Five Other Movies for Halloween | Friday Five

Another holiday is here as is the Friday Five linkup. This week is "Halloween Edition" on the linkup. I like trying to put my own spin on the topics usually, so I had to think of a direction I wanted to take this week. I decided to look at things to watch tomorrow, after the trick-or-treaters are finished. But I wanted to look beyond Hocus Pocus and The Great Pumpkin.  This week's topic is

Five "Other" Movies for Halloween

1. Young Frankenstein

I have to start with this fantastic Mel Brooks film. Gene Wilder plays a great Dr. Frankenstein who goes to Transylvania after inheriting his family's castle and joins the family business creating Peter Boyle as the monster who "puts on the ritz". A great funny movie and my first choice for tomorrow night. Watch, laugh, enjoy.

2. Little Shop of Horrors

This 80's rendition of this comedy musical is fantastic as well. Starring Rick Moranis as a nerdy florist looking for love finds help for a man eating plant. The cast includes Steve Martin as a sadistic dentist, as well as John Candy, Bill Murray and Jim Belushi in roles. Hilarious songs and plenty of "Feed Me, Seymour".

3. Shaun of the Dead

Next, I'll go a little more current (though still 10 years back) to Shaun of the Dead. Described as a "Romantic comedy. With zombies." says a good bit about this movie with Simon Peg. Above all else, the go for the pub, a great plan when a zombie break out occurs. Simon Peg and Nick Frost work great off of each other and beat up some zombies for a good time.

4. The Addams Family

This movie version of the classic TV show was version that really worked. That doesn't always happen with a TV to movie jump. The cast was fantastic, featuring Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Llyod (great scotts!) and Christina Ricci. They all came together perfectly for this hilarious film. Though from 1991, it's even aged well, so a solid choice to enjoy.

5. Tower of Terror

Finally, I wouldn't feel right with Disney in my blog name if I didn't pick a Disney movie for this list, so that honor goes to the cheesy but lovable Tower of Terror. Starring Steve Guttenburg and Kirsten Dunst as a reporter and his niece trying to solve what happened in the Hollywood Tower Hotel 60 years earlier. This movie tested the waters for Disney converting rides into movies, and went well enough to be followed by movies such as The Country Bears, the Haunted Mansion and of course Pirates of the Caribbean. So if you love Captain Jack Sparrow, watch this movie as a thank you. And come on, it's got Mahoney and Mary Jane.

Recommendations of a 3 Year Old

Now, if the current watching patterns of my 3 year old are anything to be used as a recommendation, she would offer up the following two choices: Disney's Sing-Along Songs - Happy Haunting and Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Eat Pray Run, DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

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Zombie Running - Blood and Guts Run Recap and Review

The opportunity to run this race recently fell into my lap. I have my daughter to thank actually. We were purchasing a plethora of My Little Pony items for her birthday party when the unexpected happen. We spent over a magical dollar amount that earned me a free entry to do a zombie obstacle course. Felt random but free? Yep, it's for me.

Zombies, Obstacles and Mud, Oh My!

The Blood and Guts Run is a zombie themed obstacle course 5K. The zombies were minimal impact. They lined the course sporadically: some lumbering slowly down the path, some coming out of tall grass to scare you, some chasing you from behind to startle you. There were some nicely done zombies, but they had little impact to the race. There were several stations that were zombies squirting you with "blood", but the water wasn't even red by the time we got there, and we were one of the middle start corrals, which was disappointing.

Some people costumed up for the race which was nice. There were people as zombies, general Halloween costumes and some zombie slayers. I saw one girl with a corset zombie killer outfit on - complete with two play guns strapped to her back - that was pretty sweet as well as a little 3 foot tall Captain America. You get 'em, Cap! They came in all shapes and sizes. I opted to use this as an opportunity to break out my team shirt from my intramural softball team in college: the Amputated Stumps. It just felt appropriate.

The obstacle course was fun but just challenging enough. It was not (and nor should it be) on par with an obstacle course on the level of say a Spartan Race or Warrior Dash, but I wouldn't expect or want it to be. There was a fairly large number of "up and overs" as I'd call it: small wall, tall plank walls, inclines with ropes, etc. Spread throughout the obstacles were muddy patches. I say it that way for a reason. They didn't feel like enough to be an obstacle or a part of the race like a mud run, but were more than just mud developing from all the runners in that portion of the field. It felt more like someone decided "Hey, let's mix it up. Hose down the straight aways so it gets muddy." I'm not saying that's the way it was carried out, but just how it felt at times. It didn't always seem to server a purpose, nor did it feel like it was thought through to balance the amount of water properly to get good mud as opposed to just muddy and flooded areas. Some parts were fun to run through but some took away from the experience.

I ran this race with my namesake John. We had a blast on the course and I enjoyed the company to chat while we ran. My favorite story has to be the army crawl section. One obstacle was simply called the army crawl: netting set low to the ground over mud that you were meant to crawl through. One side was all water while the other was mud. Naturally, most people (including us) chose the mud side. When you got down in it, we'll just say it smelled "country" so we did hands and knees as opposed to down on our chest. We come out the other side and John makes the remark "What, you didn't army crawl? Where's the mud?" Just as he finishes, karma hits. He slips falls straight down on his back. He gets up, does a little slippy slide and back down again, this time on the front. Covered in mud. Oh so funny. I of course didn't dare laugh until I was across the puddle though. He's faster than I am, so really helped push my pace early on. It felt good and I kept pace, but by the end I was gassed and let him finish strong ahead of my slower pace.

Unofficial time: ~50:00

Post Race Swag

After finishing the race, you were greeted with a nice little medal and your cotton t-shirt for finishing. Pretty nice swag for a small little 5K. As you walked down further, they gave out protein bars. Not one, but one box full. A nice unexpected bonus.

From there, we wanted to hit 2 important things (after hosing off some mud): the food trucks that smelled so good and the beer garden. We had an 11:30 am start time, so it was perfect time to eat. We chose a truck that smelled wonderful: the Urban Bumpkin BBQ. The whole menu looked fantastic. I chose the Alaskan frybread taco, with Asian beef brisket. Oh my goodness did I choose wisely. I had several people telling me after seeing mine they were mad they ordered anything else. I was not disappointed. It was well worth however many points it would cost me, not that I bothered trying to find out how many it would be. From there we took our food to eat in the beer garden, featuring 3 craft brews: a pumpkin beer, an IPA and an amber ale. I can't remember where they were from, but I know at least one (if not all) was local. Nothing like a food truck plate and cold beer to celebrate the race with.

Race Review

I had a really good time on this race. I wish I had been running more recently so I wasn't so gassed at the end, but I enjoyed myself. It was just tough enough without being overbearing. It kept its fun. The main downside was the odd thing about the mud that I mentioned. I have no problem with it being "an obstacle" of the course but it felt so haphazard that it was hard to enjoy. It felt less of a challenge and more of an hinderance to the rest of the race. I was pleasantly surprised to earn some bling and had a good time. Weather was perfect, and the course route was nice. I enjoyed and would do again.

Race grade: B

Check out my review on BibRave

Final Take Away

Did I have a fun time doing it?
Yes.

Could it be improved?
Yes, survey was provided via email immediately following, which was nice touch.

Would I do it again?
Yes.

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Lost Hidden Mickeys | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

This week I've spent a lot of time concentrating on my Disney Moms Panel round 2 application. So, my blog activity has been a little light. While I just finished submitting that application, that does not mean Mickey Monday will be without. This week I'll be talking about...

Lost Hidden Mickeys

I didn't originally plan on writing this post for this week, however I was going through photos from past Disney trips and came across a particular set that made me decide to switch to this visual post for the week. I previously wrote a post about Hidden Mickeys. If you don't know what they are, go read this post first.

Welcome back. I love hidden Mickeys. I mentioned in a comment of the previous post that some of my favorite are in the artwork. I have several pictures of some found in artwork previously hung the Disney's Polynesian Village Resort rooms. They have recently been renovating the rooms, so I can only assume - like the lamps and other furniture - that these paintings no longer hang in the guest rooms.

Here is the full artwork, as it hung in the rooms

Gaze into the mountain's majesty for our first hidden Mickey.

The next "natural" Mickey occurrence lies in the waters.

Our last hidden Mickey, as created by the island imagineer.

I hope you enjoyed seeing some more of the imagineer at work. I love these hidden Mickeys. And if any of these artworks are sitting in a hotel surplus store somewhere, let me know. I want one.

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Five Reasons to Run Like a Kid | Friday Five

It's been a busy week. I've been a little quiet on the blog and Twitter front, opting instead to concentrate on my Round 2 application for the Disney Moms Panel. I thought I could use a break to clean the brain palate, so of course felt like what better way than the Friday Five linkup. This week we get to fill in the blank to finish the topic. This week was "Five Reasons to Run _____". I had an immediate thought that I loved, so I ran with it. See what I did there? *nudge nudge* This week's topic is

Five Reasons to Run Like a Kid

1. More Fun

Kids don't run to lose weight or to beat a time or to achieve a heart rate. They run to have fun. We should all do that. When my daughter says "Daddy, let's run" and she heads off down the sidewalk, there is nothing but joy as she giggles while her tiny legs carry her as fast as they can down the path. Pure happiness. I'd love to have that every time I run.

2. Wear Whatever You Want

Kids don't care. They will wear and run, jump, skip, hop and roll in whatever their heart desires. Cape? Who wouldn't love to run in a cape? I want my own running cape. Princess dress? Tutu? It's all fair game. That shirt and those pants? Sure they're opposite ends of the exceedingly bright spectrum, but let's get out there!

3. Anywhere, Anytime

Kids don't plan. There's not a set schedule to them. Want to run? Ready, set, hey, I didn't say go yet! That's kids. Yes, to run a long distance, you need the proper training and the right distances to build up your endurance. You can't go all willy nilly, but you can let loose. You need to remember to not get all caught up in "the schedule" and remember number 1 and have more fun. Go run... whenever.

4. Whole Body Workout

Kids don't hold back. Have you seen a three year old run? They put everything into it. Full body, full throttle, run until you can't move another step. It goes back to number 3 and the planning. They're not concentrating on this many miles at this pace followed by.... They go full bore. Two gears: stop and warp speed. Watch a kid run and try to mimic that effort. You will stop with a "wow". It's its own kind of speed work.

5. No Worries

Kids don't worry. We could all learn to be a little more carefree. This circles the list back around to number 1, but is still important. I love the feeling when a run just lifts away the stress and clears my mind. However, I need to really remember to let go and let that happen more often. Kids do that naturally. Well, most of the time. Then 15 minutes later it will be the end of the world because they forgot the water cup was the wrong color, but they'll brush that life altering event off too.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run - Why I'm Running the Marine Corp Marathon

Eat Pray Run, DC - Five Reasons to Run a Marathon

You Signed Up for What?! - Five Reasons to Run a Half Marathon

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Jenny @ Turtle Stride - Five Reasons to Run a 10K

AMP @ AMP Runs - Five Reasons to Run a Half Marathon

Fairytales and Fitness - Five Reasons to be Cautious on your Run

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Disney Parks Moms Panel Round 2 | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

This week I'm providing an update to a previous Mickey Monday post. This week I'll be talking about...

Disney Parks Moms Panel Round 2

I previously wrote a post about the Disney Parks Moms Panel for Mickey Monday. Every year, they accept applications to join the panel, which goes through several rounds. When I last wrote, I had just submitted my round 1 application. The process for reviewing the large number of applications takes quite a long while. This Friday, the emails for the result of Round 1 was released. I received this...

That's right, I made it to Round 2!!!! I'm so excited! I'm nervous but excited. Tomorrow I'll find out what Round 2 holds, which will be followed by a second waiting game, but today, I'm all smiles.

Want to know more about the Disney Parks Moms Panel? Check out my previous Mickey Monday post or go to the official site.

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Five MORE Songs from McFly Day | Friday Five

It's Friday, which in of itself is a pick me up. But after yesterday, I could use an extra pick up. I won't go into too much detail, but after finding out a $700+ car bill to get something fixed due to poor engineering and then a red light running idiot that almost t-boned me, I want to hit the weekend strong. This week's Friday Five linkup will help with that, because it is all about music. Music soothes the soul. I haven't been listening to music for running for a while (though I'm planning to go back for a little) so I'll take a different twist on it. I'll actually go back to something I talked about on a free Friday, my McFly Day list. That is my Friday playlist that just picks me up and helps bounce through my day. Read the past post for the first five and an explanation about what McFly Day is. This week's topic is

Five MORE Songs from McFly Day

1. All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor

This first track on here is one of the tracks I find myself repeat more often than others, so it gets top spot. It's a catchy and fun song. There is also a little something in her style that reminds me a little of Amy Winehouse that I like. She just has a little more unique voice that I love. Plus, it advocates not being a "little stick figure siliconed Barbie doll" and that "every inch of you is perfect from the bottom to the top". I put this song on my wife for introducing me to it and getting it stuck in my brain.

2. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede

This is an awfully popular song recently given a certain super hero movie, but has always been an awfully fun and catchy song. How can you help but ooga-chaka along and belt out that first "I-I-I-I'm hooked on a feeling"? I thought not.

3. Love You Madly - Cake

I love some cake. Sweet, light and fluffy with just the right frosting. They also make some great music. I actually have several Cake tracks on my playlist, but selected this particular one to share (for not particular reason other than I like it).

Honorable mention to Short Skirt, Long Jacket for it's Chuck appearance and their great cover of I Will Survive.

4. America - Neil Diamond

It's Neil Freaking Diamond. Do you have to ask why he's here? And first, before you yell at the post, yes, Sweet Caroline is on the list. However, I selected this particular trick because it was also one of my favorites to play from a cassette in my dad's truck growing up. The song just builds and feels epic to me.

5. Schadenfreude

Last time I gave you Bow Chicka Wow Wow Wow as an "off the wall but great" song. This time I give you Schadenfreude. While not fully suitable for work, this is a very funny and true song from the very nsfw musical Avenue Q. Schadenfruede is just human nature. Listen, relax, laugh and have a little fun. Let yourself enjoy the german phrase.

The Full Playlist

Just as before, I'll leave you with the full McFly Day list, courtesy of Spotify, where I listen to it. There are plenty of other hidden gems in there. Enjoy.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Eat Pray Run, DC

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Smitha @ Running with SD Mom

Courtney @ The TriGirl Chronicles

Fairytales and Fitness

Christine @ We Run Disney

Image Credits:

Carl and Magic Mirror - disney.wikia.com

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Anyone Want to Run from some Zombies?

Anyone up for a zombie themed obstacle course in northern Virginia? I hadn't planned on running this particular 5K, but then a funny thing happened. We were buying all the My Little Pony based necessities for a certain 3 year old's birthday party at Party City. Those purchases went over some magical threshold and the cashier asked "Would you like a free ticket for the Blood and Guts Zombie Run?" I didn't know if I could do it, but free is free, and I figured if not I could pass it along to a friend.

It turns out the race is in two Saturdays from now on October 25th, which happens to be free on my calendar. Sweet, so who can I get to run with me? First thing I did was check the online registration but noticed it is $79?! For a 5K obstacle course?! Well, guess I'm doing it alone. No, wait, to the internets! Look what we have here, Groupon for just $39. That's more reasonable.

The race is in Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville and looks to follow the same layout for an ice cream obstacle course I did there previously, which means nice and easy route. I have at least one friend interested, but we haven't picked a time yet. I will update this when we actually register. So if you're interested, grab the groupon and come join me for a little zombie theme fun and running. There's even a finisher's medal. Yep, zombie bling.

Image Credit:
bloodandgutsrun.com

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The Dole Whip | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out.

This week I'd like to talk to you about food. Not just any food. Food with it's own cult following. This week I'll be talking about...

The Dole Whip

This really is a food with a cult like following. It's a real thing. There are certain foods like that found at Disney (and beyond). From Disney, the first ones that come to mind, after the Dole Whip, would be turkey legs, churros, school bread and maybe throw in citrus swirl. Heck, I've seen Disney made shirt for turkey legs and churros, so that shows you their following.

The Dole Whip is a pineapple soft-serve treat found in the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. I had long heard of how "amazing" it was and how it's on many people's must have list for every visit. On my last trip to Walt Disney World, for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, I decided to finally find out what it was all about. I went to Aloha Isle, found in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom. There they serve up the Dole Whip in a variety of flavors, offering pineapple, orange, vanilla and swirl flavors. I thought if I was going to try it, I was going to try it the right way and had to go pineapple.

First, but not last, Dole Whip

I was not disappointed. It was tasty, refreshing and just the right amount of sweet. I love fresh pineapple so I enjoyed the flavor as well. It was a great treat. I'm not going to say it "rocked my socks and I'll never eat any other sweet again" but I did enjoy it a lot. It will be added to my list of foods I want to get every trip, much like fish and chips in EPCOT or 10 o'clock ice cream.

If you want to know what kind of following it has, it even has it's own dedicated running shirt from One More Mile: Will Run for Dole Whip. I've read previous recaps for runDisney races and can also see how that would be a great mid race hand off snack to get you through the course. It would definitely taste good on a warm run. Next time you visit, give it a try. You might just love it too. Join the cult, we have lovely treats.

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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The runDisney Schedule Released (with ToT MIA)

So, in case you missed the post and delete yesterday and the official post today, the runDisney schedule for 2015 / 2016 was released, showing when registrations will be. The schedule starts with races not yet on sale for 2015. That has been long overdue and needed.

However the big controversy is that Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10 Miler is MIA. runDisney hasn't yet come out and officially address ToT. The general thought is they're canceling it (maybe only temporarily) due to the construction that will be ongoing (rumored to be Pixar Place and Star Wars Land). It could be they are still addressing whether or not to run it, course adjustments needed, etc. Now, Wine & Dine goes through Hollywood Studios, so it would need an adjustment as well. The difference is that the after party for ToT is in Hollywood Studios.

They haven’t officially address ToT not being on the schedule, which from Expedition Everest not being on a hand out only to still be run, you would think they would learn their lesson. The closest to a  response I’ve seen so far is this response to a tweet asking them to explain why ToT was not there.

"We regularly evaluate our race experiences from time-to-time and make adjustments based on a variety of factors."

Now, they haven’t said “Yes, we cancelled it”, but seems pretty darn close. They still left it a little ambiguous, in that they could be in evaluation. You need to be clear in PR people.

Now, if it is cancelled, I’m unhappy about this. We just booked our trip for next year for my daughter’s and wife’s birthdays. We specifically aligned it to fit what would overlap both ToT and the little one’s birthday. As you can tell from looking at the schedule, you have to plan far in advance to go to races. Yes, we’re looking a full year in advance but it’s something that’s been reliable. ToT is 1st weekend in October. It’s also unique in that it’s a night race and very villain centric, that you don’t get in other races. Even if I wasn’t planning on running it, I’d still hate to see it go. Hopefully, runDisney put something out specifically address Tower of Terror to end the speculation, because I really don’t want to read it any more. I just want to know whether or not to be bummed, though I'm not holding my breath.

Image credit:
runDisney Facebook

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RoadID - You Should Have One Already

I want to write to you about a product I love. A product that, if you're a runner, a cyclist or do-er of other various activities out in nature, you should not be without. It's a product that you hope never has to be used for it's purpose, but one you never want to be without. That product is RoadID.

Red bars not included.

Now, I will be the first to confess, I was without a RoadID for much longer than I should have been. Sure, I had seen the little free shipping flyers in the running store and in a swag bag or two (or twenty) but I always brushed it off as "That's cool. I should look into that." Then the paper would get into a pile and I'd forget about it. Then I read about it on a blog or two (or twenty) and realized "Wow, that's great. I should really get one." But then there was often a giveaway for a free one, so I'd tell myself, I'll see if I win it and if not then I'll order one. The giveaway would come and go and forgetful me would, well, forget. Or I'd remember while at work and mark it in my brain to do tonight, which would promptly be deleted later by some code problem I'd face. Noticing a pattern? Yep, it's me not getting a RoadID. It's me running without that extra bit of safety.

Well, finally I did something about it. When I left for work one day, I told my wife "Honey, I'm going to go spend money on running stuff today. It'll only be like $20. I finally going to actually buy a RoadID." I just needed to be safe. Yeah, sure I have my phone set with emergency contacts that should something happen people can call certain numbers (also good for if you should lose your phone). That only works in a not worse case scenario. I know we don't like to think about it, but that's a real possibility. If you take that kind of damage, you phone likely will as well. Then that information is lost.

RoadID is great because they offer choices. They have the Elite, Slim, Sport (pictured on my freckled wrist), Shoe, Ankle, Shoe Pouch and FIXX (dog tag). You can also get a variety of colors. You see me showing off the black and red Sport bands that I purchased. The ID can be interchanged and replaced as your information changes, without having to buy a whole new set (unless you use want to use that as an excuse to pick up another color). I opted for the Sport, with it's nylon strap. It features reflective strips and velcro closure. It has been really comfortable on runs and I thought it would just be a better fit for me personally than the other styles. It's comfortable and I don't really notice it. The engraved ID is fully customizable. I got 6 lines of text that could be whatever I wanted. They offered suggestions, which I followed pretty closely. I listed my name and birth year, followed by where I was from (townwise). I chose to list 2 emergency contacts, with a name, number and relationship listed. Then I took one line to list my only medication allergy. Since I didn't have more medical information to list and I didn't feel like adding a third contact, I used my final line just to put my blog name down. Why? Because I could. You could also use for something inspirational (I almost put 'RUN STRONG' but after putting 'RUN' it became 'RUN. GEEK. RUN(DISNEY)'.

We can wear all the reflective gear we want, look both ways, run on paths, but you're not invulnerable. Even if you only run on paths that never cross the road, what if you pass out? What if you slip, fall head over heals (not in love) and knock yourself out? Do you always carry your ID? Who should you call (other than Ghostbusters)? Are you allergic to any medicine? Do you have some other condition, important to medical professionals? All of this information can be contained on your RoadID. Then you can feel good knowing, should the unthinkable happen, this important information is right there. Still be careful, but RoadID has your back (or wrist).


Disclaimer: I was not paid or compensated in any way for this post. I wrote it simply because I truly think everyone should have one. I also personally bought the ones in the picture. I am however now a member of their affiliate program, which just means if you click the linkies, they'll know I sent you, and if you buy, I get something back. However, I just care that you go get one. Please be safe out there.

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Favorite Course Moment | Mickey Monday

Welcome back to another edition of the Mickey Monday linkup: the linkup centering around a love for Disney, sharing that love and connecting with others. I hope this linkup will become a great place to turn to for Disney content each week and help all the bloggers participating out by helping readers find that great mouse-eared content. I'm co-hosting with Katie from Adventures by Katie, so of course check her blog out. For my post, we're back to runDisney. This weekend, my feed has been full of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler, which incidentally I loved. With all that floating around, I couldn't help writing about some of my favorite runDisney experiences. This week I'll be talking about...

Favorite Course Moment

This weekend I decided I was finally going to get my review of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on BibRave. BibRave is a fantastic site where runners can review every aspect of races. It's a great way to find new races or read up on ones before registration. You can find my review of the Walt Disney World Half Marathon there, or view my profile for all my reviews. While writing my review I touched on my favorite part of the course, which I thought would be perfect to share with all of you.

What was my favorite moment? You might think the likely most popular answer: running out through Cinderella Castle. If you thought that, you are wrong. It was my first half marathon, so perhaps it was the finish line? Perhaps not. Maybe you're funny and you think it was one of only two hills and I loved the banked on ramp that we needed to run? You're hilarious and wrong. Was it meeting a particular hard-to-find character, such as the terror who flaps in the night, Darkwing Duck? Well, I didn't actually stop to meet him, but even if I did, still no. Well, spit it out already!

My favorite moment: that view

My favorite moment on the course was running "right down the middle of Main Street U.S.A." (bonus points if you sung that and have any clue about what you could possibly be singing that to). Sure, running out through Cinderella Castle was cool and there are a lot of people waiting out as you do so, but it just couldn't measure up to running out around that corner, down past the shops and seeing the castle out in front of you. It is such a magical moment. It is that part of the trip that always hits me the first time we do it every trip, only multiplied times a hundred. It was pretty uplifting and so gratifying to see. Running through pretty countryside, overlooking the ocean or down the streets of a famous part of a city is great, but this Disney boy has a soft spot for that view. It is hard to match.

Stopping for a selfie with my running partner on Main Street U.S.A.

Onto the Linkup

Here are the guidelines:

The post just needs to be about anything Disney related. There have been posts on runDisney, on the parks and even on the Moms Panel, so just give it some Disney and count it.

New posts are fantastic, but for now, if you have a great old post you want to share, drop it on in.

Try to visit as many of the posts that you can as time allows. The point of this is to share and support each other.

If you're going to be a regular, please link back to the host posts. It's just good etiquette and frankly, that's how others will get to your fellow Disney lovers content. Without that link back, they can't find the linkup and therefore the other blogs. Help me help you.

Have fun. Be a kid. Enjoy.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Five Fitspirations | Friday Five

It's finally Friday again. That means the weekend is almost here. More time for running, relaxing, family and friends. It also means Friday Five linkup. This week is inspiring. It's full of fit. Heck, you might even say its full of inspiring reasons for fitness. This week's topic is

Five Fitness Inspirations

1. Family

How can those cuties not inspire you?

My first inspiration is my family. I want to make them proud. I want to be a good example for both my son and daughter. I want to be here for them for a long time. I do this for me, but I also do this for them.

2. Disney

Gotta love the Google Auto Awesome Twinkle effect.

This one isn't for everyone. It is, however, for me. Disney, more specifically running IN Disney is more than enough reason for me. It got me to sign up for a half marathon when I didn't even run. At all. The opportunity to keep going back can help keep me going. I just wish I could afford to do it more often. I even had a friend with a bib for tomorrow for Tower of Terror. Oh the humanity. Oh the budget.

3. Challenges

First long finish line, just after high-fiving my boy Goofy

The challenge, and therefore sense of accomplishment, is an amazing feeling. I always wanted to run a half, but never actually knew if I would. Finishing my first half was fantastic. Taking on the Cherry Blossom and finishing under a pace I wasn't sure I would even make without being swept was surreal. Running my second half marathon and performing up more to my potential was tremendous. And there's always more goals out there. Faster, longer, multiple days. One that I have my eye set on is the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. He has been my favorite since I've been a little boy, so I want his medal more than anything. It would just be a personal favorite of mine. That would mean not only a full marathon (which I've never done) but the half marathon the day before. I had hoped to do the 10th anniversary this coming 2015, but the "being an adult" got in the way of that. Hopefully I can tackle it the following year. But there is always more to do.

4. Winning my age group (by running when old as dirt)

I found my costume.

Yep. I want to be that guy. I want to run until I'm old and win my age group by default of being the only old man out there. I know when I get there, I'll do it as me, so I'll be sure to stand out. If it's in Disney, I'll be that old dude in a costume running the race. Maybe even if it's not in Disney. When you're old, you can do whatever you want. No matter what, my inspiration is to run and be fit so I can get to be old and fit.

5. The Mirror

Note, that is not me in the picture.

The last for me is the mirror. More specifically, to like what I see in the mirror a little bit more. It's not that I don't like me, but I want to see a better me. Some days I don't like what I see, but I know that's on me to change, to improve.

Sorry, went a little deep on that one. *insert wisecrack here*

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Eat Pray Run, DC

You Signed Up for What?!

Mar on the Run

Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Juliana @ 4WellRules

Tara @ Running 'N' Reading

Kat @ Life by the Laces

Image Credits:

Carl and Magic Mirror - disney.wikia.com

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