It’s the “happiest place on Earth.” The place “where dreams come true.” So does running at Disney feel magical? Does it result in a dream pace? Well, not exactly.

I’ve been at Walt Disney World for the last 3 days on our annual trip to Disney. (It’s a long story but Mr. rUnladylike is obsessed with Disney, and we go during Christmas time every year. No, we don’t have kids yet. Yes, I’m serious. Yes, I know it’s kind of weird. Yes, I do also enjoy it. *wink*)

After my confession on Sunday that last week was less than stellar in the health and running department, I was determined to make this week awesome. And, knowing that no amount of Tinkerbelle’s pixie dust would do the work for me, I decided a healthy and happy week would start at Disney.

I had several goals for this week, one of which was to work out at least twice while at Disney. So how did it go? (Drum roll please ….) I worked out 3 times. Every morning we were there. Take that Thanksgiving “try-to-derail-me” week.

Day 1

On our first morning at Disney, we went for a 5-mile run. We started at the Contemporary Resort, where a large Christmas tree flanked by 2 American flags stood guard. We ran by the Magic Kingdom, through the Polynesian Resort, along the perimeter of Bay Lake and around the Grand Floridian Resort (including the wedding pavilion). We then ran back the opposite way, doing another loop that included views of Space Mountain.

My average pace was 8:40, but each mile was a little slower than the first (do as I say, not as I do). I didn’t eat anything before we ran and I was a bit dehydrated. So, needless to say, this was not the run where dreams came true. But 5 miles is 5 miles. I’ll take it. We finished up by doing 15 minutes of ab work before heading to Epcot for the day.

Day 2

On our second morning in Disney, we worked out at the Contemporary Resort’s gym. I did a strength and speed workout that looked like this:

Day 3

On our third and final morning at Disney, we went for a 30-minute run and did some more strength work, focusing on legs and abs. The Contemporary Resort has a 0.89-mile jogging path that we ran around 4 times.

We then set up shop at the beach and did 5 sets of 20 squats, 20 lunges (10 per leg) and 20 step-ups, followed by 3 sets of crunches, leg raises and side planks.

And don’t worry, all the exercise didn’t derail the fun. It’s just proof that travel doesn’t have to unravel your exercise and training goals. Thank you, Mickey.

Have you ever run one of the Disney races? If so, what did you think? If you do strength work, what is your favorite workout?