Facts about me: I used to loathe running. In fact, it was a pretty well known fact in college that I would tell people running was pointless when you could just walk fast (I have always been a fast walker).

When I turned 30, I had a one year old and was trying to get back into better shape. Walking wasn’t cutting it, so I decided to try the Couch to 5K program. I was motivated and encouraged by some friends and signed up for my first 5K in 2010. This also led me to decide to sign up for a runDisney half marathon at Walt Disney World. Some girls I knew, through basically a support group on the Internet and some of the aforementioned friends, were signed up and I decided to do the same and make it a big goal. I called my mom and said “Hey, I have this crazy idea, want to come with me and cheer me on?” And she naturally said “Yes!” So we booked the trip to Florida and distance runner Lisa was born.

I hadn’t been to Walt Disney World since 1992 when I was 12 years old. I did not consider myself a Disney fan at that time. Sure, I grew up watching the movies, but once college hit, I don’t think I watched more than maybe a couple of the movies during my 20s. When I had my first daughter, she was introduced to Disney at daycare and she loved it, so that made me love it, too. My mom and I had so much fun at the parks. In fact, one of my favorite Disney memories ever was made on our first evening at Magic Kingdom. Also, my hard work training (which oftentimes meant running on my basement treadmill at 8pm once my daughter was in bed) paid off. I easily completed the race and earned my very first medal.

That was the trip when I fell in love with the magic of Disney and runDisney. Then and there I decided I wanted to run ALL the race weekends they offered at some point. I never got to really accomplish that goal (hello, finances lol), but I am pretty close. Having a race to run kept me motivated to continue training.. I ran some local races, but I also loved traveling to a few other cities to experience their races, so we turned them into racecations (race vacations). My husband and I spent Spring Break that same year in Minneapolis where I ran the Get Lucky Triple 7K (half marathon in miles) and over the course of the next few years, I went back to Disney (Wine and Dine when it was still a night race, Princess weekend when it was the Glass Slipper Challenge, and Disneyland the same year for the Pixie Dust Challenge and earning a special pink Coast to Coast medal, Wine and Dine again, 2 more Princess weekends and last year’s Springtime Surprise) as well as Las Vegas for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon.

So, why do I choose to keep going back to runDisney instead of venturing to other parts of the country? Well, first there is the incentive of also going on a Disney vacation in addition to running. As a Disney fan, this appeals to me and is an easy way to get to spend more time in a place I love. Also, I know what I am getting into as far as the race logistics go. For someone like myself with anxiety over new things, feeling comfortable and confident is a big thing. I know how to navigate the Expo. I know how to get to the start line and back to my hotel because they provide transportation. These are large events with thousands of runners, but since I know what to expect and everything is so clearly labeled and laid out, I can go and feel safe and not really worry about anything except running.

I do think there is a nuance to making this all work, so here are my top 5 tips for a runDisney racecation:

ONE: If you are traveling with your family that isn’t running, make sure you have a plan for early wakeups. Especially if you have young kids you don’t want to wake up at 2am. Maybe even consider getting 2 rooms if you are running more than one race during the weekend.

Me trying not to wake my family up before I went to run my 10k

TWO: Be clear about what you want as far as the vacation part goes and communicate that in advance to the people you are traveling with. If you know you will need a nap, don’t promise your kids a full park day. If you want to take it easy, consider a resort day with some pool time instead of walking 8-10 miles in the parks (this is normal for a full Disney day!)

THREE: Go early! Be on one of the first race buses in the morning because sometimes there is traffic that impedes you from getting to the start line. At Walt Disney World, it is a pretty long walk to get from the bus drop off or parking lot to the starting area, so you need plenty of time. There are characters to take photos with, a DJ, and even food trucks waiting for you and the spectators before you get into your corral area, so even when you go early, the time passes quickly.

FOUR: Be patient. The corrals are large. If you don’t want to get caught up in the sea of people, hang more toward the back of your corral. I usually end up somewhere in the middle and just go with the flow.

FIVE: If you have time (meaning, you are not going to get passed by the Balloon Ladies and therefore get swept off the course), stop for pictures! The lines often look long, but they do move pretty quickly.

Are you a runDisney fan? Do you want to be? There is a race for everyone from kids races to a 5k and all the way up to a full marathon. I think it is a fun experience and I will keep going back as long as I am still having fun. Next on tap for me? The Springtime Surprise 10k in April, where my oldest daughter will be joining me for her first 10k!

Contact Me

Racecations and runDisney

How I Racecation at Disney

Disney Table Service Restaurants Included with the Dining Plan