Category: Shot at Life

So you think you want to be a Disney Princess?
asouthernmother
February 28, 2013

Due to popular demand I am blogging about my race experience with Run Disney at the Princess half marathon at Walt Disney World Resort.  It wasn’t as “magical” as I dreamed it might be but it wasn’t a completely poor experience either.

My personal race bib and my team bib.  


The Race Expo was moved from the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex to the Coronado Springs Resort due to events being held at the sports complex.  It was very congested (like most of the race) and very hard to get around.  I picked up my race packet, and made it through half of an aisle before I got frustrated and we left.  I don’t understand why they crowded the aisles into such a very small space, there was still a significant amount of space left in the ballroom.  There were things I really wanted to pick up but I just couldn’t bare to deal with the crowds.  My family and I spent the rest of the day on Friday at Magic Kingdom but I will blog about our vacation experience in a second post.

We spent Saturday at Animal Kingdom.  I waited to pack my race bag which was a huge mistake.  My ear phones disappeared.  I frantically ran out to the local Winn Dixie to pick up a pair.  I ended up not getting in bed til about 11pm which isn’t great when you are getting up at 3am.  If you can’t handle getting up really early, this isn’t the race for you.  I was out the door by 330am and still managed to forget my breakfast.   I drank a 16oz coconut water and some gatorade on the drive over.  

My first piece of advice is stay at a Disney Resort.  Run Disney provides transportation from all Disney hotels.  I stayed at a Disney Good neighbor hotel, Marriott Residence Inn Buena Vista.  It was just a few miles down the road and it still took over an hour for me to drive into the parking near Epcot.  If you are military affiliated, stay at the Shades of Green resort (I will discuss this at length in the vacation post).  The grounds are beautiful, the staff is so friendly, and they have Run Disney transportation. 























Like many large races you will be herded into your corrals much like cattle, and there is a pretty significant walk from the starting entrance to your actual physical corrals.  It is a good way to stretch your legs and stop for a potty break.  Bag drop ends at 430am.  The actual first gun and wave starts at 530am.  You are suppose to be physically in your corral by 5am.  I was in wave G which was 7th.  It started at 617am.  Someone told us that it was easier to get out of the starting gate in the later corrals if you were a decently swift runner.  This wasn’t the case at all.  I am pretty sure you were going to hit traffic no matter what start time you got.  I don’t advise starting later, it gets boring standing around waiting.  Even if a Fairy Godmother is entertaining you…. 


























My adrenaline was starting to wear down before the gun fired and I was exhausted trying to get around 
people out of the gate.  There is something to grab your attention most of the course, so you won’t get bored.  There are forms of entertainment, water stations, character stops, the usual Disney sights, and all the volunteers cheering you on around the course.  I have a love/hate relationship with the character stops.  There are plenty of options but be prepared for significant wait times on all the popular characters.  Mickey/Minnie and Cinderella were both 20+ waits for personal photo opportunities.  I regretfully stopped for both and my photos have yet to appear (I am still crossing my fingers).   I also stopped for Cinderella’s evil step sisters and the castle which were about 10 min waits each.  





I realized later in the race it would be easier to just go back to the park with my medal and get photos later.  The only official race photo I have found so far is my finish line photo.  I really hope my other photos turn up.  This is one I had them take with my Iphone.  The next photo is of Minnie and I on Monday before we left the park.  



It would be much less stressful and the run would be more enjoyable if the wait times weren’t so long for most of the characters.  I don’t see that changing in the foreseeable future, so I would strongly suggest unless there is someone you really want on the course or maybe the castle, don’t stop.  Otherwise, I would wait and take photos on a visit day in the park.  

The run was pleasant.  I wasn’t so winded when I finished that I needed to lay down.  I actually had a phone conversation with my dear friend Myrdin right after I crossed the finish line.  I could never build up any speed on the course it was so congested.  I probably paced about a 10 min mile.  There was an overcast so it wasn’t too hot.  The last 3 water stops I grabbed a powerade to drink and a water to pour down my back.  I strongly suggest hydrating on each stop even if you don’t feel the need.  



I saw alot of people ditching their costumes.  There were people who didn’t run in costume, so don’t feel obligated.  If you decide to run in costume, make sure you do at least a training run in it.  Running skirts are popular.  I did a tiara and tutu.  

It was an overall fun experience.  How many times will you get the chance to run through Cinderella’s Castle?  I am hoping to do it again next year with some friends, and maybe do Wine and Dine in the fall to see if my experience is any different.  I don’t expect the issues with congestion to change.  It is a popular race series and you probably aren’t going to set any personal records on the course.  



I have two other half marathons in the next two months.  I am doing our locally owned and operated half marathon Run the Bluegrass.  It is on the beautiful grounds of Keeneland and set to be a wonderful race experience.  I know Eric Marr and his team have worked very hard to set the bar high for this race.    If you are moving past a 5k but don’t think your quite ready for a half marathon, he is offering a 7 miler which is a good introduction to distance running.  The Rookie’s Run the Bluegrass info can be found by clicking the link.  They are also offering .9 mile kids races which benefit Girls on the Run and the YMCA of Central Kentucky.  I am looking forward to seeing many of my friends Run the Bluegrass. 

I was also fortunate enough to be drawn for the Nike Women’s Inaugural half marathon in Washington, D.C. in April.  Who wouldn’t want a cute fireman in a tuxedo and Tiffany’s finishers medal waiting on the finish line?  

If you have any running or race specific questions please feel free to post in comments or email me.  I will be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.  I am by no means an expert.  I am hoping to do my first full marathon soon and I would love if some of my friends would commit to join in.  I am going to be doing a separate blog post with general Disney vacation tips and another about using the Charity Miles app for organizations like the United Nations Foundation Shot at Life campaign.  

Happy Fairy Fast Friday! 
XOXO
~Jess 






Dear Senator… Belle goes to the “Hill”
asouthernmother
February 15, 2013

Capitol Hill once seemed like a place for just tourists and politicians.  Earlier this week, I walked onto Capitol Hill advocating for change.  It was quite surreal for a girl that grew up in southeastern Kentucky.  It was one of the most exciting and exhilarating days of my life.  I was getting to speak up for someone who was unable to do so.  
While we were there, our group visited the offices of Senator (R) Rand Paul, Senator (R) Mitch McConnell, Representative (D) John Yarmuth from 3rd congressional district, Representative (R) Andy Barr from 6th congressional district , and Representative (R) Thomas Massie from the 4th congressional district. 
Walking into Senator (R) Rand Paul’s office was a lesson in humility.  We walked into a “gun fight that we knew we were gonna lose” but we walked in there anyhow.  Senator Paul is a very vocal advocate against any United States Foreign Aid.  The United States only spends about 1% of the fiscal budget each year on foreign aid and diplomacy.  It is touted by many journalists that Senator Paul uses his opposition and out spoken nature to gain media attention.  After all, negative attention is still attention.   I guess he hopes that the U.S. is never directly attacked, that we won’t need allies, and we have never received any foreign assistance from other countries.  
Senator Paul should realize global health also impacts U.S. health.  I would hope as a physician he would see those implications.  Germs do not carry passports, outbreaks of infectious diseases in other countries still means the possibility of outbreaks in the U.S.  In 2000, measles were declared to be eliminated from the United States but due to vaccination propaganda and resulting lowered vaccination rates, in 2011 there were 222 cases reported by the Centers for Disease Control in the U.S.   Just across the “lake”, in England measles cases are at an 18 year high.  There have already been cases of the measles reported in the U.S. this year.  Complications from measles can be deadly especially in young children and those with compromised immune systems.  An outbreak of measles in the U.S. doesn’t just involve the health of an individual and their family.  A reported case of the measles requires CDC notification, exposure and tracking measures, and the alert of CDC personnel.  It places a significant burden on the healthcare system which is entirely unnecessary.  It also affects public transportation and education systems, it is an infectious disease which has easy modes of transmission.  
U.S. Today reported that a measles outbreak in Utah in 2011 cost $300,000, that was one outbreak!  It only costs $5 to immunize one child from measles and polio for life, $20 covers measles, polio, pneumonia and rotavirus.  These are diseases which are easily prevented if the we intervened.  
These children are real.  This photo is from a Shot@Life observation trip to Uganda. 
In reality the most important impact should be humanitarian.  The prevention of needless deaths.  We are a global society.  All American citizens were once immigrants from somewhere.  I can trace my roots to Ireland and Scotland, along with my Native American heritage.  My son has lineage in Ecuador and Spain.  Everyone deserves access to life saving vaccinations, regardless of place of birth.  A child and their family shouldn’t be punished because they were born in Africa, Pakistan, Guatemala, or any other country.  It is the most cost effective form of humanitarian aid.  It easily pays off dollar for dollar. 
 It is unfortunate that Senator Paul, wants to “throw the baby out with the bath water” as we say around here.  He might not approve of all forms of foreign aid but global vaccination funding is vital the U.S. and the rest of the World.  In reality it isn’t his job to approve of anything.  He was elected to vote as the voice of his constituents.  He should listen to what the people of the state want and vote for us.  In September he proposed that the U.S. cut all foreign aid to Libya, Pakistan, and Egypt because of government disagreements.  Why should we punish the children and families of those countries because of government disfunction?  Those children are no different than the children living in our own neighborhoods, except our children have access to local health departments and clinics to get vaccinations.  
I would like to a take a second to also point out that Senator Rand Paul was one of only 8 senators that voted against the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.  Last year there were 18,733 unduplicated new referrals to the Kentucky Domestic Violence Association and a total of 39,919 continuing individuals served.  To put those numbers in perspective, there is only 31,888 residents in Knox County Kentucky, where I grew up.  My brother and a dear cousin were both lost due to domestic violence.  Senator Paul must know that his vote was unacceptable.  
In this technologically advanced age it is easy to let our Congressmen and Senators know how we feel. You might not have money to donate to the campaign, but if your reading this you have internet access.  You can call, email, or write a letter to your Congressmen and Senators to let them know you support U.S. allocated funding for global vaccines.  You can also contact them via twitter.  
I don’t care if you are a teacher in Barbourville, a coal miner from Harlan, a farmer from Mayfield, an attorney from Lexington, or if you fall anywhere in between.  If you are 18 years old, you have a voice and you should let it be heard.  Your vote counts, you elect the officials.  I am going to make it simple.  
Here are the websites for officials for the State of Kentucky, if you live outside of Kentucky you can use google and find yours.  

I hope you will contact them and let your Senators and Congressmen know how you feel, whether it be about global vaccines, domestic violence, or any issue you feel is relative to you.  
Happy Fabulous Friday, 
XOXO
Jess 

The Global Citizen
asouthernmother
February 14, 2013

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”  
~Edmund Burke

Frank is my favorite person to heckle over the University of Louisville.  

I have spent the last few days with an amazing group of individuals who aren’t standing around doing nothing.  Actually most of them were shouting, “Hey, things need to change!”  Its easy to stand around and pretend your hands are tied.  It is much harder to try to get others to join your cause, especially when those you are advocating for are half a world away.  
I always use my time flying to think about my schedule and issues at hand.  My flight from Ronald Reagan airport in Washington, D.C., into Bluegrass Regional airport here in Lexington from gate to gate took about 1 hour and 30 mins.  I was on the plane about 5,400 seconds, and in that time approximately 270 children around the world died of a disease that could be prevented with a vaccine.  Doesn’t anyone find that unacceptable?  Where I am originally from, that is approximately the population of one elementary school.  
It would have only taken $5,400 to save those lives.  My goal over the next year working with the United Nations Foundation Shot@Life campaign is to raise $5,400 to help prevent the death of that many more.  I hope my wonderful community will help me work toward that goal.  I am blessed to be surrounded by so many caring friends, family, and neighbors.  We are global citizens, we aren’t bound by the same borders that once contained us.  These could easily be your own family and friends, if you weren’t lucky enough to live in a country as fortunate as the United States.  
Many people don’t realize Foreign Aide is only one percent of the U.S. budget and global vaccines are one of the most cost effective ways to help those in developing nations.  I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it would be to lose a child to something that could have been easily prevented if they only had access to a vaccine.  
Traveling to Washington was my first trip away from my three year old son and it was very emotionally difficult.  As a parent I can only imagine the grief and fear of realizing you could lose your child to a disease that could have been prevented.  From January 1 through January 19th of this year, Pakistan recorded 103 child deaths from complications associated with measles.  Five hundred and fifteen dollars is all that was needed to vaccinate those children against measles and polio.  A twenty dollar donation would vaccinate one child for a lifetime against measles, polio, diarrhea, and pneumonia.  
I want to do more than just fundraising. I hope over the next year I can create a dialogue with my community and government officials.  We need to let them know as constituents we approve and want allocated United States funding for global vaccines.  We need to advocate for those than can’t advocate for themselves.  
Please visit www.shotatlife.org to read more about the campaign.  Please feel free contact me with any questions, if I don’t know the answer I will try to find someone who can answer it.  I would also love to talk to you about the Shot@Life campaign.  Please contact me, and I will gladly speak to groups and even individuals.  
You can donate directly to the Shot@Life campaign through 
http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org/goto/teambluegrassbelle and we can keep track of area donations.  You can also join my team, it is a free and all the money raised goes to a great cause!  I have some exciting things in the works for a our beautiful town, and I can’t wait to show the world how much our community cares.  
I promise to blog later about my trip to D.C., all my new wonderful friends, and lobbying on the “Hill”.  I just have an adorable three year old I want to snuggle with.  I hope everyone else will snuggle their own babies tonight, and think of all the parents who would love give their own children a shot at life. 
Happy Worldly Wednesday,
XOXO
~Jess

Some birds were meant to fly
asouthernmother
February 10, 2013

Some birds were meant to fly and I flew the coop a long time ago.  I have always been adventurous and slightly audacious.  When I graduated high school at 17, I was ready to leave that sleepy little town that I loved to explore the world.  I have been fortunate to travel and meet lots of interesting people along my path, and yet I feel like my journey has just begun.  

Today, I took my another big leap out of my nest.  I left my son with my mother while I am gone to Washington, D.C..  I know we are both ready and we need this.  In his three years on this earth, he has traveled to Idaho, Nevada, throughout South Florida, along with the countries of Colombia, Curacao, and the British Virgin Islands, and countless stops inbetween.  If you count the 9 months I was carrying him, he has been a few other places too!  I was determined to teach him to have wings too, but sadly I realized I have been hindering him.  We have never slept in separate rooms  and tonight will be our first night apart.  I have never been away from him for more than a few hours.  

I am an Army wife, and I have an Army life.  My husband is gone alot.  He has been gone since shortly after Gabe turned one year old.  In honesty, if you counted up the days, he has been gone close to half our marriage.  It is the life we chose and I am grateful for his career.  Sadly, I sometimes feel like Gabe is being short changed in the parental department.  My family lives about two hours away.  It is just Gabe and I most days.  I feel guilty leaving him when his Dad is gone all the time.  

I believe in teaching a child by example.  I need to teach Gabe to fly by watching me.  He needs to know that I have dreams and I am not afraid to follow them.  I can’t make him afraid to leave the nest or always need me to fly with him (although I gladly would).  Leaving him asleep this morning wasn’t easy, but in my experience nothing that came easy was ever really worth it.  

Today I dusted off my wings and hopefully Gabe will start to use his own.  Watch out Washington this Bluegrass Belle is on her way!  I am so excited about advocating for the United Nations Foundation Shot@Life campaign.  I say this repeatedly, I may not be able to change the World, but I can work to make it better even if it is just one person at a time. 

Dear Boo, 
Momma will be home soon enough.  I miss you bunches and love you more than you will ever know.  Big a big boy and don’t be too mean to Escobar. 
Love,
Mommy

Happy Soaring Sunday,
XOXO
~Jess 

#MyLifeIn5Words
asouthernmother
January 30, 2013

It seems like many of my blog posts seem to be inspired by things I read on Twitter.  I saw the hashtag MyLifeIn5Words.  

Happy…. Grateful… Loved… Excited…. Hopeful 

At the moment, those five words seem to sum me up best.  I don’t know that I would have used those same five words a year ago and maybe not a few months ago.  I am finally starting to learn to cope with my brothers murder.  I know I will never truly get over it, but I have found ways to manage the anxiety and loss.  I think I am finally seeing my life with direction and purpose.  I feel that is largely in part to all of wonderful people I am surrounded by.  There are those I have known a lifetime and others barely a moment, but all have had a positive impact.  

Happy:
Adjective
  1. Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
  2. Having a sense of confidence in or satisfaction with (a person, arrangement, or situation).
Synonyms
glad – fortunate – joyful – lucky – merry – cheerful
I am happy that I have a feeling of purpose, and that I am no longer consumed with anger and hate.  
Grateful:

Adjective
Feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.
Synonyms
thankful – appreciative – beholden
I am so very grateful to my family and friends so standing by me the last few years.  I know it hasn’t been easy and I was exhausting to deal with.  You are loved and appreciated more than you may ever know.  
Love:

Noun
An intense feeling of deep affection: “their love for their country”.

Synonyms

noun.   affection – fondness – darling – passion

I finally feel loved and I have built deep trust in several relationships.  I lost the feeling of being loved and my security in relationships following Brandon’s murder.  I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to truly trust anyone, and trust is paramount in any relationship.  


Excited:

Adjective

Very enthusiastic and eager.  

Synonyms
elicit, enkindle, evoke

I have so many exciting things happening in my life.  I finished a Tough Mudder in the fall (and holy cow was it tough, mentally and physically).  I have a few big races coming up and I want to run a full marathon by fall.  I love to watch my son grow and develop day by day into an independent, kind, and well-manner “little man.”  Bluegrass Junior Woman’s Club is always doing incredible things in our local community and I am excited to see what the future holds for our group.  My new friends at Shot@Life have inspired me already and I am looking forward to working with all of them.  

Hopeful:

Adjective
Feeling or inspiring optimism about a future event.


Synonyms

promising – sanguine – up-and-coming
I feel like there are so many promising projects and opportunities just on the horizon.  I have both a mission and a purpose, I am not sure I had previously.  I am hopeful that the coming months and year bring more inspiration and healing.  
Happy Tuesday!  
XOXO
~Jess