Why, yes, I AM a Princess

The night before any race can be one of nerves.  You check your gear.  Once, twice, twenty-three times.  You put everything together in a nice, neat little pile.

And then you try to sleep.

Oftentimes, sleep is difficult to come.  That held true for the Princess Half Marathon.

I wanted to sleep.

Needed to sleep.

Couldn't.

I taped my plantar fascitis.  Then check emails.  Then watched television.

Why on earth was it so hard to sleep?

Thankfully, and graciously, sleep finally did come to me.  And it was a good thing.  The chords of Soarin' were waking me within what felt like minutes.  

What people don't tell you about Disney races like the Princess Half Marathon is how early you have to wake up.  In my case?  It was 2ish am.  

I hopped in the shower after I tore off the KT Tape from my left foot, leaving behind my first blister for the day.  But I sucked it up and put on my big girl britches.  By 3:30, I was on the but towards Epcot, where I definitely was not the first person there:

They were yet again, playing loud music, trying to get everyone pepped up.  I bought a cup of the nastiest coffee ever known to man, but was grateful for the pickmeup.

I checked my bag, and headed towards the start line.  

What they don't tell you about the Princess Half is that before you get to the start line, you walk almost the first 2 miles of the 5K.

If I'm lyin' I'm dyin'.

Yep, saw it the day before

Plenty of sparkle

Sea of porta-potties

Finally in Egypt

Once I was there, I got into my corral, which was E.  I think they went from Elite to A to H.  

One of the amazing things about Disney is the way they start the races.  Every corral began with fireworks.  I've seen races do things only for the first corral and that was it.  Disney does it right:

And although it seemed like it takes forever in other races, I was here before long:

And I was nudged on by the Fairy Godmother herself!

We were off and I was running.  In fact, I ran the first mile.  Before I knew it, I was here:

And although I really thought I'd stop for Captain Jack, I didn't.

I kept on going, and before long I was here:

Now, I don't know why, but for some reason, I was really looking forward to getting to this point of the race.  I think I was looking forward to it so much, that I missed Mile 2.

Because my next picture is. . .

And then:

Somewhere between 3 and 4 I got my first runDisney text that alluded to a sub 3-hour finish.  I got excited and kept running.

Now, we were getting closer and closer to the Magic Kingdom.  And I was starting to be surprised by some of the runners.

I mean, really, are people running after losing a bet?

Hello, NotSoSnowWhite

Hmmm. . .maybe the monorail would have been a better choice. . .

Now how often do you see this while running?

It's the sea of people going under water

I'm told these were from the marathon weekend

One day, I will stay here.

Now, all of you know where I am about now.  Coming up is the real reason why most people run Disney races.  But let me tell you a few things about this particular race thus far:

1.  I was feeling good.  No knee pain, well hydrated.

2.  It was hot.  By this point, my hair is soaked even though I started off with dry hair

3.  The POCKETS of my Sparkle skirt made it worth every penny

4.  Everyone there made me feel like a princess.

By far, as long as I live, this will be the best half marathon I've ever run.  

Coming up. . .Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA

I'll leave you with a few words from LeCrae, who tends to be my best running friend:

Nah, I ain't sweaty and my breath's pretty steady

My feet don't hurt and my legs ain't heavy

I'm still in the marathon, I keep my pace steady

Temptation is quick/but the Spirit stay ready

My eyes on the prize, 

Yeah they fixed on Christ

~~LeCrae, "Run"

The Royal Family 5K

Back in December, I started looking at the upcoming races. . .most specifically, the upcoming Princess Half Marathon.  People were talking about talking the Princess Half slow and enjoying the race, and I was all about the training I was doing.  So I came up with an idea.

The Royal Family 5K.

I could take it slow and do it with my friend Nicole.

And then, I talked my husband into giving it to me as a Christmas present.

The morning of the 5K, Nicole and I got up really, really early.

We got dressed.

And boarded the bus with probably the second group.

We passed through all of the groups and went up to the party, where everyone was dancing.  Guess what?!?  I don't dance.  But, nearby:

The start line

And as people started the race, Disney started with fireworks:

Nicole and I were at the front of our corral.  Where an idiot (pardon me) made a snide comment about the two of us being towards the front.

Guess what, dude?  Get to the start a little earlier next time.

Either way, we were off and going through towards the back entrance to Epcot

They were starting off the test runs of Test Track

Don't I look cute in my tutu?!?

There's a lot of beer back here in the UK.

About here, we saw where a lady had collapsed.  It was sort of scary, to be honest.

And before we knew it, we were finished.  We got through in about an hour, by walking most of the race.  I was not about to injure myself when I had the Princess Half the next day.

Post race fuel box full of randomness.  I'd get another one the next day.

And what did I do post-race?  Well, by 10:00am, I was in Hollywood Studios.

And I got into that line.  That ended up being about 120 minutes due to a break down.  I rode with a girl from California who was going to run the half the next day.

I also road the Rock n Roller coaster.

And I like Mickey's new location.

I followed up my 2.5 hours there with a trip to Stormalong Bay.  Nikki and I had a studio at Boardwalk Villas, where the creepy clown pool was out of commission.  We were able to use the best resort pool on property. 

It was getting later, and we'd have dinner coming soon.  The next day was the Princess Half Marathon.

And I was ready.

You Don't Choose Your Own Circumstances

On my most recent Disney trip, there were several things that went wrong.  I look back at those first two days as nothing more than a disaster.

Monday, for example:

When I went to check in to Coronado Springs, the person checking me in could not do so.  It took 45 minutes, them buying me breakfast, and crediting my room money in order to check me in.  Apparently picking up my park tickets early the day before was a mistake because I had done online check in.

A bus to Magic Kingdom never showed the first day.  Waiting for my key made getting to the Magic Kingdom impossible for me that day.

When I get to Epcot, the same day, as I'm going into the World Showcase, I'm stopped by a text from my husband, "Do you want the bad news now or can you wait?"

Apparently, he was at the doctor's office with our son and a sprained foot that could have been broken.  By that time, I was of the mindset, "Maybe this was a bad idea.  Maybe I should just go home."

And then there was the issue that throughout the week, the plantar fascitis started royally acting up to the point that I was giving my foot an ice bath every night.

I was getting discouraged.

What does the Bible say about discouragement?

James 1:2:  "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds."

How on earth do I find joy in circumstances?  By knowing Jeremiah 29:11:  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.  Plans to prosper you and not harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future."

We are all so spoiled in our own little worlds.  One or two small things can ruin everything for us.  But, instead, we have to look at what is right.  We still have a God who loves us.  We know He is for us.

And me?  I was on a trip of a lifetime.  I was going to run a race many people don't get to.  My son's injury was not as bad as it could have been.  And Coronado Springs bought my breakfast and credit to my room.  And I finished that race.

Before I get to the race weekend itself, I wanted to share a few pictures from the week: