Wife Mother Runner Be Our Guest Podcast Archives

runDisney Jingle Jungle 5K

November 24, 2015

This year I did what I considered to be my first runDisney 5K race during the Wine & Dine race weekend. I participated in the Jingle Jungle 5K race Saturday morning. I consider this my first 5K because I typically don’t sign up for 5K races during the runDisney race weekends. The reason for that is because I usually have to fly in the day before the bigger race or the challenge races so I can’t get the time off to participate in the 5K which takes place on the day I am flying. With this race it occurs on the same day as the half marathon. The first 5K race that I did run was during the Dopey Challenge last year, but I considered that different because it was the Dopey Challenge. How does that make sense? I don’t know but it does to me!

I also wanted to participate in this race because it starts at 7:00 a.m. (one of the latest start times of a 5K race in the runDisney series), and because it runs entirely through Animal Kingdom. In most of the runDisney races I participate in we run through Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom and ESPN Wide World of Sports. But not as many races go through Animal Kingdom besides the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, a few miles during the full marathon and the Jingle Jingle 5K.

The morning of the race I set my alarm for 5:00 and was ready and in the car before 6:00. Because my flight got in after the expo closed on Friday night I knew I would have to pick up my bib at the information tent at the race start. I had to be sure I brought my license with me or else I wouldn’t be able to pick up my bib. So when I arrived, I got a great parking spot and walked right over to the information booth and signed a waiver and picked up my bib. Then I looked around to connect with my other racing buddies. I spotted the Mickey Milers and their amazing costumes, said hello to them and then found Diana, Christina and Diana’s daughter Kenzie. This was going to be Kenzie’s first 5K.

Since this was Diana’s first race with her daughter and they were in corral C I told them I’d stick with the Mickey Milers and hang back in corral D. She wasn’t sure how long it would take them to get through the race and they were planning on stopping for every picture.

I went to my corral and reunited with the Mickey Milers. The team was easy to find with Bill Taylor’s “Elf” costume! Everyone was so creative with their costumes. I went with my low key approach but should consider stepping it up next time if I decide to do that race again. I also ran into Mike Rahlmann and his family in my corral so we got a picture together of course! I always try to grab a picture with Mike when we see each other at our races.

Jocelyn and her daughter (left), Pam and Mallory, myself and Mike from the Be Our Guest Podcast

The race started at 7:00 and we passed the start line at 7:10. The first section of the race went around the outside edge of the Animal Kingdom parking lot and then we entered in through the front gate. From there we walked towards the Tree of Life, towards Everest and then back stage before we went back to the finish line.

There were several character stops along the course and I was happy with the amount that was out there for the 5K. There was Rafiki, Timon, Chip and Dale, Donald and Goofy, Pluto, and a few others that I didn’t snag pictures of.

It was a very very warm and humid morning so I am glad we took it slow and walked this race. If this was any indication of how the rest of the race weekend was going to be, we were going to be up against some dangerous heat and humidity for the half marathon. I was sure to drink a lot of water after the race so that I would be hydrated for the rest of the day. I finished the race in a little over and hour which was perfect. We were done by 8:15 and I had time to go back to my hotel to shower for our 10:40 Mickey Milers breakfast reservation at Kona at the Polynesian Village Resort.

I was also glad to see that starting in the last corral and walking the entire race I finished in a little over and hour and there are no sweepers at that race. My mom is participating in her first runDisney 5K during marathon weekend and had been worried about not finishing the race in time. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the 5K course through Epcot and even take pictures. This race was a good way for me to estimate the pace and timing for our January race.

I really enjoyed this race and would consider doing it again. The downside to it is that you have to wake up early for the 5K race on the same day that you will be starting the half marathon at 10:00 that same night. If you are good about going back to your room and taking a nap then that works out great. But like me, I enjoy the social events that take place during the short trips that I have there so I generally don’t take the time to go back to my room and rest, let alone nap. So I ended up staying up for 24 hours straight. But again, it’s fun, I see my friends, have a great time and I’m at Disney so sleep isn’t necessary right?!

Marine Corp Marathon 16 mile Training Run

August 24, 2015

I was supposed to go out for a 17 mile training run today but due to the heat and the humidity I did cut it short by 1 mile. I was hoping to go on this run when I was on vacation; but I was enjoying too much of my vacation time and it was still very hot and humid in New Hampshire with now break in the weather forecast. So I decided that I would save the run for Sunday when I am back at home and am familiar with my roads.

I set my alarm for 7:00 a.m. At first I was thinking 6:30 but decided I wanted a little more sleep. By the time I had my tea and oatmeal, mapped out my route on my Garmin Connect, loaded up my iPod with all of my favorite podcasts, and got all of my gear together it was 8:30 when I was on the road. My intent was to walk at first to adapt to the heat. I did that for the first half mile and then started my 30/30 intervals. I was feeling good, the air temp was comfortable and there was a little breeze with overcast skies.

I stayed on a shady road for the first 2 miles and they went by quickly. Then instead of what I was considering for my route changed while on the road. I decided to go a different way because I didn’t want to hit many of the very high hills that are on the return trip home. I wanted to survive this run with confidence under my belt. It’s just much harder running in the summer.

I did see several nice sights out on my run today. The silly cow standing in the swampy pond, turkeys in my neighbor’s yard, the beautiful vineyard, horses, a woodchuck, and a unique coke bottle with the word “Explorer” on it.

I felt good through the first 8 miles, then I was starting to do the marathon math and was getting confused. When I hit 10 miles I was happy that I had just 7 left; but I was also close to home and decided that I would get some pretzels and fill my water bottles with ice. I was starting to feel the effects of the heat. I needed to get ahead of any heat exhaustion so that I could get the rest of my 6 miles done. I went back out and did my usual 4 mile route and saw my neighbor up the street whom I had seen 3 hours earlier. He was surprised I was still at it.

While on the last 5 miles I was starting to feel light headed. The ice in my water bottles melted already and the roads had less and less shade on them. The sun was starting to burn off the cloud cover so I didn’t have much respite from the heat. I poured some of the water over my head to help cool me down; but I was feeling pretty sure that I wasn’t going to be able to get the full 17 miles done. I would do the best I could to get 15 for sure. I was able to pick up some running again around mile 14 and did my 30/30 intervals closer to home and once I got to my driveway I walked the remaining distance to get me up to 16 miles.

While this wasn’t a fast training run, it was a successful training run. I didn’t get a heat headache and my legs don’t feel too bad. I did have to end up to walk some more than I had wanted; but the goal is to get the mileage under my belt and not worry about the speed.

Technology Is Out Running Me

June 16, 2015

I was having dinner with my family the other night and we had the Be Our Guest Podcast playing in the background because Mike, Rikki, Pam and Debbie were doing their 12 hour live show to raise money for Give Kids the World. I think my dad was fascinated that Mike was running the show out of his basement. He was asking me how it’s done and I explained that he has a microphone and it’s set up to his computer and he uses Skype. That’s about the extent of my knowledge of how Mike runs the show from his basement. I know that there is more involved with editing the show and getting it posted to iTunes afterwards. In fact, I researched how to create a podcast last summer; but nothing came of it.

So we were talking and my dad was saying how technology is outrunning him. We were discussing voice over IP and how phone lines used to transfer data via fax and bits and bytes… (I’m not sure of all the technical telephone data jargon he was using). He worked for the phone company for my whole childhood. That was when the phone company was known as the phone company, Southern New England Telephone (SNET). There was only one phone company. That’s when you worked for a company until you retired, you didn’t switch jobs every couple of years because of layoffs, downsizing, or companies leaving the state because the taxes are too high to do business here.

What was my point??? Oh yea, technology. I have been on a learning kick lately listening to podcasts about Social Media Marketing. One podcast in particular that I like a lot is Social Media Examiner with Michael Stelzner. Back in April I heard about an app called Periscope. I didn’t know what it was, but it was popping up on my phone. So I had to check it out. My younger friends like Joe Pardo were using it and that was making me feel like I am behind the times on these new cutting edge technologies. I felt like what my dad said. It was beginning to out run me. So I had to research into it. I signed up for Periscope and saw my friend, Joe who was running a race in Philly stream it live while he was running. Then when the Mickey Milers were in Disney for the Everest Challenge race, they were using it to broadcast the event. I still used it to only watch what others were doing; but wasn’t “broadcasting” any of my own events. Then I tried it one night. It was fun. I want to use it for more purposeful things instead of live streaming my gas fireplace on my back deck, and I will when the time is right. But I also needed to learn more about this so I turned to Michael’s podcast. Most recently he had an episode with Brian Fanzo about Meerkat and Periscope. If you don’t know what the differences are between these two apps, please check out this podcast. It was great. Brian explained the differences between the two, the pros and cons of each and also, which one do you want to use to get started with live mobile broadcasting.

If there is an event that I can’t attend I am now going to search Periscope to see if anyone is streaming that event live. This is great for attendees of conferences who want to share some of the content they are hearing to others. But as I was thinking about that, I wondered how that will be received by the event hosts. Attendees pay money to attend the conferences, and if others are live mobile broadcasting the content, then where is it considered not appropriate to share? Using your phone to live broadcast a movie is of course, illegal and I’m sure the platforms will shut down the users who are taking such actions. So there is a lot of questions regarding privacy and copyright that must be considered when using these live mobile broadcasting tools. But when using them with the right intentions in the right way; they are a powerful way to influence and share with others.

My friend Amanda recently attended the IPW15 and Periscoped a private party being hosted in the Magic Kingdom that night. It was incredible to see the ghosts of the haunted mansion outside while she showed us the video and answered questions that were being typed into the app.

photo by Amanda Tinne7 https://twitter.com/amandatinney

So if you want to stay ahead of the curve with technology and social media, I suggest you start listening to the Social Media Marketing Podcast. It has been an extremely helpful podcast to educate me on the latest trends in Marketing and Social Media.

Be Our Guest Mike Rahlmann runDisney Marathon Training Follow Up Interview

December 10, 2014

Earlier in the year I interviewed Mike Rahlmann from the Be Our Guest podcast. He is training for the runDisney full marathon. He NEVER thought he’d be running a marathon and here he is, just one long run away from doing it in less than a month! Here’s the interview, enjoy it! I ran into Mike on the bus at the Tower of Terror weekend and we took some pictures together before the race!

Mike and I at the Tower of Terror 10 Miler – October, 2014

How is your training going! I see your training stats when you finish and they look awesome!

My training is going pretty well! I think I’m starting to become a bit of a “runner!” I make sure to schedule my days and weeks not to miss my 4 “run days!” I feel so much better when I get out there and get in my miles!

How are you feeling mentally, physically and emotionally about the race?

I’m very excited about this all! Once I completed my 24 mile training run last Saturday, I started finally feeling like I can actually do this marathon! I realize after running many runDisney events that the excitment of the race and being with “running friends” does carry you a bit, so I know if I can get close, I can get to that finish line!

Now that you are one more long run away from race day (and I know you said you are saving the .2 for marathon day), do you feel ready?

I do! Thanks to the encouragement of so many of our podcast teammates and others from the Disney Community, I’m starting to believe in myself. It is great having this shared experience with so many friends. I know that I won’t be the only one in those corrals on January 11 going for 26.2 for the first time! Also, I know that every mile of the race, there will be smiles, friends, and encouraging words to get me to that finish!

What was the hardest training run for you so far?

I think some of the hardest training runs have been on the coldest days so far this winter. I run every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, and on Tuesday and Thursday, I have to run before school. It’s still dark when I get my run in, so it is tough to leave that bed in what feels like the middle of the night knowing how cold it is going to be out there. However, I know others are doing the same and it will all be worth it when I get to the race!

How do you feel the day of and the days after your long runs?

I’m always a bit anxious to just get out there when it is my “run day!” Also, when I know I have a long run coming up on Saturday, I’m at bit on-edge that entire week. I actually feel good knowing that I only have one long run left before Marathon Weekend. I do love the training, but the nervousness that I feel before the weekend of my long runs is a bit crazy! After I get in those long runs, I reward myself with a nice Saturday afternoon nap on the couch watching college football, unless it is my beloved Mizzou Tigers! Then, who could sleep?

Now that you have seen how much work goes into training a marathon will you do another after this one?

I’ve heard my great friend Adam mention that this might be his only marathon due to these long runs during the training and I really can see where he is coming from. There are many days I feel exactly the same. However, I’m the kind of person that never says never. I NEVER thought I would run a Half-Marathon, and now I’m nuts enough to get out there and shoot for 26.2. Who knows, Dopey anyone?

Your times are very fast, have you considered trying to qualify for Boston?

Not a chance. That actually cracks me up! I heard someone mention that one day on Twitter about my times. I use the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run method in 1:1 intervals, so I don’t consider myself at all fast since I walk half of the time. Also, I see Boston as an elite athletic event, and I’m just out there to have fun with some buddies and get a great Walt Disney World Vacation at the same time!

Are you staying healthy and injury free during this time?

Actually, the day I’m writing this, I’m fighting a tough stomach bug that caused me to miss my first “run day” in over a year. However, I feel like I am a “real” runner now because while I was laying in bed, I was worried about not getting in my miles. As soon as I got up and ate some breakfast the next day having had to stay home from school, I made sure to head downstairs and get in at least 6 miles of walking on the treadmill.

Are you hungrier?

Yes, I can eat just about anything these days. Before I started this journey, I ate a ton of fast food. It was almost my exclusive diet. Now I tend to eat out just about as much, but we go more to sit-down restaurants where there are slightly better choices. I enjoy fajitas from my favorite Mexican restaurant about 3 times a week and watch what I eat for breakfast and lunch and enjoy a healthy-sized dinner.

Do you have a goal time in mind or do you just want to finish? Is your daughter still running it? How has her training been?

I would love to finish the Marathon in about 4:20 or so, seeing as I have run about that pace here in Missouri where it is rather hilly, but I’m in a dilemma here. I want to make sure I enjoy this experience. I’ve been working on this goal since July 30, 2013 when I took my first 1 mile run. I want to be able to stop for pictures on the course, take pictures of other running and inspiring signs and scenes along the way, ride Expedition Everest, and more! Life is about the journey, right? It’s not about who gets done first. Being competitive, that’s going to be hard for me, but I think I will slow down and enjoy one of (hopefully) the best mornings of my life!

Paige is still running the Marathon with me, but hasn’t done much training. She was injured for about half of her Cross Country season this year with a stress fracture so she needed to stay away from running for a bit. I have been getting on her for the past month about getting out there and training, but do you think an 18-year old girl is going to listen to her step-dad? I think she will do fine. She is very athletic. I just want her to have an amazing time too.

What do you listen to on your long runs?

Let’s see if this surprises you – podcasts. I really do enjoy hearing “friends” while I am out there on the road. I always “screen” our upcoming Be Our Guest Podcasts, but also love hearing WDW Today, The Disney Dish Podcast, RFF Radio, MacBreak Weekly, This Week in Tech, Mickey Miles Podcast, Resort Loop, and more. Also, on Saturday mornings with my long runs, I listen to College Gameday on the ESPN Radio App. What can I say? I’m just not a music guy!

Do you have a mantra to help you through the tough times?

Luckily (knock on wood), I haven’t had too many tough times. I see friends out there thousands of miles away who are on this journey with me. We keep each other motivated. I have friends like Mike Bankhead and Stan Harris who will post just the right motivational message on Facebook when I need it. Social Media is more powerful that I think most people give it credit – it has helped shape me as a runner and changed my life for the better.

What do you use for fuel for the long runs? I used to use Gu but now I use pretzel fish and gummy bears and Nuun because they cause less upset to my stomach.

I will be honest – I don’t fuel on any runs. Before my 24 mile run, I got up and ate a small bagel with some peanut butter and hit the road and I was fine. My mistake was that I didn’t have any water available during this run either. I made it home after the run, but on my last training run, I’m going to ask my wife to meet me around mile 15 with a sports drink or something. I tried a gel years ago at the first Tower of Terror race and it made me sick to my stomach, so I tend to run light and eat when I finish.

Clothing- you are training at home where it is cold. Are you conscious of what gear you will wear in Florida? It’s hard because we don’t have the chance to test out the summer clothing for the long runs in our winter states.

I’m pretty simple – I’m planning on just running in some running shorts and out BOGP Running Lizard Team shirt. However, I ran the “Frozen” WDW Half-Marathon in 2010 and I learned my lesson. I will have my cold-weather running gear with me, but hope that I don’t have to use it. When it is cold here in St. Louis, I run in Nike Combat Hyperwarm undergarments and swear by them. I can run in wind chills down in the single digits and be fine except for my exposed skin.

It sounds to me like Mike is ready to go! And if you ask me he’s a runner!! No doubt about it. Great job Mike! I can’t wait to hear all about your experience and yes, Dopey may be in your future one day! Like I always say, “Never Give Up!” I also say “Never Say Never!”

Check back in January for my recap of my first experience with the Dopey challenge and I will also interview Mike again after he completes his first Full Marathon! I can’t wait to hear what he thinks of running a full marathon, and running the Disney marathon as his first marathon.

Learn More About Michelle Scribner-MacLean from Mickey Miles Podcast

May 5, 2014

I love to listen to podcasts when I run. As you know, some of my favorites are the Mickey Miles Podcast, Be Our Guest Podcast, Laugh or Go Crazy, Two Gomers, and the DIS Unplugged. I decided while on a run that since I listen to these people (friends) all the time in my headphones, I’d love to start more of a dialogue with them and learn more about the voices behind the podcast. I recently interviewed Mike Rahlmann and Rikki Niblett from the Be Our Guest Podcast because I know Mike attends the races, but learned via Twitter that he registered for the WDW marathon. That surprised me so I reached out to him and learned that he was bit by the running bug and Rikki is also going to run the 10K during 2015 Marathon Weekend.

I have had the pleasure to meet Michelle Scribner-MacLean and Mike Scopa at various meetups at runDisney races and

they are the friendliest most welcoming, personable people to meet. I had never been to a meetup before, so my first one was in Disneyland during the Dumbo Double Dare in 2013. It was Mike and Michelle’s first time hosting a Mickey Miles Podcast meetup and it was a big success! There were a lot of people there and Mike and Michelle were so gracious to stand in the hot humid sun to talk to their fans! I also attended their meetup during Princess weekend this February also. And I ran into them one night in Epcot during marathon weekend in January. It’s nice to just run into people and they remember who you are! That means a lot to me!

Just a few weeks ago I went to the Boston Marathon as a spectator to cheer on Michelle and other friends. I like to support those who are reaching for their dreams. Unfortunately I had to catch a train home and just missed Michelle by about 20 minutes! I really wished I could have seen her!

I asked her and Mike if I could interview them for my blog and of course, they said yes! Here is what Michelle shared with me:

Have you always been interested in running?

Absolutely not. I have always been active. As a kid I did baseball and tennis and as a teen I did field hockey and was captain of my tennis team in high school. Running was a punishment or something I needed to do to get do the real sport that I wanted to do.

What was your first race?

My first race was a half marathon — Disney 2010 in January. It probably would have made more sense to start on a local race but Disney felt like a safe place to start.

What was your first non Disney race?

I did the Turkey Trot on my town (probably 2011)

Do you have a dream race?

In terms of location, running in Hawaii would be amazing. I’d love it if runDisney would branch out and do running vacations in different locations.In terms of my dream running team…any time I run with friends and family is the best.

You have been running with your son Liam lately. Do you think you will run a marathon with him?

I love running with Liam (and he’s signed up for some 10Ks this summer). His goal is to run a half in two years. He’s not great about practicing but he’s enthusiastic about running and loves running Disney.

Now that you have accomplished the Boston Marathon (yay!) do you wish to do it again?

As someone who grew up 10 miles outside of Boston, the marathon has always been something I’ve revered but never aspired to. The events of last year and the opportunity to run for my mom’s hospital (Spaulding Rehab, who did a lot of the rehab for the bombing victims) made it important for me to run this year. Doing the Dopey last year gave me the confidence to be able to do it. Boston was my third marathon and, by far, the most difficult. Having said that, I would do it again in a second. The crowd was amazing and the feeling of running down Boylston Street was really indescribable. I was very proud of my city.

Do you have a favorite moment from that day?

Seeing the crowds, generations of families, with “take back our finish line” posters was really cool. However, my favorite part of the day was the hugs and the look of pride that I received from my family and friends who were there to to cheer me on.

Do you listen to podcasts when running? What are your favorites?

I rarely listen to podcasts while I’m running (I usually listen to music). If it’s over 13 miles I’ll listen to WDWToday, This American Life, The Moth, and books on tape.

How did you and Mike become friends and decide to do the podcast?

Mike and I were both writers on AllEars.net. It turns out that we had a lot in common: running, teaching, and love of Disney. We also lived near each other and became friends. He coached me through my first half marathon and a few years later we started TeamAllEars to raise money for breast cancer research, help foster the love of running Disney, and to encourage new runners. We wrote many blogs about running and had lots of discussions with new runners. The podcast was born out of this and the desire to help folks learn about running Disney races.

I love new gear just like you do. What is your favorite gear you use?

I’m a “gadget girl.” I love my technology gadgets. My favorite is my Garmin 220.

I am also using Jeff Galloway for ecoaching. What was the most valuable thing you learned from him?

It was wonderful to work with Jeff. It was nice to have a “go to” person for my questions and he was so supportive.

I train teachers and he’s a born teacher. The thing I learned is that running, like teaching, is a craft. You can always learn more, always improve if you want to.

Thank you Michelle for answering these questions! I love it! I do wish I could have given you a hug that day in Boston! But I am very proud of you and so happy you enjoyed that special day and major accomplishment! Keep up the great work! You and Mike are doing a great job keeping us informed of runDisney events and also of running information that we can find useful and entertaining.

Be Our Guest Podcast Rikki Is Now A Runner, Too!

April 29, 2014

Last week I had Mike Rahlmann from the Be Our Guest Podcast on as a guest, this week his co-host Rikki Niblett is also going to be a guest on my blog. I knew Mike and Rikki were becoming more interested in running and actually enjoying it more. When I heard that runDisney was having a meetup on the road in Alanta, I also saw that Rikki was there. I didn’t realize she was interested in running at that point.

So I asked her about her recent running habit and here are her answers!

How did you begin running? Did Mike influence you to get started or did you start on your own?
Honestly, at first, I did start running because of the Atlanta runDisney meet up. I signed up my husband for the runDisney meet and after I’d signed him up, I thought, well, I can train a little bit and I had enough training time where get close to where I could run two miles. I thought that that shouldn’t be too hard. So, I decided to sign up too.

In addition, my friends were all runDisney runners, and of course, Mike was too. I saw how they were able to do it, so I thought, why not? As soon as I saw that I was chosen, I started running around my neighborhood so I wouldn’t look completely stupid out there. So, honestly, both runDisney’s Atlanta meet up and my friends running all the different Disney races is what influenced me to start to pick it up on my own.

What was your first race?
My first race was actually before I started running for real. (If you call what I do that…I still don’t consider myself a runner, even though I probably am at this point.) I actually ran the Disney Halloween 5k, back in October of 2011. Mike’s daughter was originally supposed to come down for the event but backed out last minute. So, he offered up the bib and I decided that I could try it. Again, my friends were all running that race, so I thought, what the heck.

My first official first race, under my name and where I’ve done training, will be the runDisney WDW 10k during Marathon Weekend in January.

How do you train?
I train around my neighborhood. I have a great, quiet neighborhood I can run in. I started out using the Couch to 5k method, but now I have come up with a method that works well for myself. Each run I go out for, I add one more minute of running. After that, I’ll finish my run with a five minute walk. Right now, I’m up to running 33 minutes straight, and will continue to add one minute on, each time I go out. (So, next time I go out I’ll run 34 minutes straight, then 35, and so on.)

I have considered doing the run one minute, walk one minute method though. Maybe once I get to to the point where I’m running a 5k around my neighborhood (I’m currently a little under 2.5 miles), I’ll try a different method to see if I like it better and if it gives me better stamina.

What or who inspires you?
My friends. They come from all walks of life and they are out there running these races like it’s no body’s business. It’s incredible to watch.

My husband also inspires me. He’s always been the runner in the family and it makes me proud that I’ve finally started doing something he enjoys. Usually it’s the other way around, where he’s doing something because I like it. When I go out, I don’t run with him usually, cause he’s a lot faster and can run a lot further (he’s training for the WDW Marathon this time out), but I always feel like he’s proud of me when I return back home from a run.

Finally, not to sound conceited, but in a way, I inspire myself. I never thought I could do this. I always hated running. The mile was torture in school. Now, I’m out there running 2.5 miles semi-easily. With no stopping. That’s incredible to me. I love seeing myself accomplishing this feat that I never thought was possible.

Do you have a dream race?
Right now, it’s the runDisney 10k in January. I’ve never run that far before, ever. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to try the longer distances, but right now, the 10k is a good length for me.

Would you say you have now been bit by the running bug?
Honestly, I think so. I need to run at least once a week now. I feel gross if I haven’t. I usually try to run twice a week though, if I can. But I have to go out at least once.

Do you have any favorite gear or gadgets?
I’m still such a newb runner that I don’t really. I use RunKeeper to keep track of my times and my distance. I carry my iphone in my hand. I really need to probably buy an armband if I’m going to keep up this running thing, which it looks like I’m going to.

Which Disney Races will you be doing this year and next?
Just the 10k for Marathon Weekend 2015.

How has running changed your life (if it has)?
It has made me proud of myself. It’s proven to me that I’m stronger than I ever thought I could be. It has also made me exercise, which I really never did on a regular basis before. It’s proven to me that anyone can be a runner. If I can do it, you can. All it takes is one step at a time.

Do you have any favorite podcasts? (Disney or non-Disney and/or running related)
Of course I do! It’s called the Be Our Guest Podcast…I may or may not be a co-host of it. 😉

I also do listen to a few others. On my Disney list is WDW Today, WDW Radio Show, The DIS, The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish Podcast, WEDway Radio, the DFB Podcast, and Radio Harambe. I also have a couple of non-Disney podcasts. They are ONCE-Once Upon a Time Podcast and The Walking Dead TV podcast (I got sucked into that one thanks to the hubby). While running, I also listen to Magical Mouse Radio, Disney Pandora Radio, and Disney iTunes radio, switching off depending on my mood.

Thanks Rikki for answering these questions for us! I have some advice I can share with you. You seem to be doing real well as you start your running and training routine. When I started, I did the same approach where I tried to run the entire distance without stopping. However, I made the mistake of going out too often and doing too much, too soon which ended in injury. You are wise to not run every single day. But if you do wish to increase your distance, then research the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method. I have him as my e-coach and began using his training style 2 years ago and that has enabled me to do half marathons and now I am about to run my 3rd marathon next weekend! So there are so many things ahead of you to learn! And I’d love to answer any questions you may have!

Also, get a case for that phone! I’d hate to see an iPhone go crashing to the ground! There are spibelts that can go around your waist that you can fit your phone in along with any additional small items you may want to carry.

Thanks for stopping by my blog Rikki!

My First 10K PR at The Simsbury River Run

April 28, 2014

Sunday, April 27, 2014, instead of running the Cheshire Half marathon for my third year in a row I ran the Simsbury River Run which is a 10K run because I wanted to get a good 10K time to submit to Disney by June 1 for future race corral placement. When I registered for the race I told Kim about it. So she signed up and we met at the race. It was a chilly morning but it was perfect for running.

The race started at noon which was nice because I didn’t have to get up so early for it; but it’s harder running later because of fueling requirements. But it all worked out. Kim and I sat in her car for a little bit before the race and talked strategy to help me get a PR. I wanted to be under 1:15 at least. A finish time of 1:10 would make me happy. Her PR for a 10K was 1:02. So I had that number in the back of my head also. I also had my instructions from Jeff Galloway on what I should run based on the temperature and the required pace and intervals for that temperature. Needless to say I had a lot of numbers going around in my head prior to the start and I only use my iPhone with Endomondo to keep track of my mileage and miles per minute. This is where Kim was reminding me that I need to get a Garmin so I will have more information at my fingertips. I knew that and had been thinking of it after my mom gave me money for my birthday.

So we hopped out of the car, used the porta potties one last time before the race, and lined up in our small corral! It wasn’t a very big race, which was ok. I was feeling antsy because my legs were feeling a little tired (I don’t know why) and my heart wasn’t really in this race. I am focusing more on the marathon I am doing next Sunday. But I knew I wanted to get a great time on this race but wasn’t sure I had it in my to do that.

When the airhorn went off we took off. I ran the entire first mile at a pace of 8:50. When I heard my phone announce my mile pace I was shocked. I felt like I was running fast, but I didn’t realize I was going that fast. But I figured if I had 1 mile under my belt at a fast pace that would help me get a PR for the rest of the 5 miles I had to do. I started doing my 40/20 intervals per Jeff, but changed it to 30/30. I kept that up for miles 2-3, then changed to 1:00/0:30 for mile 4. At mile 5 I wanted to rest my legs a little so I changed to 30/30 and pushed on my run portions of the interval. I was feeling a little intimidated at mile 5 because I knew it was only 1.2 miles to the finish but I was unfamiliar with the course and I wanted to gun it at the end but I didn’t want to do it too soon.

Finally I saw where we were going to approach the finish line and I switched it into high gear and ran as hard as I could to the finish. It felt like I was going in slow motion and my legs didn’t want to move; but I didn’t give up. I pushed harder. I looked up and Kim was yelling at me “YOU GOT A PR!!!!” and she gave me a big hug! That was so awesome! She had just finished a minute before me and said she turned around after finishing and saw that I was making my way to the finish. Thanks for being there for me Kim! My final time was 1:05. I am shocked considering lately my 5K time range from 33-38 minutes. But those are usually shake off runs after my long training runs.

See the guy behind me? I passed him a few times and he passed me, but I really wanted to beat him so I passed him one last time to make my break for the finish! I LOVE when I can run past a guy in a race and beat him! I will definitely consider this race course for future races if I need to get a good 10K finish time for Disney races. The course wasn’t too hilly, I got a PR there and it’s not an overcrowded race. It was an hour away from my house; but I didn’t mind the drive. I got to enjoy my Be Our Guest Podcasts on the way there and back and got a few ideas for our upcoming vacation!

Thanks for joining me Kim and for taking my finish line picture! It was Fun!

Tag: Be Our Guest Podcast