Be our Guest

45 Days...

Disney Fun Fact: The opening day crowd at Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park was approximately 10,000 guests.
Shawn Fun Fact: I used to work for the Disney Store in Nashville where customers were called "guests."
Total money raised: $55

Ready, Set...

I love opening our home to guests but I hate cleaning out our spare bedroom and bathroom out so that we can pull out the sofa bed allow our guests to take a shower without stumbling over all of the items we store in our spare bathtub.  (It's like a closet...with a shower curtain.)

But, it's worth the 30 or 40 minutes of frantic "where should I put this box full of summer clothes" for an evening of conversation and camaraderie.  Trading off a few minutes of unpleasantness reaps hours of rewards.

Running for 30 minutes in a speedo in winter is going to be unpleasant but giving kids a chance at a week of happiness at the happiest place on Earth is totally worth it...well, that and the beer I plan on drinking after the race.

Donate by clicking HERE to support me in the 2011 Atlanta Santa Speedo Run!

The Doors

46 Days...

Disney Fun Fact: When Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park first opened its doors on October 1, 1971, adult admission cost $3.50
Shawn Fun Fact: When I was 7 and we first moved into our new house, my bedroom had 4 doors.  One to the hallway, 2 to the closet and one to the attic.  I woke up the first morning in the new house and (because I was not fully awake) I opened the doors to my closet and walked into the wall before I finally figured out which door lead to the hallway.

Total money raised: $55

A door is just a new opportunity.  One of my co-workers had two doors open for her over the weekend.  She was offered an internship at Walt Disney World and her boyfriend proposed in front of Cinderella's castle.

When she returned to work today she was very excited to tell us about her engagement but was terrified of telling us she had to leave in January to start her internship.  At 11 a.m., she stood in the doorway to my office and nervously told me about the internship.  I was so excited for her and she was relieved that whatever fear she had didn't materialize.

When your next opportunity comes up, don't be afraid to go through the door.

Help support me in the 2011 Atlanta Santa Speedo Run and Bert's Big Adventure!  Click HERE to donate online!

San Francisco

47 Days...

Disney Fun Fact: Walt Disney World® Resort encompasses 30,500 acres, making it approximately the same size as San Francisco.
Shawn Fun Fact: I biked across the Golden Gate Bridge with Jeff during a trip to San Francisco. 

Total money raised: $55
Thanks Steve M. for your support!

Monday mornings seem to come earlier than any other day of the week.  My alarm went off at 5:50 a.m. and although I can somehow get the fine motor skills in order to hit the tiny "snooze" button on my phone, I couldn't get the larger muscle groups together to actually step out of the bed.

So tonight I got home, changed clothes and headed back out the door for a 40-minute run.

Just like a trolley in San Francisco, training for any run will have its ups and downs.  I can't say I won't "Height" getting up at 6 a.m. to workout.  At times I may feel like I'm behind bars in Alcatraz while lifting barbells in the gym.  But it will feel great giving kids a "Golden" opportunity to experience all of the Magic Disney has to offer.

Give kids a chance to experience Disney World first hand by donating to the 2011 Atlanta Santa Speedo Run!

Registration - Check!

48 Days until the 2011 Atlanta Santa Speedo Run!

"We have to wear what?"

"So Shawn, you want to run in a 1.5 mile charity run to help send kids to camp?" Jeff asked.
"Sure, why not?  Sounds fun.  Tell me about it." I replied.
"Well, we need to raise money to help kids go to summer camp," Jeff started.

After having one of the best summers in my life working for YMCA Camp Ocoee in Tennessee, I knew that giving kids a chance to spend a week in nature learning more about themselves and making friends is a great reason to run.

"The run is in December," Jeff continued.
"Yeah, ok.  I've got plenty of cold weather running clothes."  I replied.
"And...we have to run in a speedo."

Wait, what?  I don't even wear a speedo in August...in Atlanta.  When the evening low is 98 degrees.

"Well, if it gives kids a chance to go to camp, I'm in." I replied.

Thus started the 6 weeks of speedo training and fundraising.

Ten months later, it's Santa Speedo Run prep. time again!

Registration: Check!
1st Donation: Check!
Speedo: Check!

Want to help me reach my fundraising goal and help send children with chronic/terminal illnesses go to Disney World ?  Visit my fundraising website

Check back for updates and fun facts about the training!