Sean Astin has clearly starred in some of the best (at least in my opinion) movies of all time. Tell me you haven’t said “Goonies never say die!” at least once in your life. Or get chills and a little emotional while watching Rudy, the soundtrack from that film has definitely gotten me through some runs. And of course, you know your heart breaks a little every time Sam says “a promise is a promise Mr. Frodo” or when Frodo sends him away after Gollum has framed Sam (bad Frodo!).
But, his movies are not why he’s my hero. As I’m sure all of you know, Sean Astin runs half marathons. He runs Disney half marathons. Even more than that, he runs the “girl” Disney half marathons.
He’s going for his Coast to Coast medal this year. He could’ve gone for it with the WDW half and gotten himself a Donald Duck Medal, or the Wine & Dine Half and had a medal with Spaceship Earth on it. Then he could’ve gone to Disneyland and run in the Disneyland half marathon and had a medal with a “D” on it. But no. He ran in the Tinkerbell Half Marathon in Disneyland. He ran in a race surrounded by women, supporting women, women who run. He was okay with being in the minority, and was one of the men who wasn’t too good to “run with the girls.” So he received a medal with Tinkerbell on it. And for his race to complete the Coast to Coast? He chooses the Princess Half Marathon. He’ll get a medal with a pretty tiara on it. I have no doubt he will rock that medal.
When I ran in the Princess last year, I admit, my smile (when I had the energy to muster one) got a little extra wide when I would see the men who were there, running, supporting their women. It makes me happy that a public figure like Sean Astin does it too.
This movie (based on the real life story) about dreams coming true still gives me chills
Sean Astin seems to always portray characters who are the “little” guys who make a big difference. I don’t know why him running in these races gives me such a good feeling, but it does. He’s a just a guy running in a race, but him showing support in women runners, I just feel like that helps make a difference in real life too.
Have I mentioned I’m a dork?
Agree! It’s super cute and appropriate the he’s running Princess after running Tinker Bell. They’re the perfect pair of races!
They are! I might have to go for my Coast to Coast next year with them. Maybe I’ll even get to see Sean at one of them!
I saw Sean after the DL Half this year, he was having breakfast in the same restaurant I was. I heard him say to someone he wished he had his medal on because everyone else was wearing theirs…someone must have gone back to his room to get it for him because by the end of breakfast he was wearing it! It was cute.
Awww! Hopefully he’s learned his lesson and will not not wear his Princess medal. I’m glad someone got it for him
My dad was the same way. He didn’t wear his medal after the W&D and got all sad when I got the congratulations for wearing mine. We were too far from the hotel tho to go back and get it
You can read more about Sean and running on his #run3rd blog http://run3rd.blogspot.com