runDisney Running Guides

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First off, I am sorry for the lack of posts over the past few weeks. There have been some very exciting, but very time consuming changes/projects over here, and sadly, the blog has taken the biggest hit. My hope, however, is to start back up on the whole writing thing and slowly return back to normal, weekday articles. It may take some time, but my plan is to get 3-5 articles out weekly for the next few weeks. Then, resume all as normal!

Now, for the more exciting and way more important news- today is sign-up day for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon!!!!! Oh my goodness, I can hardly contain my excitement for this. It is going to be absolutely fantastic!! Are you going to be running it?

Right now, we have a group of about twelve teacups running this together. Some are girls, some are guys, but all of us will be dressed up! My only hope is that all of us get registered in time!

As for what I have been doing to corral this excitement, well, I have been listening to massive Disney running podcasts (more about that another time) and I have been going Pin crazy. Here are a few of the articles, pictures, and items I found to be the most helpful or just plain entertaining!

A mile-by-mile rundown on what you should be doing and how you should feel for a runDisney half.

A great Wine and Dine recap!

Race recap for the Disney Princess half.

Lacing patterns for foot types.

Runspiration of the Disney sort. Do you know what song this is?

All about that foot strike.

Get mental toughness to complete your race.

What a runner's diet should look like, does look like, and what people think it looks like. Love this!

I get side stitches all. the. time. Maybe this will help!

So, are you running your first Disney race or have you run one in the past? I would absolutely love to hear what you are most excited for and what you loved best!!

My 2015 New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year!!

Can you believe we are in 2015?!?! Just the number itself is crazy, let alone how fast I feel 2014 flew by but was one of the most productive and happiest years I have had yet. Sure, there were low points (some being very low points with family loss and sadness), but overall, I look back and see more happiness in 2014 than sad.

For me, a lot of this can be attributed to the goals I set in at the beginning of 2014 and my mental space throughout the year. This past year was about self improvement and getting things done. All my goals were related to breaking out of my shell, increasing what I do for others, and becoming a better person. Boy, did it make a difference! Mental clarity was higher and decisions were easier since I knew where I was going and what was most important to me. Of course, I still had those days of marathoning 7 different Netflix shows without seeing the light of day or sitting on the floor in our bedroom thinking that my life was pointless, but nobody is perfect, right?

Well, since that little goal list I made at the beginning of 2014 was such a personal hit, I decided to do it again. Get ready, because you are in for a super personal post filled to the brim with new goals and personal development. If you do not feel like braving this heck-a-long post, I seriously understand. Just knowing that those in the P+K community have seen these helps me keep them throughout the year. Likewise, I would so love to know what any of your 2015 goals are. What kind of year do you plan on this being for you?

By the way, this year I have categorized them into six different areas of life with goals in each and a game plan of how I am going to get things done. You may notice some overlap between this year and last, that's because I am a firm believer in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" principle. I also left some things out that are maybe too personal and do not fit with what the average reader would understand (i.e. business stuff and family things)

Ok, here we go!

This year is about becoming a deeper, well rounded, and kinder human being; about Organization and becoming a better leader.

Business

Double blog Readership

• More personal posts
• 5+ posts per week. Must include 1 personal, 1 inspirational, 1 review, and 2 healthy living (workouts or health)
• More personal workout posts network with other bloggers
• Begin advertising on the blog
• Pin more
• Instagram more
• Network with other sites/apps/video content suppliers 

Home

Improve Time Management

• Reduce the time watching shows/movies/YouTube daily
• Set a weekly schedule and daily to-do's
• Get the hardest thing done first in the day. No procrastinating. 
• Read 15 minutes per day

Remove the excess from life

• Cleaning out one room/closet a month and donating or selling the unused things
• Get organized and stay organized. Find a categorical system that will work in the office and implement it. Check it weekly and schedule office organization time. 
• Seriously cut back on buying things on a whim
• Get a new closet organizational system. Ikea!!

Get Wood flooring installed in bedrooms.

Increase Financial Understanding and Well Being

• Invest and give more. Have a secure monthly budget and anything made above that is 50/50 for donation and investment. 
• Keep better track of monthly finances and daily spending/saving.  
• Use check lists for monthly goals and budgeting and go over finances weekly. 
• Give at least $10,000 this year
• Invest at least $20,000 this year. 

Social

Volunteer More

• Either become a big sister or… work at an animal rescue, go on a volunteer trip, or become involved with one more local organization that has values and leadership I agree with. 
• Work harder and have higher integrity with the volunteer positions you already hold. 

Have Better Relationships with People

• Reading books related to the subject
• Be continually in search of better ways to work with people in a team.  
• Become a better leader through reading, practice, and development. 
• Meet with 3-5 friends per week. 
• Talk to three people you do not know per day 
• Be in the moment/ pay attention. Relationships are the most important part of life. Being invested in your time with others shows that you are invested in them. 

Mental

Personally Grow

• Listen to one self improvement podcast/CD a day (at least). Best if 3.
• Do one thing that scares me every day 
• Read a non-fiction and inspirational book once a month (at least)
• Grow Deeper- read at least 6 philosophical books this year. 
• Get a firm understanding of who you are and what you believe. 
• Be more kind to people and about people. 
• Increase your patience level. 
• Go on an adventure
• Accept, at least, one public speaking engagement this year.

Learn Japanese

• Follow the Rosetta Stone System.
• Have time scheduled each day for 15-30 minutes of practice.
• Schedule a trip to Japan in the 2015-2017 year

Physical

Improve Health

• Plan weekly meals ahead.
• Eat less to-go.
• Form a healthier relationship with food. If it does not improve your life,  health, or long-term happiness, why eat it? 
• Read and become more aware of healthy living

Improve Fitness

• Try one new workout a week
• Work out 4-6 times per week
• Complete 1 yoga flow per day
• Increase number of average steps per day.
• Run another Disney race in 2015.

Spiritual

Get a Firm Understanding of What Your Believe and Why

• Pick a church and get into a habit of going often
• Read 6 spiritual related books this year

Ways to Keep These Goals

• Spend more time Outdoors. Go to the beach, park, pool at least once per week. 

• Read goals every day and every night. More on this in an upcoming post!

• Invest more time with family. Show them that you love and care for them.

• Find 3 role models. Ideas: Jane Goodall, Mother Teresa, Princess Diana, Nancy Dornan

Disney Marathon Weekend and Other Races

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This one is a decision we will all have to make quite fast. As of Tuesday at 12:00 PM Eastern time, Disney World opened registration for the Disney 2015 Marathon Weekend. Ahhh, I am so excited about it, but am still trying to decide if I can. If you are in the same place, we better make up our minds quickly, the half marathon is already 85% full. Whaattt?! I know, crazy. 

Since going to runDisney and checking out all the race availability yesterday, I have also had the sad, sad realization that the Wine and Dine Half Marathon is sold out. Seriously, it was sad day. Oh well, I will just have to sign up quicker for 2015. 

As for 2014, here are a few races that I am interested/considering running in. Have you done any of these before? And if so, what was it like?

Key Largo Bridge Run

From what I gather, you run on one of those crazy long bridges that we see all over the Florida Keys. This one is also in November, so the weather should be absolutely beautiful! Seems fun, but early. Why are there so few night runs? 

Florida 10 Sarasota

The park where this run takes place is absolutely beautiful. This race is also a bit less than a half marathon, so it would be super great for me in December. I am pretty sure it even has a post race breakfast party. You had me at breakfast... Well, except for the whole bit about needing to run 10-miles before eating. My lazy side is still hung-up on that part. 

RAG Sarasota 9K to Marathon

This one also looks pretty great, and close. The only down side I can possibly see is that the entire race is on one, half-mile, track. I have heard that this track is beautiful, but will have to go check it out myself before agreeing to run around it about 26.5 times. 

Oh, and its in the morning. Am I the only person who hates running early? 

Southernmost Marathon and Half

This looks like sooo much fun! The race ends at the southernmost point of the US and takes you all around Key West. I have also never been to Key West and would love to have a reason to make the trek down. Really, this race is the most likely for me. The views will be stunning and I can get a vacation in as well!! 

What other races should I have on my radar? If you have any you love or are planning to try, let me know! I am trying to broaden my race horizons past Disney World :)

Things to Note: The picture above was taken by my favorite Disney blogger, Ricky Brigante from Inside the Magic. His flickr page has lots of super fun pictures for your viewing entertainment. 

Expedition Everest 5K

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Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, am I excited! A couple of close friends, the hubs, and I have officially signed up for the Expedition Everest 5K race in Early May at Disney's Animal Kingdom. This is a race that a friend and I have been wanting to do for a year. Unfortunately, last year, it filled up before we could sign up. This year, however, was different. Now, we are signed up with three teams of two- the Speed Racers (yours truly), team #winning (the hubs and our brother-in-law), and Green Goddesses (Melody, my sister-in-law, and her best friend).

It is going to be awesome. The race includes an obstacle course, scavenger hunt, and post race party at Animal Kingdom until 2 am! Race members also get discounts on Disney hotels and free transport to and from the race location. What makes this even better is that it is the day after the race is May the 4th, which is the best time ever to go on/buy all Star Wars affiliated everything. Eepp , I cannot wait!

As the Speed Racers, Darah and I have decided to go as the Mach 5. It makes perfect sense since we will be the speed of lightning and win and be awesome while doing it. We are still deciding the details of our costumes, but I will say we have been entertaining the idea of making these amazing hats. My random purchase of knee high red and white striped socks will also be coming in handy for this event. Ohhhh, I just cannot wait!! I will be sure to keep things posted as more details get decided on!

(P.S. here is a great video all about the race!)