Category Archives: Exercise

Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho its off to Disney we go!!!

Posted on April 9, 2013 | Leave a comment

dopey

Registration opens today at noon EST for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna.  This is one incredible running weekend filled with fun, entertainment and running that has been challenging runners both elite and recreational for over 20 years!

12:00 pm EST Today, registration opens.

12:00 pm EST Today, registration opens.

You can run a half marathon and a full marathon and be rewarded with not two but three gorgeous medals for having completed “Goofy.”  But, with the addition of two more runs added to the mix you can now call yourself a “Dopey” runner. That’s right 48.6 miles of running in four days!   6 medals and the title of “Dopey” because you will have run a 5k, a 10k , a half marathon and a full marathon in four days!  Now that’s Dope(y).

In addition to adding the Dopey Challenge, the Walt Disney World 10K featuring Minnie Mouse and all new medals for the new races, Half Marathon, Marathon and Goofy Challenge, runDisney is making additional enhancements to improve the race experience.

Here is runDisney Director of Marketing Faron Kelley talking about the updates:

  • Men’s and women’s cut tech shirts available for the 10K, half, full, Dopey Challenge and Goofy Challenge
  • Lowering our weekend capacity by 2,000 runners, mostly in the half marathon
  • Proof of time required from more runners
  • Runners in the half marathon must supply proof of time if 3:15 or less
  • Runners in the full marathon must supply proof of time if 6:30 or less
  • More detailed information required for proof of time to allow better verification
  • More corrals allowing us to better place runners with similar abilities together and therefore spreading out the field on the course
  • No corral changes based on proof of time will be made after November 1  IMG_2629

For more information and to register for all events, go to runDisney.com

Now who’s getting Dopey with me??

Hang on Snow White, I’ll be right there to help you train Dopey for his big debut!

 Register here! Hurry…don’t be late.

Related Posts:

http://thebootcampblog.com/2013/01/16/rundisney-marathon-weekend-part-1/

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Inspiration

Tagged , ,

Results…that’s what you want.

Posted on April 4, 2013 | Leave a comment

Pop quiz:

  1. If you took your measurements once a week and saw a lower number would you continue doing what you are doing?
  2. If you stepped on the scale and saw no change in the numbers but could visibly see a change in your body, would you continue doing what you are doing? 
  3. Would you work out harder, stay on track with your food, be more committed if you experienced noticeable results?

Time’s up….the short answer is YES to all of the above.

The reason…RESULTS!

When you experience results that fuels your motivation to keep on keepin’ on!! There is nothing more motivating than results!

I know both sides and I can tell you as I have said many times, nothing tastes as good as how I feel being fit.

Here is where I have to shake my head.  I see people, yes former boot campers who are doing the latest and greatest fad and their bodies have not changed for the good.  Often, they are worse off then the last time I saw them.

How can you continue on doing the same thing with no results? Maybe because it’s easy, its convenient, your pals are doing the same thing, you aren’t required to push yourself beyond your comfort zone.

There are tons and tons of programs that claim to be the best program for fat loss, but are they?  I think it is truly amazing that after all of these years, very smart people still fall for lies, scams and BS. I think we all have that high hope that this new product/program is the fat loss magic bullet but in reality are expectations are low knowing full well that it isn’t.

Quiz time again!!!

  1. Have you seen people or have you been one of those people who says they are going to walk off the weight and go for a 5km walk each and every day and still no results?
  2. Have you seen people (or have you been )one of those people that do extreme or crazy diets lose a few pounds and just to gain it all and more back?
  3. Have you seen people starve themselves (something I cannot even comprehend) and royally screw up their metabolism and not have any results and in fact GAIN weight?

Sure you have….we all know these people or we are one of these people.

So after all of that, then what happens?? NOTHING HAPPENS AND YOU QUIT, YET AGAIN! 

I don’t blame you, I have been there and I have tried it all as well.  The weight loss industry is the only industry that can continually sell programs/products/fads with NO RESULTS and people keep buying and believing.

I preach and will continue to preach about old school methods because they work….we get results-end of story.

Eating real food and working your muscles the way they need to work produces results—not a lot of glitter or sparkles.

Take a good look at what you are doing and come to terms with why you are not getting the results you actually want.

You need a solid commitment–stop being a fitness and food flake! Stop wasting your time and money on fast fixes.

The one thing that you need to help keep you on the “wagon” is results.

Commit to doing and being better and watch out, those results will be coming in like a gangster trying to hold up a 7-11…fast, furious and leaving dust trail behind!

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Exercise, General

Tagged , , ,

Fitness Professionals Do No Harm!

Posted on March 22, 2013 | Leave a comment

jillian-michaelsHistorically when a doctor begins his or her career they take a solemn oath. Known as the Hippocratic Oath, it originated from the Greeks of legend. No one knows for certain which Greek penned it, Hippocrates, Pythagoras or the students of them, but it isn’t the writer, it’s the words.

Through time, it has been changed, amended, interpreted differently and even replaced with the Declaration of Geneva (which has also seen its fair share of amendments).

This is not a history lesson, you know that’s not my style. This is about what the oath once stood for and why a couple of the things that I’ve encountered over the last couple of days have me all fired up right now.

There is one particular line that existed which means a lot to me. Even though it was made for doctors, I believe in it as a mantra for any fitness professional. FITNESS PROFESSIONAL, not paid number counter.

I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

What does that mean?? In its simplest form, I will make sure that nutrition is the cornerstone of healing and that I will NEVER hurt anyone with what I do. A line later in the oath also says that I will not go beyond my knowledge and refer to someone more qualified if I don’t know (paraphrasing).

Today I talked to a firefighter that has been off work for a while because of a severe shoulder injury that he received while working out in one of those insane warehouse deals with a bunch of steel stuff, heavy ropes and people screaming to “Fight the pain.”

He was doing what he was told by a person who he believed was a “fitness professional”. WRONG. The person was a professional number counter and motivational screamer. The person had no clue about body mechanics, movement or form and therefore didn’t recognize the damage that was occurring and just yelled, “Fight the pain.”

Last night, I read a piece of advice, that I don’t necessarily disagree with about a simple nutrition tip. I agree with it in principle, but when I asked the writer why, he couldn’t support his own advice. Right advice, but NO IDEA why he was giving it. That indicates to me, he read it somewhere and thought, “Hey, this will make me look smart to my followers.”  Again, someone who claims to be a fitness professional but has more interesting in sounding good than taking care not to cause harm.

Come on people! Would you have your accounting done by a 6th grade math student? Its just addition and subtraction, so hand over your books to little Johnny.  Or maybe there is way more behind the scenes information to get you what you really need. Maybe an accountant would be better.

Fitness professionals dedicate their lives to your benefit. Fitness professionals make your health their priority.  Most of us know what we are talking about and will customize plans right for you and not just throw out a blanket statement, “You should never eat XYZ because you’ll get gas.”

Come on… seriously?

Fitness professionals study fitness, health, body mechanics and movement well beyond formal schooling. They consider it a mandatory course of action to help protect you.

Professional number counters take a weekend to get a piece of paper that says, “I’m a certified personal trainer.” Sorry, no you aren’t. You are a number counter that has an obligation to your employer to try to get people to pay out money and hope they never show up.

Please, be careful. Make sure you are with a qualified professional. Don’t just do fad workouts because they look cool. Not all works outs, not all diets and not all bodies respond to the same things in the same way.

To my fellow fitness professionals, thank you for knowing your craft and keep up the great work!! To the number counters. Please know your limitations and help people where you can, don’t hurt them.

Post originally written for; Hive Health Media (photo credit)

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Exercise, Fitness

Tagged , , ,

iRun for me, family, you. #run3rd

Posted on February 28, 2013 | 2 Comments

I love always trying to inspiring and motive you and if that means that sometimes I have to travel to far away places and do crazy things, then I will do it!!  If that means that I need to combine two loves…fitness and Disney, you know that I will…for you.  Does it get any better?? One of the many highlights of the weekend was that I got to meet so many out of this world people.rapun

This past weekend I had the privilege to travel to Florida and run in the Walt Disney World, Princess Half Marathon and take in all the weekend events surrounding the event.expo

runDisney events draw in people from all over the world and each of them has their own story about why they’re there. Everything from a “doing their first half marathon”, completing a weight loss challenge or a girls weekend away.  (Side note: when did a girls weekend away stop being a shopping trip or a trip to Vegas?  I love that people are turning to their friends and using fitness as a way of bringing everyone together!)

Another reason we always see and hear about is those people who are running for someone else. You can see these people at almost any running event.  It’s a great thing to do.  This past weekend I learned about a new concept behind this and I love it!!

run3rd#run3rd

It was started by Sean Astin.  Yes the real Sean Astin form movie and television. Sean was there this weekend (he is also at most runDisney events) and I have to say that not only is he an actor who I admire, but he is such a friendly down to earth guy…who runs!!sean

The concept behind #run3rd is simple…

  • 1st, I run for me
  • 2nd, I run for my family
  • 3rd, I run for you

Your inspiration and your motivation always comes down to having a “WHY”. Your ‘why’ is what will get you to move.  It will be the reason you train when you don’t feel like training.  It is the reason you go the next mile.  Your ‘ why’ is what inspires you to do better.

Choose to run or be fit because you can! So many people out there can’t and so many other just won’t.  When you don’t have the option or you lose your mobility, then what?

Here is the best news…you are in control.  You have the ability to be healthy, fit and strong.

How awesome is that?

Be inspired…find your why. Then be an inspiration to others.

  1. Do it for you, then;
  2. Do it for your family, then;
  3. Do it for others.bling

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Exercise, Fitness

Tagged , , , , ,

A weekend fit for a Princess

Posted on February 27, 2013 | 6 Comments

WooooHooooo!

Another great runDisney event is now complete and in the books and what a great event is was!  If you haven’t had the chance to be part of a running event put on by the runDisney team, then you need to add it to your list of things to do.

The Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon brought together 26000 runners from over 30 countries (I was royally representin’ Canada y’all…eh) to take run through the ‘Happiest place on Earth’ complete with Disney Characters,  VolunChEARs and entertainment waiting at every mile marker to help inspire and encourage you to, “Just keep running, just keep running….”549199_10151254147177003_2052522101_n

Congratulations to Rachel Booth who won the competitive part of half marathon, running in a time of 1:17, beating her winning time from the previous year by 33 seconds!

Photo Courtesy of Disney

Photo Courtesy of Disney

But, before the big event, I had the opportunity to meet with other bloggers and social media types to get together, talk fitness, running, kids and of course Disney (not necessarily in that order).

Friday morning we all met at Epcot for a quick 3 mile run around the Epcot Theme Park and Boardwalk areas.  It was great seeing everyone so early out for a run with an awesome backdrop.

Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog

The team all together….Photo courtesy Disney Parks Blog

After the run we went to the Biergarten Restaurant for some post run eats and to hear from some of the great people from the runDisney team and special guests.  You want to hear some inspiration   Take the time to listen to Ali Vincent if you ever get a chance.  She was the first winner of “Biggest Loser”.

I had such a great time and I really do encourage you to add a runDisney event to your Bucket List.  There is a great benefit to doing it…by training and taking part in a running event, you give yourself more time to fulfil your list because you are healthier, stronger and happier!

So lets all do this together!  Princess recruitment is in full force! I’m recruiting now for next year’s Princess Run.  We will be gong down to Florida together, having a blast at Walt Disney World and to get ready for it, I will be putting together the, “Princess Preparation Training Package.”

We’ll all get down with the “PPTP”.  Trend that, #PPTP. When your friends ask what you are doing you can saying I am doing my “PPTP”.

Seriously…watch for more information soon about the 2014 Walt Disney World Princess Marathon Weekend, Georgetown Fitness Boot Camp Get Away!179654_10151254055852003_523645786_n

 

 

 

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Exercise, Fitness

Tagged , , ,

Why Fitness?

Posted on February 2, 2013 | 2 Comments

It has been two weeks since I was at Walt Disney World for the Marathon Weekend.  You can probably tell by the previous posts I have written about the weekend that I had a great time that went well beyond the running.

One thing I haven’t talked about is the one person that had the biggest impact on me over the weekend.

During the early morning run and Tweet-Up organized event by the runDisney team, we had the opportunity to hear from some professionals and celebrities.  One of those celebrities is who I want to talk about and the message that he imparted that struck home with me.

This person talked about their journey from obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle to taking control of their health, losing weight and becoming fit.

I remember him from several television shows and he played big personality roles that matched his big body type.  He was funny.  Some have said he is brilliantly funny and I have to agree with them.  I lost track of him for a couple of years and then turned on the TV one day and saw him.  OMG….what a change!

Well, during Marathon Weekend I got to hear first hand why Drew Carey decided to lose the weight   ”Being fat sucks!”  Well said Mr. Carey, I remember feeling that as well.Screen shot 2013-02-01 at 10.37.09 AM

Drew Carey was fat with type 2 Diabetes and taking medication for the disease.  He was having several physical challenges that go with being fat.  One would think those would be enough reason to fix yourself up, but Drew had another reason…his son.  He couldn’t keep up with his son and knew he needed to change.

Drew’s secret?  He chose to eliminate carbohydrates and focus on healthy food choices.  He started to exercise regularly and the changes began to happen.

For his son.

Is there any greater reason to choose health and fitness than to see our children grow?  I mean, we put so much time and effort into raising young adults, that isn’t it natural that we would want to get to the see the fruits of our labor and actually watch our children become adults?

How many of us are choosing pizza or beer, wings or margaritas over the longevity of our lives?  Over the chance to see our children grow and blossom into young adults?

How many of us think, “I’ve worked hard this week…I deserve a special treat for myself!”

Drew Carey completed his first 10 mile run and decided to reward himself with food after that he thought he worked hard enough to deserve as well.  A few too many rewards and he found his weight climbing and health suffering again.  His answer to food as a reward?  ”Eating crappy food is not a reward–it’s a punishment.”  That’s the truth!

For his son

I admire what Drew Carey did and unlike most of us, he did it in front of the entire world.  His failures are measured by millions…ours, by a couple of dozen.  Yet, we can come up with thousands of excuses why we can’t find the time, energy, money, desire…all Drew Carey needed was one reason…’For my son”.

How important is health and fitness to Drew Carey now?  He told us that he offered to pay for his friends that wanted to join him at the Walt Disney Marathon Weekend if the ran.   He only had to pay for one person.  I guess those people had excuses, not reasons.

Do you have an excuse or a reason?

During my Disney Marathon Weekend, I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people who were part of the blogging team for the weekend.  A special shout out to them.  They have some great information to help you out, so take a minute to see what they have to say as well.

Feel free to click the links below to see the other three parts of my Disney Marathon Weekend and the awesome experience that everyone at runDisney is committed to providing and we’ll see you at the Princess 1/2 in a couple of weeks!

runDisney Marathon Weekend Part 1

runDisney Marathon Weekend Part 2

runDisney Marathon Weekend Part 3

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Inspiration

Tagged , ,

It’s Friday Fitness Funny Time!

Posted on February 1, 2013 | Leave a comment

ff1

 

ff2

 

ff3

 

ff4

 

ff5

 

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Exercise, Fitness

Tagged , ,

runDisney Marathon Weekend – Part 2

Posted on January 17, 2013 | 2 Comments

There has been a lot written about the runDisney 20th Anniversary Marathon Weekend and the experience that people, including myself had in the worlds most ‘magical place’.runDisney-logo

You can read about the runs, the training, the entertainment and everything you would expect to read about a running event.

What hasn’t been talked about much is the Health & Fitness Expo that started on Thursday and ran through the weekend.IMG_2618How important is the Expo?  Well, it’s the location that you need to attend to register your attendance for the running events and pick up your race packets.  So that makes it pretty important by itself, but there is much, much more.

The Expo is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which naturally is on the Walt Disney World Resort Property.  It is an amazing place with 30 sports fields, and several buildings that house world-class sporting events and competitions.  It’s home to the Atlanta Braves Spring Training Camp, several summer sports camps for kids and some of the best athletic research minds can be found there.  Oh, and FREE parking!

The Marathon Expo is held in two building within the complex and believe me when I say…they are packed full of everything you could think of for the runner in all of us, with the main emphasis of the Expo held at the Jostens Center.

But, there is more than just great shoes, stylish compression clothes and accessories to make your run “all blinged out”.  You can pick up official runDisney Apparel there as well.  There are some excellent speakers that can change how you train, prepare and approach running whether it’s for a marathon, a lifestyle change or just to burn off some calories.

The ‘Who’s Who’ of running, fitness training and nutrition were on the stage over Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the Expo.  I loved listening to the sessions and thinking how I could apply the learning to my own training as well as how I could help my friends out with new techniques, tips and maybe a little terror!!

I won’t expect you many of you to recognize these names, but in this group are Olympic Champions, running legends, world-renowned coaches, NFL players, world record holders and nutrition specialists.  They were all speaking throughout the Expo giving of their time and knowledge to help each and every person who wanted the information that offered to share.

I have been following many of these people for years and know the reputation they have, so when I received my speakers’ list and saw them all in one place…well I was in awe.

I was able to pull myself away from the speakers stage long enough to do a little shopping and talking with the vendors.  (Did I mention I got a new pair of shoes? Love them!)IMG_2587

I love to listen to music when I run but I get sooooo frustrated with ear buds falling out or headphones bouncing around.  Well, I think I found the solution after talking to the ladies from SnuggBudds.  Ever heard surround sound quality in an ear bud?? I have now and I can tell you for all the running I did over the weekend, not a problem from them at all!  Love them!

SnuggBudds

SnuggBudds

I spoke to some experts in the compression wear industry…you know, tights, but for every part of your body.   I was never much for them, but after learning some of the science behind them and the potential benefits, I figured I’d have to give them a try so I bought a pair of leggings.IMG_2648

There were people who could analyze your gait (the way you walk), your spine and your feet.  You could buy headbands, shirts, food, supplements and so much more.  Credit card was smokin’ at the end of the aisles.

I know many people blow off trade shows and expos for conferences and events, but to me there is so much you can take away from them that I don’t miss an opportunity to spend some quality time at them.

Make sure you check them out!

Here’s a few more pics of the experience…

IMG_2666 IMG_2662 IMG_2650 IMG_2649 IMG_2621 IMG_2641 IMG_2642 IMG_2646 IMG_2616 IMG_2602 IMG_2597 IMG_2590 IMG_2574 IMG_2575 IMG_2582 IMG_2585 IMG_2572 IMG_2569 IMG_2567 IMG_2566 IMG_2648 IMG_2556 IMG_2557 IMG_2563

 

 

→ 2 Comments

Posted in Exercise, Fitness

Tagged , ,

runDisney Marathon Weekend – Part 1

Posted on January 16, 2013 | 6 Comments

Thursday January 10th

I have to say that being in Florida in January when it is 82 degrees out…yes 82 or roughly 28 Celsius for my Canadians, is great!  To be here at the Walt Disney World Resort makes it incredible!

Sadly I missed the morning event on Thursday but I was here in plenty of time to head over to ESPN Wide World of Sports to get registered for the weekend events and take in the Expo.  The Expo is a great chance to see the latest in running technology, nutrition, gear and to hear from experts in the industry.

Everything you can think about being a requirement for a prepared running event is on site and this year had something very special…Official New Balance Shoes emblazoned with the colors of Mickey and Minnie and the runDisney trademark.  You can also refer to them as my new favorite kicks!IMG_2608IMG_2607IMG_2605

Well, enough of the shopping, time for a get together at Epcot - World Showcase Pavilion for “Pasta in the Park”.  We went over to enjoy some great food in a wonderful place and get to know each other a little better.  Did I mention that the World Showcase Pavilion is next to the Canada Pavilion?? It was nice to be close to home without the cold.

Friday January 11th

Today was an early get up and go morning over to Hollywood Studios for a fun 3 mile run and get together with some really great people, including running legends Jeff Galloway and Joan Benoit-Samuelson. That’s right…a couple of bona-fide Olympians.  Joining Jeff and Joan were TVs Drew Carey and the quintuple threat (actor, singer, dancer, cook and runner) Joey Fatone (insert girly scream here) and Bart Yasso, the inventor of the Yasso 800s Marathon Training Schedule.

It was a great time running around Hollywood Studios and hearing from some inspirational people about health and fitness along with a really great message from Drew Carey. (More on that in another post).

Some other notables that were there to make the early wake up more fun…The Fab Five in their sports gear!! Talk about having a fun run, high fiving Mickey and his pals.

My other "Man"

My other “Man”

I went back to the Expo in the afternoon to get my hands on some merch that I though would come in handy in the future including a new pair of head phones for running and some compression socks.

I’m not one hundred percent sold on the compression socks…need some time running with them on to see if they are really all that they are touted to be for your energy, but the new headphones…SOI have been using YurBuds for sometime and I like them but they still fall out or at least feel like they are going to fall out.  My new fav running buds are SnuggBuds.  They are great! They fit great, stay in and do an awesome job at blocking out exterior noise.  The wire is sheathed in a fabric instead of plastic and for cold weather runners, you know how important that is.

SnuggBudds

SnuggBudds

When the evening rolled around it was time for a little VIP (Very Important Pixie) party at the Yacht Club Convention Center.  This was another great opportunity to meet new people and learn about each other’s interests and lives.  I can’t say enough about how great it is to meet new people and learn about them.

Most importantly though, was when runDisney honored 95 amazing people.  You see this was the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon and they wanted to recognize some incredible people.

95 men and women have run in every marathon weekend so Disney paid  tribute to them recognizing their accomplishment.  And no small accomplishment at all…think about it, these 95 men and women have run 524 miles on the WDW property!  That’s incredible and shows the class that is Disney to recognize and honor them.  Well done!

Well…bedtime because tomorrow is race day for the runDisney Half Marathon.

Saturday January 12th

Ring, ring, ring…wake up call 3:00 AM. OUCH!!! The nice thing about this wake up call was it was delivered by Stitch!!

We met in the lobby at 3:30 to head over to the race site for the half marathon.  Early?? Sure is, but with all the excitement in the air, you soon forget about the time and you get caught up in the energy of the people around you.

runDisney does it right!  Characters are all around you cheering you on and getting you all pumped up while you wait for the start.  There is entertainment and interviews happening all broadcast over loud speakers.  It is really an amazing experience to take in and be a part of.

As 5:30 am approached the excitement just kept building with everyone waiting for the signal to start the race.  For me it’s not so much a race as it is an accomplishment.  Even though I have done marathons, half marathons and many lesser distant events, for me it’s about the journey of the training and lifestyle, more than trying to win and I know I’m not alone in that regard.  Many, many people I talked to  were running their first half marathon while others had run many but had no interest in setting world record times… they just merely wanted to complete the run.

Some of the most inspiring people I met were those that had overcome serious obstacles to be there.  Cancer survivors were there.  People with physical disabilities. Some who had set a goal to compete in a half marathon to complete the end of a weight loss journey and lifestyle change.  To them, just still being alive was the accomplishment.  When I ran my first marathon, that was the goal I had set on the road to losing over one hundred pounds.

KA-BOOM!!!! How does Disney start a race…full blown fireworks.  Is there a better way?  Off we all went.

The route itself would take us through the Disney Resort Property with every mile being marked by more entertainment, music, Disney Characters…yes, it is cool to have your picture taken with Aurora or Belle and the Beast during a half marathon!  Stitch looked really good too considering he woke me up!

At mile 5 of the run we entered The Magic Kingdom! First a run up Main St USA (Hello Tim Weston, one of the official Disney VoluntEARS!)  then a right turn to go through Tomorrow Land, followed by a right to head past the brand new FantasyLand…and then through Cinderella’s Castle!! After the castle, a right turn through Liberty Square and through Frontierland.  What a way to get to the halfway point.  You don’t even notice how easy you just covered a mile and a bit because of the scenery and the spectacle of it all!

Mile 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (oh I hate mile 9 through 11).  Just when you really are starting to feel it and you start doubting yourself, in to sight comes Epcot and just beyond the front gate, the finish line!

Mile 12 is at the front gate of Epcot where you enter the theme park for a run through the west side Future World to World Showcase Lagoon and back through the east side of Future World where you hit mile 13!!! Only 1 tenth of a mile to go to the finish line!!

A funny thing happens at mile 13.  You start to think you could just keep going because so many people are there cheering and screaming for EVERYONE’s success not to mention one of the best gospel choirs I have ever heard!! It was absolutely electric!!

2:17:05…my time.  My goal was 2:15 so 2 minutes over 13 miles… makes me a happy girl (darn little bladder…2 pit stops).

The Half Marathon Medal

The Half Marathon Medal

What a great time! What a great race!  Time to hit the parks!! Yup, that’s right. Run a half marathon and then spend the day in the parks…it’s how I roll!!

Sunday January 13th

Time for the big one. Today is the day.  This is what the whole weekend is all about!! The MARATHON.  26.2 miles of endurance set in the most magical place on earth.  25 thousand people are registered to run the big one…oh, and if you really want to be impressed, 10 thousand of those people ran the half marathon the day before.  That accomplishment is called the Goofy!!

3:00 am phone call with Stitch on the other end again.  OUCH…it doesn’t get any better the second day.  Back down to the lobby for the ride over to the start line.  There I was…within inches of Joey Fatone who was one of the many doing the double!! Way to go.

Perhaps thinking about the 2000 N'Sync song, "I'll Never Stop"

Perhaps thinking about the 2000 N’Sync song, “I’ll Never Stop”

The excitement and electricity were even bigger for this event than it was the day before.  I saw so many familiar faces that ran in the 1/2 Marathon who were giving their all for the full 26.2 miles!  Just like yesterday there was a lot going on to keep your mind off the time.

How's about a little "Cupid Shuffle?"

How’s about a little “Cupid Shuffle?”

Once again…KA-BOOM; Fireworks light up the sky and we’re off!!!

The Marathon runs through all four of the Walt Disney World Theme Parks.  The runners get to pass by the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom and around the fabled hat from Sorcerers Apprentice in the heart of Hollywood Studios.  There was also  a piece of the Marathon that took you onto the Richard Petty Experience Track and past ESPN Wide World of Sports Entrance

Everyone I talked to agreed when you feel like you’ve had enough and you can hear your heartbeat and feel how heavy your legs are that there is a magical relief here.  Sure enough, there is another band, a group of cheering spectators, the VoluntEARS, an announcer…they all keep you pushing on.  I can’t say enough about how amazing the runDisney team is and the event that they put on.

But, I would be lying if I said it was just them.  Behind the scenes there is an incredible group of people who really make this all happen.  No matter how much planning, no matter how many sponsors were involved and no matter how many people paid their registration fee to make this weekend happen, the reality is it would be a failure without the VoluntEARS.  Those are the people who give freely of their own time to assist as ChEAR Leaders, logistics, planning and medical personnel.

For the Half Marathon that means 2000 people show up to the WDW Resort to do their part while most of the runners are still sleeping and they don’t go home until all the runners are done.  For the marathon…3000 people, many of the same ones do it all over again.

I can tell you first hand how incredible it is to have them there to help you get where you are going and when your feet are pounding the pavement, how appreciative you are when there are a group of four or five people cheering you on.  Complete strangers who just want you to succeed   It’s truly awesome and humbling to watch them in action.

In the end, here is what the take away was…

Donald, Mickey and Goofy Medals

Donald, Mickey and Goofy Medals

Along with the VoluntEARS… a special thanks goes out to all the sponsors of the event.  Primarily Cigna Insurance, H2O+, Ocean Spray, Chiquita, Clif Bar, Champion, Dannon, Dasani, Celebration Health, iFitness

Think you  might like to conquer an incredible running event?  Visit the runDisney website and click “Events” for a list of events that you can take part in.  I guarantee you will have an amazing time! You can even choose from either of Walt Disney Resorts, Disneyland or Disney World!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this post!!

Last image courtesy of runDisney.com

IMG_2656 IMG_2736 IMG_2748 IMG_2886 IMG_2890 IMG_2901 IMG_2902 IMG_2922 IMG_2933 IMG_2941 IMG_2946 IMG_2954 IMG_2957 IMG_2962 IMG_2967 IMG_2970IMG_2948 IMG_2976 IMG_2980

→ 6 Comments

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Inspiration

Tagged , , , , , ,

Disney Marathon Weekend!

Posted on January 10, 2013 | 1 Comment

Well, its here…the 20th Anniversary of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  I am so excited to have been invited to Florida to take part in the anniversary weekend celebrations.

The following article is from the Independent Free Press

Local mom in Disney run

Hi'ya Mickey!!

Hi’ya Mickey!!

A Georgetown woman will be representing Canada in the 20th anniversary of the Walt Disney WorldMarathon Sunday.

Carrie Burrows, a fitness instructor who owns Georgetown and Acton Fitness Bootcamp, and a current member of the Disney Mom’s Panel, will be taking part in the 26.2-mile marathon Jan. 13 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and she will be blogging about the event.

Burrows has been a fitness advocate for as long as Walt Disney World has been holding its marathon.

“I was an overweight teen who learned about fitness for my own well-being and have been passionate about helping others that struggle with their weight, health and nutrition ever since,” said Burrows.

She’s been invited to take part in the marathon and has been blogging about her training leading up to the event and the entire marathon weekend.

“It is a big honour to be chosen. I am proud to represent Georgetown and Canada,” said Burrows. “I hope to inspire other moms that are busy and don’t think that they can include a regular fitness routine in their lives by showing them that it’s possible.”

As a mother of three young children, Burrows knows all too often that moms often put taking care of themselves on the back burner.

“You can’t possibly take care of your family if you don’t take care of yourself,” said Burrows.

This will be the fourth runDisney event that Burrows has taken part in, adding a full marathon to previous half marathon events, which have included two Wine & Dine and Princess Marathons.

She has included her family in her fitness profession and passion for running, having her children take part in family fun runs and children’s fitness programs.
“It’s so easy to show kids the benefit of a healthy lifestyle while having fun doing it together.  To them, its never a workout, but a fun time together.  That’s part of the magic of Disney as well. All the runDisney events are a fun and magical time.

You don’t have time to think about the distance because you’re enjoying the sights, characters and entertainment along the way,” she said.

You can follow along with me all weekend to see what I’m up to and what happens at the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’ when runDisney takes over and hosts a great event!!

@CarrieBurrows

@CarrieBurrows

#WDWMarathon

/ IamCarrieBurrows

/ IamCarrieBurrows

 

 

 

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Exercise, Fitness, Inspiration

Tagged , , ,