marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
Jul 22, 2014 2:10:14 GMT
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Post by marimoose on Mar 27, 2016 0:29:29 GMT
Jeff actually autographed my cast before a half-marathon at Disneyland. I trained for and ran it with my broken wrist in a cast. Jeff is the main reason I was able to start running for the first time of my life at 50. It was great to look down and see Jeff's words of encouragement on my wrist as I ran. Our course also took us through Anaheim and around the inside track at Angel Stadium which was filled with cheering Girl Scouts - I loved it! I've read some of his books, and my favorite is "Mental Training for Runners." It really changed my focus, especially for those long training runs where you can lose motivation and get all draggy in the middle. During races, when he recommends choosing a helpful or encouraging phrase to pep you through the tough parts, I'll take a pen beforehand and write them on my arm so they're available when I need them. Thanks to him, that's become part of my "night before" ritual. (I'm too bleary to do it in the early hours. ) I just placed this on hold at my book store. The things i learn here are invaluable and appreciated.
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Post by Tamhugh on Mar 27, 2016 1:33:22 GMT
I love RunDisney. My first half-marathon was the Tinkerbell Inaugural, and I don't think I would've ever made it over the finish line without the incredible logistical and moral support that race organizers and employees provided. I'm forever amazed at the safety, cleanliness, number of hydration stations, first-aid support and clean bathrooms for runners. It's so cool to run through the parks before the sun comes up, and the course includes little turns and twists behind the scenes, which are fun to see. One of my favorite memories was a custodian standing outside his station with his giant push broom in the air cheering us on, and it's wonderful watching all the other runners have a great time in their costumes interacting with all the characters on the way. I also want to give Disney kudos for getting ex-Olympian Jeff Galloway to be their official race trainer. The man is wonderful: kind, patient, knowledgable, and if you have questions: he will have time for you, no matter who you are or how experienced you are or how fast you are. He gives pep talks at the Expos ahead of the races, and I've improved so much thanks to him. A RunDisney event was on my bucket list. A few years ago, I convinced my non-running SIL to do the Princess 5K with me. It was my first race in almost 30 years and her first ever. As we rounded Spaceship Earth, coming in for the last stretch, she started to cry and said she couldn't finish. A CM, an older woman with Mickey clappers, was standing there cheering everyone on, heard her, and said, "oh yes you can! You go, girlfriend" SIL swears to this day that she would have quit right there if it weren't for that woman. For me it was the workers lined up on the Test Track track cheering for us as we ran underneath. I love, love, love Disney. I never went until we had a child. We go almost every year at least once and last year we did Disneyland for the first time. Everyone said I would be disappointed since WDW was my "home park" but I liked it, possibly more than WDW. As much as I adore it, though, I hate the changes and we are not planning a trip for this year or possibly next. I can definitely understand why others wouldn't like it. It has become outrageously expensive. It is super crowded all of the time now. The magic bands have made it a logistical nightmare if you want to have a casual, laid back trip.
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ReneeH20
Full Member
Posts: 452
Jun 28, 2014 16:00:48 GMT
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Post by ReneeH20 on Mar 27, 2016 15:08:53 GMT
I can take Disney or leave it. I went with my family in 1978 to Disney World when there was no Epcot or anything else. Then again with my kids in 2001 when they were 5 & 7...perfect ages, right? Well, youngest who was a totally Mickey fan, confessed to me some years later that seeing the characters at the breakfast totally freaked her out. I would not have guessed that. I had to talk them into going to Magic Kingdom for the day in 2005, because their cousin had never been before. My kids preferred Universal for our Florida visits.
That said we were in Disney World over the marathon weekend in January. We went on a cruise that finished up on a Thursday and I told youngest - hey, we should take an extra day and go to Universal so you can see the Transformers ride that wasn't open on our last visit. She said she'd rather go to Disney. So one day at Universal turned into 4 days at Disney. Man! The amount of planning you have to do with meals and fast passes. I agree with the previous posters that trips to Europe involve less planning. We did have a good time, but have no plans to go back...until maybe there are grandkids.
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