RunDisney iphone backgrounds

This morning I noticed in my FB feed a new Disney app called Disney Memories in HD.

Love this app! I only played around with it for a few minutes this morning between diaper changes and cleaning and came up with some great iphone backgrounds! I made them with my Disney runs that are coming up - Tinkerbell and Princess. Then I went for a few other runs coming up! I am apart of a great board on FB call TeamRunDisney! A great group of people who give support and advice and they love RunDisney running like I do! Check them out! Here is a link to my Sharing the Disney Love FB page to the album where all the pics can be found! 
I have a free app and paid app called Big Day I use these backgrounds on my iphone to create the background for the countdown - Here is how mine looks - I love it! 

Let me know which one you love! Enjoy!

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Why I run with a Frogg...

Hi, my name is Sarah and I have a confession... I run with a Frogg. Yes, I said a Frogg. Frogg Togg that is! I found out about this product from a girlfriend of mine and originally used it to keep my kids cool when we were out and about! It a towel that you wet with water and it stays cool to the touch. I bought mine at Academy and Walmart, I have a few... I ended up altering my towel to suit me while I run. The towel in it's original state is just too big for me, so I wanted it big enough to tuck into my running bra straps across the back of my neck. Here is a pic of the towel unaltered (bottom) and then cut for running (top) I now have 2 towels for running and a section of towel that I use for my babies legs to protect from the sun or at the pool to keep her cool in the stroller if she falls asleep.

Why to use a Frogg Togg while running:
 - I love that they absorb water and cool you down
 - I ran 5 miles and kept putting water from fountains and water fountains to wipe down my arms and legs and it just rejuvenates me! Here in Texas we get weather that's a tad hot! Ha!
 - I use it at the gym to wipe my sweat and as my towel
 - I will really get it soaked and then as I run and get hot - I squeeze the towel to get the water to drip down my back or neck or even head
 - I highly recommend this running tool to help avoid heat exhaustion and to keep you cool in the hot weather. They do have other cool products on their website that I've never seen in stores, like a wrist band, headband, and even a hat! If you have any of those products I'd love to hear how they work out!

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I have not been compensated for my opinions, nor do they even know that I am writing about their products. Just sharing the Running for Disney Love!

Cheap Autograph Books turned into memory book.

Turn an autograph book into a memory book.

I knew from my research that autographs were something that I wanted to collect at the parks on our trip. I wasn't sure if the girls would even want to get them, so I didn't want to buy a super expensive book. I looked at a few on the Disneystore website and some had hardly any pages. There are people selling books homemade on Etsy. But I would hate to loose that book or accidentally spill or get something on it. I went the cheap route - I admit it. I'm glad I did too! The books I chose for each girl had 100 pages each and I bought on sale through The DisneyStore.com site. I thought at first that they would both get an autograph of the same person each time, but my little one wasn't too keen on some of the characters who weren't human form, if ya know what I mean... She warmed up by the end of the trip, but it was also more convenient to keep track of one book, rather than two. We ended up filling up 2 books almost! The second book has maybe 15 blank pages, but we completely filled one of the books and almost the second! We stopped every time there was a character, but didn't do any of them twice, meaning if we saw Snow White at Akerhaus for breakfast and then again in Germany, we still got her autograph. But we didn't go to any character spot twice. My oldest loved the character interactions - so I was pleasantly surprised! I had done research before our trip to familiarize myself with where to find the characters and I was so glad I did! I was able to figure out a few new things too!
1. Look for people standing in a random line... ask! Why are you in line? I found that people would start the line before the character was even there signing autographs. Sometimes this was from the character having been there and they took a break and planned to be back in 10-15 min. The people who were in line and didn't get the characters autograph would stay and wait!
2. Only so many people in the character line get the autograph or pic. The characters get hot in their gear and need breaks. Every character has a CM (cast member) who is their escort. On our trip they were wearing a light blue button down shirt and they move the character around and escort them to the break area and monitor the line. They will also take pics for you if there is no Photopass person around. The CM will count people in line and sometimes rope off the end of the line. We found ourselves a few times in line to meet a character only to be told that the character needed a break and we could either wait or not. So lining up before the character gets there isn't a bad idea!
3. Interact with the characters! Prompt your child in the line to ask a question or wonder about something? It will increase your time with the character and sometimes get you fun memories in itself! My 4 yr old asked Lady Tremaine why she ripped Cinderella's dress and her answer was spot on! They are so fun in character and it shows how much they know about the character they are playing. Some of the characters don't speak, but they still have ways to say an answer or be surprised and what not!
4. Write your name and address in your book!! I have seen many stories on blogs where Disney returned memory books to guests after they were lost on vacation. I think that Disney goes above and beyond to make sure their guests are taken care of, for the most part I'll say... I know that if we had lost one of our books, I would have been so sad! We worked hard to get those signatures and spent a good deal of time collecting them!
5. Make your book into a memory book! Don't just let the book sit on a shelf, never to be looked at again! My child can't read, so in order for her to know which character went with each signature, I did a simple thing. I glued a pic of her with that character on the opposite side of the book. So easy to print off the pic, put on some scrap booking glue squares on the back and have an instant scrapbook. Some characters we met and didn't have our book, so I glued those pics onto the empty pages, some character couples like Aladdin and Jasmine signed on two pages, so I just left one signature with a pic. I found that doing this simple step to their autograph books also alleviated me having to use those 150-180 pics that I took of characters interaction in my family memory book. I used a few of my favorites, but not all. I love how they turned out and I put them with my scrapbooks and we look at them together so little sister doesn't rip the pages...

How do you collect autographs? Or do you? I have seen pillowcase ideas, etc. but this worked for on our last trip and might work for you too!

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A few of my Favorite things - for running that is!

Running is a new sport/hobby for me. I've had many hobbies before and I've found that any hobby takes tools. Running tools for newbies can be expensive, but most are a one time cost. Some of these products can last you years, so you aren't having to replace them often.

Watch - I was using my IPhone mainly, but for my anniversary I got a watch that my hubs picked out and I have yet to fully utilize all the features that I know it can do! It does have GPS so that will save my phone from sucking the battery life so quick which I've noticed it does on my phone. My Nike+ watch can GPS my runs, elevation, and intervals which is why I wanted a watch, it'll also hook up to my Nike+ page. I don't like that I have to hook it up to my computer to share I did a run, but it's fine. I have Galloway in my ear on my app telling me walk/run...but for my races I want to be in the moment and not have ear buds, so my watch beeps and tells me every minute to walk, or whatever interval I choose so I know when to run. I've been using my watch more and more and really like it! We got ours at Luke's Locker which is a local run shop that has great gear!

Shoes -

I got fitted for my shoes at a local run shop - Luke's Locker. They watch you walk around and even get you on a treadmill and tell you how your foot strikes the ground and if you walk/run a certain way. I find that I'm a heel striker, so my shoes are made for my type of walk. I can tell a world of difference! It's amazing the different walking types and pronations there are in feet. They also taught me a new way to tie my shoes which was pretty cool too! Wearing just any shoes to run in can cause blisters and "hot spots". I am a "cute shoe" kinda girl - so I usually choose my tennis shoes based on the look factor. At the running shop they pick out which ones are good for your feet and if there is only two styles to choose from oh well! I would never have picked out such a flashy colored shoe, but between the options I was given this is what I choose!

Apps for running -

The Galloway apps happened to be on sale when I was looking into them and so I snatched them up at a great price! So far, I really like using his system and I think that it's not an "easy" way out of running, but rather for a newbie (non-sporty) type person like me it will help me reach my goal of finishing and within a decent time to boot!

I do use the Nike + app as well. My watch will sync with the app and I like that it tells me my pace and how I compared to another run. The Galloway app I use to help me train and the Nike app I use to help my cadence and track mileage.

Clothes-

Running in just any shirt won't do here in Texas! The heat and humidity are killer, so a moisture wicking material is best. Plus they cut down in rubbing. I wear shorts and shirts that are made for running/working out and even though I sometimes feel as though the shorts are crazy short, I don't want them chafing either!  I got this shirt from the Disney Store website long before I was pregnant with number three and I can finally wear it! I love running in it and it helps remind me why I'm training! I have found some great running gear for super cheap at Marshall's/TJ Maxx type stores.

Jogging Stroller-

The BOB stroller is the Ferrari of jogging strollers, in my honest opinion. I have had a BOB before I had my first child...yes, I ordered it when she was in the womb. My husband was doing triathlons at the time and I knew that he might want to run with her or when I went to cheer him on, the terrain at these events is not predictable. Grassy, sandy, over rough terrain - the BOB handles it all with ease. It truly is my all time favorite stroller! I use another stroller when I have all three kiddos, but I had invested in a double BOB when we had baby #2 and now that baby #3 is here... I am so glad I kept my single BOB. Now my husband runs with one stroller and I run with the other! Works out perfectly! I think that having this stroller is another way to support me in my training. 

Running Bra -

I have two bras that I run in. I have my Victoria's Secret VSX and My Moving Comfort Juno. I chose both for similar reasons. Both give you a little more coverage of the girls and have a type of padding to prevent that embarrassing see through bra effect when you start working out. I still breastfeed my 8 mo old and I wanted a bra that wouldn't contribute to mastitis, which I had with baby #2 and it was not fun! I wanted a bra with no underwire, which the Juno does not have. The VSX has underwire but it's coated in some type of cushion and is very comfortable to wear. The Moving Comfort bra also has adjustable straps, so I feel that as my body is still changing from having a baby 8 months ago, I can tighten as my body shrinks, but also if I need to feed my baby before or after a run I can easily do that in this bra. I think eventually I will have to be resized at VS for a smaller banded bra by race day, but I would buy the same kind next time.

Other running gadgets -
There are other gadgets that I have such as a running belt to hold my phone, a special towel that keeps me cool and a few other things, but I'll save them for another post! Thanks for reading! Any suggestions that you recommend or reviews? I'd love to hear them!
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Disney Princess Half Marathon 2014

It's official! I'm registered! The Disney Princess Half Marathon is now a reality! I was able to also register for the Tinkerbell Half as well. I think that getting the registration over with has made it more real. I am signed up and I am doing it! I'm so excited to be running with others at both races, but I've also found some great groups on FB that have great advice and support! I've already started training with Jeff per my apps and I have the gear to help me reach my goal- Let's do this!



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Disney running playlist

I'm a Disney geek - I admit it!
I wanted a good list of Disney tunes to run too and I was having a hard time finding a song list that fit my taste. So here is my list of favorite Disney songs that I enjoy running too! I was very surprised to see that the song with the fastest BPM was from Brave! Most of these songs I had the CD, but a few I bought off iTunes. A couple of them I earned on Disney Music doing Kellogg's Family Rewards and collecting Monster codes.

I will admit I have a hard time not singing though when I'm running! Ha! Do you have a Disney playlist? Leave me a comment and tell me if you have different songs!

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Top 10 Disney characters

1. Mickey Mouse - It all started with him! He is an icon, a mouse whose smile is always perfect in every picture and a classic! I love anything Mickey Mouse!

2. Minnie Mouse - His classic partner, I hate that they have never married, but then I think about the Brave Little Tailor. Mickey won her hand in marriage from the king...hmmm, I'll have to watch that again to see the ending!

3. Lady Tremaine -

We ate at 1900 Park Fare for dinner and had the pleasure of meeting her. I had read reviews that she is quite the character and she didn't disappoint! I chuckled to myself and out loud multiple times watching her make her rounds around the restaurant! I had prompted my daughter ahead of time to think of a question to ask her to help interact and she asked "Why did you rip Cinderella's dress?" Her response was too funny!

4. Duffy the Disney Bear -

We have the original Duffy book from a few years ago and so we knew who he was. When we went up to meet him he hugged my daughter, then the PhotoPass guy says "I can still see her..." So Duffy hugs her a little lower, "I can still see her...", again and again - he goes all the way hugging her to her shoes and that's all I saw! We were so surprised and thought it was great! The photo above was after he was done hugging all of her!

5. Princess Tiana-

I personally am not a big fan of Princess and the Frog - I know crazy mom! I have a hard time with the black magic of this film and so we don't watch it very often, when it comes on T.V. But meeting Tiana  and Naveen in person changed the fact that I do like Tiana. She was so warm and loving towards my kids, which I know is maybe not the case every time, but we happened to show up at Electric Parade time and there was no line and they were gonna leave. She kissed my girls on the cheek, took the thumb from my thumb suckers mouth for the picture and was just so sweet with them. makes a momma's heart melt if ya know what I mean! It was magical to say the least!

6. Merida -

We hadn't seen the movie yet, cause it wasn't out yet, but I knew who she was and where to find her. We stood in line to meet her and had no idea the three bears were her brothers, but she talked to my girls, compared hair color with my youngest and then did a few other things with them. My husband said that she was his favorite to meet. She talked with her accent and was so genuine with us and felt very "real".

7. Fairy Godmother -

Sweetest lady! She said some kind of rhyme to my little red and then kissed her on the head and was very gentle like a grandmother - Fairy Godmother to be exact. I think the CM that take the time to make a moment with you are the ones that leave the most positive impression on your trip memory.

8. Rosetta-

Rosetta was well worth the 40 min wait that we waited to meet her and Tinkerbell. She was funny and kept making little jokes and saying sweet things to my girls. At one point my thumb sucker took her thumb out of her mouth to hold Rosetta's hand and her thumb was all wet! Ew! Rosetta said - " I think you just got snail's juice on my hand" She was so sweet to her even though she clearly knew why her hand was all wet! 

9. Mary Poppins -

We loved talking with her and spent a few minutes with her since no one was in line behind us. She kept asking all kinds of questions to my daughter like "Do you keep your room neat and tidy?" in her British accent. She was quite lovely to meet!

10. Princesses from Town Hall-

The face in this pic says it all - She was in awe! She kept looking at us like "Do you see who this is??" She was too funny!

 Quite a few of the princesses asked my little one to sit in their lap or hand their hand and then the hug afterwards - MELT MY HEART! Love the pics I have of my girls getting hugs from all the ladies!

Meeting the characters was one of our favorite things to do along with collecting their autographs! We spent lots of our time meeting as many as we could! What are your favorite characters to meet?

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Jeff Galloway Half Marathon training

I really want to finish the two RunDisney events that I am signed up for - The Tinkerbell Half Marathon in January and the Princess Half in February. My goal is to finish in the allotted time - pretty simple goal. After I feel like I have trained to the point where, OK, I can do this, then my goal changes. I want to do this and not be injured. Then my goal becomes to finish, uninjured, and with a decent time... like - 12 minutes or so a mile. Coming from a non runner this seems like a realistic goal. I'm in decent health (still got some baby weight to loose), but overall in good enough health to train for something I never in a million year thought I'd want to do! I've heard lots about Jeff Galloway and watched YouTube videos of him speaking and even checked out his book from the public library and have decided he is the way to go as of now.
I've chosen the Jeff Galloway app to help me train for the 10 for Texas in October. The apps were on sale for half off when I grabbed them and it looks as though they are back to regular price. 1.99 for the 10k and 6.99 for the 13.1.

For the most part I'm happy with how it performs. There have been a few hiccups in using it, but I'm sure if it wasn't user error. I'm still learning how to use it. I do like that he talks to me during the run and tells me when to walk, when to run, different facts about running, tips, and so on. I can still listen to music on my device and hear him talk over it when it does talk. (You can turn this feature off) I don't like the fact that I have to import new songs into it every time (which could be user error), or that if I use another app like Instagram it automatically pauses and then my time and distance isn't accurate. I've used it with my Nike app running at the same time to ensure tracking, but that runs the battery down quick! I have figured out how to put in songs and then it chooses songs based on BPM. That's a pretty cool feature! Overall I'm happy so far and will recommend to my other newbie running friends to use as they train!

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Tie Dye shirts - take 2!

I redid our tie dye shirts for our upcoming trip. This time I only used two colors pink and blue which gave me purple also. I was pleased with how these turned out! For the tutorial on how to make these check out this post! http://sharingthedisneylove.blogspot.com/2012/03/tie-dye-mickey-shirts.html

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