Lace-up your running shoes and sprinkle some fairy dust on your headphones because today, you're joining us on an enchanting runDisney adventure! The magic of Disney isn't just for theme parks; it's also for the pavement, and we're chatting with five incredible guests to help inspire your run and answer your questions!
Packed with wisdom, download our FREE Ultimate Run Disney Guide as your companion for everything from registration to optimal race rest to the psychological benefits of breaking down those formidable long runs. Hang on to your magic bands; this episode is a marathon of tips that will have you racing past Cinderella's Castle in no time.
Stay in touch with our incredible guests here:
Ashley Rose runDisney Travel Specialist of Mystical Dream Travel
Fred Feizollahi @kingcharmingfred
Tricia Carbone @perfectlydopey
Dr. Andrew Strickland @puppet_runner
The finish line is just the beginning as we wrap up with heartwarming reminders that any dream is achievable.
Don't forget your added sprinkle of pixie dust, the Ultimate runDisney guide to ensure your race experience is as smooth as Cinderella's glass slipper. So tune in, be inspired, and remember, when you run Disney, every mile is magic!
Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Want to become a member of Time for Brunch+ to show your support of the show? Join here.
Join the Brunch community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
Lace-up your running shoes and sprinkle some fairy dust on your headphones because today, you're joining us on an enchanting runDisney adventure! The magic of Disney isn't just for theme parks; it's also for the pavement, and we're chatting with five incredible guests to help inspire your run and answer your questions!
Packed with wisdom, download our FREE Ultimate Run Disney Guide as your companion for everything from registration to optimal race rest to the psychological benefits of breaking down those formidable long runs. Hang on to your magic bands; this episode is a marathon of tips that will have you racing past Cinderella's Castle in no time.
Stay in touch with our incredible guests here:
Ashley Rose runDisney Travel Specialist of Mystical Dream Travel
Fred Feizollahi @kingcharmingfred
Tricia Carbone @perfectlydopey
Dr. Andrew Strickland @puppet_runner
The finish line is just the beginning as we wrap up with heartwarming reminders that any dream is achievable.
Don't forget your added sprinkle of pixie dust, the Ultimate runDisney guide to ensure your race experience is as smooth as Cinderella's glass slipper. So tune in, be inspired, and remember, when you run Disney, every mile is magic!
Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Want to become a member of Time for Brunch+ to show your support of the show? Join here.
Join the Brunch community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
Greetings, runners, dreamers and Disney fans. Welcome to another magical episode of Time for Brunch. I'm Coach Christine. I'm joined by the fabulous Coach Shelby. Together, wear your guides to turn running dreams into reality.
Speaker 1:Today's episode is very near and dear to our hearts and it's sprinkled with extra pixie dust as we delve into the enchanting world of Run Disney with very special guests. But before we bring on our first guest, we want to make sure that you're aware that we've crafted something quite magical for you the ultimate Run Disney guide. It's a treasure trove of information, including training plans, packing lists, nutrition tips, mindset, a lot of motivation and so much more to ensure your Run Disney experience is nothing short of a happily ever after. And the best part, it's absolutely free. Find that download link in our episode notes and make it yours today. Now again, we can't wait to get started with all of our incredible guests. So we're going to kick off with our Run Disney Travel Expert, and she's an aspiring perfect Run Disney season participant. She's going to provide invaluable insights on how to make your Disney adventure absolutely unforgettable, from picking the perfect resort for you to maximizing part time in between races. Let's go ahead and get this started, friends. We are so excited here at brunch because we get to welcome in someone who's near and dear to our hearts and, of course, a whole lot of fun.
Speaker 1:Ashley Rose not just a mere mortal, but a modern day fairy tale magic maker. She is a TFB training athlete, a Disney specialist at Mystical Dream Travel and a champion of enchanted endeavors. Because Ashley sprinkles on a little pixie dust to every step she takes and she's embarking on her own perfect season quest in the Run Disney series. While Ashley is living a tale as old as time, proving it determination and a touch of magic, any dream is within reach. Welcome, ashley. Thanks for joining us. Hi, thanks for having me. Why the introduction there? Because there's just too much to encapsulate into one little intro. So, ashley, before we get too far into it, I can't wait for you to tell us. How in the world did you get started on this Run Disney adventure?
Speaker 2:Well, I'm glad to ask because it's a very non accepted response. I actually got into Run Disney from a friend that I met online through Disney. We started chatting. She's like, hey, you should come do this sometime. I had been running for a little while and started doing virtual Run Disney never in person, like come down, let's do springtime surprise. When it was brand new and I was like, okay, like grummy, so let's do that, and signed up for the 10 K for springtime surprise and I was like you know what? This 10 miler still open. Let's challenge myself and let's just do both of them Went down, met them for the very first time in person and it's become a tradition to go hang out with them on race weekend. And ever since then I've just fallen in love with run Disney. And here I am trying in a perfect season.
Speaker 1:So you were a Disney fan before you took the leap into run Disney, right, correct? Yeah, okay, I'm fascinated by that because I feel like that's the magic of Run Disney is that it generally does help to kind of capture a whole demographic of folks that maybe aren't the most avid into running but they love Disney. So the idea of getting to run at Disney is pretty magical. So do you feel like with your run Disney adventure, that somewhere along the way you started to really call yourself and feel very much as somebody who identifies themselves as a runner?
Speaker 2:Absolutely so going into it, I was just kind of a fun time runner. No crazy pace was just in it for the bling, quite honestly, and fast forward. And it's such a great community to get involved, with everybody so supportive, the characters that you see on the course, the atmosphere of the day. It sucks getting up at those 2am wake up calls but when you show up to that start line it's just a whole nother feeling. And the crowds and running through the parks is just a whole nother level. That takes it and makes it all worth it in the end. And I met so many wonderful people doing it that it's like nothing else.
Speaker 1:So where did you decide? Okay, I do love this run Disney experience. It is magical even despite that 2am pumpkin turning kind of time of day. But where did you decide I'm going to embark on a perfect season and maybe if you could explain that to people who may may not be familiar with what it is, yeah.
Speaker 2:So I decided last year that I was going to try for a perfect season which is running every run, disney race, the entire season and the whole debacle with dopey registration kind of ruined that for me last year, but I think it was more of a blessing in disguise situation because they just wasn't in the right place in my life to really embark on it and wasn't training great, was just kind of doing my own thing. Quite honestly, I did go out and do the marathon and quite honestly, I was exhausted. My body said I'm done. I finished it but I was recovering for two weeks after in pain. So I decided this year I was really going to push myself, work for the perfect season, including Disneyland.
Speaker 2:So all five race weekends this year really push myself to get there and do it well and comfortably and I have wine and dine under my belt already. So and that was an amazing weekend. Now I'm creating it. We have perfect, absolutely wonderful weather conditions that played on our side. So I hope that helps with the other race weekends coming up. But really just wanted to challenge myself and see what I'm capable of and just keep going from there because the sky's the limit.
Speaker 1:I love it. I do want to talk about your other adventures, because I know that you have already started to put into the world some of the things that you're thinking of after you're down with this perfect run Disney season, but, of course, literally one step at a time, and we're tackling one race weekend with as much joy as possible and, of course, being as healthy as possible throughout each weekend. So I am curious what would you say is a unique aspect of running a run Disney race weekend, besides the 2am wake up calls or 1am?
Speaker 2:The run Disney race weekend is like no other. Like you see so many unique costumes and plays on the weekends and the themes that it's something different. But I've never ran a race that had so much support from the runners themselves. There's people that you'll run past somebody and they're like good job, keep going, even if you're struggling. I've never had that in another race and I've done the Pittsburgh half marathon and we were all miserable, running in the rain doing it and we all did it. But it's just not a community of runners that support you. Like else, you'll always have the spectators on the side cheering you on, but it's the runners that make it a whole different experience.
Speaker 1:It is truly extraordinary. So I'm glad that you are able to kind of encapsulate that very beautifully, which, of course, I want to know now did you have a favorite theme that you've done so far, or maybe one that you're looking forward to specifically in this upcoming season?
Speaker 2:So I am very excited for upcoming first springtime surprise. It's one of my all time favorite movies of Pixar. I just love the whole story and with the medal revealed the other day, I'm so pumped to get that. So I'm really excited to see what they do and see all the Carl's and Ellie's and Kevin's out there on the race course for those, because they're always just so wonderful when I see them.
Speaker 1:It is such a great movie and I thought the medal was extraordinary and I'm so surprised that we have. I did a very unofficial official poll, of course, on Instagram stories and I thought more people would be pumped about the 10k medal, because it's got like the moving part and it's just so cute and it seems like Tinkerbell stole the springtime surprise show. But maybe, maybe it was just my polling, so we'll have to throw that out for some extraneous data. In the meantime, I do agree it looks like an incredible weekend.
Speaker 1:Now, of course, you are a travel agent with mystical dream travel, so you've got quite a few insider trips and I kind of consider myself. I wouldn't call myself a Disney pro by any stretch of imagination, but I know my way around the parks just a wee bit and I feel like I've learned so much from you. So what kind of tips would you have, without trying to overwhelm folks, because I know you have a wealth of knowledge, but what do you have for folks that are coming to embark on their maybe their first run Disney weekend experience?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so obviously on run Disney race weekends it's not go and do and see everything kind of weekend. I was a pass holder for a very long time and I gave that up just last year and started really appreciating the resort. And here to kind of tell everybody that you can go to Disney and have a wonderful time just hanging out at the resort. I started experiencing the pools of the resort last year. I went in a Disney pool for the first time ever and that's crazy because I'm always there. But there's so much that they do around the resorts that make them special between the pools and the water slides, anything like that that you can truly appreciate. Now the parks are extra magical and it's always extra fun when I go there. But definitely just relaxing and taking everything in has become one of my favorite things for Disney and kind of my best tip when you're going down there is to not just expect to do and see everything and give yourself some grace when you go.
Speaker 1:Do you have that conversation? Is it one of the like the tougher conversations to have, where you're trying to help folks as they plan their weekend to not stuff it in with too many things, considering they still have to go to bed rather early and get up rather early?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. So I always try to remind them that you do still have those early mornings. Things can come up in the parks that like you want to really do Tron or something and you get the virtual queue when you had a dining reservation. So those things are really hard to kind of plan ahead of time for when you have those kind of tight, tight weekends on time. So I like to encourage more go with the flow, go as it is. If you want a specific dining reservation or a ride experience to make sure that's top on your list. But you might have to give something else up, just so you're not overwhelming yourself and ruining the experience by running from this spot to that spot just to get it all done.
Speaker 1:I think that's so valuable in every race weekend experience. It's just regardless of its run Disney or if it's somewhere else. If it's a big race weekend experience, I do feel like people do try to pack it in. Which leaves me to my next question. If people come to you with a question of should I add in park days before the run Disney weekend, or should I plan to be there a few days afterward, you know, considering they may have the extra time to be able to do so, would you usually have them gravitate towards one versus the other?
Speaker 2:So I tend to like to go to the parks either before, like the 10 K days that maybe after the 5 K, when you get done early, you can go back to the hotel, take a nice nap and get to the parks and still have a wonderful day, just making sure that you're getting back to your hotel room early enough to get adequate rest before your 10 K day. But I think it's so much more enjoyable to do it after the race weekend, where you have all the fun, you did all of the things and then you can go to the parks and celebrate. Everybody wears their medals to the parks, so you get tons of congratulations from past members and even guests. I've had other guests while I was there say congratulations when they see your medal and you get all the wonderful pictures in the parks with all your accomplishments.
Speaker 1:I mean absolutely. That's the entire purpose of having all these incredible medals is to go get all of those pictures, and you're really truly creating and captures memories, so I'm with you 100% on that. I am curious, though let's talk a little bit about your training, because you are it's not all rainbows and sunshades where you get to go to Disney, and although you love Disney and you make magic happen for people as a travel agent, you're still balancing those demands with your own personal travel of having to go back and forth for these weekends and during the middle if it's okay to tell folks you're in the middle of house hunting. So you've got a lot going on. How do you balance it all?
Speaker 2:So it's definitely been difficult. I've had my days where you just don't want to get up and do it, but you get up and give it your best shot, Even if it's breaking up the run in a couple different segments to just get on your feet, get those kind of challenges under your belt, and I couldn't do it without my sport system. My family has been great with this, but especially my boyfriend Cole. He's kind of pushed me to do my runs and it's okay that you can't do everything and it kind of it gets when I'm struggling Like this past week was really difficult between everything going on house hunting, we put in an offering on a house, so all that kind of stressful stuff that goes on with life and just kind of realized that I needed that time and gave me a fun weekend to let loose and did my training run with me and everything. So like just having my support system has really helped me through the training to remember why I'm doing it and it can be a lot of fun.
Speaker 1:I love how you break up your runs because I think that it allows you, for a myriad of reasons, not just from a physiological standpoint, of being good for your body as well in terms of having a little bit of a break in between those long runs, in terms of really breaking up the chunks of the long run, but also, I feel like, from a psychological standpoint.
Speaker 1:It's just so demotivating at times to look at this huge chunk of time and that's mentioned again. You're on the go, you're doing a lot of things. It's really hard to dedicate an entire three hour block or a four hour block per se, and then breaking those up into those chunks seems to be such a really seamless way of you getting it done and helping you stay consistent, because you are truly an incredibly consistent athlete and I really do feel like that's been the extra little bit of magic that helps you with your training to stay really super strong. Which leads me, of course, to the next question, because you did already touch on the fact that Cole's been a great support for you. Is he a runner?
Speaker 2:He is not. I'm trying to get in the right direction. We're starting that. He's done a couple races with me locally of little fun runs. He's coming down to watch me for Dopey so I'm hoping that he sees that run Disney magic and will do a race with me down there next year.
Speaker 1:I absolutely think that, again, I always think it's the magic is to say yet, because I'm sure he will he'll dip his toe into it, which will be super exciting. So you're you've already touched on that too, so he's coming down here. What would you recommend for folks that are coming down with their support crew and their support crew may want to tackle a lot of different things besides just saying holding up a sign at during a 4am race day or 5am race day. What would you suggest for either the people that are coming with us as spectators, for them to be mindful of the actual runners, or for the runners to communicate to their spectators?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So we've already set the expectations for the race weekend. So, going in, we both know what to expect. Not making a ton of plans for the weekend, we are going to kind of take it easy. There's going to be a lot of pool time. So I really think, just communicating what you need from them out of the race weekend because you are the one getting up it, the 2am wake up calls and going out and running the half marathon, the marathon, whatever distance, to just make sure they understand and respect your boundaries, so they know what you are doing and what you need to get through that weekend.
Speaker 1:I think that that is absolutely crucial. So I love the fact that you've already mentioned, right out of the gate, to start with an open communication plan, which is going to be my next question with you regarding your travel services, when you're working with folks that are looking at planning their magical trip to Disney and again, I think you may be the only Run Disney specialist with your agency I mean, I've never heard of a lot of I've not personally heard of a lot of Run Disney travel agents. So what do you feel is the best communication you could have with your folks, or what do you need to hear from them to be able to ensure that you're able to plan the most magical weekend for them?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. So I always ask them what's important to you on that race weekend? If it's going to the parks, that's great. And what parks do you want to go to? To try to get the best resort option within their budget, but getting them the closest that they can be to that resort so they're not standing in line waiting for a bus for hours on end at some of their resorts when they don't need to be If they're already staying in a moderate resort in their primary park they want to go to is Epcot I'm going to probably suggest like a Caribbean beach before I recommend Coronado because of where it's located. You can pop on a skyliner. You don't got to wait in lines. It's extra added time that you don't need on your feet. So I always ask them right off the bat, within their budget what do you need to do that weekend? What's your priority? And start building based off of that and giving them the different suggestions on where I think is best to stay and for those matters of what's important to them.
Speaker 1:You feel like your recommendations may vary according to if someone's coming for specifically a run Disney weekend versus a non-run Disney weekend.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. I think there's different opportunities at different resorts. It really depends what that family is looking for. There's some resorts that obviously are known for being a little louder than other resorts. So if they're coming for a nice quiet, peaceful weekend, I might not suggest a contemporary that has a bunch of people coming in and out of it throughout the week and might want to pick one of those more tucked back resorts that are a little farther away from the action.
Speaker 1:I'm so glad that you named names, because I wasn't sure if this was going to be a we don't talk about Bruno situation or we couldn't actually name the specific resort. That may be a little bit more lively, shall we say, for non-run Disney weekend folks. So if you had to, for a run Disney weekend and again you're the magical guests that you're making magic happen for, what would you say would be your number one priority for a resort?
Speaker 2:So my biggest one is always the quietest one. Obviously you can never tell how everybody to be as quiet as possible, but personally I have found that all-star do get more packed with their families so you might have a lot more little ones running up and down the hallways making noise late at night. So I tried to avoid those kind of resorts that I know are more likely to be louder just because you have those early nights and the other families that aren't doing run Disney are still there. The parks don't shut down for us, so you have to kind of keep that in mind and give them some leeway as well because they are on vacation, but trying to avoid that as much as possible.
Speaker 2:So my personal favorite resort to stay at is Pop Century for race weekends. I just love having the skyliner. I love the atmosphere that's there. It's kind of my go-to resort. Now I love the other resorts. I'm staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambohouse for Princess, which will be a nice kind of change of pace to hang out there. But you're in and out of the resort so much on race weekends that I just love.
Speaker 1:Pop, see, I love this and it shows that you are both a huge Disney fan. You know so much about the actual travel industry and coming to Disney specifically, but also all of the little things that I think that maybe we wouldn't think about, like time on your feet and the transportation, because the logistics can be pretty overwhelming. So for someone who maybe is saying you know, I'm so overwhelmed with all the logistics, how do you help them relax?
Speaker 2:So I make sure they have all of their questions answered. I've recently just had a first time family go to Walt Disney World and, of course, had a ton of questions of how do I do this? What does this mean? I'm really just making sure they had all of the information they could possibly want and need about anything they had a question on. We do have a special guide that we send out to families that has some different information in there so park recommendations, things to do, that we suggest, different ride requirements. So we give everybody as many tools as we possibly can so they have a great experience and, especially while they're down there, I'm always available for my clients. If I'm on vacation myself, we always have a backup agent that can help assist. If something would ever happen or go wrong or you have a question while you're there, we're always willing to get those answers for you.
Speaker 1:I love the fact that you really do spend time getting to know what makes somebody's heart sing and then you make it magical based off of what would work best for them. But I am super curious what are your must-do activities or experiences when you come to I'm going to say Walt Disney World, because I know Disneyland's a whole other bag of chips, for sure, but for Walt Disney World, what are some of the must-do activities or experiences that you like to do and you think that other runners should potentially experience?
Speaker 2:So, personally, every time I go to Walt Disney World, I have to get the popcorn. There is something about that popcorn that is just out of this world. So I always have to get popcorn and I always go for a ride on the style liner. Whether it's I need to go to Boardwalk for a lunch meetup, I'm popping over to Pop Century, getting on the style liner and going on over. So those are two of my absolute favorite things outside of the parks to do. And inside the park I would always pick Magic Kingdom and hop on the People Mover and go for a nice little stroll around Magic Kingdom. It's just the most relaxing thing ever. So that's definitely my must do for a park.
Speaker 1:I am with you as well. I love Magic Kingdom. I know it can be a little bit of a teensy bit of a hassle sometimes to get in and out of it, but still my absolute favorite I think the People Mover. Well, we know it has a huge fan club of people who absolutely adore the People Mover, and such a great one to do on race weekend too, since it gets you off your feet for a little bit. But I am also curious do you have a favorite Disney character?
Speaker 2:Oh, this is a hard one.
Speaker 1:It's a ridiculously hard girl, we know.
Speaker 2:It's like an impossible question. Yes, we all love Mickey Mouse. I think the character that kind of most speaks with me would have to be Mary Poppin. I just I watched that movie over and over and over as a little kid and just the story and the whole message that comes from the movie in general has always stuck with me. So, and everything is super califragilistic, espialid notions.
Speaker 1:And I know you could spell it, so I'm not gonna even ask. What did you think about the redo of?
Speaker 2:it. I thought it was absolutely wonderful. It was definitely a nice little take on it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I love I mean Julie Andrews will always be, will always have our heart, but I still feel like the redo is absolutely extraordinary too. So, ashley, we heard you say that popcorn is a must. Is there a specific meal or reservation, like restaurant reservation, that you would really highly recommend to folks to snag when they're coming to Walt Disney World?
Speaker 2:So I absolutely love breakfast. The Trattoria down at Boardwalk. I love the breakfast pizza. It's so wonderful to do. I always go there and you get the breakfast pizza and the mimosa. It's a very quiet atmosphere so I just love it.
Speaker 1:I love this. All right, my friend, you have been a wealth of knowledge, but I know that we basically just skim the surface of all of the incredible information that you have. So I want to thank you so much for joining us, but I'm gonna ask folks to definitely use all of the links and episode notes to find you. Of course, you guys can find us at Facebook and Instagram, at Ashley underscore Miss School Dream Travel, but also check out her TikTok, and you're gonna wanna stay in touch with Ashley, not just to wish her a wonderful, perfect run Disney season, but also because she has so many tips available for you and truly can make the trip down to Walt Disney World in Disneyland absolutely magical for your run Disney weekend. So thank you, ashley.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 1:I loved hearing from Ashley how we should build in some resort time and I've gotta say, as a local, those resorts are one of my favorite things to check out. So thank you again to Ashley, with Mystical Dream Travel Next up. My friends, the magic of run Disney is all of the incredible characters and costumes of your fellow runners. So next up, we're gonna dive into the world of run Disney costuming with experts who know how to blend running performance with Disney flair. And well, they're gonna teach us all about how to level up our game. So, whether you're aiming for comfort or character, they've got tips you're not gonna wanna miss. Hello, welcome to the brunch table. Not one, but two fabulous fun and fly guys will not just fly, lounge fly, but we're gonna explain soon. For now, thank you for joining us again, erin Null of Null Runnings.
Speaker 5:Thank you for having me again.
Speaker 1:Of course, welcome back, friend. We are so excited to have you back, and this time you brought a friend. So welcome Fred Fazolihi, also known as King Charming Fred, and I have to say, friends, we're excited to have you both here to impart some of your wisdom and knowledge.
Speaker 6:Thank you for having me. I was very jealous of Erin and I said I have to. You're doing this without me, so I'm happy to be invited.
Speaker 1:Oh well, you guys are truly fabulous and you are such a highlight of the Run Disney experiences and I definitely wanna get into all that. But before I get too far into it because you guys are both experts on the parks, both here at Walt Disney and Disneyland now, with Run Disney, bringing those back to Disneyland, but costuming and, of course, making the race weekends as fun as possible For our listeners who may not be familiar, can you explain more about what you think that Run Disney is so unique? Erin, I'm gonna go ahead and start with you, since you've been here before. Tell us what you think Run Disney is unique. What makes it unique?
Speaker 5:I think, compared to any other races I've done a whole bunch of non-Run Disney races. Compared to those there's just a big sense of community. I feel like everyone is there to just support each other and get to dress up while running, while being uncomfortable. It's great, we're all uncomfortable. Yeah, just a little hide and sweaty.
Speaker 1:Well, fred, how about you? I feel like for the one and done weekend, you went larger than life with your costuming and it was definitely very over the top. So was it uncomfortable?
Speaker 6:It was not uncomfortable but actually, even though it looked pretty ornate, it was just kind of a tube dress, so it was very comfortable to run in. And yeah, I saw you with my family. The big thing for me for doing the races is just being with my family, with my friends. Erin is now my family, so him and I get so excited beforehand and really along the way. The training is huge. As we all know, it doesn't just happen overnight, so supporting each other in the training is really helpful as well.
Speaker 1:Now, how did you two come to tackle Run Disney? Did you know each other before or did you meet through Run Disney? And I'm gonna ask you, fred.
Speaker 6:So Erin and I have known each other I think since about 2017, we actually became friends through Disney, disney Geeks. He is a DVC member and I wanted to know everything about it, so I would text him and ask him a bunch of questions and then we kind of you know, people find their family, their chosen family, and we became friends and he thanks to him is what got me into running. I've never run before in my life, so it was definitely him that got me into running and then into Run Disney all simultaneously.
Speaker 1:Wow, erin, do you feel like you're kind of at this point almost recruiting for the Run Disney cult?
Speaker 5:officially no, I mean, I wasn't even a fan of running either. I only started running because of my cousin. She tried to convince me to just do a race and kept on asking me when the Disneyland races were happening, back like early on, to like even like like 2014,. When are you gonna run a race? Like no. When are you gonna run a race, erin? No, I will not. Then finally I gave in and I was like okay, fine, I'll do this half marathon at Disneyland, the Star Wars light side. And then that caused the the Run Disney bug. It's okay.
Speaker 1:We can speak amongst friends here. It's the gateway drug to you know, the harsh to the hard stuff, like doing the perfect Run Disney seasons. I think you guys have tackled or are tackling so definitely. I'd love to hear more about what you guys can say is maybe a shared Run Disney experience that you feel like sticks out in your head, and I'm gonna go ahead and direct that to you, erin.
Speaker 5:I would say I mean, my friend Circle has grown substantially since. Well, I mean, I was like you know, just like an auxiliary person in Run Disney, just you know showing up and just you know running, collecting my medals. And then I think, finally, with like another year, past year and a half started like actually making friends, started being more social, and now I'm like, wow, like there's so many people like I wanna see it every race now. It's just like they're not just you know, I'm not just fan-grilling anymore, I'm like these are my peers now, so it's a lot of fun.
Speaker 6:When I met Erin, he was anti-matching outfits and he was also anti-kind like being social and chatting people. And then, of course, now we're always in matching outfits, milking lounge flies and we're the bell of the ball. We wanna go see everybody and hug everybody, and so it's definitely been fun.
Speaker 1:Fred, it's so great to have you here, because I don't think any of us would have ever have maybe even put Erin in anti-social, even in the same hemisphere. I just can't see that, erin. You feel like you're so outgoing at all the Run Disney weekend. So is that your alter ego for Run Disney?
Speaker 5:Yeah, I am an introvert at home but an extrovert at Run Disney.
Speaker 1:But Fred, you have. Let's just say, costuming is not something new for you. It's not the Run Disney that brought it out. You've had quite a bit of experience with costumes before correct.
Speaker 6:I have. I worked for Disney for 15 years. I was actually in and out of costume. I was friends with different princes and friends with different characters. Gosh, I've worked all over the world Disney cruise line. So I, on the other hand, belong on the stage and don't have any social anxiety. So again, erin and I make a good pair. I help him through and then he helps me be quiet.
Speaker 5:Well, that's why I majored in theater, so I could be more outgoing. So you know.
Speaker 1:Really. I mean honestly, erin, I feel like you come across as so outgoing that that's such a surprise. But I do think that is part of what makes it magical to be at the Run Disney world is that it does let you, regardless. If you're auxiliary, maybe if you're more of just a walk on to the stage or you're the star of the show, you feel like the star of the show because it really is about embracing that community and making it your own. So I'm curious from both of you if you feel that maybe the costumes that you had especially with, I mean, I think all of us now know you guys as the lounge fly guys do you feel like that's what helped you take that center stage and really start making these great friend circles? I'm gonna ask you, fred.
Speaker 6:I think so, because game recognizes game right. So a lot of people that really spend time with their costuming they want to see others enjoying it too, and so people have come up to us and just given us a silent nod or said thank you for dressing up. And then lounge flight. Of course we all know a lot of people love lounge fly. The addicts have come out of the closet, they tap us on the shoulder and say guess what? I just bought my 85th lounge fly, but my husband doesn't know, and so it's another way to connect through Disney and through lounge fly. So we've really loved that. That's been huge for us.
Speaker 1:Who has the bigger lounge fly collection?
Speaker 5:Clearly Fred.
Speaker 6:That one pays a lot here. Yeah, I have a teens' bit of a problem, but Aaron is starting to catch up.
Speaker 5:Yeah, actually, yeah, Fred's convinced me. Yeah, yeah, now I have like a yeah true story is for the holidays.
Speaker 6:We both loved the same bag and so I said, Aaron, let's do this. Let's not get each other gifts this year, let's just buy each other this lounge fly bag. And he's like, okay, got it, good idea.
Speaker 1:This is the kind of best friend gift that we all need in our lives. But let's pull it back for just a mere moment, if we can, and maybe for folks that are new to run Disney or Disney in general, or are thinking what is this lounge fly they're speaking of, can you guys give us a little bit more information as to what it is? Fred, I'm gonna go ahead and ask you.
Speaker 6:Lounge Fly is a amazing company. They work with a lot of different brands and licenses, but they're really big with Disney and when you're walking around the parks you'll see people normally wear ears and then a spirit jersey or some sort of their favorite character on a shirt and then they'll normally wear a lounge fly. And up until about two years ago, I thought lounge flies were only for girls, to be honest, and I would see them and think, gosh, I really wanna wear one, but I thought it was only for girls. And then I said you know what I like them and I wanna wear them. And ever since then I've seen a lot of all different types of people wear them. Guys, my parents wear them now my 75 year old mother has a couple, so it's just a great way to spend an afternoon with your favorite character right On your back. So that's why I really love lounge flies. And now they have dogs.
Speaker 5:And I think they just Now they make it for us.
Speaker 1:I know, I think I just saw that. Yes, I mean they're coming for your household. My friends, if you haven't yet gotten the lounge fly, you're gonna get one sooner or later. Do you guys have a favorite in your collection?
Speaker 5:Mine would be the one. It's the 100 year anniversary Mickey one. It's like this chromatic red and silver Mickey bag which was the inspiration for my spring times, one of my spring time surprise running costumes. So that would be mine.
Speaker 6:Yeah, mine would be the princess sequin series that Aaron and I first did for princess last year, just because they're bright. They're a simple color and Aaron and I love our princesses, so it's a fun way to recognize them, give a nod to them.
Speaker 1:So if all the incredible costume you guys have done, do you have a favorite of those? Because clearly you have taken the inspiration from some of your favorite bags, so does that mean that translates into your favorite costume as well? I'm gonna ask Aaron to let us know about that.
Speaker 5:I would say so. I do love my lounge fly costumes, but I like to be creative too. I like to be, you know, like make new costumes and just try new things out. But like my favorite yeah, I mean the princess ones were like I was so happy with the way they came out. I remember just like every day, like Fred, I think I found the right fabric. Oh my God, fred, I found the perfect sequence. Oh my God, fred, I needed to do this, like every day, just making it was really inspiring. So you know, those were amazing costume.
Speaker 1:I wanna talk a little bit more about costumes, because I think again when I think of run Disney, and what makes it so special is the fact that people do embrace costuming. But, as you guys have already tackled or started to elude, sometimes costuming can create its life of its own in terms of posing challenges, shall we say, for the course. So what are some of the suggestions that you guys would have for people that are just ready to kind of dabble into costuming, because I think a lot of people start with Disney bounding?
Speaker 6:Yeah, disney bounding. I didn't even know that there was a name for it until a couple of years ago. Same with Disney adults. That's a new thing, a new term that we're hearing a lot. I am a Disney adult, I'm Fred Fazlai and I'm a Disney adult. But Disney bounding is where? So it actually comes from the rule that at 13 years old you can no longer wear a costume to Disneyland. But guess what Adults were like? Wait a second, I kinda wanna wear a costume. I love these characters. So Disney bounding came about, where you're giving slight nods to a character, whether it be just a simple color palette, whether it be the lounge fly, whether it be the ears. So it's a way for us to kind of skirt those rules that Disney has put for us, but to still enjoy a day with our favorite Disney character.
Speaker 1:And I think for friends that are maybe translating it more into, like run Disney, a lot of folks start off with Disney bounding in terms of those inspired outfits. I shall say and there's a lot of companies now that kind of have made it their brand or for you to be able to access just their clothing, where it's kind of pre-made for you. But you guys definitely took Disney bounding and kind of just decided that that was something that you could make much more extraordinary with your own tackle. So, erin, I feel like the costuming and putting these really elaborate costumes is really up your alley. So what kind of suggestions would you have for folks that are thinking of going bigger, going home?
Speaker 5:My very first, you know, run Disney's, I wasn't dressing up as anything. I think the very first race that I decided to like okay, maybe we'll dress up, kind of like the character was the 2019 princess. I ran in with my friend Kayla and you know we went to like the expo and then, you know, I was like, oh, you know, this will match this blue you know skirt, will match my blue tank top and I can be Elsa, you know, you know. So you know, I dipped my toe in and then, like you know I think you know I said this in like a previous podcast with you you know, I saw, like people, someone wearing this gorgeous, you know costume, handmade costume that they made it was in Copley Pouture and I was inspired. So, like that's when I started to actually started making costumes.
Speaker 5:I think the most, for one, the first rule that you should consider when wearing a costume while doing run Disney is the comp, like being comfortable in it. You know, like you're gonna be wearing that for a 5K, 10k, a half marathon, a full marathon. Like you want to be as comfortable as you can in it, you know, and that's like the first priority, especially when, like you know, start designing new costumes. Second one Fred, you wanna take this one.
Speaker 6:Yeah. Second one would be and Erin and I go back and forth about this when we're deciding on what costumes to do is does it read? So you're only gonna be running past people for a split second and you want to make sure that whatever costume you've decided on, that you're proud of that, people will understand it, cause sometimes the deep dives are actually really fun because you get those five people in the audience that are like, oh my gosh, I know what he is, but you also have to have it. You know, read to what your plan was, your intent.
Speaker 1:I immediately am thinking absolutely. I could see that where it is both fun to be kind of in the insider, but you've spent months, maybe, on these costumes for it to only be five people that recognize. But you might also strike out a lot of conversations, people coming up to you and saying what exactly are you wearing. So I think it could be a plus either way. Now you've already alluded to Erin, with one of the incredible customers in Ren Disney World as Cloppy Kutter, and I think, if everybody has likely seen her well, should check her out on Instagram. Cause again incredible costumes. But what other costumes have you guys seen that you think are unique or that you've enjoyed, or other costumers that have that kind of inspire you both?
Speaker 6:Oh gosh, well, we have to. We wouldn't be very good friends if we shout out our friends Tara and Kristen, who are running with makeup and minimally terrific. They go for comedy, they go for a lot of duo stuff and a lot of group things. Ps, so fun to run Disney grace in a group costume, but we do love them. And then Erin what are your favorites?
Speaker 5:Um, I mean a lot of people have been stepping up their game. You know, we talk about this game, game recognizes game and now there's just like so many people that are just stepping up their game, like, oh my gosh, like like I should have done that, I should have thought of that. So many people have just are exceeding expectations.
Speaker 6:I would say like yeah, mike Bercelli and his wife Monica, no Mindy.
Speaker 5:Mike and Mindy Bercelli, and you know I mean Mindy, always has like fantastic costumes. You know she was featured, as you know she was the Fiti from one of the races and they used her image running on Christmas cheer and her husband, tasha, and her husband, you know they dressed up as in Kanto last year and then they were, you know, the face of wine and dine this year. This year, my friend Tony, you know he, always he at first, you know, started like letting his daughter choose the costumes and so like he, you know like, would base his costumes based on what Natalie, his daughter, would you know, would choose and you know it's he makes some great costumes. It was like figment, skunk figment this year.
Speaker 1:Oh gosh, I don't know if I think I must have missed it, but okay.
Speaker 5:And yeah, you know, that's just everyone's stepping up their game, and I love it. Now we've got to step up even more.
Speaker 1:Oh goodness, I don't even know what that means. Are you guys going to have like? Is it going to be like a Tron ride? Or are you guys actually thinking of electronics involved in some of these costumes? Well, you don't have to give away all your details. I'd love to know, though, now, with Run Disney bringing back races to Disneyland finally and Disneyland I feel like is would you guys consider it both your home park versus Walt Disney World?
Speaker 6:I would because we're in my.
Speaker 5:What's the funny thing is I find myself yeah, I mean, we are on the West coast, but I found myself going to like Disney World more often, but I do consider it my home park.
Speaker 1:So what are you guys most excited about with Disneyland?
Speaker 6:coming back though, Gosh everything To be able to run. A lot of people love Disneyland. It's my home park because that's where my childhood memories are, so of course that's why we go to Disney to connect with those. And I think a lot of people are going to connect with the fact that Walt walked in that park and that was really where his artwork and his touches. So people, I think we all get really emotional when we run Disney races If we're a Disney fan and I think a lot of tears will be shed running down Main Street at Disneyland for sure excited to see that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, I know I definitely shed a tear or two. I still get emotional going to Magic Kingdom here and Walt Disney World, so I can't even imagine at Disneyland. What about you, Erin? What are you most excited about with Walt, with Disneyland? I?
Speaker 5:think, with Disneyland, it's just gonna bring a whole new well, bring back a whole bunch of people that haven't done Run Disney, because flying from the West Coast to East Coast is not economical if you're especially doing a perfect season, and I know a lot of people would love to do a Run Disney race but they'll still have the means to go all the way to Florida. So bringing it back to Disneyland, yeah, it's gonna bring some of the people back, some people that haven't run a race since 2017, I know my cousins they're the ones that got me into Run Disney. They haven't been able to do a Run Disney race and Disneyland is back now and now. They weren't able to get into the one in January, but we all wanna do the Halloween one in September. So that's gonna be exciting just for my family, just to be able to do Run Disney again and not travel far. Just in one hour flight from here.
Speaker 1:Now I'm wondering from a costuming standpoint, since you don't have to deal with, I would assume, shipping or trying to check your luggage for your costume does that mean that you guys are planning in a more extravagant costume for Disneyland?
Speaker 6:Christine, how dare you ask that? We're not supposed to give you our secrets. But you are correct, for distance means larger costumes. Aaron and I are working on some really big ones for the finale, because it will be I'm doing. We're both doing Dopey to Dumbo, which is crazy, crazy to crazy, and we have a finale costume for the half marathon at Disneyland, both of us that we're working on.
Speaker 1:So oh my goodness. Now I think that if folks decide to follow you guys on Instagram which of course they will do you guys give any kind of behind the scenes. I feel like you kind of hint at some of the fun stuff coming up.
Speaker 5:I definitely do Like some stuff, like the Lounge Play stuff I want to keep under wraps. You know as much as.
Speaker 1:I can.
Speaker 5:But, like I know, like my current costumes, I'm like so excited to post about them. I'm like, ah, I just see them. I'm like this looks cute. I think I did great. I think I did great in making this. I'm going to post it right now.
Speaker 1:I get excited about stuff like that too and I don't want to hold back.
Speaker 1:So of course, we're going to have an episode notes where people can follow you, but it's at Null Runnings for Aaron, at King Charming Fred for Fred here, and so I feel like there's there's a little bit of hints going on, friends. So I think that if you really do want to find out what this finale costume is going to be and you can't make it to Disneyland because it's, of course, sold out already you definitely want to check out their, their pages there Now before I let you guys go. I have a thousand questions and I could probably keep you guys on forever because truly, you guys are both a wealth of knowledge on so many aspects of run Disney costuming, club run Disney and, of course, the parks itself. But I am curious if you guys want to share a few more of your wisdom over the years that you have gleaned on maybe some challenges that people should take into consideration when tackling run Disney, if their first timers maybe they've done some traveling or this is just their first experience any kind of wisdom that you want to share, fred?
Speaker 6:Yeah, just that you sound so silly, but you can do it. I, like I said, have never run before in my life. I came to watch Aaron in a race and I saw people run by me that were all shapes and sizes and abilities and I literally had a moment where I was like I can do this. I've never been a team sports person, I don't know how to even watch sports, but I all of a sudden became an athlete because I was doing it on my own and I was. I was really getting to hit my own goals. So don't be scared to do it. It is more fun than a whole jar of pickles, and for me that's a lot of fun because I love pickles yeah me too, I would very much encourage.
Speaker 6:And then you meet friends. I mean, aaron and I will be friends for life because we just have shared so many experiences together, and that's really what it's all about.
Speaker 1:Oh, I love that, Aaron. How about you? What kind of advice would you give to somebody who's embarking on their first friend Disney experience?
Speaker 5:Make sure, make sure that whatever you're wearing, whether it's, you know, regular running attire or if it's a elaborate costume make sure that the costume is able to withstand either you know running like whatever pace that you're running. Because sometimes you know, like I will say, and I tell you an example, like when I was running in, you know, the, you know the springtime, oh no, during this race, wine and dine, my lounge fly costume, I was running with a lot of fast people. I was, when I stress test my costume. I was, you know, just a light jog, you know, you know very slow. And then I ran with these fast people for like the first six miles and then bam, so it fell apart, but I was able to just hold it, hold it together for the other, you know, seven. So, yeah, make sure, make sure your costume is ready for the type of running that you're, that you're planning to do.
Speaker 1:So I'm hearing either test out your costume fully for all conditions and also have clean underwear on is what I'm hearing Speaking of underwear?
Speaker 5:Also make sure that your costumes you can go to the bathroom and to easily You're not going to leave us and just with the undergarments Are you, which is a very practical advice.
Speaker 1:We must, we must know how to use the Porto potty in our costume. That'll be the theme of our next one.
Speaker 6:Before we leave in on the topic of Porto bodies.
Speaker 1:Let's let's flip it back for a little bit. What's a must do activity that you guys think that people should plan for? A run Disney specific weekend?
Speaker 6:Want to say that the metal photos you've seen them all over and they are so important because they they're just something you cherish for life. So make sure you you plan on where you're going to take those and what's the best background and all of that. What are we pointing to Erin? Before Erin you finish, before Erin you pop in?
Speaker 1:I want to know, fred, where's your favorite location? And take those metal photos.
Speaker 6:Oh, erin and I did the Italian Pavilion at Epidemic Italian Pavilion, at Epcot and World Showcase and it, honestly, it looked like we had run the Rome marathon and we were just taking our metal photos afterwards. It was great, wasn't it, erin?
Speaker 5:Yeah, definitely capture your moment If that's something that you want with your metals. You get what? 30 minutes right With a photo pass, disney Photo Pass photographer, and you know you get to choose your location depending on your park, and then you know you, just you take photos like a model.
Speaker 1:Ooh, living like the real Instagram life kind of a thing. I dig it. Okay, that's super awesome. So is that your go-to experience that you would recommend for a run Disney person, for somebody coming for run Disney weekend?
Speaker 5:Me, my, my recommendation is, especially for those of doing the marathon if you are at a good pace, ride the rides. You know, like you know, the first time I did run Disney did the dopey. I was solely focused on not dying and you know I just ignored the rides. But you know this, last, last year, I was able to, you know, go at a pace that was very comfortable and you know, not slow, and you know I was able to do, like you know, expedition Everest. They let you in through the single rider line and if you're running they just, you know, have like the first two carts and then they just pack, pack you all in real quick, ride the ride and you're done. And you know that's like for any ride that's on the course, during the marathon course and if the park's open. So definitely do that.
Speaker 6:I want to be used someday, Erin, because I'm not fast enough to ride there. I swear to the balloon ladies, but one day that's. My goal is to be fast enough so I can ride the teacups.
Speaker 1:See, this is what makes me like love run Disney is that our goal isn't necessarily, for most of us isn't like Boston qualifying or even really big PRs. It's mostly about just getting fast enough to either get a better corral so that we can ride more rides or take more pictures with characters. So we learned so much from you guys. Mainly, what I'm hearing is clean undies because my costume may fall apart. Have a lot of fun, make tons of memories and then get a photo pass photographer to capture those memories afterwards. Does that sound about right?
Speaker 5:Yeah, I'm sure there's more.
Speaker 1:But I want to thank you both so much Again. Friends, check out episode notes. You want to follow both of these fabulous fly guys because they definitely have some really fun stuff coming on up that you want to be in the loop for. So thank you guys. Friends, I have to tell you I have a little bit of a confession to make. I fancied myself once upon a time a fabulous costume runner until I met the lounge fly guys. I also don't actually own a lounge fly, so I feel like I need to add that into my to-do list. But, friends, we are excited to continue this conversation. Bring in these incredible guests and for our brave souls that are out there getting ready to tackle the dopey challenge or you're dreaming about it we are bringing back our seasoned dopey runner, who has been running it since its very inception, ready to share all of her experiences, her advice, from the first mile to how to schedule everything in between, all the way to the finish line. Can't wait to chit chat with our perfectly dopey friend.
Speaker 4:All right, everybody, get ready to get inspired. Get our joys as we welcome back to the brunch table the Queen of Endurance, the epitome of dopey dedication, trisha carbone, also known as perfectly dopey in every sense of the word. She's not just any marathon runner even though just in marathon I feel like doesn't really go in the same sentence but she is a relentless adventurer who's turned Walt Disney World Marathon dopey challenge into basically her own personal playground. So welcome back, trisha. We are so excited to have you.
Speaker 7:Thanks me too. It's always exciting to be here and then, especially this time of the year, getting ready for dopey. I'm excited to talk about it.
Speaker 4:Did you ever think that you would be so like in tune with one of the most lovable seven dwarfs that there is?
Speaker 7:I never expected that. I thought probably maybe I'd be like sleepy or happy, but or sneezing.
Speaker 4:I mean after the four days.
Speaker 7:You do get a mix of all of them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the only one that's missing is Hungry.
Speaker 4:He's the eighth one we don't talk about.
Speaker 1:He's definitely a really important one, and when we want to talk about that as we go into this final week before folks endeavor on their official perfectly dopey or their own first dopey challenge. So Tricia right out of the gate. For folks that maybe possibly are not 100% as to what is this dopey challenge we speak of, can you give us a little bit of insight as to what it is?
Speaker 7:So it started with the first year in 2014. Prior to that, ron Disney had the marathon, and then they added the goofy challenge, which was doing the half marathon on Saturday, and then the marathon on Sunday, and then 2014,. They added the dopey challenge, which included the 5K Thursday, the 10K Friday, and then the half and the full Saturday Sunday. So four days of running, 48.6 miles total, and not much sleep, as we're getting owed to sleepy bear.
Speaker 1:Yeah, with a whole lot of medals to go with it. This has become like a bucket list for a lot of folks.
Speaker 7:Yeah, I think so, because you get the six medals and six shirts with that as well, and you get the Six days of soreness after.
Speaker 4:Is this a 12 days equivalent of Disney? I feel like you get six and you get a lot of soreness after. But I love how you first start off with the swag Like slow playing it yeah, it's 48 and change miles. But you get six shiny medals Like don't, Don't, Wait, there's more.
Speaker 1:So you are officially perfectly dopey because since you tackled the initial inaugural year in 2014, you have gone off, and last year, when we had you on, it was your 10th year. And now you've decided you're just going to continue to extend this until indefinite time, until you decide that you're not going to any longer. But you'll be going on your 11th year of the dopey challenge, correct?
Speaker 7:That's correct, and I think it's a little bit easier for me because during these past 11 years I've lived in Orlando, so it hasn't been as much of a cost. Like, yes, the signing up for the races is a cost, but I haven't had the expense of the hotel and I could manage it a little bit more just depending on how much I wanted to buy the expo or Right but.
Speaker 4:Is that the dumbo in the room that we live in Orlando? So you don't have to. You don't have to pay the hotel fee, which that in itself is a marathon of epic proportions, especially coming from me who does not like making plans that far in advance. You definitely need to, which we'll get into all of the actual prep of dopey, but focusing first and foremost for getting the swag, for getting all the sparkle. That 48.6 miles. What does that training look like for you, especially since you are very versed in covering that type of distance?
Speaker 7:I think in the early years it was difficult. I started following the Galloway plan that was written and recommended on the Run Disney website and I did that for a few years. I think I did that through 2017 or 2018 and then I switched to the Hal Higdon plan because I thought that suited me a little bit better. But in reality it's a lot of miles and I think the key point is to do back to back days of running and just force yourself. However difficult it is to say I ran yesterday, I need to get up and run again today. A lot of the plans do start off slow, with maybe two days in a row and then three days in a row, and they'll have what people call the simulation week, where you do actually run like four days in a row. Especially as a new runner, that can be a lot to put your body through.
Speaker 1:So I'm glad that you mentioned that. Obviously, you mentioned that it's evolved and you've utilized what was available to you and clearly you mentioned it the first time and we'll definitely link that as well. The first time we chatted with you, there really wasn't anything like that in terms of training specifically for Dopey at the time when you tackled it. So your training has evolved. What would you say that, outside of running and the simulation weeks, you would suggest to somebody who is newly considering this as to what they should consider adding in as part of their training as well?
Speaker 7:I think, outside of running, one of the biggest challenges if you're, you know whatever else you have going on in your life I think one of the biggest challenges with running that many days is just organization. So I would really recommend things like meal prep, looking at fueling for your runs and hydration, a lot of practice with what you're going to wear during the runs, because anything can happen in Florida hot, cold, rain and you just want to be familiar with the types of clothes that you're wearing, all that stuff. But I think for me, like you know, one of the things that helps the most having a busy life is definitely meal prep and planning, because running that many miles, you're going to be hungry all the time.
Speaker 1:Again that eighth dwarf that we definitely have to plan for, I guess, coach Shelby, I feel like if Dwarf hungry, maybe like Bruno, we don't talk about it very much, but we all know he's there.
Speaker 4:Poor Bruno, Poor Bruno. Every time poor Bruno is brought up like I feel like he just needs his own standing race. Dopey got one, why not Bruno?
Speaker 1:Oh girl, now we're talking about like that would be the best race ever, but besides that, what's going to be the best race right here and now is this dopey challenge. So in this time of 11 years, you nailed it, trisha. Our Florida weather is incredibly, incredibly unpredictable, even within a span of 24 hours, so you had to have potentially encountered some of the weirdness that happens over that timeframe. Can you give us ideas as to what people who are going into this weekend might potentially consider they should have on hand, or they should double check that they pack it before they leave?
Speaker 7:I like to plan outfits that are layered, so you can always add things on or take things away. So, even if it's not a costume, like if I'm going to wear what I'm most comfortable in is like a tank top for running, but then I'll also bring sleeves. And if I'm going to have shorts, well, I need a compression sock to go with it, but then maybe also a lower sock in case it's too hot. So I try to plan an outfit that has multiple possibilities and then I can add on more. Like you can always add more layers, but a lot of people don't think about the fact that Florida, especially the past few years, has just been so hot in January and it's more about taking off the layers. I also think it's like burlesque.
Speaker 4:It literally is like burlesque Disney. Like be prepared to be super conservative but then realize that a moment's notice, you're going to have to literally drop it. Like it's probably really freaking hot.
Speaker 1:But please don't take it down to pasties, because you will be escorted off by the run Disney police.
Speaker 4:Christine knows this by experience. Don't let her fool you. Oh my goodness.
Speaker 1:Okay, so you nailed it on the. We've talked about the hungry dwarf and Neil Prep being in, neil planning for folks that are going into this final week. What are suggestions that you have about what should they be considering? Nutrition wise, hydration wise, or even adding in sleep to this week, where they're already a little anxious, maybe not sleeping well?
Speaker 7:Yeah, definitely Sleep is important and I think just with the early wakeups so many days in a row you're not going to get a lot of sleep.
Speaker 7:But if I've tried different strategies, like progressively getting up earlier and earlier as it leads into that week, and it does help a little bit because then you're tired earlier and you can get to bed For me I think the hardest day is Wednesday with the expo and then getting home still trying to have a dinner and then get to bed when you may not be as exhausted because you haven't had like a 2am wake up yet. But same thing with the if you are local you have that advantage where you can prep a lot of food for that whole week, because there's just not a lot of time, like even seeing people post in different run Disney groups. I was shocked to see one of the threads where, like I don't know, 20 people posted yeah, I go to work. I go to work because I thought I was the only one doing that, but a lot of people do and you're going to have to run home, shower, have food ready, eat it and then get to work. So planning and prepping is really the key.
Speaker 4:Well, and I would say the same for people coming in too, as much as people come, because a lot of people do use this as a vacation you really do have to have a plan in advance, like, okay, are we going to have a reservation here? Are these going to be the days that we're going to have these quicker dinners? Maybe go to the local supermarket, grab food to bring back to your hotel room or your rental or what have you, and maybe not take my approach and be all willy nilly. So that's a good point for both ends of the spectrum.
Speaker 1:I like both of these conversations, both Patricia and Shelby, because now what you guys are making me think of, what would you suggest, trisha, of the folks that are coming to town with family for a vacation, in terms of the discussion they may want to have about the boundaries of what they will need? Because I think that there maybe is a little bit of an expectation of wanting to still explore everything and fit it all in during the day. Of course, you're at the theme park, at the happiest place on earth, so how do you have a conversation? Do you have you heard of how people should have those conversations about? Like, look, I'm going to be going to bed at six o'clock every evening. I know that doesn't sound fun, but that's what I'm intending to do while I'm here.
Speaker 7:I haven't had to have it myself so I can't say how difficult it may be if you do have a significant other and children who are expecting that vacation. But I think you just have to be clear with them of what the timeline is Like. You're waking up at 2am and you're going to be doing this race at least like Friday, thursday, friday. You may be back at the room by like 7am, but then you're going to be hungry and you have to eat and fuel for the next day. So do they want to have breakfast with you? Are you going to go to the park? Maybe just for the morning or a little bit in the afternoon?
Speaker 7:That is, it's definitely a challenge with the parks because you don't want to be on your feet that much extra during these days. Like you need to be resting. Are people going to do it, of course, like that's why they signed up to come and have a Disney vacation. We're not going to say like it's the don't do it, but just be realistic. Like you said with the boundaries, yeah, you might need a 435 o'clock dinner and then you're going back to the room while they go to the fireworks or something.
Speaker 1:So maybe get ready to have a little bit of foam out and to also have that clear communication and that plan, and before you get here, so that it could avoid added stress of trying to do it all. But I am curious, trisha, for folks that are here and they're staying at the resorts. We've talked, we've heard a lot like you've mentioned in the rent Disney groups and we know that we would highly suggest that people plan for a non park day, if at all possible, the day that they kind of hang and chill a little bit closer to the resort, maybe take advantage of the pool or the amenities. What day, and dopey, do you think is the perfect day for them to plan? Should it be the 5K day? Should it be the marathon day, half marathon? What day is their day that they should really consider kind of just using those amenities, staying close to home, resting up a little bit more and maybe skipping a bit more of the parks?
Speaker 7:It's probably the half marathon day, because you'll finish a little bit later and then you really just want to stay off your feet, but you're going to have the marathon the next day and you don't want to be putting that much stress on yourself. I know, if I was younger, I've considered the fact of just trying to like hold an all nighter. So maybe there's like some really dopey people out there who are thinking like, yeah, we're here at Disney, we could just stay up through the night and then be there for the 5am, start, run the race and go back and pass out the rest of the day.
Speaker 4:It can also be like when you get done with the races have like a quick breakfast, get some fuel in you so you can start that recovery.
Speaker 4:Maybe you do the parks in the morning and maybe you go back towards lunchtime or that early afternoon. Maybe you go take a nap while they bring them to the pool or do some of those activities so you're not missing out on those park memories and you're still taking care of yourself but making sure that the kids are taken care of, they have a good time. So don't sleep on maybe taking that afternoon nap I know that we did it for springtime surprise and it was a game changer and it takes a little bit of the stress off of trying to get so much sleep in the evening portion. Again, maybe that gives you the extra little liberty to have that six o'clock dinner and then they can go off so you don't feel like you're missing the bigger moments. Especially if this is a big vacation that you guys have been planning for a lot of time. I feel like the pool can kind of be like the gimme.
Speaker 1:Yeah, fantastic. So I am also curious. I think, that what I hear a lot is trepidation of people going into this If this is their first time, or maybe even if it's their 10th or 11th time. Maybe not quite as much trepidation, but there's always a little bit of trepidation, or maybe training didn't go as well as we hoped. Whatever the case may be, what would you suggest to people in terms of their mindset, or what kind of mental motivating tricks should they would you suggest they use for this four day adventure?
Speaker 7:I think positive mindset can go a long way. It's not always easy. I know I had a lot of challenges this fall when I was training for Chicago and you could definitely get in your own head. But if you can stay positive and just tell yourself you know you're going to get there, put one foot in front of the other, you know whatever mantra you need to tell yourself, like this is the day I get to run, you know I have this opportunity and so many people don't. I've been looking forward to it. I just stay positive about it and go out and do your best.
Speaker 7:If you have to slow down, slow down like there's. You know there's a lot of encouragement along the courses, even in the sections that may not get the most exciting reputation, like Disney does try to bring out some characters there and they try, especially the half in the fold marching bands, cheer groups. So you know, just take it all in, enjoy the weekend, like, try to relax about it and take that pressure off of yourself so you can be positive. You know, find a friend, maybe like someone, just to like, keep you motivated.
Speaker 4:Even if you don't have a friend, you'll find one on those courses. I will say I have never had so many connections with people during a race that I've had with Disney, and now you talked about, like the not so glamorous parts of the race course. One thing that's really fun, that I'm super jealous of, that you've gotten to do while you ran this particular weekend you actually got to do a ride during Dopey. Can you tell us about that a little bit, because that to me, like it, sparks so much joy.
Speaker 7:Yeah, this past year in 2023, I actually did two rides because I had. That was during the marathon and a couple of years ago they did change the marathon course. So the miles through Animal Kingdom come a little bit later in the course and just with the timing of when I started. When I got there in prior years Everest had not been open, but then this year I saw it was open and I was with a friend who side story later maybe but I was with a friend and we were like, oh, yeah, let's do Everest.
Speaker 7:So they're just like waving you right on to the ride. They know that the runners want to do it, it's maybe a not so secret thing, but they wave you in, you come out, you get your photo and then you keep going. And we went through Hollywood Studios and Tower of Terror. Same thing they're waving you in, yeah, let's go Tower of Terror. So we did that one. And then she went on test track in Epcot, but it was too close to the finish and I just kind of wanted to get to that finish line at that point.
Speaker 4:So I didn't want to test it out.
Speaker 1:I didn't want to test it. Oh, so I do have a question about the rides. How do you get your photos? Did you have to tap like your photo pass card?
Speaker 7:Maybe I can't remember if I was wearing the magic band. I must have been wearing pro tip.
Speaker 4:Take it anyway, because you never know when you're gonna whip that out and use that. Yeah, you never know.
Speaker 1:That's what we're going to suggest. Folks Go ahead and wear your magic band dust in case, because I'm sure there is some magical pixie dust of facial recognition technology, but maybe not. So let's go ahead and just plan. If you really do what those photos of taking your photo or taking a ride during a marathon that is one of the things that I think really does stand out with Disney and that's why it's become such a big bucket list item. What are some of the practical tips that you would have for folks that maybe are considering going out there because you have PR'd on one of the courses? Would you say this is a good weekend to tackle PR's, which you can consider suggesting more of a conservative approach? Or how would you have people tackle it in terms of the 5K, 10k and saving that energy up for that big marathon to finish it up?
Speaker 7:I have never tried to PR the 5K or the 10K, but that could just be because it's not a typical distance that I'll try to PR. So usually my strategy would be to take those ones pretty easy and relaxed, just like conversation pace photo here and there. I did realize yesterday I think I only have one photo from the 2015 5K, so I don't know what happened there. It must have been running to work in a hurry because I said I'll stop for one photo and then get out of here but try to take those pretty conservative, and then usually I'll take the half, also conservative again try and either run, walk or conversation pace running with photo stops.
Speaker 7:And then a couple of years I have tried to pick up the pace for the marathon and I think it was 2019, I got a PR in the marathon and then this year the weather for the half was really good and I was just like, well, you know my friend who's really faster than me. He was in the corral with me and he's like, yeah, let's just go for it, you can do it, and he was like really encouraging. So we did race or I race. It might have been too easy for him, but we raced and I PR'd on the half, but then I was so sore the next day. So unless it's something you really think you're prepared for, I would not recommend that. I'm going back to the original tried and true strategy this year. But he PR'd the marathon the next day. So to each their own pace is really.
Speaker 1:Right, right, absolutely. I do wholeheartedly agree with that. It's like we have a bit of a conversation here where we're talking about minding your own plate.
Speaker 4:you can mind your own pace as well, like just you, do you and what works for you, you can do a nice speed walk, feel good and be able to still enjoy the scenery, because again there are going to be time constraints, that are going to be a little bit tighter going into the other days. So just take it slow, use it to help go through, like the seven dwarves of emotions and realize that, like you said in the beginning, Christine, like oh, I actually did do this, like we're going to make it happen.
Speaker 1:Yeah, which is actually going to be my next question, trisha. So what about the folks that they're still on the fence? This sounds exciting. They definitely think that Everest on a marathon after doing four days is what they want for their lives. It's a big bucket list but they're still. They're just, they're a little fearful, they're a little filled with dread as to actually point the trigger of trying to gain their own dopey bib. What would you suggest for those folks in terms of should they go after it at a specific time? Do they need to kind of like address something in their lives before they go ahead and make this happen?
Speaker 7:I think it's good to have some half marathon under your belt. You know I had done dopey also as my first marathon, so I can't really say, yeah, you definitely need to have a marathon first, but you need it's probably good to have experience with Run Disney before you do dopey. That would be the one thing I would say. Don't do dopey as your first Run Disney just because it's so overwhelming. Do one of like the two or three day races, like you know, princess or Wine and Dine or Springtime can be a good warmup to see if you do like that multi-day endurance activity.
Speaker 1:Right, and for folks that maybe don't have the ability to do that, you could try your own little mini simulation where you may have a local race that has it falls on a Saturday and then another local race on a Sunday. See if you actually enjoy the fact of getting up early for both, that mental preparation that goes into it, the fact that you're not able to necessarily rest as much as you would normally or party as much and celebrate as much as you would normally after that first race is done. So I think that's a great idea. I love the fact that you're also suggesting that, yes, everything is possible, but maybe spending a bit more time in building a really solid foundation before tackling this will help you to feel stronger for that dopey challenge weekend. So, of course, you have quite a few other foundations under your belt and achievements under your belt, so tell us how you tackle some of these other goals, because I feel like you've got really some fun and the work for 2024.
Speaker 7:Yeah, I think a lot of it is just knowing how much you can do and kind of when to say no, because, especially as I've met more people, everyone's like sign up for this, sign up for that. And around this time of year I've really learned from prior mistakes just keep things simple and don't sign up for everything. So I am signed up for celebration half marathon in January and then after that I have Rome, italy, as a full marathon in March. So it's around the time of my birthday and I really wanna go back to Italy. So try to mix in some fun.
Speaker 7:I've been working on the world marathon majors but, as we all know, it's not so easy to get in. If you're just kind of like the average pace person so halfway there and have my fingers crossed for this London drawing, but if I don't, there's so much other stuff to do. Like we were talking about things that might be good entry or trial points for dopey. Like everyone's talking about flying pigs in May and I know they have a two day challenge.
Speaker 7:Cape Cod, massachusetts has the Chowdhut challenge for Shelby. I know we have a lot of pronunciation issues that come up, so I thought I had Boston one out there, but yeah, there's some other challenges out there. Everybody has tons of suggestions for things to do. I know some friends just got into Chicago and you don't go cheer them on do the 5K there. It's like there's just so much and I don't wanna be limited by the fact that I do dopey every year, but it is kind of it is one of those things Like you wanna be trained for it and you wanna be feeling strong and healthy and I think you don't wanna over extend yourself.
Speaker 1:I think that's a pretty powerful statement for the record in terms of everything, not just running, but like truly learning our limitations of not our limitations, I should say, but what makes us feel the best. And saying no sometimes is exactly what we need to help us really prioritize what is most exciting for us. So, with that said, what's really most exciting for us is food, and you kind of already nailed on it. You talked about Rome, you talked about Boston and Machauda. Now I definitely want like a, some kind of a clam chowder, especially since we're getting, I don't know, unseasonably cold 60 degrees around here. So tell us more about. We know your team's savory, like a hundred percent I think you may have like. Maybe occasionally you may dabble over to team's sweep. You're definitely team's savory for the most part.
Speaker 4:We're bagel sisters, don't get it twisted. I totally are. I know that for a fact.
Speaker 1:What's your best go-to savory food or restaurant recommendation that you feel somebody that's coming to world Walt does in your world for this weekend should experience.
Speaker 7:I don't yeah, I don't know if this is just a Florida place, but first watch is really good for brunch because it depends what time you go, but I think you can usually get breakfast or like lunch options and they do have sweet and savory so you can get, like you know, sweet huge pancakes or you can get some savory skillets, and a lot of their stuff is pretty fresh and you know you can you know what you're eating. I think that's one of the most important things during that weekend is don't eat anything new. Like just if you know something is gonna bother your stomach, don't eat it. I'm lactose intolerant, so I really do have to like be careful with what I'm eating, especially at restaurants and in new places. But that's one of the restaurants I've found, like if you say I want to skill it without cheese, like they're pretty good about serving.
Speaker 4:I will say on my list I want. Talking about not going to restaurants, you don't know, but if I'm coming I want to try and I still have yet to try Chef Art Smith's homecoming in Disney, downtown Disney, disney Springs. I'll always call it Downtown Disney, that seems I will say too. Going to what you said about like dietary, I feel like as much as people do try to shy away sometimes from the crowds and everything, most of the places, either on Disney property or on one of the offshoots, are very good about figuring out the dietary restrictions. So I even I'm a vegetarian or pescetarian, whatever you want to call it, and even being at the resort I found it very easy and very seamless to find those different dietary needs. So for those again traveling into, but I do like FirstWatch, FirstWatch is top notch.
Speaker 1:I love FirstWatch as well, so definitely that's a great one, if you guys didn't make your food reservations and you're figuring out where to go celebrate.
Speaker 1:Definitely look at adding that in as to how close it may be on property. Well, with that said, trisha, we are super, super, super excited to have you and thank you so much for sharing all of your knowledge, because I feel like there's so many great things that people can walk away from here, from doing more of a time shifter type strategy to helping with those early wakeups, all the way to remembering that, although they're there to have a great time, that there still is practicing a bit of restraint and maybe not having all of the Mickey shaped foods, and so at least you're done with that marathon if you're tackling Dopey that weekend. So really great knowledge here. Thank you so much for coming on. We love having you. You're welcome anytime at brunch and can't wait to see you at Dopey this year.
Speaker 7:Yay, thank you guys so much, and if you want more tips, I am posting them on my Instagram for the next upcoming countdown to Dopey here. Just follow me at perfectlydopey for these little countdown tips and things, and you can always ask me more questions too. Happy to share and encourage everybody.
Speaker 1:And you guys should be following her anyway, because talk about just year round tons of great information and tons of inspiration, because usually I'm still sleeping when you're already running and then getting up in the morning and seeing all of your incredible runs Definitely puts an extra pep on my step to get out there for my running. So thank you so much and, of course, thank you again for Trisha, for giving us all a little extra pep in our step and encouraging all of you that are tackling at Dopey or looking to get registered here soon. Now. We've heard every single one of our guests mention over and over again that the Run Disney community has something a little extra magical.
Speaker 1:So, last but certainly not least, we are excited to welcome in our final guest for this brunch episode that was jam packed with so much goodies, and this individual is going to share with us not just about the Run Disney community and how to navigate some of the details from Race Morning to Expo. I feel that he also is gonna show us what the joy and camaraderie and this unique running experience is all about. And, my friends, he's bringing a few of his running buddies. So, to all of our listeners, we wanna remind you before we bring in our guests, that whether this is your first Run Disney event, you're a season pro or you haven't registered yet, every step you take is an achievement. Let's welcome on in our next guest Friends. We are so excited to bring this guest to the brunch table because I feel that he embodies the spirit of perseverance, lots of creativity and absolutely the joy of movement. Dr Andrew Strickland, fondly known for those in the Run Disney community and beyond as puppet runner. Hello, andrew, thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 3:Hello there and hello everyone.
Speaker 1:I have to ask you what inspired you to take the plunge into the Run Disney event world.
Speaker 3:So Disney, disney was a love of mine long before running, and I've spent a year, took me a long time to actually make it to Disney to run a race. The races just always hit at horrible times for me, with my theater season, then with my teaching schedule. I just didn't make it and I finally said, okay, I gotta make it down to one. It's never going to be convenient, it's not gonna happen, so, but I love that place, I gotta get down there and do it. And so I think it was in 2008,. I finally made it down there, was able to run the 5K it was the Family Safari 5K.
Speaker 3:It was through Animal Kingdom, it was a trip and then I ran the Full Marathon. It was my third marathon, something like that, and it was as magical as ever. It's changed a good bit over the years, but I was hooked. I ran it in costume I mean, I'm a theater person, of course, and it's Disney, of course I'm in a costume. I ran it dressed as Tigger and I started to get my first taste of what the Run Disney community was like. And I was hooked and I've been coming back since.
Speaker 1:I have to say, of all the characters, I feel like Tigger has a really special place because for you specifically, you have such an exuberant joyful energy when I think of Tigger that it feels like that was a very natural costume for your first trip out. But what makes Run Disney now stand out from all the other races that you've done? Again, as a marathon maniac, you've done them all pretty much, so how does it stand out as a running event from all the others?
Speaker 3:It is. To me, it is the definition of event running it is. There is something happening from the second you hit property to the time you leave. The races are so filled.
Speaker 3:But for me it's the community that has developed. It is a full running community in itself. It has different traditions, different customs and people can be in other places, but there's a whole different set of rules and expectations and sort of mental focus for, I think, for doing a Disney race, and it's a place where, I think, more people who do their first race, a lot of people, their first and last race, you know, they check it off the list and they move on. There's those who meant it to be their first and only, and there's just something about the community, the way Run Disney works, that it just draws people back and I think that's the big difference for those folks who may not think of themselves as a runner, may not? You know, that's not their number one things they identify as, but it's something they've always wanted to do or they thought well, what kind of person does that? Could I do that? I think there's no better place for that than run Disney events.
Speaker 1:That's something that we're hearing from all of our guests, specifically on Run Disney. And since the community, it's the community, yet everybody leaves feeling that sense of belonging, that sense of community, and starting to maybe even change their identity or how they perceive themselves. That's, I think, what truly makes it magical.
Speaker 3:I tell people before they, if they're not familiar with Run Disney, especially if they're runners I tell them to go into a Run Disney race looking for what you want to get out of it and understand that other people are going to be looking for something different. And that's something I really try to encourage through social media and talking to people during races. To you know, don't get frustrated because these people want to run, walk and take pictures with 10 characters. That's awesome, right? You know, if you want to do a very focused pace and you know in PR, you can do that but allow those awesome people who have a different focus and a different goal for the race to enjoy it.
Speaker 1:What sticks out to you is something that folks may need to know going into their first Run Disney weekend.
Speaker 3:It's huge. That's probably the first thing. If you're not familiar with Disney property, you're not ready for how big Disney property is. It's ginormous and it's going to be a race with. Depending on the race that you're doing, it's going to be from 10 to 20,000 people doing it. That's a lot of people to get a packet. It's a lot of people to line up. It's a lot of people to get on a bus. Now, the good thing is, nobody handles a zillion people better than Disney. That's what they do, that is their. That's their 24 hour a day gig is dealing with a bunch of people. But that also means you're going to do it the Disney way, which means picking up your packet isn't going to be showing up the morning of the race and going to a table. It's going to be coming there at least a day before and running the gauntlet.
Speaker 3:That is ESPN wide world of sports and I love that place. I was, but I remember my first marathon and I've been at Disney a ton, but I've never been there. I've seen pictures and I went in and my jaw dropped. You think I would be used to the size of Disney after decades there, looked around, going this place is huge and then realizing and it wasn't, it wasn't even in as many buildings then as it is now. But I said, okay, I have to go to this arena to pick up this. And then, in this arena, I pick up this, but then there's some other vendors that are in the baseball stadium which they were at that time.
Speaker 3:And if you were, if, if you weren't prepared for that? I mean, you get information and the information tells you what you do, but you just don't get the scale. You don't realize that you're going to park in a huge parking lot and you're going to walk a long way before you get to a gate and you're going to walk a long way to the back of the of the buildings before you find stop one in the in the run Disney packet pickup gauntlet. And it's not, it's a. It's not a bad experience. It usually, unless you're there right at the very beginning, it usually flows great. Again, disney moves people like no one else. It's a pleasant experience, but it is a whole experience. It's not too different than if you, you know, run one of the other major rate. If you go, you'll run peach tree in Atlanta. You know you're going to be there one of the days before the fourth of July, you're going to go to a convention center. You're going to go here for this and here for that. It's not that different, it's just big.
Speaker 1:I think you nailed it. It is a very on par with, like the major marathons or the major race day experiences. I think folks just don't expect it because they expect Disney to not have as much of those expo experiences, but it is. I actually would liken it to potentially your your first official shakeout of the race weekend, because you are going to be putting in three to four, maybe even five miles on your feet, depending where you get parked and how much you want to explore.
Speaker 3:There's a learning curve but there's also someone who's a, there's a cast member, every, you know, every 50 yards and you have. You have an amazing group of runners all around you that you can go up to anybody. And we do that. I've done this for people regularly. They go. I have no idea what I'm doing Like, come with me, my friend. Exactly I can pick up. I'm going there too.
Speaker 1:Here we go. I'll get you Exactly, absolutely. That's exactly what I was going to say. It's yes, is. The cast members are incredible and thank you so much to the volunteers and the cast members that make it possible for us to have these race weekends. The running community itself. If you just, if you're just willing to say, hey, where's the packet pickup or where's the shirt pickup, someone's going to probably go with you, take a photo with you, with one of the incredible photo pass photographers, which brings us to the next thing, of course. So we know, expo is pretty intense, but a wonderful experience. What would you say? How? Now we've got in our packet, we've picked that up, we're ready there. How does that translate to a first trimer going to their first race for the weekend? Maybe they're doing just the 5k, maybe they're doing a challenge. Whatever the case may be, what are some of the things that they should be prepared of for race day?
Speaker 3:In some ways it's like it's like races, like Boston, where you have to. You have to get yourself on a bus to get out to where the start line is. It's not. You can't drive and park and find a parking space. You know, five feet from the start line, here you go. It's probably going to be more complicated.
Speaker 3:You know, if you're in one of the Disney resorts, they're going to have transportation for you and it's good, you know it'll be. There'll be a bus waiting there at you know, two, something in the morning, three in the morning for you to hop on, and occasionally some buses going in weird directions, but most of the time they'll get you to that start line. There's a zillion buses to get you back. It's good. But then, but there's still, where does the bus come to my resort? Where do I? You know when's the last one going to be? So there's a lot of that. You can't drive to them, but that's also. There's a lot of roads closing and so it's a matter of okay, when does this road close? And that can be very frustrating. You're not used to the road closures, you're not used to property, but I mean you can park in a parking lot, but then you're probably going to have to walk. What'd you say? Three quarters of a mile, a mile?
Speaker 1:Yeah, about a mile is what I've clocked for the most part. So I would definitely say that in this conversation. I think what I would love folks to know going into it is that if they did not prepare for some extra time on their feet before and after those training runs, that they likely should at least prepare for getting some extra rest during those race weekends because they are going to have a bit more extra time on their feet, some extra mileage that they accumulate.
Speaker 3:I take whether it's the, if you take the bus there, you're still going to have to walk a considerable distance to go through security and get over to the area.
Speaker 3:There's just lots of there's lots of steps to go through. Hopefully that is my warmup. I usually do a warmup walk or warmup run before a race. I just count all the walking I'm going to do from the bus to the staging area and everywhere else as that. And then when you're preparing for the race, you saw like you go right to the start line. There's a massive, massive staging area. It's like a tense city, it's huge. And so you're trying to figure out where are the porta-potties? Well, there's 120 of them over there. Where's the packet pickup? Well, there's some big trucks over there that the stuff's going to go. So it's all there.
Speaker 3:But it's just again at a big scale but tons of people around, and I think runners in general are awesome people to talk to, no matter where you go. I have I have, whether it's Disney or or anywhere else I've ever I've ever run. I find that most runners are really helpful. Kind people Multiply that times about a hundred at a run Disney race. Now, for people who aren't used to talking, I tell a story regularly that I'm a bit of an introvert. That shocks everybody. But if it means you know, it means talking to someone I don't know or asking for help. Goodness gracious. That's not comfortable for me. Get used to talking to people that run Disney events. If that's not comfortable for you, break out of the shell, because you can turn left or right and there is someone who you can say okay, I have no clue, where do I go and I go. What?
Speaker 2:do you need to do and they'll take you there.
Speaker 3:You know they'll encourage you. You can be nervous before I I'm regular. I see people like looking super nervous before a race. I'll go up to them and go are you okay? You got this. You know this can be fine. You'll the the, the support system is there and the cast members are there, but your fellow runners are there, the volunteers are there. You are fine and you can. If you can't figure it out, they will figure it out for you. And so I would say don't let the scale intimidate you. And and it's, it's it just works out.
Speaker 1:It's fine, Andrew, but I love what you're saying here is you've given some incredible chips because you've talked about you're going to have some logistics that maybe you wouldn't have in your hometown 5K, 10K, half marathon, whatever the case may be.
Speaker 1:So you have to take into account maybe a little bit of extra time building it into expo building, a little bit of extra time for race morning. But the most invaluable thing that you've said here is that if you are not walking away with the opportunity to make a new bestie in that corral, then you didn't do the run Disney events correctly. You should at least strike up a quick conversation with your corral mates because you're going to be in there for some time. So let's get into some of that corral stuff because you've already hit on it. You're going to do a little bit of a warmup walk. You're going to get to this incredible staging area. I personally love the staging area to kind of help pump me up, wake me up a bit more, with all the great music and the DJs and the fun and the dance and seeing all the incredible costumes. But if we make our way into our corral, we're likely going to be there for a little bit. What kind of tips do you have for folks regarding this corral?
Speaker 3:The first is you don't have to pack into the front of it and that's going to come as a shock to even seasoned run Disney folk. The crowds are huge. There's room for all the people in it, plus usually a couple hundred more. Really it's a lot of space. They're huge. You're in there with thousands of people in your corral. It's just that big. A lot of people are really worried about time at Disney races, especially from about mid pack on the. Not not making the finish line in time is a dominating terror that haunts people.
Speaker 3:And so the idea is I'm going to get to the front of my crown. That's going to get me an extra seven minutes or something, maybe. But I would also say you might be better off finding a spot in the corral where you can stretch a little bit, where you can move around, where you can walk and talk to somebody, where you can shift your position so you're not standing stock still for 30 minutes. There's video screens and there's stuff to watch, there's people to talk to, but you don't have to pack in there and I'm not sure the couple minutes that might buy you is worth the lack of motion. You have my thing.
Speaker 3:Over the last couple years I have become a huge fan of lurking at the back of my crown. It is the best thing ever. I will say to mention it because other people are going to do it and my fun is going to go away. And I wound up there by accident. Especially when Disney starts the races in the Epcot parking lot instead of out on the road like they do for the marathon, they love taking us on these hairpin like paths. So we're always turning back against ourselves to get to the start line.
Speaker 3:I often do interviews with Riley Claremont at the start line, so I have to be on that inside edge to talk to Riley. Now, because of that, I always get pushed back to the back because everyone's kind of packing in there on the turn and no one's going on the outside. So I found myself kind of, you know, like a water balance, just sort of shot to the back of the corral, and then I realized I had miles of space and air. And then I looked behind me and I saw this wall of people with a little ribbon in front of them, which was the corral behind me, you know, waiting to come. And it was the funniest thing, because I'm here with all this space and behind me are like 2000 people packed in, like right up at me, and it was like. I was like how real are we?
Speaker 1:They're like oh, you're painting these incredible pictures. I can see them vividly in my head the experiences of being at Run Disney weekend. But let's talk about the dreaded pace that people are so scared of because there's so much fear leading up to any Run Disney weekend. The balloon ladies are there to terrorize us, so we know that they're definitely not. But can you talk a little bit about maybe some pacing strategies, knowing that everybody's different and their training may have been different, but what are some just general good practices for pacing during a Run Disney event? You know?
Speaker 3:it's really. It is very different for each person. I know a lot of people use the Run Walk very successfully. The big thing is relentless forward moment. Keep moving forward. Be deliberate in what you want to do, be aware of your pace. If you're, if you're, if you're wanting to stop for 10 characters, know that you're going to have to add, you know, another hour plus to your time. Right, if you want to do that, you may have to. You know you may have to have that pace of it. And train yeah, this gets into the fact that Disney races are often a first time race. Half marathons and marathons are really hard to fake. You can do it, but you're not going to be happy. Train, you know, train at that pace. Put some time in on it, get some friends out there to drag you around, take your dog out, let your company in the neighborhood, but you're, if you're going to do this, you want to do this and not be miserable.
Speaker 3:So train at train at that pace, give yourself a little comfortable margin so you don't so it's not absolutely terrorizing you during the race. Now, that being said, what's the worst that happens, and that is you get swept. Well, not that horrible a thing. It's a big fear of everyone. But you know, if you make it 18 miles of a marathon, you made 18 miles, congratulations. They're going to give you your medal and you can. You can do whatever you feel you need to do to earn it. You think you need to go out there and when it's over and do another eight miles to earn it. Go do that. No, that's no one's going to think. No one is going to think less of you for getting swept doing a marathon or a half marathon or a 10 K, because the vast majority of this world is not getting off their couch. So if you're, if you're getting to a distance, you're accomplishing great things. So I would just worry less about the pace in general.
Speaker 3:We all want to get to the finish line. We want to encourage each other to the finish line. I know when I I made it a point last few races to not do one of the races and be there on the sidelines cheering for people. And when I see the folks coming and I see the balloons bobbing, you know in the distance I my heart starts pounding and I'm trying to encourage people on because I want them to have that finish. I want them to have that joy. That's not really the the ultimate thing of a run Disney race, the finish line that sounds crazy for a race. The finish line is not the ultimate goal. The journey is way better than the finish line, finish lines are great.
Speaker 3:You know, the best part of the finish line is to me. You get to stop.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 3:Best part of any finish line, I love running. The only thing I love more than running is stopping.
Speaker 1:Especially after running. For sure, andrew, I think I want to like take that entire clip and segment and I'm going to loop it for my own, like morning motivation to get out, because it is so much about the journey and we do forget that leading into race weekends. Because, yes, it is the culmination of our hard working efforts. It's a culmination of a lot of sacrifices and challenges that may have come our way, but it still is not what defines you in your journey. Truly, it is all of the work leading up to that's just a celebration lap, so I love that reminder.
Speaker 1:I do want to talk a little bit about spectating as well, but before we get into that, I have to ask you you've already touched on it We've got these character stops, we've got these musical stops, we've got some big screen TVs out there. So, as a theater director, as someone who absolutely has entertainment running through your veins, how is run Disney and all of their entertainment aspect? How is that different than, let's say, other races? But, more so, what do you think of it as a theater director?
Speaker 3:Part of it for me is just thinking of the logistics, of what it would take to get this many performers, this many cool set pieces, this many musicians and bands and all of these people to all of these places before roads are closed and keep them going for the hours it takes to entertain everyone. I mean, it's a massive undertaking and that's one of the reasons why it's not at most races. I mean, if some races have managed some success over the years, or maybe some music at a few places, but as far as a beginning to end story and performance, that's Disney, that's they're the ones. I love it. I think of it as kind of a running buffet, in that there are a lot of things and you can kind of take what you need from them and just sort of enjoy the rest as you go by.
Speaker 3:I know for me and my first one, I was just motivated by running through the parks. That's all I needed. Other stuff was cool, but all I needed was to run down Main Street and run through Animal Kingdom. That would have kept me going forever. Running through EPCON at the end, that would have kept me going. I've rarely ever stopped at a character stop. I've kind of become a character stop over the last couple of years, but that's a whole other story.
Speaker 1:That's what we're going to talk about next. Let's go ahead and touch on that. So where does? For those that haven't yet encountered Puppet Runner, where does this name come from? What does it mean?
Speaker 3:I had actually been doing a run Disney for a while before the Puppet Runner thing started. It was supposed to be one time. This was not supposed to be a thing. It was the 2019 wine and dye. It's like, okay, if I'm going to do this and I figured it might be the only time I ever did wine and dye I said I got to do this in costume and it has to be special. I'm like wine and dye what am I going to dress up in? I'm playing around with thinking of food and that sort of thing About that time.
Speaker 3:I've been a Puppet collector forever. I'm in theater and so Puppets sometimes come along with that. One of my favorite Puppet-making companies, folk Monus. They make very realistic animal puppets. They had just gotten a contract with Disney and just to do a limited series of puppets. They had just released a Remy from Ratatouille Puppet. That was astounding. The Puppet was huge. I think I can manage that for an hour.
Speaker 3:I said, okay, if I'm going to run with him, I'll dress up as a chef. I'm not skinny enough to pull off Linguine. My personal shape is a little closer to gusto than Linguine. I said I will dress up as gusto. No one will dress up as gusto. That's pretty unique. I got myself a chef coat. I researched and found they make them to be worn in hot kitchens. I figured during a 10K it would be fine. I just got that chef hat at Gusto's and brought it on the back and said I'll do this for a 10K. I was doing the half marathon too, but I was like there is no way I'm going to run with a puppet on my arm for a half marathon. I will die, holy cow. It was like being in the entourage of a rock star. Remy is a rock star. This puppet now.
Speaker 3:I've worked with puppets forever. I have a puppeteer and I was finding ways to really use him. I've treated this as I ran. I had never even tried it before. It's a 10K. I run 10Ks all the time. I'll be fine. I was finding ways to interact with people. I could look one way and have him look and react. I was having a good old time. I must have been stopped. I don't know how many times my people who wanted to take selfies with me. When I run, I often go inside myself.
Speaker 3:I'm doing math, I'm going okay if I keep this pace up, if I lose 10 seconds. People motivate them different ways. I'm motivated by playing mild math With Remy on my hand. That wasn't happening because I was going to have to talk to everyone around me, because they wanted to talk to me. It completely changed the way I ran races.
Speaker 1:I feel like Remy may be a fan favorite for you. He has your heart, since it was your first puppet running experience at Disney. Do you have a favorite puppet? Are you allowed to choose a favorite, like children?
Speaker 3:I'm not sure You're allowed to choose a favorite puppet, but as far as a favorite running partner, it is definitely Remy. What happened was I went back to my hotel that night, just moved by the experience of this. I've told my family I have to wash this costume. I have to run with him tomorrow, I have to do the half marathon. My wife was like how's your arm going to be? I said, oh, I'm probably not going to be able to move it after the run, but I got to try it because there's something happening with this. I wasn't sure what it was, but it changed how I looked at the race. I said I got to try this again. When I did it the next day, that was it, I think. Within a week after that I was planning how to run other races with a puppet because it connected me with people.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think what it does is it lowers the threshold of being anxious to talk to the individual, because you assume that the individual has to be a bit more extroverted or a little bit more willing to talk to you or chit chat. I will say that you as a spectator as well, with Remy, is extraordinary for folks to experience because, again, it is as you mentioned you become a character. Stop, except that it's almost like having a friend as your character. Stop because you are so encouraging and so motivational out there for the runners. I have to take time to call that out and thank you so much for doing that when you're not running, we appreciate you out there, when you can get out there, for sure.
Speaker 3:Honestly, I think I get as much or more out of cheering as the runners do. If the runners, who've done Disney forever and you haven't cheered for one, try to find a way to do it, because I tell you you will not regret it and you're going to find yourself doing it more, because these folks are inspiring.
Speaker 1:Absolutely. But the one thing that we haven't covered is the food at Run Disney and Disney weekends. So, friend, we couldn't be at brunch without chatting about food. What would you say is your must have food snack or Disney reservation that you always want to snag when you come down here for a Run Disney event.
Speaker 3:I am a major foodie, so you're right into my wheelhouse now. My favorite restaurant on the property is Chef Art Smith's Homecoming over at the Inley Springs. I adore that restaurant. Florida home cooking take it up to gourmet levels. It's astonishingly good. That's always on my list if I can get in there. But the other favorites of mine I love Boma over at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Just an amazing variety If you're into different experiences with food. Boma pulls from a lot of different African cultures, but in a very approachable way. So it's not to be, you know if you're kind of scared of trying some of the different.
Speaker 3:you're going to be fine there, but you're going to get to experience some flavors that are amazing, that you might never try, and I think that's a wonderful place that I enjoy. I enjoy beer garden. Give me a German band and schnitzel.
Speaker 1:I love it as well. It's so fun, it's festive in there. I think it's a lot of fun to have to snag a reservation, and those are actually a little bit easier to come by sometimes, so I'm a big fan of it as well.
Speaker 3:I have a reservation there next week. I am already looking forward to it. But also I love the festivals in Epcot. I could go broke eating my way. People are about drinking their way around Epcot. Forget that. I'm going to eat my way around Epcot Because I could tell you a favorite at like almost every booth the variety of food. People don't understand food. People go ah, it's a theme park. It says the food's not that amazing. Epcot has the best food around. It's just amazing. There's more good food that you can even taste in an entire trip there.
Speaker 1:I know you can't pick a favorite puppet. You do have a favorite running buddy. Do you also have a favorite run Disney weekend event.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I do, it's marathon weekend.
Speaker 1:It is.
Speaker 3:The marathon weekend was my first, and marathon weekend has the marathon and there is nothing that tests me personally like a marathon still. I mean, I've done longer races, I've done 24 hour races, I've done some crazy things, but there's just something about the marathon and the mountain that that is, and doing it at Disney is still the best, and so that weekend will forever, forever be my favorite.
Speaker 1:Again, I have to thank you so much because what I'm hearing is for folks that are going into marathon weekend or maybe they are considering signing up for a run Disney event, that they should absolutely take the plunge One because they get to potentially, hopefully, meet puppet runner, but also because it is such an incredible, very different experience than all other run or all other running experiences can be. Now, again, folks are going to want to stay in touch. So use that episode notes, the links for puppetrunnercom and all of his social media, because I'm walking away motivated and inspired. You guys will absolutely walk away motivated, inspired as well, for this race weekend and all the future ones. Thank you, andrew, for joining us.
Speaker 3:Hey everyone, if you see me at a race, don't be shy, come talk to me. I would love to talk to you. Some people are here from later. Oh, I saw you, but I didn't want to disturb you. Please, you're not disturbing me. Come talk, let's share our running journey together and just have a great time. Can't wait to see everyone out there. If you're not sure if you can do it, you can do it, trust me. Trust me, I'm a chubby middle-aged guy. This is with a puppet on his hand. If I can do it, you got this. You got this.
Speaker 1:Again, thank you so much to Andrew. And he's absolutely right in the infamous words of Walt Disney If you can dream it, you can do it. And just like that we have crossed the finish line of today's episode. But remember, the magic doesn't end here. Be sure to download our ultimate Run Disney guide from episode notes. It's your free passport to successful, stress-free, relatively Run Disney experience. Again, to all of the first timers, the Run Disney vets and the dreamers, you've got this. Let this podcast be your source of inspiration and hopefully you've walked away with quite a bit of practical advice. Remember, in the world of Run Disney, every mile is magic and until next time, keep running towards your dreams.