As you know I love to hear and share inspirational stories of all our Rockstar Doggy Mommas. If you do too then you are going to love today’s post. Meet Meghan Schoenborn. She is a wife, mom to 3 kiddos (Eliza, 5. Lennon, 3. Harrison 16 months), has 2 pups including her running buddy Khan, 3 kitties, and a small flock of chickens. Meghan runs her own business, as a Jamberry Nails Independent Consultant.
I don’t know about you but I’m tired already. That is why I was so inspired by Meghan’s story. She has a completely full plate but still decided to make the commitment to her health and wellness. I had the opportunity to ask Meghan a few questions about her journey.
Grab a cup of tea, sit back, relax, and start reading….you’re going to love this!
Meghan, you have such a full schedule with your family and work life. Why did you decide to start running?
It all started with a race, a Disney race of course! To say I’m a Disney fan is an understatement. I’m actually a Disney baby. Both my parents worked at Disney during the construction phase and way beyond. I literally grew up at the Magic Kingdom. Here is the short version on how I got started. Several of my mom friends decided to run a half marathon at Disney, as part of runDIsney’s princess weekend 2015, I thought they were crazy. I was pregnant at the time but decided to sign up, not for the half marathon but for the 5K that was taking place as part of the Princess weekend. Even though I was pregnant, the pace was one that was doable at a moderate walking pace. I even talked my mom and sister into participating too. The day arrived and was filled with lots of laughing, skipping, taking endless selfies, and making memories during the very appropriately themed Frozen 5k, I was HOOKED. I immediately started looking for more runDisney events I could do in the future.
How does one go about training for runs with three small children, a husband, a full time career, and a small petting zoo in their back yard?
Great question and one I get asked a lot. I knew I really needed to make time to truly run and train. The only time that my little people didn’t need me was when they were sleeping, so that’s when I started running. Khan (my 3 year old English Mastiff) and I would head out at 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock, or even midnight. Whatever time worked best for my family. Most people think that is nuts but to be honest, running at night was the perfect time for “me” time. Time that was all my own. I live in Florida so the temperature was also much more tolerable at that hour.
So what happened after your first 5K?
Well, I’m not sure what happened but the next thing I knew I was signed up for my first half marathon. 🙂
When/how did the running for exercise turn into a goal of marathon running?
Disney! (Well, Disney and bling.) If anything can motivate me, the fun and excitement of Disney can. I have physically and mentally evolved over the last year since tackling that first 5k, but I still thought a marathon was a crazy idea. I would never even consider running longer than a half marathon. Then I became immersed in the runDisney community and that can do funny things to you. I watched with delight as some of my fellow runners tackled WDW marathon weekend, and the Goofy and Dopey
challenges. To say that it was inspiring is an understatement, and I now find myself planning to tackle my first marathon and the Dopey challenge in 2018.
Tell us what runs you’ve done so far and/or which have been your favorite.
- It all started with the Princess 5k February 2015
- Then I took on the Expedition Everest 5k challenge, with my best friend Heather as a team May 2015
- I talked Kyle into taking a California trip to Disneyland for our 8th anniversary. That’s where I signed up for my first runDisney challenge event, the Star Wars Rebel Challenge. It’s a 10k on Saturday followed by a half marathon on Sunday. As a warm up, Kyle and I both did the 5k together on Friday too!
- The first half marathon I signed up for was actually cut short due to a weather delay and storm damage, but we ran on for a little over a 10k at the Wine & Dine half marathon (affectionately known to many as the inaugural half half) November 2015. Plus that morning I walked the Jingle Jungle 5k through Animal Kingdom with my mom.
- That lead me to have the amazing idea to make 2016, the year I turn 35, into the year of runDisney challenges! I just completed the Glass Slipper challenge during February’s Princess weekend (my 1 year “runniversary”). I earned my first of (at least) two, Coast 2 Coast challenge medals. I am also signed up for the inaugural Star Wars Dark Side challenge in April and I just added the Friday 5k which I will walk with my friend Heather.
- I would LOVE to take a quick trip and take on the Pixie Dust Challenge over Mother’s Day for Tink weekend. (Haven’t buttered Kyle up enough for that yet.)
- I definitely plan to sign up for the Wine & Dine half marathon again this year as well, I need to take on the whole course this year!
Is participating in a Disney runs everything you hoped they would be?
Oh my goodness yes! And more! They truly know how to set the stage for these runs with the atmosphere of excitement and enthusiasm at the race weekend expos. There are lines to get in before they open. People are so excited and ready to check in, explore the amazing vendors and booths, plus grab their commemorative merchandise. To remember my events, I always have a list of must-have items each time I go plus the obligatory “expo beer”. The vendors and speakers that Disney brings in at the expos are top notch and I personally hope to get a selfie and maybe a signature at the next expo from Jeff Galloway. It’s like a runner’s paradise filled with everything from light up running gear and sneaker charms, to exclusive Disney shoes and amazing running gear. And that’s just the EXPO!
On race day there is no feeling in the world for me like turning the corner onto Main Street USA, lined with cheering spectators, and running toward the castle and that iconic Partners statue. It brings a tear to my eyes. Getting to actually run through Cinderella castle = priceless. Another memory I will hold dear is getting to run through the Osborne Lights for the last time at Hollywood Studios, it took my breath away. Just magical.
As if getting to run through the parks, among an amazing field of runners isn’t enough, Disney keeps you going and excited through even the longest courses with unique character stops and entertainment along the way. I have seen some of the most elusive characters while running. What a treat!
Disney runners are a special crowd, everything from elite runners that clock lightning fast paces (but even they get into it and wear running costumes, though more simple and running friendly), to Disney fanatics who are all about the experience and those photo ops, to those that have just decided to get up and get moving and just want to finish, and everyone in between. The generous pace requirement allows a very inclusive environment and I for one love that! Pixie Dust, Mouse Ears, and Light Sabers, Oh My!
What future run are you most looking forward to doing?
I am most excited about participating in the inaugural Star Wars Dark Side weekend, because I plan to run annually during that half event, to go “legacy” and eventually “perfect” which means that you’ve run every year. It’s a pretty amazing group to belong to as the years add up and the group dwindles. Seeing those particular runners at the various events is so amazing and inspiring.
Do you think this will become a family affair as the kids get older?
The great thing about participating in runDisney events is that the family already gets to participate! Starting at the 2015 princess weekend, Eliza and Lennon have gotten to run as part of the kid’s race.. All 3 kids just ran again at Princess Weekend; the boys 100m and Eliza ran the 200m. They are all signed up for the kid’s races in April too. Eliza is the most excited about participating in the races and we’ve started creating running outfit for her now too. When you runDisney, costumes and fun outfits are a must and really add the fun and excitement leading up to the event.
Meghan, thank you so much for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration!
Thank you, Erin! I am so honored to be able to share my story, not to have the spotlight on myself but to show others that anything is possible. If you hate to workout (as most of us do) then find something you love to do. My family is my everything and Disney has been a part of my life since the day I was born. Running has allowed me to take care of my health, get in some much needed “me” time with my nightly runs, enjoy family time during the runs with my husband, kids, mom, and sister. And to do it all on the Happiest Place on Earth…. It just doesn’t get any better than that! If you were as inspired by Meghan’s story as I was, let her know. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.