Friday, January 11, 2013

Goofy or Dopey?



As you probably know, my lil' sis Jen is here with me in Orlando for the Walt DisneyWorld Marathon weekend.  This four day event features races of various lengths for all ages.  The littles ones get to "run" distances up to a mile on the ESPN Zone track, and the bigger kids can participate in the 5K (which was Friday), the half-marathon and the marathon.

All the longer events wind their way through some or all of the main amusement parks:

5K:  Epcot
Half: Epcot and the Magic Kingdom (the equivalent of Disneyland for those from the West)
Full: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, ESPN Zone & Hollywood Studios

Fireworks Kick off the 5K!

Jen and I walked the 5K on Friday which was a lot of fun. We stopped to take a ton of pictures and generally strolled through Epcot.  We then wore our 5K shirts (you get one of those with your entry fee) and lots of people asked us about how it went.  They then inquired if we were running more this weekend.

Nearing the finish of the 5K.  Time for an Epcot photo op!

Those that sign up for the half and full are participating in Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge.  This 39.3 mile weekend includes both races, a special medal for finishing both races (as well as the normal medals for each) and 3 shirts.  The park cast members and resort staff are all very knowledgeable about the events, and marathon runners get a special pin to wear saying they are running the marathon.  This cues cast members to wish you luck on the upcoming races.

I am doing 3 races, so anything special for that?  Not officially.  But...

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

What inspires you? - A Guest Blog

in·spire 
verb \in-ˈspī(-ə)r\

Definition of INSPIRE

transitive verb
a : to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration
b : to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on <was particularly inspired by the Romanticists>
c : to spur on : impel, motivate <threats don't necessarily inspire people to work>
d : affect <seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia>

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?


I am heading to Florida tomorrow to join my "Big Brother" Laird for the Walt Disney World Goofy and a Half Marathon.  As I was thinking about this trip and what it means the word "inspiring" kept coming back to me.    But I realized I didn't really know what INSPIRE meant.  When I looked up the definition what stuck with me was "B: to exert an animating, enlivening or exalting influence on"...  fitting since we are head to the 2nd Happiest Place on Earth (can't beat Disneyland).  Then "A, C and D" took hold and I realized that to inspire means many different things.  I was inspired to ask Laird if I could guest blog on his Page "Run Laird Run" and try to identify what it is that inspires you and drives you to be better than you were just moments ago.  So please join me on this journey as I chEAR on one of my greatest inspriations as he tackles a 5k, Half Marathon and Marathon over the course of 3 days.  (I'm just along for the fun).  

And please take a moment and tell us "What inspires you!"

Smiles,

Jen (Laird's Lil' Sister)