The last mile!

As we were about to come upon mile marker 13, we passed this tiny thing.

This was a huge clue that we were coming to the end!

The last mile was not as tough as I thought it would be. We were filled with so much excitement that we even ran just about all of the last 1.1 miles.

As we passed a lady probably in her late 70s, she overheard us saying we only had half a mile left. She looked up at us and said, "Really!!!! Only half a mile left!!!!" 

We Did It!

After we crossed the finish line, we had fairy dust sprinkled over us and we received our princess metals.

I am now a princess!

We picked up our post race energy food box........

 and met up with our family!

They had a Disney flower for us!

I loved doing this half marathon!!!!!

It was definitely packed with a lot of entertainment! 

I can see myself doing this again next year except with both of my sisters and maybe even the hubs......................as long as he wears a shirt that says, " My wife is my princess!"

The only thing I would do differently is put in a better run time to be closer to the front. There were way to many people towards the back! A majority of them were the ones who wanted to walk the whole time. I refused to walk all of it since I had spent so much time training. We spent a lot of our time running on the side of the road or zig zagging through walkers. Which I did not like!!

I have to tell you I liked it so much........I may even try for a full.......one of these days!

Over half way there!

When I last left you, My sister and I were leaving Magic Kingdom and had hit the half way mark in the half marathon.

We hit several more mile markers.........

Around mile 8, we saw our family again.

 

Finished a 15K!

There were times on this road when it was.....how do I say this.....not as exciting as Magic Kingdom.

We found ways to fill the time!

There were a few things to see along the way like.......

more characters

and all the runners dressed up were a huge part of the entertainment!

This guy had a t-shirt that said, "My wife is my princess!"

Jasmine Sr.

The kids will enjoy this one!

We also saw several males with shirts that said, "Why are all these princesses after me?"

I will finish up next time with the last mile!

A short run through Magic Kingdom!

When I say a short run......I truly mean it! 

We spent very little time running in Magic Kingdom. There was too many people trying to get through a narrow path. I didn't mind so much because I wanted to take plenty of pictures and video! Slowing the pace down just a little aloud me to do just that!

As we came around the corner to enter, My hubby and kids stood there cheering us on! 

Some of you may know the excitement you feel when you enter Magic Kingdom and see the castle. The famous road where everyone takes a family photo. The high was 10 times better knowing you are running to it!

When you watch the video you will see my sister in the blue hat and Merida from Brave. 

 

We stopped for a picture with Alice.

As we rounded the corner, we saw the castle. 

We received a very special invite into the castle.

You may have heard me say, "awww" in the video. I had just realized the huge line to see this special couple.

This was one of those times when we had to make do. Instead of standing in the long line, I stood to the side and my sister snapped the photo. 

Knowing that we were close to leaving the park, I did not want to give up the next picture opportunity.

So we stood in line to see Cinderella and her Prince. As we got closer, I guess Cinderella had to get ready for the ball. They replaced her with Sleeping Beauty. I was disappointed but at least we got a picture with one of the princesses.

All I could think about during the picture was how the Prince was touching my sweaty shoulder. Hopefully, I didn't stink like some people we passed!

As we were leaving the Magic Kingdom, we were celebrating because we had finished a 10K!

AND

We reached this sign!

Disney Princees Half Marathon Part 2

Every time I run, the first mile to me is the hardest. I think my legs must take longer to warm up.

Not on race day!

 I was so excited and pumped.......I think I ran the first mile!

Okay.....let me stop right here and explain......... that it did not take us 56 minutes to run a mile. You will see several pictures documenting each mile. The time that you see is from when the first group left. Remember we were in Corral G! We left 47 minutes after the first group.

Right before we hit mile 3, we ran through the Magic Kingdom sign.

Okay......let me stop right here too! I was not going in the wrong direction. I wanted a picture in front of the sign but thought I may get run over in the process. To solve that problem....... I walked backwards to get it! Just like in this instance, you will see later on how we had to make do on a few things.

By mile 3, I realized there were going to be lots and lots of picture taking moments. A lot more than I expected! Some photo ops we had to give up because 

1. We would never get done! 

2. The lines were too long!

Yes....that was the line to see the evil characters!

Soon after mile 5, we entered into Magic Kingdom.

I am going to leave the run through Magic Kingdom for another post. It was definitely my favorite part.......... lots of  great moments to capture!

My First Half Marathon

I may will have to break up this post due to the amount of pictures. I want to include as much as I can remember. I want documented proof that I DID IT! As I get older some memories and stories are fading. Will I forget about doing a half marathon? Probably not! I may however forget some of the awesome details!

I started training back in May 2012 when a friend came up to me and said, "Let's do a marathon!" I gave her this crazy look and said, "You just don't go and do a marathon. It takes a lot of dedication!" I saw the hours my hubby put in for his marathon.  Besides, I hated running! I was a speed walker! After I thought about it, I decided I would commit to a half marathon. 

I also decided if I was going to do a half, I wanted to enjoy it! I signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Due to some unplanned circumstances my friend had to back out of the half so I persuaded my sister to join me!

So the training began!

 

Some days I felt like this......... nothing could slow me down............ I was on Fire!

Most days were another story!

 I had practiced two 13.2 mile runs prior to race day. The first one was difficult! My thighs and calves were killing me! The second time was easier!

I had read several blog reviews about the Princess Half and most of them said the same thing. It was hard to keep a good time especially if you were near the back or stopped for a lot for pictures. I knew I wanted to enjoy every minute and capture as much as I could! I decided not to do it for a good race time but to do it for the accomplishment!

Sunday morning, we woke up at 3:00 am.......yes 3:00 AM IN THE MORNING.......and drove to Epcot. After using the bathroom several times, we went to our section which was corral G. Corral H was the last one so we were further back in line. To figure out our place in line, upon registering we had to submit a race time. I knew what time I could do a mile in but not 13.1. I just guessed with some leeway. Apparently, several thousand other ladies felt they were pros or just plain liars.

Here are a few prerace pictures.

Since we were running in a Princess race, we had to get dressed up for it. I had plans to make us tutus but saw these at Michaels for $1 in the after Christmas section. I couldn't pass it up!

You can tell this is a race with mostly women. Tons of port-a-pots and long lines!

A few of the necessities:

stretching

 gummy energy chews

and an excited picture and recording!

When it was time for each corral to start , they had Fairy Godmother do her bibbity bobbity boo to send everyone off along with fireworks. It was an awesome way to start running!

After we passed The Fairy Godmother and went up under the Princess sign, it was time get movin!

I will stop there for now. 
When I return, the race highlights!