It's no secret that I got into running for two very distinct purposes. Thanks to a Team in Training flyer that found its way into my mailbox in 2006 and the fact my friend Laura had been doing a charity run around that time, I made it out to a TNT info meeting. I was certainly touched by all of the stories of heartbreak and hope shared at that event, but I cannot deny the fact that The Mouse had a hand in me taking the plunge.
I worked in Walt Disney World's Fantasyland as a Disney College Program Intern from 2001-2002, right before I met my husband. And well before then I had been an avid Disneyphile. My parents raised me on Disney - the Disney Channel, Disney movies, Disney princesses. They took me and my sister to WDW when I was 5. I went to Disney in high school with my school orchestra, which I think played a huge part in me pursuing the College Program. I spent my entire 8 month internship either working or playing in the parks. After I left, I pined for it. I even managed to visit Tokyo Disneyland (twice) while studying abroad in Japan. And instead of having Michael visit me in Asia, we actually took our first vacation together down to Orlando upon my return. By this point, I was basically pumping the Disney Kool-Aid instead of blood.
So it’s no surprise I managed to talk myself into my first marathon when I knew I was running for Disney gold on top of cancer research. I raised $3000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and met some incredible people. My angels and mentors and coaches and teammates made the entire event epic. I tackled that first 2007 Marathon and followed it up with a double feature – the Goofy Challenge – in 2008. My brother Gregg (not to be outdone by his little, non-athletic sister) insisted this was a great idea. This challenge is a half-marathon on Saturday, followed by a full marathon on Sunday. It was easily one of the hardest things I’ve done, especially considering that Michael and I had just moved to Austin when we decided to do this. I was struggling to find a job and make a home in a new town. Training alone was extremely tough, but we made it work and it was a great accomplishment. One followed shortly after with the inaugural Expedition Everest 5K Scavenger Hunt and Obstacle Course later that year, where Michael proposed.
We took a break from Disney after this to focus on wedding planning and work. But then another inaugural race was announced – the Tinkerbell Half at Disneyland in 2012. And my friend Kimlee offered to join! It was too good to turn down. A chance to finally see Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and another inaugural race. I’m pretty sure I promised that would be it for a while, when my brother pointed out that the 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon would be our 5th anniversary since the Goofy and the 20th anniversary of the race itself. He’s very convincing. But not too convincing. At first I insisted on only running the Half. But then the Full’s medal was revealed and I knew I was done for. No more Goofy’s for me, but I was going to go for one more Full.
After that, I definitely promised that would be it for a while. And I’m pretty sure I meant it. But then the murmurings I’d been hearing about this Dumbo Double Dare Challenge started to pique my interest. Wait, this was an Inaugural 10K? The day before the Disneyland Half, a race I still hadn’t done yet? Doing both would get me 3 medals, like Goofy? Doing it the same year I’d done the WDW Marathon would get me the Coast to Coast medal? How had I missed all of this important information??
The race understandably sold out in mere hours. I actually talked myself into signing up days after I unknowingly couldn’t even sign up anymore. But like a child who’s been told they can’t have something, now it was all I wanted. So I reached out to my local Team in Training Chapter, remembering my amazing experience the first time around. At first I was placed on a waiting list and I was resigning myself to the idea this was just not meant to be. But then I got a heart stopping email that there were 6 Flex slots opening up for registration. I was out at lunch when I got it and raced back to the office to fill out the form, scan it, and email it in within the hour. And later that night I got the good news that I had a spot!
I find it so fitting that the Double Dare is the race that has finally motivated me into working with Team in Training again. I had let fear of fundraising and putting myself out there hold me back for far too long. Looking back, I can only imagine how much easier and more meaningful my training would have been for my other Disney races if I had stayed a member of the Team. Seeing the Purple People on the race course always made me nostalgic for my NC Chapter and I am proud to be working as a member of the Flex Team within my new Austin Chapter. It took far too long to get there, but the wait did allow for some positives – my friend Tatjana trained with them for years and has proven an excellent introduction to the group and I am more comfortable and confident within my new home city to really tackle the training routes and strive for some awesome fundraising goals.
It just feels so nice to finally be working toward the two factors that got me into running in the first place again. I’m just saying, Disney plus TNT is going to equal some explosive magic. ;D Oh yeah, I went there. :P So remember, spread the word! Any and all donations are so greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in taking part in any of my fundraising events, here's a breakdown of what all I have coming up. A lot of it is here in Austin, TX - but there are a few virtual events, including a 5K!
10 for a chance at $100 Amazon gift card
March 21st - Water 2 Wine wine tasting
$20 for wine tasting and hors d'oeuvres
March 30th - Poker Tournament
$20 buy in for a chance at prizes for top 3
March 31st - Snap Kitchen raffle
$5 for chance at $100 giftcard
April 20th - Virtual 5K Pink Elephants on Parade
$20 for personalized bib and swag bag with medal and certificate (register by April 15th)
Hope you can join in!
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