No, to my knowledge, Sean Astin does not have the secret to runDisney zen. The secret is that you USE Sean Astin’s example to achieve runDisney zen, assuming your anxiety is time-based. Yes, of course I will explain.
WHY SEAN ASTIN?
At the beginning of my runDisney career, the greatest constant was Sean Astin. He was at the 2013 Princess Half Marathon. Then he was at the 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon in Disneyland. He even did the Dopey Challenge in 2015 just like me.
For a time, he was ubiquitous! And then he vanished. All the sudden, there was no more Sean Astin at runDisney… as far as we all knew.
See, the reason I can tell you Sean Astin was there is that they were CONSTANTLY dragging the man up on stage before each race. I sometimes wonder if that’s why he stopped doing them. In fact, I wrote up a whole post about it. Where did you go, Mr. Astin?!
HOW I USE SEAN ASTIN TO EASE runDISNEY ANXIETY
Whelp, wherever he is, I hope he’s doing well. He pops into my mind every runDisney weekend, and here’s why:
During the pre-Walt Disney World Marathon Moment of Astin when he (and I!) did the Dopey Challenge, he remarked that he had stayed out in the Magic Kingdom until 11pm the night before. Amusing anecdote, right? Good banter, etc.
Yes. But ALSO, I like to remind myself of this fun fact whenever I start to get concerned about the time. Is it 7pm the night before the race and we’re still at dinner? That’s okay; Sean Astin was in the Magic Kingdom until 11pm the night before the marathon.
Did I get caught up in the Expedition Everest line and I’m now only just riding the bus back to my resort at 8pm? That’s okay; Sean Astin was in the Magic Kingdom until 11pm the night before the marathon.
Did I suddenly realize I’m missing a race costume element and now I’m hastily assembling shoe wings at 9pm? That’s okay; Sean Astin was in the Magic Kingdom until 11pm the night before the marathon.
Basically, as long as you’re back in your resort by 11pm, you’re golden.
ANYWAY, IT’S TIME ONCE AGAIN TO runDISNEY
Please do use this method if you start worrying about your bedtime during Princess Half Marathon Weekend! Lord knows I will. I also have a full post about combatting pre-race jitters, although sadly none of those suggestions involve Sean Astin.
Speaking of which, I just dropped my Princess Half Marathon Weekend costume video on YouTube! Take a gander if you’re interested, and maybe duke me a like/follow if you’re so inclined.
I will also of course be posting my weekend exploits to Instagram, so be sure to check that out if you’d like to follow along. And naturally there are many posts about my adventure on this here blog still to come!
Alrighty, my bags are packed and, God and TSA willing, I am off to Orlando. As long as I’m in my resort room by 11pm, I’m way ahead of Sean Astin.
Don’t forget, you can follow FRoA on Threads @fairestrunofall and on Instagram @fairestrunofall. If you have any questions or thoughts, leave a comment or email fairestrunofall@gmail.com. See ya real soon!