A weekend of RunDisney fun!

6am ready for the race

Our weekend complete, looking back it was even more exciting and rewarding than I imagined.  First of all, my little dude was amazing…and I am not talking about his 5K.  For all the parents out there, I was super worried about getting him up at 5:20 a.m. after getting in at midnight the night before.  I figured I would just play it by ear.  So at 5:19, I pulled his sheets back and he sat right up saying, “Is it 5K time!” He was smiling and ready to go, and that was all I needed to see.  He had about 30,000 questions about the race on our 10 minute ride to the start and was super stoked to see Mickey and Minnie themselves sending us off.  With a bottle of water in hand and carrying us thru, Spider Schlopy busted through the finish line of his first 5K just 41 minutes after the fireworks signaled the start, beaming! 

Spider running toward Epcot

The next morning it was my turn. Someone had asked me if I was worried about the humidity.  I think I said, “No, not really.  I mean, how humid can it be at 5:30 in the morning?”  Hmmm…I learned very quickly that it can be quite humid! 90% to be exact.  Not ideal, but still workable.  I felt it from the start and by mile 4, when my face felt like it had been struck by fire, I began to try to cool myself down with every water station by drinking one and pouring the other on my neck.  One volunteer even yelled, “Smart move!” to me.  I equated the feeling of running in 80 degree weather with 90% relative humidity to running in a sauna and cooling off in a hot tub.  But in the mix of every ounce of discomfort, I took it all in.  The start was electric, and I was beyond proud and honored to be amongst such awesome women and men.  Sean Astin was there and talked about how he was running it for his 3 girls and his wife!  I loved all of the characters along the way.  Every one of them was out on the course at 5:30 in the morning, smiling and open armed ready to take pictures. (I almost wanted to ask Jack Sparrow for a lift, but didn’t.)

Fellow princesses

As the sun began to brighten our route, I noticed the other side of the course, around mile 10. The other side of the highway was packed with my fellow runners cruising through mile 4, and they were cheering for us.  I appreciated it so much and tried my best to cheer them back.  It was so great to feel such support and it came at the perfect time.  The ironic part of the whole race was that when I really felt like it was getting hard, I only had to thing about one thing -- my little dude and how brave and tough he was the day before. I said to him, “You can do it, even if we have to walk, we will cross the finish line,” so I had to cross that finish line too.  After all, one of my quotes along the course read, “Leave CAN'T in the dust!”  I couldn’t just say it, I had to do!  So after a few stops at the lovely potties and two quick pictures with Disney charaters, it was just the spirit of the race, I stepped it up trying to be just like Spider at the finish.  And then I got to say those magical words! I DID IT! 

Thank you Run Disney for the amazing experience, and thank you to all who volunteered. And a BIG Thank You to the awesome 30,000 of you who ran with me!  Congrats! Who is still wearing their medal? Magical indeed.

Summer on the Run: Blog 17 -- First rule to fuel: Stay Hydrated

Summer on the Run: Blog 17 -- First rule to fuel: Stay hydrated.    Jan 21, 2013 | By Summer Sanders

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog 17. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to follow Summer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

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Fueling during training is something we all overlook at some point. It hurts when we do! It's important to put thought into it now, not later, so you can get it right on race day.

And one of the biggest parts of the fueling equation is hydrating properly. What you drink is one of the most important factors in how you feel after your workout and can help you on all of your long runs.

I've found the best way to stay hydrated is to have my own water bottle and carry it with me everywhere I go. My kids, Skye and Spider, each have their own water bottles, too. It's a good rule to let everyone choose a cool bottle, and then stick to only drinking out of your own. Aside from staying hydrated, you'll stay healthier. After fighting the flu last week, I learned how important it was to keep my germs to myself! If we were all sharing water bottles, I could have gotten everyone sick...

Read the rest of this blog HERE on ESPNW.

Summer on the Run: Blog 14 -- Involving Family, Friends makes workouts fun

Summer on the Run: Blog 14 -- Involving Family, Friends makes workouts fun. Jan 14, 2013 | By Summer Sanders

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog nine. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to followSummer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

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Learning from our parents and providing a good example for our kids is such a beautiful thing. You can't get around that. I learned so much from my family while growing up without even knowing it. That's what made it so valuable -- it felt natural.

We become our kids' heroes. Whether we want to or not, the next generation looks up to us. I guess it's a lot like being a sports figure. The best way to teach others is by living a certain way and doing the best you can as often as possible. Being true to yourself gets you noticed, and it's something you can't fake.

Read the rest of my blog, and any other in the series on ESPNW. 

Summer on the Run: Blog 9 -- Rest days Are Essential

Summer on the Run: Rest days Are Essential to Training

Jan 2, 2013 11:17 AM ET | By Summer Sanders

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog nine. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to followSummer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

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I don't notice how tired I am until I hop into bed at night. It's my first chance to stop and think about myself. It's a great time to stretch and work through any aches and pains. It's also an opportunity to reflect upon my recent workouts, good and bad.

I ask myself (and you can do the same): "Did I get that hard speed workout done?" If you had to skip it, like I sometimes do, figure out when you can get it in this week.
I do my long runs on Wednesdays because it works best with my schedule. What's your best long run day? Make sure your training plan works for you and whatever you have coming up this week. It may be different from week to week, and that's OK.

Summer can't stop singing this week, whether it's Elton John's "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters," or her kids' favorite Fun album, "Some Nights." Her favorite weekend tune to carry you through your upcoming tough workouts: Eminem's "Lose Yourself."

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Summer on the Run: Blog 6 -- Incentives that help me run through the cold

Summer on the Run: Incentives that help me run through the cold            Dec 21, 2012 12:56 PM ET | By Summer Sanders

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog six. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to follow Summer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

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I  don't have just one mantra because every day is different.

Lately, I've realized more than ever that life is short, and though sometimes I want to give in to the temptation to stay inside and skip a run, I know I can push through it. Once I'm done, I always feel so much better.

I'm not a cold-weather runner, so I struggle with the elements this time of year. This is my first time training for a winter half, so I'm dealing with all of it right now... 

Read the rest here on ESPNW. 

Summer on the Run: Blog 5 - Reasons to get out there and run

Summer on the Run: Reasons to get out there and run

Dec 19, 2012 12:50 PM ET | By Summer Sanders

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog five. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to follow Summer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

I run because it opens me up. It's me time, and every moment I'm out there is a challenge that I have to meet.

It's not easy. It reminds me of when I was swimming -- it's freeing, it relieves my stress and it gives me focus. Those good feelings are not tied to one sport. They are part of athletes' universal language.

Running also opens up my creativity.

I always have my smartphone on me, which is crucial when I run. I think of all kinds of ideas while I'm out there... Read the rest here on ESPNW. 

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Summer on the Run: Post 4 - Training with my girlfriends

Training with my girlfriends lifts me

Dec 17, 2012 1:33 PM ET | By Summer Sanders

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Summer Says ...

Top 5 motivations to #GoRun:

1. Seek euphoria and avoid "the yuck:" I strive to get that feeling of euphoria that comes after a run and avoid the bad feeling -- "the yuck" -- of not exercising. When I go for a good run, I feel better and happier not just for a few minutes, but all day long!

2. Food: I love to eat and give myself a little reward at the end of the day. After a run, I don't feel guilty about indulging in my favorite treats like ice cream, cookies or whatever dessert I'm craving. But I also know I feel best when I eat these goodies in moderation.

3. Fit into those favorite jeans: There's nothing that puts me in a bad mood like jeans that are too tight! I am fully aware that, at 40, my metabolism isn't getting any faster. I need to keep up my pace to fuel my metabolic rate, and I'm OK with that.

4. Competition: It's in my nature to work hard. When I'm given a challenge, like the Disney's Princess Half Marathon on Feb. 24, I think about what my swimming coach used to tell me: "No deposit, no return!" I could never argue with that. When you're pushing through a hard workout, remember that phrase.

5. Friends: When my friends call or e-mail about a race they want to do, I try my best to get ready to join them. We all have equally busy schedules, so we respect one another, cherish our time together and look forward to the time we get out on the road with one another.

Check out more posts from Summer Sanders as she prepares for Disney's Princess Half Marathon on Feb. 24:

  

 Read more Why I'm running ...  Get a running start   Overcoming road blocks   

Continuing the Summer on the Run 12-week blog and video series, blog three. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to follow Summer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

I'm inspired by my girlfriends, just as I'm inspired by professional athletes. I admire those who stick to their commitments and goals, especially when it's not easy. We're all so busy and have a lot of things in our lives that we need to balance.

I have been traveling a ton lately, so I jumped at the chance for a run with my girlfriends. One of us picks the day, another chooses the window of time and a third selects the place. It's best to go with the flow when you're planning to run with other busy people.

Read the rest HERE on ESPNW.com. 

Summer on the Run: Signing up to run with a smile

Summer on the Run is a 12-week blog and video series that follows former Olympic swimmer and avid runner Summer Sanders on her journey to train for Disney's Princess Half Marathon on Feb. 24. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, she will share training tips, and a little inspiration, as she gears up for the main event. Use hashtag #GoRun on Twitter to follow Summer and be part of the ongoing conversation.

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Signing up to run ... with a smile

I started running as soon as I hung up my suit. The day after I retired from swimming, I ran with my best friend on Campus Drive at Stanford University; it's a 4-mile loop. I remember loving it from the very beginning. There was so much to see and take in, which was a huge difference from swimming, even at the Olympic level. In the pool, you can't see everything around you or take in the feel of a new place.

But I also remember that running didn't come naturally. Accomplishments are more worthwhile when you earn them -- when you have to work hard to really get something new. I stick to that when my kids, Skye (age 6) and Spider (4), tell me I'm sweaty after a run...Continue reading here at ESPNW.