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RUNDISNEY MOM
Have a planning question about your next runDisney vacation?
Meet Lori, the runDisney mom on the Disney Parks Moms Panel. She's here to answer any questions you may have about your upcoming runDisney vacation, from what to pack and expect on race morning, to which theme park attractions you must ride and where to eat after the race.
Click here to submit your question to Lori, and read below to learn more about the runDisney mom!
The runDisney Mom
Lori has been a Disney fan and a self-proclaimed princess her entire life. Born and raised in Kentucky, Lori met her husband Heath at the University of Kentucky where she was a Wildcat Cheerleader and he ran Cross-Country. They got engaged at Walt Disney World® in 1997 and have taken at least one Disney vacation each year with their two sons, Aaron and Austin.
Lori began running in local 5Ks in 2008 as an activity to do with her husband. She decided her first distance race would be the 2009 Disney's Princess Half Marathon because she could run through Cinderella Castle. What she thought would be her first and only distance race turned into a love and affinity for running, and runDisney. "Running alongside so many women of all walks of life was so inspirational, I was hooked!" Since then, Lori has run in eight runDisney events in addition to her family & friends having participated in numerous runDisney Kids Races and Disney Family Fun Run 5Ks.
Being a Mom and a Runner
Finding the time to run while being a stay at home mom that home-schools her kids can be challenging, but Lori has made her fitness a priority. She runs first thing in the morning because it gives her the energy she needs to keep going throughout the day. "I am a better mom when I feel good, and I feel great when I am active." She completes her short runs on a treadmill and has a babysitter come each Wednesday for a few hours to watch the kids during her long distance training. With a little extra planning each week, Lori is able to stay active and maintain her responsibilities as a mother and teacher.
Why She Runs
Lori started running with her husband as a way to get back into shape after her youngest son started preschool. She continues to run because she enjoys sharing her experiences with others and it helps her maintain a healthy active lifestyle. "I love the fact that I am in better shape now than I was in my teens." Lori also uses running as a tool to show her sons how to set personal goals. "I love that my boys are proud of me for achieving and working towards my personal goals. I hope they will be motivated to set their own personal goals someday!"
Run-Walk-Run
Lori runs using the Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run Method. She says this style of training has changed the way she views running and it has helped her conquer any previous doubts about long distance races. "I think it makes long distances seem much less daunting and I feel it has been much easier on my body."
runDisney Races
Lori has participated in three of Disney's Princess Half Marathons (2009, 2010 and 2012) and in two Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathons (2011 and 2012). Also in 2012 she completed the Walt Disney World® Half Marathon, the inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon, Expedition Everest Challenge – The 5th Adventure, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 10-Miler. In 2013 she finished her very first marathon, the Walt Disney World® Marathon.
Her favorite race is the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon because she loves running through the parks after dark. "There is just something special about Disney at night! It's pretty hard to beat circling the Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom®, running down the Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios with the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing, and crossing the finish line at Epcot®."
