"You know you didn't have to run 13.1 miles just so you could go to Disney."

[crystalight33]

I passed another royal coachman

and then came up on mile 8. I took my only GU at this point (Chocolate Outrage, yum!)

Now, up until this point I was not really worried about my time. I had hopes of making it under 3 hours, but I wasn’t willing to give up photo opportunities for a time goal on my first half marathon. That is, until I saw the timer on mile 8 was already over 2 hours. I realized that if I wanted to have a chance at a sub 3 time, I’d have to start hoofing it. I was still feeling great, and the caffeine in the GU helped too.

I ran past Meeko.

And mile 9.

I had to stop for Princess Atta though. I’d seen her standing out there earlier that morning as we ran towards MK, I felt so bad for her.

Epcot already? Just kidding! (It's a hot air balloon)

Mile 10. The race clock was 2:26. I’d have to run a 34 minute 5k at the end of this race to meet my goal. And what would pop into my head but the Darkwing Duck theme song, “Let’s get dangerous…Darkwing Duck!”

 

[crystalight33]

At this point, you have to run up the banked overpass to get back to Epcot. I kept noticing that a lot of people around me were starting to feel the distance and I was doing a lot of weaving as more and more people started walking. I was still feeling great at this point, no side stitch, knee was fine, so I stopped for a quick picture with Sarge. He had no line, I couldn’t believe it!

“This is what Sarge likes to see, running early in the morning!”

Mile 11. Mile 10-11 took me 11 minutes. A 3 hour goal is looking possible! Sometime between 11 and 12, I passed by Mrs. Incredible, Meg from Hercules, Jane from Tarzan, and Mulan. I didn't even slow down to take photos as I ran past.

Mile 12. Mile 11-12 took me 11 minutes as well. Can I really pull this off??

We ran into Epcot and at this point I am so focused on my goal that whenever I think about the finish line, I get so emotional that I can’t breathe (remember, breathing is good) so I just focus on putting one foot in front of the other.

We ran past the big fountain (one of my favorite things at Epcot) and down to the World Showcase Lagoon where we turned around and came back.

I snapped a quick picture of the Heaven sent choir.

And then I heard Mom calling out to me.

I threw her a quick wave and huge smile and turned the corner to the finish line!

When I passed the finish line, the race clock said 3:00:12 – but remember I started 8 minutes after the race clock, so my time was really 2:52:54.

I’m getting a little teary as I remember the emotional high I got crossing that finish line and meeting my goal. There were so many times during my training where I would think, “There is no way I can run 13 miles” and here I was, 13.1 in under 3 hours. I was so incredibly proud of myself as they draped my medal on me.

 

[saysay]

Be proud Crystal! You did great. One of the highlights of my race was when you asked me how my foot was doing.....you are so sweet! It was truly an amazing day, LOVE your trip report.

 

[Stacybaeasm]

That is so amazing!!! I can't believe you were able to stop for all those photo ops and still make it under 3 hours. You have inspired me to hit my workout hard today.

 

[Swmr359]

When I passed the finish line, the race clock said 3:00:12 – but remember I started 8 minutes after the race clock, so my time was really 2:52:54.

I’m getting a little teary as I remember the emotional high I got crossing that finish line and meeting my goal. There were so many times during my training where I would think, “There is no way I can run 13 miles” and here I was, 13.1 in under 3 hours. I was so incredibly proud of myself as they draped my medal on me.

Good job!!! I can't believe I didn't see you, our times are really similar.
So do you have plans for another 1/2?

 

[crystalight33]

Be proud Crystal! You did great. One of the highlights of my race was when you asked me how my foot was doing.....you are so sweet! It was truly an amazing day, LOVE your trip report.

Thanks!! You too! I couldn't imagine being in pain the entire second half like you were. I'm happy I could give you a little pick-me-up.

That is so amazing!!! I can't believe you were able to stop for all those photo ops and still make it under 3 hours. You have inspired me to hit my workout hard today.

You and me both! I kept telling myself not to have a time goal, but once I realized how close it was going to be, I just had to go for it.

Good job!!! I can't believe I didn't see you, our times are really similar.
So do you have plans for another 1/2?

I'm looking into doing the Country Music half here in Nashville on April 30th. I'd also really like to do the Princess again, it was so much fun! These things really are addictive...

 

[crystalight33]

I was riding such a high as I crossed that finish line under my goal! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end as my muscles decided they were very very mad at me. Oh, I have never had muscle cramps like that before! I tried to stretch, hoping that would help some, but no dice (plus the volunteers were pretty adamant about keeping us moving out of the chute). Apparently my muscles did not want to push quite so hard the last 5 miles… Now, if my brain hadn’t been foggy from the emotional high of finishing and the miserable agony of lactic acid build-up, I would have remembered the second GU I had in my running belt. I’m sure I would have felt better faster if I’d taken that, but I forgot I had it. Lesson learned.

I waited for my turn in front of the princess backdrop for the official photo and that was easily the hardest line I’d stood in all day. I just wanted to sit down, curl in a ball, cut my legs off….well, maybe not that far, but close! After I had my official photo taken, I beelined straight to the food table for a banana, powerade, and blueberry muffin. This was all taking place in the area just inside the bag check tent (on the runner only side) which is where I’d sat for about 30 minutes before they’d opened the corrals that morning. So I sat my crampy legs down and ate my banana and started the powerade. Sitting down helped tremendously. As soon as I sat down though, Mom was calling my cell phone….doh! She was just on the other side of the bag check tent waiting for me, so I picked my sorry self up, walked about 20 feet to meet her, and collapsed back to the ground again. After I finished the powerade and muffin, I was feeling a bit better. I was still cramping, but it was manageable.

My plan at this point was to find the princesses, find some Tylenol, and go take a shower. We walked over to the princess area and there were 2 pretty long lines. Jasmine and Ariel were out and I really wanted a picture with Ariel since she was my chosen princess. However, when I went to get in line, I was told that their line was closed and in about 15 minutes, ‘the other’ princesses would come out. I figured the other princesses would be Snow White and Aurora (I totally ran past her on the course and didn’t see her) so we decided to just leave rather than wait. I found out later that it was Rapunzel that came out and she was another princess I really wanted to meet. So sad!! I guess it just gives me an excuse to run it again next year. I did get a picture in front of the Princess screen.

The wings are looking a little rough. I'm surprised that they held up as well as they did bouncing around for 13 miles...

Now, everything about this race had been so well put together that we were shocked when we got back to the car and couldn’t move. The parking lot was a complete mess! Everyone was leaving at the same time and there wasn’t a parking attendant to be seen! It seriously took us about 45 minutes to get out of the parking lot. I need to write a note to Disney because that was the only issue we had, but it was a pretty big issue.

After surviving the parking lot, we made it back to the hotel, and I took a nice long hot shower and it was about the best thing in the world.

 

[hulagirl87]

I loved reading about the Princess marathon. I'm hoping to run it myself one day. Maybe when we take DD in a few years. Gives me some time to train! I loved all your pictures too! I don't know if I could have passed up Meg though, she's one of my favorites and you never see her out!!! Congratulations to you. What an accomplishment. I can't imagine what it feels like to cross that finish line. I'm sure it's amazing!

 

[Stacybaeasm]

I have to ask - what is a "GU"? I'm new to this whole running business and trying to learn what I need to know.

 

[Danhockey04]

Awesome, it's so cool reading how you felt finishing the race, always cool to hear about other's experiences to know that you aren't the only one who feels that way. Though not being my first, that one gave me a way better feeling, I know you had that same awesome feeling.

I stayed in the park after the race, had lunch at Les Chefs de France, I learned the lesson of the parking lot after the race from Jan. I just brought change of clothes and some wipes to clean myself off with, it helps get your day along, unless your on a rush to get back and head out.

As for GU, it is the food they give out around mile 8 I believe, I never had any, don't like trying new things, I know they would work miracles and will try them before I run so I know what to expect during race.

Loved all your photos and makes me wish I stopped for some, but I was trying to improve my time in the end, and one of the next two races will be for improvement, trying to get below 1:50 cause I want to qualify for corral placement in Chicago. Though when I was running, most characters had no lines, I finished at clock time ~2:08, so going faster and getting closer to the front has its advantages and gives you more of a reason to train harder. Keep chugging and pushing, good luck in your next race and see you again in the Princess 2012!

 

[luckylady]

Congrats on finishing your race. Job well done and in the time you wanted.

 

[Qltrgrl2]

Great job on your race and the trip report. Loved your photos! I just ran the Princess 1/2 marathon too. It was my first 1/2 and I was also in your corral! My daughter talked me and my sister into the race and we had a blast. My sister had run races over 20 years ago, and shocked us all my finishing first in her age group!
We are anxiously waiting for her to receive her prize from RunDisney....hope it is nice! Are you doing the coast to coast challenge? We are signed up for that too.
Happy running!

 

[mikamah]

I loved your trip report. I did the princess half too as my first half, and laughed when you joked about finishing at 3:30. I finished at 3:35, and my goal was to finish on my two feet, so I was thrilled. It was truly amazing.

I started running last winter, and if not for the princess half, I am sure I would have stopped running last summer. A disney race is such a fantastic motivator.

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing all your memories and pics. I feel like I just relived all mine reading it.

 

[tmbacon]

THANK YOU for sharing your report! What a wonderful experience - I am seriously contemplating doing my first half-marathon next year and am eyeing the Princess in 2012. I can't think of any place more fantastic than WDW to do such an event! I am up to running 6.5 miles during my 'long runs', and am doing my first 10K in early May. Never in a MILLION years did I think I would contemplate doing a half-marathon - your report is such a motivator though, I really feel like I can do this!!

 

[jenifred]

I loved your post!!!! Thanks for sharing your story. I am signed up to do the Half in February. It will be my first race ever. I have a love/hate relationship with running. Reading you story keeps me excited. Thank you.

 

[Shannon84]

I am loving reading your TR...I just love reading about the experiences people have with Disney races, especially when it is their first half marathon or marathon. I did my first half marathon last year at the Disneys Wine and Dine and it was very emotional! I love all of the pictures you got!