Disney Princess Half Marathon!!!

One of my goals for 2013 is to complete two Half Marathons. Last year I loved the Disney Princess Half (last year's race post here!) so Lu and I signed up again to check the first one off the list for 2013!!

The Expo was amazing and absolutely packed. We ran into Jeff Galloway and I thanked him for writing "Mental Motivation for Runners" which I just read this week and really found helpful. He was super friendly!!

On the big morning we had to get up crazy early to be there on time. Last year we promised we would dress up next time which felt a bit ridiculous at 3am to be honest...until we got there and everyone else was dressed up too :)

 

It was my first time in costume for a race and it was actually really fun! And it really helped me stay focused on finishing...no self-respecting 41-year old woman is exactly 'living her best life' getting picked up by the SAG wagon dressed as Minnie Mouse :)

 

 

There were about 24,000 princesses ranging in age from 14 to 96! We met up with Amy in the corral- she's a "friend of" Snow White :). And took about a billion photos since we had over an hour to wait before the big moment...

 

And then the Fairy Godmother waved her magic wand and we were off!

 

 

The race started and we celebrated each and every mile!  It was hot and pretty humid and very congested but really fun!

The entertainment and spectators were totally fantastic!!! Lu helped me stay focused on each step...first to the castle,

...then a 15k, then 10, 11, and 12 miles and then just one more!!! Right before the end they had a full gospel choir. I remembered it from last year and burst into tears :)

 

And then we were all done!!!

 

 

 

One of my favorite races - and beautiful bling too :)