?
God bless you always! 🙂
Mariah
http://fit2behealth.blogspot.com
I never have but I can imagine it’s full of energy and so fun! I also imagine it’s not really a race you run for time, but one you run for enjoyment? PS I forgot to tell you about another app when you were asking.. it’s called Sworkit. I have the Pro version because it was free at one point (maybe still is) and it’s kind of like Nike Training. You choose strength training, or yoga, cardio, stretching. then choose level and time. I like that it includes yoga and stretching too!
I ran the Princess Half in 2012. It was a blast! And I just went to Disney world a few weeks ago. I’m so jealous.
Just have fun! If you’re running for fun and get pictures with the characters, don’t care about your time.
Also, my husband followed me around. He got text message updates on my progress. Every time I crossed over a tracking point, I smiled knowing that I just sent him a text. He followed me by taking the monorail around, I think. I got to see him 3 times. Travel was difficult though.
The most important question: WHAT ARE YOU WEARING!?!
Here’s my recap from the princess:
http://strawberryjampackedlife.com/2012/02/29/disney-princess-half-marathon-recap/
Thank you so much for sharing all of these tips and your recap with me! I’m definitely hoping for some fun character pics!
YAY!! And have fun with the food and wine festival! I loved the Spatlese (not quite as sweet Reisling) in Germany and the escargot in France. My friends loved the cheese soup in Canada.
Josh has a conference in Disney in 2016 and I can’t wait. It’s at one of the resort properties and I can’t wait, I’m just bummed I have to wait so long. Haha Enjoy Disney!
The Disney Princess Half is on my bucket list too! I’m SO jealous that you get to run a Disney race!!!
I’m still new to running races (still at the 5K level!) but I’ve heard nothing but great things about Disney races! Definitely excited to hear about it and good luck. Also – Zero to Hero is the best song. EVER! I once requested it at karaoke and was so bummed they didn’t have it on the song list!
Quick random question – what kind of chicken sausage do you use/prefer? Any brands that stick out? Only asking (feel free to weigh in other PBfingers readers!) because I’ve tried a few varieties lately and wasn’t overly impressed. Maybe I need to switch up brands or flavors. I have a spinach/feta one in my fridge that I’m hoping is the winner! Winner winner chicken sausage dinner (or breakfast!) 🙂
Ah!!!! You are so lucky to get to stay at the grand!!! Soak in the atmosphere. The piano player in the lobby is awesome!!! Good luck on the race. Can’t wait to hear about it.
Yay! SO excited for you. I just got back from being in Disney all last week! The Grand Floridian Café is delicious, had the shrimp and grits, so good!
Wish my trip had been a week later. When I ran my first marathon last month, I met a guy who was one of the pacers! We have since started dating and he just left today to run the wine and dine half marathon! My sights are set on a Disney Marathon in 2015!
Hi Julie!!! So excited for you. I work for Disney over in LA and I have participated in three of the races. They’re so much fun!! Look out for characters and great photo ops along the way. Also, if you’re in need of any park recommendations or Disney 1/2 marathon entry tips, just let me know!
oh. my. gosh. I am so jealous!
Princess Half was my first half and Disney race and words cannot describe how AWESOME Disney races are!! I wish I lived in FL so I could do more!
My only tip is be prepared for CROWDS. The actual run part was not bad at all with the amount of people but before hand, I recommend getting there earlier rather than later.
I think that’s the Grand Floridian, right? Disney races are the best!
Yes!!
I’m from FL (part of why I love reading your blog — I recognize lots of places!) so I grew up going to Disney all the time but just recently got into running. I live in NY now but my family is still there so the Disney Princess Half is definitely on my bucket list during a trip home sometime! Good luck and have a blast! 🙂
I ran the Walt Disney World half marathon with my dad to celebrate our birthdays a couple of years ago and my mom came to cheer us on…the whole experience was a blast! Now that I live in CA, I’m hoping to run a race at Disneyland in the near future. Soak up the experience, enjoy yourself, and good luck at the most magical place on earth!
I am SO INCREDIBLY JEALOUS! 😉 I love Disney, and am dying to do some of their races! The Princess Half is on my bucket list too! 🙂 Enjoy!
Have so much fun!!!!!
I am SO jealous!!!! It’s a dream of mine to stay at the Grand Floridian. It is probably the most beautiful resort ever to exist. The Disney Princess Half Marathon is on my bucket list too, it looks like a blast!
I ran the Disneyland Half Marathon for my birthday this past fall. Make sure you bring your camera (or camera phone) with you for pictures with all the characters you’ll see along the way! Don’t focus on your time as much as you would in a “regular” race and just enjoy all the fun Disney magic!
Hey Julie!
I love seeing the pics of Disney! My husband and I stayed at the Grand Floridian when we were in Disney a few years ago — my first and only trip there — and I loved it! They take amazing care of their guests, and the pools are so relaxing.
I have a question for you about the NASM CPT course (I didn’t see this info in your “About NASM” section; I’m sorry if I missed it!). Did you complete the course while working full-time? I have talked with several trainers who have completed the course, but none who were also working full time…I was wondering what your timetable was like and how difficult/feasible you found the studying, with the other responsibilities you were juggling at the time.
I’d love to hear more about your experience! 🙂
I just ran my first Disney race, the Tower of Terror 10-Miler, in October! It is an amazing experience. There were characters at every mile, volunteers cheering everyone on, a great course through the parks and they take great care of you. I loved every minute. Have SO MUCH fun :)!
My family did the Disney Half Marathon (hubby did the Goofy Challenge -half Sat, then Full Sun!) back in 2010. It was so much fun! Everyone stops to take pictures and just enjoys the day! I’m sure the 5 K will be great -have fun!
I’ve never run a Disney race before since I live just outside of Chicago, but they sound like a lot of fun! I think it would be fun to do one of the half marathons as a destination race (something I’ve never done), and it would give me motivation to actually to a half marathon!
I’m running the princess half in February! can’t wait!
I love that you have Disney songs on your iPod, awesome! I listen to the Disney station on Pandora during the day, it makes a stupid workday infinitely better haha. Good luck this weekend!
Have the best time at the Happiest Place on Earth 🙂
Gorg hotel, btw!!
I’m in Orlando to run the Disney half Saturday night. Hoping for a great run, of course.
Best of luck to you! Have fun!
I have always wanted to do a Disney race and I really hope to one day! Good luck!! Look forward to hearing all about it!
I live in Orlando, but my first Disney race wa the princess half this past February! The races are fun! Just early start times due to park hours. How do you get so many great sponsors?? That’s awesome!
I’m running the princess 10k with my sister in February! We are so excited! We both love Disney and have wanted to do the 1/2 for so long…she is new to running so we were happy to see the 10k was added this year;) Have fun with your race! It will be magical no doubt!
And enjoy the royal treatment at the Grand Floridian!! How awesome! We go to Disney a lot and always stay on property, even if a value resort bc you get more of the experience!
I’ve never run a disney race, but they always sound like so much!! Can’t wait to hear about your experience!
How fun!! I have never stayed in a Disney hotel, but growing up we would always camp in the Disney campground 🙂 A Disney race is definitely something on my bucket list! Can’t wait to read all about it!