What better activity is there to do with 8 to 10 yards of pink and purple tulle than to run in it? Of course, there had to be a cute Rapunzel top to go with it (more on that tomorrow as part of our Crafty Tuesday series). This weekend was my third half marathon (and my second with Nicole who made a terrific Snow White costume) and it was the biggest and bestest race of them all! Disney knows how to do BIG and they definitely know how to put on a great race.
At the start line they told us there were 19,000 runners at the race. That is a LOT of people! Many of those people were running their first ever half marathon. I totally get that – if you are going to run 13.1 miles you might as well be one of the most magical places on earth to do so! Notice how it is so dark? Let’s just say we got up early to go to the race! Our alarm clock went off at 3:15 and we were to the park by 4:00. The race didn’t start until 5:45 and (if you can imagine) it was chilly.
Each start corral received their own fireworks when they reached the start line. I love that each and every group got their own bright, sparkly display. Plus, it helped spread out the runners which is a terrific idea. Cinderella’s fairy godmother saw each group off. Fun, right?
During this race we ran through Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom. As I ran down Main Street USA the song I was singing in my head was “I’m running right down the middle of Main Streeeeeet USAAAAAA.” Tell me you know what I am talking about? Yes, we ran through the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Each park was closed at the time. They did allow spectators in to the parks to cheer for us and the crowd support was amazing. In fact, crowd support is always my favorite. I love the people who wake up super early and go stand out there and cheer for their loved ones. I especially like cheerers who have generic signs like “Charlie Sheen says you are winning” that apply to anyone and make you laugh as you run past. The little kids who are out there cheering on their parents always make me smile.
A race at Disney wouldn’t be a race without a few characters, right? The princess lines were a little too long, but we found a few characters who we could run right up to and get our picture taken. Sooo fun!
After crossing the finish line and having our super-adorable-complete-with-pretend-diamonds-metal placed around our necks we had a goody box of food. Yum!
Do you see my Garmin/running watch? I accidentally took my husband’s instead of my own. It died 45 minutes in to the race. Drats!
This was an amazingly fun experience. Half marathon number three is complete and I have some really fun pictures from it. And as crazy as it seems, there are only 20 days until my next half marathon (the Georgia Half Marathon). Soon we will be back to deals and saving money………but every once in awhile we like to remind people to pursue their passions and enjoy life!
Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more
Congratulations Leandrea! You are a true inspiration!
xoxoxoxo
Visiting here from Ricole Runs! 🙂 Congrats on your race! That was a crazy early start, wasn’t it? But such a fun race! Disney does races right.
Congrats! Just read Ricole’s recap then jumped over here to read yours 🙂 I can’t really imagine running in costume without wanting to rip it off after 30 seconds due to itchiness or pokiness or something, but you both look awesome! So cute!
Congratulations!!! Six months ago, I planned on running the Princess with my BFF but we decided not to do it. Kudos to you and Snow White for running ~ and you were both adorable! Your post confirmed my desire to run another Disney race (I did the Inaugural Wine & Dine 1/2). Way to finish ~ you deserve that bling!!
Thank you for your kind words. Kudos for running the inaugural Wine and Dine. Does it make you want to continue doing that race so you can keep saying you have done it? 🙂 Disney races are fun, fun, fun. I kind of wish we had run the Family 5K too.
I also wish we had done the Tangled 5k as well!
You. Are. AMAZING!!!!!!!!
Woweeee! Girl, you are awesome (and completely freaking A-dorable)! I am impressed and inspired. I’m still dragging my feet to enter my first 5K.
Theresa – DO IT!!! 5K’s are so fun and the more you run them the more your kids will want to either run or cheer you on. There is a very awesome program called couch to 5K that several of my friends have used and loved. I will cheer you on!