and was asked if they could interview me and get a few tips and advice on running
events. I was honored to be able to participate! For those of you who may have missed it, here it is....Enjoy!
Thank you to Disenvy for the interview!! Be sure to follow @Disenvy on twitter and their blog at www.disenvy.blogspot.com.
Over the past few
weeks we have been bring you interviews with castmembers at Walt Disney World.
This week we are going in a different direction. Kristin is an avid runDisney
Runner, and runner in general. She has been running since 2008, and ran her
first runDisney Race in 2009.
What is your first Disney memory?
Honestly, I don't really have a first
Disney memory. I've been going since I was 6 years old so LOTS of my childhood
memories come from Walt Disney World.
What is your first Disney Vacation memory?
There is no way that I could narrow that
down to one favorite. I have so many! I have memories with my kids and my own
family that are probably my most favorite.
Favorite Disney Movie?
I'll go old school on this
one--Cinderella.
How long have you been running?
I've been running since 2008. I
had always been a sporty girl and even did Jazzercise in my high school
days...oh my! When my youngest was about to start Kindergarten, I started
feeling the "I'm all alone at home blues". I was a stay-at-home mom then and
knew that I had to find something for me to take my mind off of having all of my
babies out of the house. My sister had just ran her first 5k and her race
pictures looked fun so I decided to give it try! It was the BEST decision that I
ever made.
When and what was your first runDisney race?
My
first runDisney race was in 2009. After I started running in 2008, I saw
someone wearing a Walt Disney World Marathon shirt in my local gym. At that
time, I had never really paid much attention to people that wore running shirts.
When I saw her shirt, I knew right then which long distance race would be my
first. I had someone tell me, "It's not that I don't think you could do it, I
just think that you won't." I went home that day and registered for the 2009
Walt Disney World Half Marathon.
How do you go about training for
runDisney events?
For me, I run all of the time so I'm always
"Half-trained". The hardest part of running a runDisney event is that I have to
train myself to take it slower and train myself to get plenty of rest! Those
early mornings are tough!
What is your favorite runDisney event, and
why?
Princess Half Marathon is probably my most favorite race. I
love the course, it's a huge girl's get away weekend for my friends and I and
I've ran every one since 2009 so I'm a Perfect Princess. :)
I will be honest and say that
when runDisney announced this challenge, there was never a question that I
wouldn't run it. I love a good challenge and the medals...OH MY GOSH. I will
receive 6 runDisney medals that weekend. Between four days of running at my
favorite place in all of the world and the six medals, it was a
no-brainer.
The training has been great so far! I have tried to stay on track
and follow the Jeff Galloway training plan. I downloaded it to my phone from the
runDisney website so I know exactly how many miles to get in each day. I've had
to tweak it to cooridinate with my busy schedule and I don't walk any of the
miles but I don't plan on walking during the challenge either.
How do
you determine if you are going to stop for a picture opportunity with
characters?
I stop
for every single character! I train hard at home so that when I run runDisney
races, I will still have a good enough pace time so that I have the time to make
those stops. I couldn't imagine running a runDisney race and not having those
pictures in the end. I don't care about PR's...I care about having
fun!
How do you balance your park
time on race weekend?
I am not a normal runner. It really
depends on what my friends want to do after the races but I'm a believer
in going to the parks and staying in motion! I have done the Goofy Challenge
twice and was not sore after and I really think it's because I kept moving! I
have a hard time sitting still...especially when I'm at Walt Disney
World!
Do you do any training while at the resorts before the
race?
I have been known to get a couple of runs in around the
resort if I'm staying for a lengthy trip. Usually walking in the parks is enough
exercise for me on race weekends.
Do you have a playlist or a
favorite band to listen to on runs?
I normally listen to Pandora when I run
so I don't necessarily have a playlist but Pink fires me up! She's a tough
girl...I like it!
What is your biggest motivation during a
race?
My biggest
motivation is always the Finish Line! I know how great I always feel at the end
and when I'm having a bad race, I push through. The Finish is ALWAYS worth
it!
When you cross the finish line, what
is the first thing that goes through your mind?
It's over?!?! I want it to last
forever!
What's the best way to recover after a race at
Disney?
I always recover by going to the parks after a runDisney
race. It's fun to show off your new bling and keeps you from tightening up! I
don't over-do it but I like to keep moving.
What is your biggest achievement
at a race?
Probably
when I caught a lady that was running next to me as she was falling to the
ground due to dehydration. That was a really scary moment. She passed out and I
was not sure that she was going to be okay. I literally carried her with her
arms draped across my shoulders (along with another fellow runner) to the finish
line. I realized during that race that it's just as important to help get others
to the finish line as it is yourself!
What advice do you have for
running in the cold and how do you train for different
climates?
So this is
a tricky one for me. I'm usually a very "hot-natured" runner and live in Alabama
so we don't have too many weeks of extreme temperatures. The key is to find
clothing that will keep your body temp stable and not allow you to lose your own
body heat. I admit that I'm terrible at this because I want to shed all of my
clothes when I run. TMI, I know. Ha! I also own a treadmill so when it's really
nasty outside, I utilize my treadmill. The summer months are more of a killer
for me...The humidity is so bad where I live so I really have to stay hydrated.
I drink about 120oz of water per day in the summer time and that seems to
help.
Are there any downsides to
running a runDisney race?
Price and proximity are
always going to be the downsides to runDisney races. They are becoming so
popular and with popularity brings and increase in price as well. I live about 8
1/2 hours away from Walt Disney World so travel expenses have to be figured in
also!
What advice to you have to anyone that is starting to
get into runDisney?
Don't be
nervous!!! I was a nervous wreck going in to my first half marathon and I walked
away from it knowing that I would do this forever. It was the most fun I had
ever had!
Which runDisney race would you recommend for a first
race?
I would always recommend any race during Marathon weekend.
There is a distance for everyone, Kids Races, 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Full
Marathon...39.3 and 48.6 Mile Challenges too! It can be a bit overwhelming but
it can also be very inspiring if you are a beginner runner.
For a first time runner, what are
things you should expect on an event weekend?
Lots of traffic and large
crowds are probably the most important things that new runners need to take into
consideration. Getting from your hotel to the Start Line can be an event all in
itself!
What are some things that new runners
need to focus in the day before their first long distant
race?
I always focus on my meals! I really try to pay attention to
what I'm eating and when...carbs, staying hydrated, not eating things that I
would not normally eat.
As a first timer, could you walk me through what I need
to prepare for at the expo?
First, I would say to read all of the Final race
instructions on the runDisney email that you receive before you leave home.
There will be specific instructions as far as transportation goes. Then, Print
and sign your race waivers. You can do this when you get there, but again, it's
crowded and that's just one less thing that you have to do once you get there.
Get there early. Merchandise sells out quickly and you don't want to miss out on
those must-have race souvenirs. Aside from those things...you will pick up your
race packet, shop and have fun!
Are there any most do's at the Health and Fitness
Expo?
Don't rush through it! It will be crowded and there will be
lots of vendors but your race registration includes this fabulous expo FULL of
shopping and guest speakers so take it all in.
Spectators are a great in
sports, what makes them on the runs, and do you have any advice for people that
are going to the events for just that?
Spectators play a huge part of
a runner's experience during races. I have had spectators cheer me on before and
that was really the push that I needed to get me through the next few miles.
During the 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon, my mom and I cheered on my sister
and brother in law on Main Street USA. It was incredible! My advice if you are
going to be a spectator is...get there early, make great signs, yell out the
runner's names (it's on their bibs), and go to different points in the race. The
Finish line is another great place to be!
I saw that you made it to the second round for the Disney
Moms Panel (Congratulations), what does the Moms Panel do and why do you want to
be a part of it?
Thank you! The
Disney Parks Moms Panel is a panelist made of moms who share their love for
Disney and help others plan their vacations. There is a website,
www.DisneyParksMomsPanel.com , where you
can go on and ask the Moms all kinds of questions regarding your vacation
planning. I applied to be the "runDisney Mom" and there is a 4-step application
process. I only made it through round two which I was very sad about. I
absolutely LOVE running the runDisney races and want to share my advice,
vacation planning and all kinds of other tips with everyone. I will apply again
next year and hope to be able to make it onto the panel!
Big question here,
runDisney event or University of Alabama Football game (Roll
Tide)?
Oh wow. That's a tough
one...I'll have to say Both! If a Bama game falls on race weekend, I'd have to
go run the race and then head to ESPN Zone to catch the game..best of both of my
worlds. :) Roll Tide!
We appreciate you taking time out of your
schedule to talk with us about your passion of Disney and Running. We will see
you in January for Jared's first runDisney race, and Jason's second! And if you
want to follow Kristin on Twitter, @BamagirlRUNS or her
Blog www.bamagirlruns.blogspot.com
Thanks again for letting me answer
your questions.. I had fun!
