runDisney tink half marathon meet-up

i guess there’s one benefit to being addicted to facebook, twitter & blogs… otherwise, i might have missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime – the runDisney tinkerbell half marathon meet-up.

an early-morning run through a deserted disneyland & california adventure with former olympian & runDisney training consultant jeff galloway, not to mention a promise of several surprise guests? wow! what an amazing adventure. & amazingly, i was selected as one of 30 runners lucky enough to participate.

so early saturday morning, the day before the tinkerbell half marathon, i laced up my running shoes & attached my wings (you can’t attend a runDisney meet-up without a costume) & headed to the disneyland parks, where i met up with carrie & the rest of the tinkerbell half marathon meet-up crew.

with the sun rising in the distance, we ran through downtown disney & into the disneyland park… down main street, through adventure land, around the caroseul, through the castle & right into california adventure .

the entire 2 mile run was completed in true jeff galloway fashion, using the run-walk-run method. & i have to admit – this whole run-walk-run strategy was new to me. but i was thrilled when i realized, that the walk breaks provided the perfect opportunity for photo ops!

after our quick jaunt through the parks, we were able to sit down, & finally catch our breath in the animation academy at disney’s california adventure.

there we had a chance to sit down with john phelan, show director for disney sports (who spoke about the magic behind a runDisney events), lori lovell the runDisney member of the walt disney world moms panel, & “rules of engagement” actress megyn price, who talked about training for her first 13.1 mile race – the tinkerbell half marathon.

finally, jeff galloway took center stage to talk about the benefits of his run-walk method, give advice & answers questions.

after learning how to run injury-free (something that definitely caught my attention), we posed for pictures & were treated to an extra special treat – a tour of the disney dream suite.

all-in-all the experience was absolutely amazing, and definitely once-in-a-lifetime. although, i must admit, i’m secretly hoping that lighting strikes twice.

that’s right, i’m crossing my fingers, & hoping that with a little bit of pixie dust, & a whole lotta luck – somehow, someway, i might manage to get invited to the princess half marathon meetup later this month.