Last week Tuesday, I semi jokingly wrote on a Facebook post (regarding someone being gifted a Disney Princess Half bib) that I wish someone would gift me a bib to the race. I had wanted to do this race but unfortunately it wasn't in my race budget. Long and behold a few hours later I received a message in my inbox asking if I was serious. After an hour of deliberation, (really just seeing if I can find a really cheap hotel - yes I live in Orlando but still 40ish minutes from Disney and who wants to wake up at 2:30 to get to Disney by 4 on race morning - NOT THIS GIRL!) I said yes and guess what…. Sunday I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon!
So thankful to one of my BGR sisters for this opportunity! I had a blast at the race. Luckily for me the week before I had did a long run of 10 miles so technically I knew I could do this. But to be honest, I pretty much have the mentality now that as long as I kept my running consistent and do a couple long runs of 7 - 10 miles a month, then I don't need to train for a half marathon unless I'm training to improve my time / speed. But this race, I set out to run for fun - and good thing I did (read on). I mean it was my very first Disney race and I wanted to truly enjoy it.
For me, the race was lots of fun. I think you'll be able to tell from all the pics below! I actually ran with my actual camera so I could take really nice shots. It took me 3 hours and 25 mins to finish but I throughly enjoyed the experience (except the end - keep reading) and now I can say - Just call me Princess Pree!
Was there some negatives to the race? Absolutely - having to wake up so early - 3:30am, the traffic - I thought I wasn't going to make it!, the amount of people (really packed running through certain - well most areas ), and not being able to get into the parks for free afterwards LOL! But seriously I started in the 2nd to last corral which meant I started an hour after it actually started. Before I hit .5 of mile 1 the lead Princess was just about to cross the finish (she was running!!). Then I tried maneuvering through all the walkers and such but it was so much work that by mile 2 I was like yeah I'm just going to enjoy this. It was all going well until mile 10. Started feeling my quads tightening and then the worst thing happened at the beginning of Mile 12 - they cramped up so bad I could barely walk. Luckily I was near a tree and stretched out so then I was able to walk the last mile! But still I loved the experience.
Would I recommend it for someone's first half marathon? Not unless they are in like the front corrals and not trying to really truly enjoy the experience. Some races you run for time, others you run for the enjoyment! Or in this case… the magic!
Nuun Representing! |
Mickey was waiting for me at the finish line |
33K steps ~ 16.5 miles |
Breakfast fit for a PRINCESS! |
xoxo, Preshii
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