Okay…time to finally break down and rewrite the posts that I lost while away!

So on day 1 we were signed up to take part in the Meet-Up Tweet-Up in EPCOT with Jeff Galloway.  This is a really fun new feature for runDisney.  We were automatically signed up as “media” but this is an event open to ANYONE!  The event will be posted on the Disney Parks Blog.  They give you an e-mail address to contact and it is a first come first served event.  This particular event was open to the first 100 and it was a GREAT time!  I was invited to the event in January for Disney Marathon Weekend but my plane didn’t get there in time so I missed it.  That made me extra excited for this one!  

I’ve heard each of these meet-ups is a little different but they all take place in EPCOT, before opening time.  If you are a Disney fan, it is SO cool to run through the park with a very small group of runners!  When we first arrived (dark and early), we checked in, were given a super nice runDisney shirts (it is so soft and comfy), and the latest issue of Fitness Magezine…sweet!

EPCOT in the morning!

 We got a little time to mingle with all the other ladies and I ran into Courtney!  It was extra fun because I first met Courtney two years ago at the Princess Half (we were both on the Virtual TNT team). 

After some intros, they divided us into two groups.  We had the option to go with the run/walk/run group led by Jeff Galloway or to go with the run group led by Bob (of runDisney), Rachel Booth (2 time Disneyland Half winner, and now the first Coast to Coast Winner!), and THREE TIME Olympian Suzy Favor Hamilton.  I’ve met Jeff twice before and absolutely adore him.  He is one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met; one of those people who is truly happy for everyone around him, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to run with a female elite and a female Olympian (Jeff, of course has also been both an elite and an Olympian but I was up for girl power).  Well we hit the ground running.  Literally.  This run was nothing more than a “jog in the park” (literally) for these ladies, but before I realized it we were cranking away sub 8′s.  I managed to stick to the front of the pack with Rachel, Bob and Kelly, but was FEELING it…it was so super humid that morning!  But we started to the lose the group and I was VERY thankful for the quick rest we took waiting for the group to come back together.  We got to run through all the countries in EPCOT and before I knew it we were back at the Beer Garden (thank goodness), and dripping from head to toe!  Great morning wake up! 

me (with the crazy hair), Kelly (snow white), and ELITE RACHEL BOOTH (leading the pack) as we set out. HOW COOL?

the hair. Seriously? Rocking the Sparkle Hearts skirt!

We were treated to a wonderful breakfast and got to hear from Jeff, Rachel, Bob, and Suzy.  Suzy was incredible…I got to chat with her one on one for a bit and I adore her.  She has a magical personality, and so truly beautiful inside and out!  She now speaks about her struggles with depression, anxiety, exercise addiction, and eating disorders and how running helped pull her out of it.  Hmm…her story sounds a BIT familiar.  It was amazing to talk to her and she really took the time to talk things out with me and gave me her personal e-mail to chat further.  Wow.  I’ll do a deeper post on her later but she is really a magnetic personality.

seriously...isn't she adorable??

Jeff Galloway

Rachel Booth!

Rachel said something I totally admired.  She said when it comes to running, sometimes she thinks about giving up but she said, “How can I tell my kids to chase their dreams if I don’t have the courage to chase mine”.  Well said Momma!

Suzy

Suzy was so beautifully honest about her struggles and told us an incredible story about one of her Olympic experiences.  I’m excited to share all of that with you! 

Bob and Minnie!

Bob was a wonderful event host and a great pacer for our run!  I really enjoyed chatting with him about all runDisney has to offer!

And they had more surprises for us! 

We all got tiaras!

Minnie hung around for some photos!

Snow White and Rapunzel came to visit as well! My Rapunzel photo came out super blurry : (

Also, each participant was given a complimentary 1 day Park Hopper Pass for the parks!  AWESOME surprise because Disney Tickets gets pricey!  It was so much fun but we had a long day of events ahead of us so we had to gather ourselves and say goodbye to EPCOT for the morning.

runDisney Media/Blogger Crew! These ladies are ROCKSTARS!

More fun to come including Kids Races, Tangled Royal Family 5K, Dinners, Parks, Half Marathon, and more! 

Thank you so much runDisney for this experience!

runDisney provided accommodations and event opportunities 
for this weekend.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own 
(as you can tell from all my past Disney experiences!)