Disney's Princess Half Marathon Weekend(Part 1) 10K Recap

 Hey Friends!

I am finally getting around to posting about my experience at my first runDisney event, the Princess Half Marathon weekend.

The Princess Half Marathon races had been on my bucket list for about 2 years, but I could never remember to register for them until 4 months after registration opened...which is too late because the whole weekend sells out in hours. Crazy, I know.

So, January of last year, I decided to start planning a surprise Disney vacation for the family with this particular race weekend in mind. 

I wanted to participate in the Glass Slipper Challenge (10K and Half Marathon), and I was so excited to see that the half was scheduled on my 35th birthday.

Happy Birthday to ME!

I was a nervous wreck on registration day because the runDisney site and Active.com froze 5 minutes before registration opened. 

Thankfully, I was part of a Facebook group that had the direct link posted immediately at 12 p.m. EST, and I was able to register in 2 minutes. 

After a near nervous break down, and $330 later (budget buster, I tell ya), I was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

I spent the rest of the year saving money towards the trip, and working on my training, making sure that my body was ready for the back to back races.

That was the easy part.

The part I wasn't ready for was the getting up 2 days in a row at 3:00 a.m. EST...which is 2 a.m. here.

B.R.U.T.A.L.

The picture below is me trying to act like I am happy, when really, I am questioning why on Earth did I sign up for this torture.

It was chilly and I was sleepy.

The 10K started at 5:30 a.m. 

RunDisney wanted all runners on the bus by 4 a.m. to ensure that everyone was at the start line on time. The bus ride was short for me because I was staying at Port Orleans Riverside, and Epcot was a quick 10 minute ride away. After arriving, you had to stop at the tables for bag check. I didn't have a bag, so I was good to walk on through.

I got my picture taken in front of the PHM flag, and made my way to where all the action was.

There was a fun little dance party near the start line, and there were several people dancing and having a good time. I didn't join in because I was alone, and I didn't have the courage to jump right in on my own. :-) 

We lined up in our corrals around 5:00'ish, waited a bit, and then we were moved to the start line. I was in corral A, so my group got to go first.

The start of the 10K was really underwhelming compared to the big production of the Half Marathon start line.

Fairy Godmother had a few words to say and then she counted down.

There were fireworks.

But the fireworks were kind of like a little baby sneeze. 

Just a spurt.

They do that for each corral, so that was pretty cool.

I will say I prefer the fireworks over the shot guns they use here in Alabama!

 The race went by fast, and there were just a few character stops. There are only 6 miles to fit characters in, so there isn't the ability to have that many.

This was the only stop I made. I figured I would never see these two in the parks, so I stopped for a quick pic and moved on. If I hadn't made this pit stop, I would have gotten a PR, but I wasn't there for PR's. I was there to have a good time!

 At the finish, we were handed our medals, and a box of goodies. Then you had the ability to take pictures with different princesses. I chose to take one with Aurora. She's one of S.R.'s favorites.

 And here's the box of goodies they give you along with a Mylar blanket to keep warm once you cool off.

 So...my thoughts on this race.

It was fun, and fast. I loved running through Epcot's World Showcase and the Boardwalk area. It was beautiful with all of the lights glowing, the fire blazing, and the Disney music blaring. 

But it was too quick.

If you are new to running, and all you can do is a 10K, then yes, you should do this race. 

However, if you think that you could possibly do more, I would go for the half. The experience is so much better!

And you have around 7 months to train once you secure your spot in the race.

If you would like help planning a race-cation at Disney and participate in the Disney Princess Half Marathon weekend, contact me at crystalw@destinationsinflorida.com and I can help you plan a magical vacation!

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Vacay Pics....

We have been M.I.A. for a week because we were vacationing in sunny Florida. We decided on a whim that we would drive down at night. That was the QUIETEST trip we have ever taken:o) We arrived around 10 a.m. and hit the beach. The hubs and I were completely zonked, but knew the kids wouldn't be able to wait to see the beach. This was the view from our balcony:

 Not too bad, ehh?

Here are my sweets getting their piggies wet.

 After 3 days on the beach, we headed to Orlando. We did a character dinner with Cinderella and Prince Charming.

Here is S.R. with one of her favorite princesses.

 E was actually very excited about meeting Prince Charming.

 S.R.....not so much:o)

 Step sister #1

 Step Sister #2

 There were kids all around us who had these great looking cupcakes. We found out that they were for birthdays....they felt sorry for our little ones and let them have one to share....E's birthday is in a few weeks, so that's how they justified it:o)

 We spent a day at Universal Studios. Here are the kids sporting their shirts that I made them. We had several ask if they were twins.

This is after lunch all tuckered out. It was soooooo hot that day. The hubs and I haven't sweat that much since we were college athletes:o) Did you spot the fans that I wrapped around the stroller bars? Dollar Tree....they were great for the kids, and the blades were made of foam.

 Now this is funny.....E begged for a magic wand from Harry Potter land. Here he is showing off his new Dumbledore wand.

 Here he is asking if it's okay to wave his new magic wand.

 Here is the look of utter disappointment when he realizes that magic wands aren't real.

 Here is the discussion of how magic is make-believe. 

Thankfully he was completely okay after realizing magic is pretend. He loves his wand and has been "zapping" everything in sight. S.R. got a fluffy unicorn and takes it everywhere she goes.

We had a fantastic trip, but I am glad to be home....the kids start preschool tomorrow. 

What am I going to do with myself?!?!?

Possibly lay in the fetal position in a corner and cry??? I am sure that I will get over it;o)

Any-whoodles, be on the look out for another guest post.

Have a great Monday!!!

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Back from a Mini Vacay

The hubs and I spent a fantastic weekend at Callaway Gardens. It was kid-free & uber relaxing:o) He arranged everything, and I'll have to say, I don't think he could have done any better....it was PERFECT!

When we first arrived, I got sick...(not so perfect).

  I have been on antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection, and it's been making me icky at times.

We were supposed to start the trip off with a 2 hour bike ride, but I wasn't feelin' it, so we toured the gardens by foot & car.

Inside of the butterfly house:

 The Chapel:

 Entrance to chapel

 Stained Glass Window in chapel

 View of Lake from chapel

 Lots of pictures of the chapel, eh?

 Me taking a break to keep everything down....was that T.M.I.?:o)

 This bunny was so cute:o)

 This little guy was cute until he started blowing his chin out at me to back off....not cool! 

 The hubs and me:o)

 It's hard to see from this pic, but there were around 30 turtles coming towards me(that little red dot at the end is me). They thought I came baring gifts. See that dispenser to the right? It's full of turtle food, and you could buy some for a quarter. I felt so bad b/c we didn't have any money on us...poor turtles!

 This is one of the restaurants that we ate at.

 We sat at the far right corner. They had an amazing Sunday brunch...I had a Vegan meal. It was FATABULOUS.!

 This my friends is the post office in one of the neighborhoods of Callaway Gardens....isn't the cutest thing?!

 We eventually got around to the bike rides, and it was so much fun!

 My favorite flower!

 Cute little nook.

 Us after surviving the bike trails....we were still smiling:o)

I almost forgot to mention the 4 hours I spent at the SPA while hubs was playing golf....It was heavenly. Massage, pedicure, steam room, relaxation room, &  haircut. A girl could get use to this:o)

I am so thankful that we were able to take a weekend for ourselves. We definitely came back relaxed and ready to take on the world:o)

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