I'm four weeks out from our Enchanted 10K during the Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World in February and I have been in the thick of intense training for weeks. My runs are getting longer and I've learned one simple truth:
Music can make or break your stride.
My normal mix of typical gym pumping rhythm tunes were starting to get old so I decided to mix in a few Disney tunes to help me visualize where we'll be doing this crazy run. My iPod shuffled them all together into a steady stream during mile 3 of my latest run and for the first time I didn't even glance at my lap tracker to see how many more I had to go -- for an entire mile!!
As I listened to the songs I had chosen, it was the messages hidden within that really worked their magic. I couldn't help but think that THIS is why I run Disney: They inspire me to chase after crazy dreams, push myself out of my comfort zone, and give me permission to do it while wearing a sparkly tiara. (And YES, I have already purchased mine. It's taking everything I've got not to wear it to the YMCA for a "practice run.")
These quotes are all from princess movies which is especially fitting for the Princess Half Weekend! If you want the full playlist, scroll down to the bottom but please indulge me while I highlight some of my favorites:
There are 2 songs from "The Princess and the Frog" on this list and I adore them both. But "Dig a Little Deeper" just barely wins that race. Mama Odie had me cracking up as I did my laps. When the song opened up with, "Don't matter what you look like, Don't matter what you wear. . ." I looked down at my sweaty self in my ratty gym clothes and literally laughed out loud.
Who cares what we look like as long as we're out there getting fit??
And then there are the oh so wise words from Daddy to Tiana in "Almost There" . . .
Disney is filled with magic, but Tinkerbell isn't going to cover me in pixie dust and run this race for me. I have to put in the work and make it happen.
The song ends with the lines:
"But I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river
And I'm almost there, I'm almost there."
So I stick this song towards the end of my playlist when I know I'm going to be really sore and tired. Sing it, Tiana!
There are two songs from "Brave" on my list because I find that Celtic sound so motivating. Plus, Merida is just cool. But how can you pass up some lyrics like this??:
Lastly, there's my girl Rapunzel. She leaves her tower for a dream she's not even sure what it is! "I've Got a Dream" would have been the obvious choice, but it is really "Something I Want" that made it to my playlist. The opening line sings, "She's a girl with the best intentions." Yes ma'am.
I still remember the day I first discovered runDisney. I stumbled across a picture of a racer crossing the finish line -- bright pink tutu, black running outfit, sparkly tiara, arms flung in the air and a broad smile on her face.
I want that.
That is exactly what I'm working for:
Pixie Powered Playlist: Favorite Disney tunes for your next run
- Almost There from The Princess and the Frog
- Dig A Little Deeper from The Princess and the Frog
- Touch the Sky from Brave
- Learn Me Right from Brave
- Something That I Want from Tangled
- When Will My Life Begin from Tangled
- I've Got a Dream from Tangled
- Go the Distance from Hercules
- Immortals from Big Hero 6
- When Can I See You Again from Wreck It Ralph (Check out the entire blog post I dedicated to this one here.)
- Sugar Rush from Wreck It Ralph
- Let It Go from Frozen (Sorry, I had to! lol It's just too good in the context of running!)
- Life is a Highway from Cars
- Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo and Stitch
- He Mele No Lilo from Lilo and Stitch
- True To Your Heart from Mulan
- Mickey Mouse Club March
- Seize the Day from Newsies
- King of New York from Newsies
- Carrying the Banner from Newsies
- He's a Pirate from Pirates of the Caribbean
- If You Believe from Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure
P.S. Want to follow along with Team Hot Pink Tutu's training for the Disney Enchanted 10K and see how we're helping St. Jude Children's Research Hospital? Be sure to check out our running hub here.
 |
|||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Disney Runner
Hey! This is so cool! I am also a Disney runner who started recently and finds all my inspiration in the Disney music. I just wanted to let you know that your playlist is literally spot on and I as a fansie I was pleasantly surprised to find some newsies tunes in there too! If there was one song I could add it would be "I'll Make A Man Out Of You" from Mulan. That one is usually the song that takes me the extra stretch, you should think about trying it. Anyway this is super cool, keep running and keep Disney dreaming ?