During the runDisney Princess half marathon weekend, I had the chance to sit down with Sean Astin (from Lord of the Rings, the Goonies, and Rudy), and talk with him about the race. My plan was to run into the hospitality suite for a snack, but I ended up chatting with Sean for a couple hours about his race experience, and what he thought about wearing a tiara (he said it still felt like he had it on!) We talked about everything from acting, to race car driving, to his love for his juicer.
Sean had recently run the Tinkerbell half marathon, so it was nice having something to compare Princess to when talking to this new coast to coast medal holder. His overall critique of the race was a good one. he told me he especially loved the strong crowds on Main Street USA. He also said that the roads felt wider and easier to run on than in California. We talked about how well stocked and awesome the aid stations were, and even how he almost went the wrong way coming out of Cinderella castle! Luckily, some kind folks got him back on the right track.
One thing we talked a lot about was the humidity. Living in California where the weather is usually beautiful, I asked Sean if he thought the hot and humid day had an affect on his performance. He answered that he honestly didn’t notice it much until about mile ten, but it got rough at that point. He was pouring water on his head to stay cool by mile eleven! Sean did something quite heroic at the end of the race too. He was gunning for a particular time goal, and was just about to get it a couple hundred yards away, when a woman in front of him fell to the ground with a calf cramp (boy do I know how painful that is!) He threw his time goal out the window, and instead bent down to help this woman up. He and a friend helped half-carry her a few feet and then this strong lady told them thanks, but I am going to finish this on my own! I wonder if she had any idea who was helping her! I think it’s so cool that a strangers well being was more important to him than hitting a certain time at the race.
Another funny story Sean told me about someone having no idea who he was. He was helping out at the expo at the runDisney booth, and a woman assumed he was a worker/volunteer and starting asking him questions. Hilarious! He of course answered her and helped as best as he could, never mentioning who he was or that he wasn’t an employee. I love it!
I had a great time just hanging out with Sean, he was super easy to talk to every time we spoke over the weekend, and I am glad I got to interview him post race about his personal experience with the Princess half.
Action shot of me interviewing Sean post-race. Taking notes on my phone.
One thing I wanted to be sure I shared with you is called #run3rd. (Also check out the blog). Sean heads this up and founded it, and it basically is 1) I run for myself 2) I run for my family 3) I run for YOU. So who would you dedicate a race or run to? In Sean’s Words: “What started as an inspirational Twitter campaign is now a global movement sharing dedications made on behalf of people’s loved ones, causes and ideas.”
Interested in becoming a team captain? It’s easy!
To become a Team Captain:
You may nominate someone (or yourself) by simply tweeting:
I nominate (@handle of nominee) to be a #Run3rd Team Captain.
Add a few words of support and list an event they might Captain.
Team Captains Responsibilities:
- Tweet about #run3rd
- Encourage people to make dedications.
- Answer occasional Twitter questions about #run3rd.
- Direct followers to run3rd.blogspot.com.
- Tweet about their event
- Date/Time/Place/Updates.
- Info about #run3rd signs.
- Share Team Captain race day plans.
- Be visible as the #Run3rd Team Captain before & after the event
- Visit with the #Run3rd community.
- Share the #Run3rd story with others.
- Tweet about the event afterwards (hopefully with pictures) and provide recap for the blog.
Team Captains are the key to broadening the reach of the #Run3rd idea. Running is an inclusive sport and almost everyone who runs at some time or other uses their experience to honor someone or something else. Members of Team #Run3rd understand that we are custodians, in a way, of people’s trust and faith. When folks make a #Run3rd dedication it is often very personal and heartfelt. #Run3rd Captains are ambassadors who help promote and extend the concept of making and honoring those dedications.
Team Captains are expected to represent #Run3rd with compassion, decency and honor, always reflecting well on their fellow Team Captains and the #Run3rd mission. Failure to do so will result in removal from Captaincy.
QOTD: If you could ask Sean one question, what would it be?
You interviewed Oso! I’m so jealous right now! I wish I had a question but when I see Sean Astin my heart leaps into my mouth. I wanted to take him home and keep him safe in the LOTR. I fell in love with him in Toy Soldiers, ;). I better stop rambling now.
haha!
I loved him in the Goonies! Lord of the Rings too of course but the Goonies reminds me of my childhood!
LOVE LOVE LOVE HIM FROM RUDY.
Love.
This is so rad. My question(s) would be: What was his favorite movie to film? And what is his favorite movie that he is in?
I think I’d ask him about run3rd because he seems so passionate about it. I love him in LOTR, and it helps big time that Sam is my favorite character. I even wrote about Sam for my college application essay.
How awesome you got to interview Sean Austin! I am slightly jealous lol! He seems like such a sweet and caring guy! That finish line story is amazing!!! And #run3rd is an awesome concept! I love it!
I’d probably ask him if there was any point he felt like he was going to die while running, at which point I would expect him to respond with “GOONIES NEVER SAY DIE!” 😉 What can I say? It’s my favorite movie of all time. So cool that you got to interview him.
Unrelated, have you seen the plans for Disney Springs (I think this is my first time commenting, but I’m a fellow Disney fanatic…holla!)? #excited
LOL!
yes I saw the DTD plans, excited to see how they change it up!
I’m so jealous that you got a chance to talk to Sean Astin! I’d probably ask him how he balancing running with everything else he does.
good one!
So fun that you got to interview Sean!! I LOVE Goonies. He seems like a great guy. And thanks for sharing information about #run3rd. Love that idea!
SO fun you got to interview Sean Astin!
I had been looking forward towards your interview with Sean. I had not heard the story of how he helped someone at the end of the race. But it does not surprise me at all. At the Meet-Up I was literally the last runner to finish our morning run. I was a sweaty mess. He was walking out as we were coming in-I think to take a few publicity pics. He high fived my friend and I. Then my friend was brave, and asked if we could take a pic with him-he said yes. I then mentioned i was so inspired by #run3rd, and would be writing about it on my blog. He said, ask me some questions. Another runner took my camera and videotaped me asking him questions. He was so gracious, kind and really took time to answer the questions I asked. I’m working on the writeup, but it was truly an honor to meet him. You were smart to get a pic with him at the cocktail party! My only pics I am a sweaty mess!
thats so cool you got video!
I found the #run3rd group via another way, but I loved hearing about your chat with Sean. It must have been awesome meeting him. I was surprised to hear that he was a runner, but also humbled to know how down to earth he is.
very down to earth!
I had the pleasure of talking to him at the Tinker Bell Half Meet Up and boy am I glad I did! I asked him a very simple question, “What is your advice to someone running their first half marathon?” as I was there to run my very first half and he gave me about 30-40 minutes of encouragement and advice. I walked out of there feeling more confident in myself than I had in months of training! He is a great guy and I bet you had a blast interviewing him!
love it! I am totally not surprised he did that.
This is awesome — #run3rd — I never heard of it before, but I will def be checking it out. It’s great to hear how down to earth and nice he is! Goonies is a HUGE favorite of mine! Jealous of all your awesome Disney stuff!!
run3rd is easy to be a part of!
Awesome!! He really seems so down to earth and personable. I love that Sean Astin did Tinker Bell & Princess for his coast to coast medals. Thanks for sharing the info about #run3rd.
What an awesome experience!
What a cool interview experience. I did not know that he was a runner. It sounds like he has a great foundation with #run3rd.
yes its super cool!
My sons would be so jealous! They love him in LOTR! My youngest would shout go Sam go!!
Love that you got to chat with him! He seems so down to earth, thanks for sharing!
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