PodCasts to Make the Work Outs Easier

This piece was originally posted back in September on The DVC Mom's Traveler.

Working out is by far my least favorite activity during the week.  I just don't get that "high" some people do from pushing their bodies.  It doesn't really feel good, and I'm left afterwards exhausted and quite often starving.  So my challenge has been finding ways to make exercising more enjoyable.  So, like so many other things in life, I plus it up with Disney!

I keep some great guys in my pocket (on my iPhone that is) to help me pass the time and make my workouts fly by!  These are three of the nicest guys and they love to share their passion for all things Disney.  There's no way that I could pick one that I like the most because they all offer a little something different for your listening pleasure.  If you're looking for a way to pass the time working out or just want to hear some fantastic Disney fans talking about the most magical place of all, tune in and find your motivation!

My favorite VidCast comes from Rick Howard of Kingdom Magic Vacations.  Travel with Rick offers video tours of fantastic Disney Destinations around the world on land and sea.  He's also done some great ride-a-longs with special guests, Disney food tastings, and fun interviews.  Rick is my go-to video when I'm on the recumbent bike at the Y.
Follow on Twitter @TravelWithRick

Lou Mongello hosts the WDW Radio show and has all the latest information you need to get your Disney on.  Not only does Lou's show offer all the latest in Disney news and event coverage, but he's got what's happening in the community covered as well.  Lou's the ultimate source of information in our house, and his Disney History episodes are THE best out there.
Follow on Twitter @LouMongello 

Mike Rahlmann hosts a rollicking good time with this fun roundtable of fabulous Disneyphiles. On the Be Our Guest Podcast, Mike is joined by a bevy of lovely ladies that laugh and talk about their vacation adventures in a friendly accessible manner. This is the crew that keeps me walking when I just want to sit down.
Follow on Twitter @BeOurGuestMike

So that's it!  The sounds that keep me motivated when I'm working to stay fit and feel fab whether it's on Friday or any other day.  What do you listen to when you're working out?  Do you have any tips to help get your Disney on, on the treadmill?  Leave me a message below and let me know how you "Keep Moving Forward!"

Fall Race Fun w/ runDisney

I know that I won't be able to make it down for the Fall Races this year, and even if I did, I'm not sure I'm up for starting a race at 10pm. Honestly, that's usually my bedtime. However I love that runDisney has put in a distance that's between the 5K and traditional 1/2 Marathon. I'll be looking for a mid-distance myself, hopefully before the end of the year. Perhaps a 10k in Northern Illinois not too far from home. Hrmmm... I think there's a run for chocolate in Chicago in the fall. But I Digress... back to Disney!


 The 10 mile Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Race debuts Sept. 29, 2012

"This race course runs through the set of “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show” and past Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat and finishes near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Runners will receive a finisher medal inspired by the Tower of Terror and then celebrate their achievement at a villainous post-race party with their family and friends, where they will enjoy live music, characters – including your favorite Disney villains – and have exclusive access to attractions like The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania."

You can register for this mid-distance event at 

 http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/tower-of-terror-10-miler/ 

Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend November 9th & 10th, 2012

This year Wine & Dine has been moved from Food & Wine opening weekend to early Nov. I have a soft spot in my heart for this race weekend because Mickey's Halloween 5K through the Magic Kingdom was the first Disney race that I ever did.

"Join runDisney for a special event that brings the spectacle of the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival together with the magic of a Disney race. Start out by running through the theme parks under the stars with world-class Disney entertainment along the way to help the miles fly by. The icing on this cake? Finishing at Epcot® where an exclusive after-hours party inside the Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival awaits. This race experience will be the ultimate "Runners' Night Out!"

You can register for Wine & Dine Weekend Events, including the 5K and kids races at http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/wine-and-dine-half-marathon/  

So what are you doing this fall? Will you runDisney? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Tangled Royal Family 5K Recap

We did it! My Princess Party Crew and I finished the Tangled Royal Family 5K back in February. I thought that I would finally get some pictures up for you! We gathered in the Parking lot of Disney's Epcot at 6am with another 5,500 of our closest friends. Like crazy women, we actually began seeking out other Princesses that we knew.
The music was blaring and the DJ kept the energy high! Dressed for the Party and ready to go, Tori and Becks did the electric slide.
At 7am the fireworks went off to signal the beginning of the race! As slow pokes stuck in the back we struggled with the back of the pack to get moving. By the time we went through the starting gate things had spread out enough to really start walking.
The first mile of this race is really awful. It's parking lot, a tram graveyard, and some sort of water/sewage plant that's on the back side of Epcot. One little speaker offered some music for a few hundred yards, but there's no encouragement on this stretch what so ever. We split up during this mile Tori, Becks and Traci walked ahead, while Jakie and I enjoyed a more leisurely pace.
Once we got inside of World Showcase the race got so much nicer. That dank depressing feeling of the first mile was gone and it started to really feel like Disney Magic.
Jackie and I were trailing behind our group, but that's okay! We were able to hop into a few character pictures with other Princesses we knew walking the race. Check out Amanda Tinney's 5K post, can you spot Jackie and I in the pictures?  It was an opportunity I don't know that we would have gotten if we had been going faster. Epcot in the morning is beautiful and all of the walkers that we met along the way were so friendly and wonderful.

One of my favorite moments was when I was jogging a little bit to catch up with Jackie and my dear friend Sarah-Irene looked at me and said "Kristen, look at you, you're running!"  LoL... yes, for a couple of dozen yards I can run (jog... okay waddle).  That's about it for now.


Once we came around towards Spaceship Earth we knew we were in the home stretch!
Look at that, Tori was still smiling! Love those ears.
There it is, the Finish Line! Everyone was happy to see the finish line! It's an early morning and a long brisk walk but it feels so very good to cross that line and have that sense of accomplishment that you did it. Disney is fantastic to it's 5K folks and everyone gets a medal!
So where do hungry girls with race bling head after it's all over? Whispering Canyon Cafe! Look at how serious Tori and Traci look about that food. It was so good and a wonderful way to relax after the race. Good job girls, I'm so proud of everyone for finishing the 2012 Tangled Royal Family 5K!

To read more about our wonderful trip check out Traci's Blog 

The View From My Fishbowl

Back to it!

I had considered just letting this blog go, however several people mentioned to me that they rreally miss it.  Apparently watching and listening to me moan and groan as I waddle my way down the path is not only entertaining, but has made many of you feel better about your own work outs.  It *IS* okay to to hate being out there doing it, as long as you keep getting out there to do it.

It's not that I've been ignoring you all... I just haven't worked out since November!  Oh my god... 49 days until the race and I'm just now getting my rear in gear.  The holidays really kicked me in the teeth this year and I'm only now starting to recover. 

So... here's another video of me saying "so" way too much, and giving my all on the museum loop. My camera was flip flopping back and forth, sorry about that. I hope you enjoy!!