And there's more...

The photos are in and I love the video that the RunDisney folks put together (here!)...such sweet memories...:)

 

This race has gotten me completely pumped up so I've added a bunch of races to the Upcoming Events tab to keep up the momentum - I need to finish at least 12 of them this year. Come join me!!

Disney Princess Half Marathon!!

Today was a completely amazing experience for so many reasons :). One of my goals this year was to run two Half Marathons so I had planned one at the begining of the year and another towards the end. I just didn't feel ready for the Rock and Roll Half a few weeks back and was feeling terribly guilty about allowing myself to fall behind with training :(. When I discovered that Luciana was doing the Disney Princess Half a couple of weeks later, I signed up so that we could do it together. We worked really hard over the past few weeks to get ready and training with such a special partner has been a total joy :).

On Friday night before the race, we went to packet pick up at ESPN. We couldn't quite believe that our big weekend was here!

The Expo was just HUGE!

It started to hit us that in just a day or two we would officially be honorary Disney princesses :)

At the Expo we got to see running hero, Jeff Galloway speak. I even asked a question! We were totally star-struck. Here he is talking about 'downstairs' issues. Runners - you know what I'm talking 'bout.

The night before I just couldn't sleep hardly at all. There aren't many things scarier on the bedroom floor than the morning 'get up' all laid out...

On race day we had to meet at 3 a.m. to be sure to get there by 4 a.m. We were both really nervous but the outdoor dance party and photo opps were a great distraction...

We promised each other not to worry about time, to stay together, finish together and most importantly to have FUN :)

The runners are all placed into groups based on predicted finish time since there were about 15,000 of us! Each corral had a different song for the runners to get to the start line for their 'go' time and we started getting really excited (and terrified) as we watched the runners ahead of us get started...And then it was us and our song was Party Rock Anthem! The running Gods are good!

Ev'ry Day I'm Shuffling...

It hit 6:15, the fairy godmother waved her magic wand and we were finally off!

Every half mile or so there was some form of entertainment. Everything from a marching band playing the theme tune to Rocky, Disney characters, acrobats, trampoliners, a hot air balloon, live bands, racing car drivers, everything you can imagine!  As we ran past the Disney Wedding Chapel there were even about 10 groomsmen proposing to us with glass slippers as we ran by! It was so entertaining and I think I only listened to my ipod for maybe 2 songs the entire race!

The weather was absolutely perfect and the majority of runners had some kind of costume. As we heated up, there were literally hundreds of jackets and tutus discarded alongside the roadway:)

We ran all the way from the Epcot ball to the castle in Magic Kingdom and back again.

We didn't really start hurting until about mile 8 but we celebrated every single mile regardless. I think we were the among the last princesses with our sense of humor still intact at the end...

Look at some of the grumplestiltskins in the background!! And we were not even half-way yet...

Serious athlete poses...

The magical halfway point...:)

This pic says it all :)

It got pretty tough after about 8 or 9 miles but we pushed through and stuck to our 5/1 intervals. As soon as we could see the Epcot ball it all seemed to rush by. My favorite part of the entire race was just before the finish line when we turned a corner and there was a huge gospel choir. We were both moved to tears and grabbed each other's hands for our big 'over the line' moment :)

The medals were so pretty...

Despite the fact that afterwards I felt like I'd been hit by a truck, I'll never forget this race. And I promise to follow the training (yes all of it) next time. And there definitely will be a next time. Thank you Princess Lu - look at what we did together!! You were right - pain is temporary, but pride is permanent :)

He's a Rockin' and a Rollin'...

Here's Mike pounding the pavement at the Inaugural Rock and Roll Half Marathon in St. Pete! His second half marathon time was amazing - 1:47:26!! So proud of you Mike - Congratulations!!!

I was supposed to have joined him but fell behind with training:(. I'm so dissappointed in myself that I didn't make it and let life get in the way. Thankfully, Luciana - my new running buddy - came along at just the right time and I have been able to jump into her slipstream since she is doing the Disney Princess Half in just a couple of weeks:). No more excuses - I going to do it with her and get back on track right away. Wish us luck!!

Lady Track Shack 5K

I met Luciana *still dark* and early for the Lady Track Shack 5K this morning in Winter Park. This race had it all - great cause (cancer), great route, great company, great weather and cute shirts!!

We were really excited to do our second race together and be in the company of 2,000 amazing women!

Track Shack do a fine job of hosting a really entertaining and organized race and the route was really pretty too.

The spectators were awesome too and really kept us motivated!

I wanted to capture that 'over the line' moment - it's such a great feeling!

Today was not a record breaker for me at just under 32 minutes but I know that I pushed myself hard the whole way so I'm really proud of myself!  It's also so wonderful to have such a special running buddy and it's really helping me get my mojo back! Thank you Luciana - you are such a joy to run with!!